PAI-1 and tPA gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a sample of Turkish population

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) I/D polymorphisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases in a sample of Turkish population. Methods: PAI-1 4G/5G and tPA Alu-repeat I/D genetic polymorphisms in 153 COPD subjects and 160 controls were investigated using PCR-RFLP and PCR methods, respectively. Results: 4G allele frequency was 0.62 and 0.39 for COPD and control groups, respectively. 4G allele had an estimated 2.56-fold [95% CI = 1.85–3.53] increased risk of COPD. tPA I allele frequency was 0.55 and 0.50, for COPD and control groups, respectively. I allele had an estimated 1.19-fold [95% CI = 0.87–1.62] increased risk of COPD Conclusions: PAI-1 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes seemed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of COPD in Turkish individuals. Keywords: COPD; Genetic susceptibility; Polymorphisms; Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA); Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)