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Interactions of GST Polymorphisms in Air Pollution Exposure and Respiratory Diseases and Allergies

  • Allergies and the Environment (M Hernandez, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence from recently published original studies investigating how glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms modify the impact of air pollution on asthma, allergic diseases, and lung function.

Recent Findings

Current studies in epidemiological and controlled human experiments found evidence to suggest that GSTs modify the impact of air pollution exposure on respiratory diseases and allergies. Of the nine articles included in this review, all except one identified at least one significant interaction with at least one of glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (GSTP1), glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), or glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) genes and air pollution exposure. The findings of these studies, however, are markedly different. This difference can be partially explained by regional variation in the exposure levels and oxidative potential of different pollutants and by other interactions involving a number of unaccounted environment exposures and multiple genes.

Summary

Although there is evidence of an interaction between GST genes and air pollution exposure for the risk of respiratory disease and allergies, results are not concordant. Further investigations are needed to explore the reasons behind the discordancy.

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Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, L3, 207 Bouverie Street, Carlton, Melbourne, VIC, 3053, Australia

      Gayan Bowatte, Caroline J. Lodge, Jennifer L. Perret, Melanie C. Matheson & Shyamali C. Dharmage

    2. Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia

      Caroline J. Lodge & Shyamali C. Dharmage

    3. The Institute of Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Melbourne, Australia

      Jennifer L. Perret

    Authors
    1. Gayan Bowatte
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    2. Caroline J. Lodge
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    3. Jennifer L. Perret
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    4. Melanie C. Matheson
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    5. Shyamali C. Dharmage
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    Correspondence to Gayan Bowatte.

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    The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

    Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

    The two studies that the authors are part of are approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Melbourne (Human Research Ethics Committee No. 040375), Mercy Maternity Hospital Ethics Committee (HREC nos. R07/20 and R88/06), and Royal Children’s Ethics Committee (HREC: 28035). All the participants in these two studies provided written informed consent.

    Additional information

    Melanie C. Matheson, and Shyamali C. Dharmage are equal senior authors.

    This article is part of the Topical Collection on Allergies and the Environment

    Melanie C. Matheson and Shyamali C. Dharmage contributed equally to this work.

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    Bowatte, G., Lodge, C.J., Perret, J.L. et al. Interactions of GST Polymorphisms in Air Pollution Exposure and Respiratory Diseases and Allergies. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 16, 85 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-016-0664-z

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