The COX-2 Gene and the Immune System



Status:Completed
Conditions:Asthma, Asthma
Therapuetic Areas:Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:4/6/2019
Start Date:August 27, 2012

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The Role of Functionally Relevant Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms -765G>C and 8473T>C in Lymphocyte Differentiation

Background:

- The immune system contains several different types of cells in the blood and other parts of
the body. The body can fight infections well with the right balance of these cell types. The
wrong balance of cell types may cause diseases, such as allergies or asthma. The COX-2 gene
may help decide the balance of cell types that the body makes as part of the immune system.
It may also play a role in certain immune system diseases. Researchers want to see how COX-2
affects the cells in the immune system.

Objectives:

- To study how the COX-2 gene works in the body s immune system.

Eligibility:

- Individuals 18 years of age and above who are part of the Environmental Polymorphisms
Registry.

Design:

- Participants will have one study visit at the National Institutes of Health. They will
collect a urine sample at home on the morning of the study visit.

- Participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will provide a blood
sample. They will also give researchers the urine sample they collected that morning.

- No treatment will be provided as part of this study.

This is a cross-sectional, controlled study designed to investigate the association of single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) gene, also called
prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthase 2 (PTGS2), on T-cell differentiation and function.
Specifically, the impact of the promoter-region SNP 765G>C (rs20417) and the 3 untranslated
region (UTR) SNP 8473T>C (rs5275) on T helper cell (Th) 2, Th9, and Th17 differentiation and
function will be examined. Non-Hispanic, White or Black/African American, non-pregnant
adults, aged 18-65 years, who are wild type (WT), with respect to both the 765G>C and 8473T>C
SNPs, WT with respect to 765G>C and homozygous for 8473T>C, and homozygous for both 765G>C
and 8473T>C will be recruited into a total of three genotype groups. Potential participants
will be identified from the Environmental Polymorphisms Registry, contacted by recruitment
letter and pre-screened for eligibility. Pre-screened individuals will provide verbal consent
to withhold certadata analysis, a urine collection cup, and pre-visit instructions.
Participants will attend a single study visit that will take place at the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Clinical Research Unit (CRU). During this visit,
written informed consent will be obtained, and there will be a final screening and
eligibility determination, medical history review, vital signs, physical examination and
blood and urine samples will be collected. From peripheral blood, lymphocyte subsets,
prostaglandin levels, and cytokine levels will be determined; stable prostaglandin
metabolites, creatinine, total protein and albumin will be measured in urine. Lymphocytes
will be isolated from peripheral blood for ex vivo analyses. Demographic characteristics
(i.e., age) will be compared between the groups, and when possible, recruitment will be
targeted to achieve an approximate match of race and gender across the groups. The primary
objective of the study is to determine whether the 765G>C or 8473T>C SNPs exhibit altered
Th2, Th9 and Th17 cell differentiation by examining lymphocyte subsets in vivo. The study
will also examine the impact of these two SNPs on circulating Th2/Th9/Th17 cytokine levels
and prostaglandins in vivo, on differentiation of naive CD4+T-cells to Th cell subsets in
vitro, and on lymphocyte production of cytokines and prostaglandins in vitro.

- INCLUSION CRITERIA:

- Participant of the Environmental Polymorphisms Registry and current contact
information available

- Genotype information available for relevant 765G>C and 8473T>C COX2 polymorphisms,
which indicates:

- Individuals who are WT with respect to both 765G>C and 8473T>C (N=31)

- Individuals who are WT with respect to 765G>C and homozygous for 8473T>C (N=31)

- Individuals who are homozygous for both 765G>C and 8473T>C (N=31)

- Age 18- 65 years

- Race self-identified as White or Black and Non-Hispanic ethnicity

- Willing and able to provide informed consent

- Able to comply with all protocol procedures

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

- History of infection within the preceding 1 week or an oral temperature >38 degrees C

- Current daily or chronic use of corticosteroids (systemic, inhaled and topical).

- Any current conditions known to impact peripheral white blood cell count (e.g.,
leukemia, lymphopenia, AIDS, other immunodeficiency disorders)

- Current daily or chronic use of systemic immunosuppressants.

- Current pregnancy or lactation

- Unwilling or unable to:

- Fast (including alcohol and caffeine-containing products) and discontinue tobacco
use for 12 hours prior to the study visit

- Withhold all prescribed and over-the-counter medications and supplements the
morning of the study visit, until after the visit is completed

- Refrain from taking the following medications and supplements for 7 days prior to
the study visit:

- NSAIDs

- Corticosteroids (nasal, inhaled, topical or systemic)

- Fish oil and niacin supplements

- For blood draws that exceed 200ml, a hematocrit of <34% for women or <36% for men, or
>56% for either gender.

- For blood draws exceeding 200ml, blood or plasma donation in the last 8 weeks
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Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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