Powerful Tool To Study The Genetics Of Inflammation Developed

Using complex web-based software called Ingenuity Pathway Analysis®, the researchers were able to systematically map out pathways, or chains of genes, and subpathways that contribute to various aspects of inflammation.

"We basically organized the inflammation-associated genes in a systematic way," said Matthew Loza, Ph.D., of the Center for Human Genomics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and lead author of the study. "Before, a random list of genes involved in inflammation was all you had. We started with that same list, but then built these networks to bring all these different genes together."

The study, which was recently published by the Public Library of Science in its online journal PLoS One, has also led to the development of two customized panels for analyzing genetic variations in the inflammation pathways -- one for European and one for African descent populations. In a laboratory, these panels are analyzed using special laboratory equipment and computer systems. Researchers can obtain the custom inflammation panel through Affymetrix Corporation.

"This is so significant because inflammation is a very hot topic, and many research groups want to study it," said Bao-Li Chang, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest and senior author for the study. "We have provided researchers with the tool to effectively and efficiently accomplish their goals."

Inflammation is the immune system's response to pathogens and tissue damage. Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers.

This study is part of a larger study through the Women's Health Initiative that explores the role of inflammation in colon, breast and lung cancer. It's sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Co-researchers were Charles McCall, M.D., and Jianfeng Xu, Dr. P.H., of Wake Forest, Liwu Li, Ph.D., of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and William Isaacs, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions.