Benefits of airway androgen receptor expression in human asthma

Joe G. Zein, Jeffrey M. McManus, Nima Sharifi, Serpil C. Erzurum, Nadzeya Marozkina, Timothy Lahm, Olivia Giddings, Michael D. Davis, Mark D. DeBoer, Suzy A. Comhair, Peter Bazeley, Hyun Jo Kim, William Busse, William Calhoun, Mario Castro, Kian Fan Chung, John V. Fahy, Elliot Israel, Nizar N. Jarjour, Bruce D. LevyDavid T. Mauger, Wendy C. Moore, Victor E. Ortega, Michael Peters, Eugene R. Bleecker, Deborah A. Meyers, Yi Zhao, Sally E. Wenzel, Benjamin Gaston

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Rationale: Androgens are potentially beneficial in asthma, but AR (androgen receptor) has not been studied in human airways. Objectives: To measure whether AR and its ligands are associated with human asthma outcomes. Methods: We compared the effects of AR expression on lung function, symptom scores, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in adults enrolled in SARP (Severe Asthma Research Program). The impact of sex and of androgens on asthma outcomes was also evaluated in the SARP with validation studies in the Cleveland Clinic Health System and the NHANES (U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). Measurements and Main Results: In SARP (n = 128), AR gene expression from bronchoscopic epithelial brushings was positively associated with both FEV1/FVC ratio (R2 = 0.135, P = 0.0002) and the total Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score (R2 = 0.056, P = 0.016) and was negatively associated with FENO (R2 = 0.178, P = 9.831026) and NOS2 (nitric oxide synthase gene) expression (R2 = 0.281, P = 1.2310210). In SARP (n = 1,659), the Cleveland Clinic Health System (n = 32,527), and the NHANES (n = 2,629), women had more asthma exacerbations and emergency department visits than men. The levels of the AR ligand precursor dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate correlated positively with the FEV1 in both women and men. Conclusions: Higher bronchial AR expression and higher androgen levels are associated with better lung function, fewer symptoms, and a lower FENO in human asthma. The role of androgens should be considered in asthmamanagement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)285-293
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Volume204
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2021

Keywords

  • Airflow obstruction
  • Airway inflammation
  • Androgens
  • Asthma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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