Review
The genetics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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* Corresponding author: Robert A Stockley rob.stockley@uhb.nhs.uk
1 Department of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
2 Lung Investigation Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK
Respiratory Research 2006, 7:130 doi:10.1186/1465-9921-7-130
Published: 20 October 2006Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease caused by the interaction of genetic susceptibility and environmental influences. There is increasing evidence that genes link to disease pathogenesis and heterogeneity by causing variation in protease anti-protease systems, defence against oxidative stress and inflammation. The main methods of genomic research for complex disease traits are described, together with the genes implicated in COPD thus far, their roles in disease causation and the future for this area of investigation.