Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US1,2. Although COPD occurs predominantly in smokers, it is unknown why only a minority of smokers (~20-40%) develops chronic airflow limitation or destruction of distal airspaces (emphysema). Identification molecular profiles from current or former smokers who are likely to progress is a crucial step in understanding the pathogenesis of COPD and emphysema. There are very few publications that describe COPD biomarkers in large, well phenotyped cohorts that include a significant number of African Americans. This study will leverage large NIH- supported cohorts (COPDGene, SPIROMICS, and MESA-Lung) that have large number of well-characterized African Americans subjects with or at risk for COPD. Since the subjects have stored plasma and have been followed for 7-10 years with extensive clinical, physiologic, and imaging, we can very cost-effectively apply a proteomic approach. Furthermore, because the cohorts have other valuable Omics data, we can integrate the proteomic findings with whole genome sequencing and other advanced molecular studies such as genomics. This knowledge may help develop novel diagnostic tests and therapies for early prevention and treatment of COPD and will identify any markers that are specific to smoking-related lung disease in African Americans.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third most common cause of death in the United States. The major risk factor is smoking; however, most smokers do not develop COPD and the factors that identify who goes from normal to abnormal lung function are unknown. Most of the studies on COPD have been in non-Hispanic Whites and Asians and there are very few studies, which address risk factors and molecular pathogenesis in African Americans. This proposal will use three existing NHLBI cohorts to identify blood signatures that can identify who will be at risk for developing smoking related lung disease in African Americans. The knowledge gained will help guide treatment strategies and improve prognosis assessments.
