A polymorphism in HLA-G modifies statin benefit in asthma

Pharmacogenomics J. 2015 Jun;15(3):272-7. doi: 10.1038/tpj.2014.55. Epub 2014 Sep 30.

Abstract

Several reports have shown that statin treatment benefits patients with asthma; however, inconsistent effects have been observed. The mir-152 family (148a, 148b and 152) has been implicated in asthma. These microRNAs suppress HLA-G expression, and rs1063320, a common SNP in the HLA-G 3'UTR that is associated with asthma risk, modulates miRNA binding. We report that statins upregulate mir-148b and 152, and affect HLA-G expression in an rs1063320-dependent fashion. In addition, we found that individuals who carried the G minor allele of rs1063320 had reduced asthma-related exacerbations (emergency department visits, hospitalizations or oral steroid use) compared with non-carriers (P=0.03) in statin users ascertained in the Personalized Medicine Research Project at the Marshfield Clinic (n=421). These findings support the hypothesis that rs1063320 modifies the effect of statin benefit in asthma, and thus may contribute to variation in statin efficacy for the management of this disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Alleles
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • HLA-G Antigens / genetics*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Risk

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • MicroRNAs