Investigation of the Relationship Between Apelin Genetic Variants and COPD Formation

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable disease characterized by chronic inflammatory response in the airways and lungs, usually characterized by progressive, persistent airflow limitation. Apelin is a newly discovered peptide with inotropic and vasodilatory properties and is an endogenous ligand of the APJ receptor. The aim of this study is to examine the possible association of variations in the apelin gene (APLN) with COPD in the Turkish population. Methods: This study was a case-control study, and a total of 341 people aged 40-80 years were included in the study (224 COPD and 117 healthy controls). Genotyping of 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs3115758 and rs3115759) in the APLN was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Genotype and allele frequencies between COPD patients and healthy individuals were compared with Student's t test. Results: The TT and AA risk genotypes of the rs3115758 and rs3115759 variants in the APLN were found to be associated with a significantly increased risk of COPD at the same rate. Heterozygous and homozygous mutant genotypes (GT, TT, GA, and AA, respectively) of rs3115758 and rs3115759 variations of the APLN were detected at a significantly higher rate, in the same proportion of patients. In the multiple regression analysis, it was determined that the TT genotype of rs3115758 increased the development of COPD by 0.59 times, independent of other COPD risk factors. Discussion and Conclusion: As the first study in the literature examining the relationship between polymorphisms in the APLN and COPD in the Turkish population, various variations in the APLN were found to be associated with COPD in the Turkish population.