Genetic and Epigenetic Determinants of Pediatric Obesity-Associated Asthma

Fifty-nine obese and sixty-one normal-weight asthmatic children of African American or Hispanic background, age 7-11 years, with well controlled asthma, were recruited from clinics affiliated with Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA. We isolated CD4+ T cells (Th cells) from a fasting sample of peripheral blood and conducted genome-wide assays of gene expression by Directional Transcriptome Sequencing (RNA-seq), DNA methylation by HELP-tagging, and examined genetic polymorphisms and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), informative about ancestry, by array-based genotyping using Multi-Ethnic Genotyping Array.]]> Inclusion Criteria: Boys or girls, ages 7-11 years, were included with the following criteria based on history/self report and chart review: physician diagnosis of asthma made in preschool years (ages 2-4 years). symptoms consistent with persistent asthma, as per the NHLBI EPR-3 criteria. history of prednisone use, emergency department visit or hospitalization for asthma in the preceding 1 year. ongoing use of controller medications based on self-report and prescription history in medical records. spirometric confirmation of airway obstruction with evaluation of airway responsiveness. Exclusion Criteria: Those with history of prematurity, co-existing pulmonary conditions (congenital malformations/bronchiectasis) or medical illnesses affecting the systemic immune cell milieu, including chronic conditions (cardiac/rheumatologic/renal/endocrine/neurological diseases), immunomodulator use, acute infections (respiratory, gastro-intestinal or genito-urinary), acute asthma exacerbation or systemic steroid in preceding 3 months. ]]>