ASSOCIATION OF GLU-27 BETA(2)-ADRENOCEPTOR POLYMORPHISM WITH LOWER AIRWAY REACTIVITY IN ASTHMATIC SUBJECTS

Cells expressing the Glu 27 beta(2)-adrenoceptor polymorphism show attenuated down-regulation of the receptor after long-term exposure to agonist. We studied beta(2)-adrenoceptor genotype for the Gln/Glu 27 polymorphism and airway reactivity in 65 patients with mild to moderate asthma. Glu 27 homozygotes had a four-fold higher geometric mean methacholine PD20 (provocative dose) than individuals who were homozygous for the wild-type (Gln 27) form of the receptor; heterozygotes had an intermediate value (3.23, 0.86, 1.96 mu mol, respectively), These data suggest that beta(2)-adrenoceptor genotype is important in the establishment of the asthmatic phenotype.