Polymorphism of the β2-adrenoceptor in COPD in Chinese subjects

Study objectives: To assess the frequencies of three polymorphisms at amino acid positions 16, 27, and 164 of the beta (2)-adrenoceptor (beta (2)-AR) gene and their effects on COPD patients. Design: Prospective, case-control study. Patients: Sixty-five patients with COPD and 41 healthy subjects were included. Measurements: Polymorphisms of the beta (2)-AR coding block were delineated using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. The allele-specific PCR technique was verified by direct dideoxy sequencing of PCR products. Pulmonary function tests were performed in all patients. Results: The Arg16 beta (2)-AR polymorphism was less prevalent in COPD patients than in healthy populations (p=0.01). A significant correlation (p<0.018) between the Gln27 <beta>(2)-AR Poly morphism and FEV1 percent predicted value was found. Patients with the Gln27 polymorphism had a higher percentage of low FEV1 percent predicted than did patients with the GlnGlu and GluGlu variants. Conclusions: The polymorphism of Gly16 may increase the patient's susceptibility to the development of COPD. The Gln27 beta (2)-AR polymorphism may be associated with the severity of COPD in a Chinese population.