Expression network analysis reveals cord blood vitamin D-associated genes affecting risk of early life wheeze

Thorax. 2019 Feb;74(2):200-202. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-211962. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Abstract

Cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) has been reported in association with risk of early life recurrent wheeze. In a subset of infants who participated in the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial, we demonstrated that higher cord blood 25OHD at birth (>31 ng/mL) was associated with a reduced risk of recurrent wheeze in the first year of life. We then identified a module of co-expressed genes associated with cord blood 25OHD levels >31 ng/mL. Genes in this module are involved in biological and immune pathways related to development and progression of asthma pathogenesis including the Notch1 and transforming growth factor-beta signalling pathways.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00920621.

Keywords: asthma epidemiology; asthma genetics; asthma in primary care; asthma mechanisms; paediatric asthma.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / genetics*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / metabolism*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Respiratory Sounds / genetics*
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / blood

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00920621