B4400 - Dysanapsis genetic risk and lung function across the lifespan - 24/08/2023

B number: 
B4400
Principal applicant name: 
Benjamin M. Smith | McGill University (Canada)
Co-applicants: 
Title of project: 
Dysanapsis genetic risk and lung function across the lifespan
Proposal summary: 

There is a lot of variability in lung structure among healthy adults. This variability in lung structure is thought to arise during growth - a concept that is referred to as “dysanapsis” (from the Greek, dys=unequal and anaptixy = growth). Dysanapsis is strongly associated with lung disease and death later in life, but the origins of dysanapsis are poorly understood. A recent genetic investigation identified several variants associated with dysanapsis, but when dysanapsis genetic risk manifests in childhood and whether it interacts with environmental or social factors to impair lung function is unknown. This study has two objectives: i) describe the relationship between dysanapsis genetic risk and lung function at various timepoints during lung growth; ii) test whether environmental exposures (environmental tobacco smoke) or social deprivation modify these relationships. No new measurements or samples are required for this study.

Impact of research: 
This study will advance our understanding of the early life origins of lung function impairment. Specifically, the contribution of dysanaptic lung growth to obstructive spirometry.
Date proposal received: 
Saturday, 19 August, 2023
Date proposal approved: 
Thursday, 24 August, 2023
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Respiratory diseases - asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Secondary data analysis using standard epidemiology / biostatistical techniques, Growth