Autoimmunity play a part in development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells and tissues whereas Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a kind of lung disease characterized by long-term breathing problems and causes airflow blockage.

COPD, which includes chronic bronchitisand emphysema. Genome-wide association studies have identified several genes that contribute to the COPD development, however scientists still lack an understanding of the pathogenesis of theCOPD. The researchers examined the link between genetic variants in COPD and clinical phenotypes, or physical characteristics such as the historyof the disease, to understand the biological mechanisms concealing COPD.

Using genetic data from patients, the researchers performed a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) of 16 reported COPD-associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that were recognized by a genome-wide association study. SNPs represent a difference in a single DNA building block called a nucleotide are the common type of genetic variation among people.People are genetically very similar, but the main difference is because of theSingle Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP).

                                        

Right now here's no treatment for COPD, Researchers are attempting to figure out to diagnose and to prevent it.So, some people with a specific SNP are more susceptible to get this disease.

SNP is also combinedwith several autoimmune diseases, likerheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes thatsuggests a genetic link between COPDand autoimmune disease.

This study could provide awareness on opportunities for drug repurposing. The findings recommend future studies should explore the role of the immune system in the COPDpathogenesis. The researchers hope that scientists will investigate how normal SNPs, such as those associated with metabolic pathways or different nutrient receptors, are related to COPD.

Story Source:https://goo.gl/ioMzG3

By William Rose