Mendelian randomization study of interleukin-6 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL6) are present in the airways and blood samples of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives: To investigate the association between IL6 and the risk of COPD using a Mendelian randomization approach.

Methods: Eight common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the region of the IL6 gene were genotyped using both TaqMan and Illumina in the Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort study consisting of 7,983 participants aged 55 years or older, including 928 COPD patients.

MicroRNA expression in induced sputum of smokers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive inflammation in the airways and lungs combined with disturbed homeostatic functions of pulmonary cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have the ability to regulate these processes by interfering with gene transcription and translation.

Objectives: We aimed to identify miRNA expression in induced sputum and examined whether the expression of miRNAs differed between patients with COPD and subjects without airflow limitation.

Meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies identify multiple loci associated with pulmonary function.

Spirometric measures of lung function are heritable traits that reflect respiratory health and predict morbidity and mortality. We meta-analyzed genome-wide association studies for two clinically important lung-function measures: forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1)) and its ratio to forced vital capacity (FEV(1)/FVC), an indicator of airflow obstruction. This meta-analysis included 20,890 participants of European ancestry from four CHARGE Consortium studies: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, Cardiovascular Health Study, Framingham Heart Study and Rotterdam Study.

Prevalence, incidence, and lifetime risk for the development of COPD in the elderly: the Rotterdam study.

Background: COPD is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Although the prevalence of COPD is already well documented, there are only few studies regarding the incidence of COPD.

Methods: In a prospective population-based cohort study among subjects aged >or= 55 years, COPD was diagnosed with an algorithm based on the validation of hospital discharge letters, files from the general practitioner, and spirometry reports.

C-reactive protein levels, haplotypes, and the risk of incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by substantial chronic inflammation in the pulmonary compartment as well as in the systemic circulation.

Objectives: To investigate potentially causal association, we examined whether serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and variations in the CRP gene are associated with the risk of developing COPD.

Methods: This study is part of the Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort study among subjects aged 55 years or older.