Author Topic: Pollution link to asthma in womb  (Read 796 times)

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Pollution link to asthma in womb
« on: February 15, 2009, 07:02:01 PM »


Traffic pollution causes genetic changes in the womb which increase a child's risk of developing asthma, research suggests.

A study of umbilical cord blood from 56 children found "reprogramming" of a gene associated with exposure to compounds in traffic fumes.

The gene was associated with asthma symptoms at age five, the researchers reported in the PLoS ONE journal.

It is the first time pollution has been shown to influence genes, experts said.

We know that children living in polluted areas have a higher incidence of asthma but what we didn't know was it was affecting a gene
Dr Keith Prowse, British Lung Foundation

They also recorded the mothers' exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - a by-product of combustion present in high levels in heavy-traffic areas - during their pregnancy with backpack air monitors.

The researchers found a significant association between chemical changes which control activation of the gene and high levels of maternal PAH exposure.

It is an example of an epigenetic change - where environmental factors influence the activity of genes but do not cause structural changes or mutations in the genes.

Previous work suggests the ACSL3 gene is involved in the structure of cell membranes.

But more work is needed to unpick the role of the gene in asthma.

"Our data support the concept that environmental exposures can interact with genes during key developmental periods to trigger disease onset later in life, and that tissues are being reprogrammed to become abnormal later," said Dr Shuk-mei Ho, study leader and director of the Center for Environmental Genetics at the University of Cincinnati.

She said detecting early signs of asthma could help prevent the disease than can affect as many as 25% of children in areas with high levels of traffic pollution.

Dr Keith Prowse, vice-president of the British Lung Foundation, said the study was interesting.

"We know that children living in polluted areas have a higher incidence of asthma but what we didn't know was it was affecting a gene."

"If you look at cord blood and you find the gene has been modified you know the child is more likely to get asthma so you can treat them early."
source:BBC

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