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Principal investigator & collaborators affiliations:
Professor Ashley Woodcock, Professor Adnan Custovic, Academic Division of Medicine and Surgery South, University of Manchester, North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, Professor Bill Ollier, CIGMR
Abstract:
5.2 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children (1 in 10) and 4.1 million adults (1 in 12). The Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study (MAAS) is a prospective study of the development of asthma and allergies in childhood.
The study began recruitment in 1995 from the Antenatal Clinics of Wythenshawe and Stepping Hill Hospitals, over a two year period.
Objectives
The project aims to identify risk factors for the development of asthma and allergies.
Methodologies
Genotyping is being carried out at CIGMR by Jenny Hankinson on over 1000 children, DNA has been obtained from blood samples where available or alternatively from buccal swabs. Some of the genes being investigated have a role in regulating immune pathways and responses, while others are novel and located in gene regions identified form linkage studies. Hapmap tagging snps were used wherever possible to decrease the number of snps investigated per gene, allowing more genes to be investigated. The majority of the snps have been typed using the Sequenom mass spectrometry iplex platform. Taqman based genotyping on the ABI7700 has been used to type those snps for which sequenom assays could not be designed.To date we have genotyped over 250 snps.
Findings
Hardy Weinburg analysis has been carried out on the genotype data for quality control and allele freqencies have been compared to that of published data. Haplotype analysis will be used to look at the relationship between asthma phenotype and various genetic haplotypes.
Background study information
The children have been followed prospectively and were invited back to clinic for an assessment around their 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th birthdays. The age 14 assessments we hope to be completed in 2014. The children have their lung function tested as well as skin testing for allergies and their parents complete questionnaires regarding symptoms of asthma, eczema, hay fever and food allergies. In addition lots of the children give blood for allergy testing and for genetic studies. We have also collected information about the environment in which the children have grown up, including the collection of dust samples for the home for detailed laboratory analysis. For a subgroup of high risk children we also made changes to the environment to see if we could reduce allergies and asthma.
The changes included Allergen Avoidance Measures:
a) Prenatal (completed by the 16th week of pregnancy):
Parental bed (pillow, mattress and quilt) covered with mite-proof bedding through pregnancy and after delivery
Parents provided with a high filtration vacuum cleaner
Bed linen subjected to hot washing (55°C cycle) fortnightly
b) Infants bedroom:
At 36 weeks of pregnancy carpets were removed and replaced by vinyl floor
New cot mattress encased in mite allergen-proof material supplied
New carrycot mattress encased in mite allergen-proof material supplied
Any bed linen is subjected to hot washing (55°C cycle) fortnightly
Washable soft toy supplied.
c) Rest of the house:
Acarosan (benzyl benzoate) applied to carpets/sofas.
The children are still being followed up; it takes 2 years to see all the children at age time point. Dr Angela Simpson continues to work on the study having formed part of the original study team. Dr Clare Murray and Dr Aida Semic-Jusufagic provide medical support for the study. The lung function measurements are taken by Lesley Lowe (Clinical Physiologist) and the clinic visits are conducted by Research Manager Gina Kerry, Katy Johnson and Pip Dorey. Laboratory sample handling is conducted by Simon Stephan's team and clerical support is provided by Cath Berry.
Professor Ashley Woodcock, Professor Adnan Custovic, Academic Division of Medicine and Surgery South, University of Manchester, North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, Professor Bill Ollier, CIGMR
Abstract:
5.2 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children (1 in 10) and 4.1 million adults (1 in 12). The Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study (MAAS) is a prospective study of the development of asthma and allergies in childhood.
The study began recruitment in 1995 from the Antenatal Clinics of Wythenshawe and Stepping Hill Hospitals, over a two year period.
Objectives
The project aims to identify risk factors for the development of asthma and allergies.
Methodologies
Genotyping is being carried out at CIGMR by Jenny Hankinson on over 1000 children, DNA has been obtained from blood samples where available or alternatively from buccal swabs. Some of the genes being investigated have a role in regulating immune pathways and responses, while others are novel and located in gene regions identified form linkage studies. Hapmap tagging snps were used wherever possible to decrease the number of snps investigated per gene, allowing more genes to be investigated. The majority of the snps have been typed using the Sequenom mass spectrometry iplex platform. Taqman based genotyping on the ABI7700 has been used to type those snps for which sequenom assays could not be designed.To date we have genotyped over 250 snps.
Findings
Hardy Weinburg analysis has been carried out on the genotype data for quality control and allele freqencies have been compared to that of published data. Haplotype analysis will be used to look at the relationship between asthma phenotype and various genetic haplotypes.
Background study information
The children have been followed prospectively and were invited back to clinic for an assessment around their 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th birthdays. The age 14 assessments we hope to be completed in 2014. The children have their lung function tested as well as skin testing for allergies and their parents complete questionnaires regarding symptoms of asthma, eczema, hay fever and food allergies. In addition lots of the children give blood for allergy testing and for genetic studies. We have also collected information about the environment in which the children have grown up, including the collection of dust samples for the home for detailed laboratory analysis. For a subgroup of high risk children we also made changes to the environment to see if we could reduce allergies and asthma.
The changes included Allergen Avoidance Measures:
a) Prenatal (completed by the 16th week of pregnancy):
Parental bed (pillow, mattress and quilt) covered with mite-proof bedding through pregnancy and after delivery Parents provided with a high filtration vacuum cleaner Bed linen subjected to hot washing (55°C cycle) fortnightlyb) Infants bedroom:
At 36 weeks of pregnancy carpets were removed and replaced by vinyl floor New cot mattress encased in mite allergen-proof material supplied New carrycot mattress encased in mite allergen-proof material supplied Any bed linen is subjected to hot washing (55°C cycle) fortnightly Washable soft toy supplied. c) Rest of the house:
Acarosan (benzyl benzoate) applied to carpets/sofas. The children are still being followed up; it takes 2 years to see all the children at age time point. Dr Angela Simpson continues to work on the study having formed part of the original study team. Dr Clare Murray and Dr Aida Semic-Jusufagic provide medical support for the study. The lung function measurements are taken by Lesley Lowe (Clinical Physiologist) and the clinic visits are conducted by Research Manager Gina Kerry, Katy Johnson and Pip Dorey. Laboratory sample handling is conducted by Simon Stephan's team and clerical support is provided by Cath Berry.
