Background: This study was aimed to investigate the associations among Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) polymorphisms, asthma and plasma YKL-40 levels in Chinese population.
Material and methods: Four CHI3L1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. The YKL-40 level in plasma and eosinophil percentage in peripheral blood were quantified.
Results: A SNP (rs4950928) in the CHI3L1 promoter was associated with elevated plasma YKL-40 levels (p = .02), asthma (p = .042) and lung function (p = .029 to .002) in this Chinese population. Plasma YKL-40 levels were significantly elevated in patients with asthma compared to those in control subjects (p < .05). Plasma YKL-40 levels were significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume per cent (FEV1%) measurements (p < .05). Although plasma YKL-40 levels were decreased after treatment, the correlation with FEV1% still existed.
Conclusions: CHI3L1 locus is a risk factor for asthma in Chinese population.
Keywords: Asthma; CHI3L1; SNPs; YKL-40; lung function.