RNA-sequencing across three matched tissues highlights gene expression signatures in COPD

Multiple gene expression studies have been performed separately in peripheral blood, lung, and airway tissues to study COPD. We performed RNA-sequencing gene expression profiling of large-airway epithelium, alveolar macrophage and peripheral blood samples from the same set of COPD cases and controls from the COPDGene study who underwent bronchoscopy at a single center. Using statistical and gene set enrichment approaches, we sought to improve the understanding of COPD by studying gene sets and pathways across these tissues, beyond the individual genomic determinants. We performed differential expression analysis using RNA-seq data obtained from 63 samples from 21 COPD cases and controls (includes four non-smokers) NOTE: Submitter declares that the raw data will be submitted to dbGaP (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gap) because of patient privacy concerns.