Effect of Obesity on the Expression of Genes Associated with Severe Asthma-A Pilot Study

Asthma is a complex condition resulting from the interaction of genes and environment. Obesity is a risk factor to develop asthma and contributes to poor response to asthma therapy and severity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of obesity on the expression levels of genes previously associated with severe asthma. Three groups of subjects were studied: non-obese asthmatics (NOA), obese asthma patients (OA), and non-asthmatic obese subjects (O). Previously reported overexpressed (IL-10, MSR1, PHLDA1, SERPINB2, and CD86) and underexpressed genes (CHI3L1, CPA3, IL-8, and PI3) in severe asthma were analyzed by RT-qPCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In the overexpressed genes, obesity significantly decreased the expression of MSR1 and PHLDA1 and had no effects on CD86, IL-10, and SERPINB2. In underexpressed genes, obesity did not affect PI3, CHI3L1, and IL-8 and significantly reduced CPA3 expression. The results of this study show that obesity should be included among the known factors that can contribute toward modifying the expression of genes associated with asthma and, in particular, severe asthma.

Automated summary

Asthma is a complex condition influenced by genes and environment, and obesity is a risk factor that can worsen asthma therapy and severity. This study aimed to determine the impact of obesity on the expression of genes associated with severe asthma. Three groups of subjects were examined: non-obese asthmatics, obese asthma patients, and non-asthmatic obese individuals. The findings showed that obesity decreased the expression of MSR1 and PHLDA1, and significantly reduced CPA3 expression, while having no effect on CD86, IL-10, SERPINB2, PI3, CHI3L1, and IL-8 expression. These results suggest that obesity can modify the expression of genes related to asthma, particularly severe asthma.