The PTGDR gene is not associated with asthma in 3 ethnically diverse populations

Background The prostanoid DP receptor ( PTGDR ) gene on chromosome 14q22.1 has been identified as an asthma susceptibility gene. A haplotype with decreased transcription factor binding and transcription efficiency was associated with decreased asthma susceptibility in African American and white subjects. The significance of PTGDR gene variants in asthma has yet to be determined in Latinos, the largest US minority population, nor has the association been replicated in other populations. Objective To determine the role of PTGDR gene variants in asthma susceptibility and asthma-related traits among the Mexican, Puerto Rican, and African American populations. Methods We determined whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in PTGDR were associated with asthma and asthma-related traits by family-based and cross-sectional cohort analyses in 336 Puerto Rican and 273 Mexican asthmatic trios and by case-control analysis among African American subjects with asthma and healthy controls (n = 352). Results We identified 13 SNPs in the PTGDR gene, and 6 were further analyzed. There was no significant association between PTGDR variants and asthma by family-based or case-control analyses. SNPs -441C and -197C and haplotype TTT showed marginal association with asthma-related traits in Mexican subjects. SNP -441 genotype TT ( P = .05) and haplotype TTT ( P = .02) were associated with increased IgE levels in African Americans. Conclusion We conclude that the PTGDR gene is not a significant risk factor for asthma among Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, or African Americans. Clinical implications Asthma candidate genes provide insights to pathophysiology and potentially new therapeutic targets, although the PTGDR gene was not found to be a significant risk factor for asthma in 3 populations.