Role of Genetic Factors in the Pathogenesis of Lung Disease
This study is designed to evaluate the genetics involved in the development of lung disease by surveying genes involved in the process of breathing and examining the genes in lung cells of patients with lung disease. The study will focus on defining the distribution of abnormal genes responsible for processes directly involved in different diseases affecting the lungs of patients and healthy volunteers. Optional CT Sub-study The standard CT scan will be compared to the low dose radiation CT scan for the 150 subjects enrolled in the sub-study to assess the variation between the two techniques. Specifically, the quantitative computer aided detection of lung CT abnormalities from LAM can be compared to assess whether low radiation dose CT exams is an alternative to conventional CT to monitor disease status. This optional sub-study will be offered to up to 100 adult subjects with lung disease and up to 50 children age 9 and older with CF. Children will not be enrolled in the optional CT sub-study unless they have had a standard CT scan for medical purposes to use in comparison. One additional low dose radiation CT scan of the chest may be done as part of this sub-study when these subjects have their next annual CT scan....
• symptoms consistent with pulmonary disease
• chest x-ray consistent with pulmonary disease
• pulmonary function tests consistent with pulmonary disease;
• smokers, defined as individuals who are current smokers (1 pack per day for at least 2 years) and nonsmokers, defined as never-smokers or ex-smokers who have not smoked for three or more years.
⁃ Patients with established diagnoses of sarcoidosis; mycobacterial infections; TSC (definite or possible); cystic lung diseases including genetic diseases; lymphangioleiomyomatosis or diseases associated with lymphatic disorders; history of pneumothorax; pulmonary fibrosis; asthma; histiocytosis X and diabetes mellitus will be included in this protocol. Relatives of patients may also be seen under this protocol. Children with lymphangiomatosis who are two years of age or older may be included. Participants with asthma may be enrolled at Suburban Hospital.
⁃ Research volunteers in the pulmonary control group are defined as individuals with no pulmonary disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis without evidence of pulmonary disease). Research volunteers in the diabetes control group are defined as individuals with no history of diabetes, coronary artery disease, or pulmonary disease.
⁃ Pregnant and or nursing women can be included in accordance with Federal Regulations at Subpart B of 45 CFR 46. Subjects who are pregnant and or nursing will be excluded from procedures during their pregnancy that are greater than minimal risk, until they are no longer pregnant and/or nursing. Procedures that will not be completed while the subject is pregnant and/or nursing including: PFTs, Six Minute Walk Test, thoracentesis, bronchoscopy, and measurements with imaging modalities requiring contrast or with radiation exposure such as Chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI. Allowing subjects to be included in the study may glean important information about individuals with uncommon pulmonary disease during and post pregnancy.
⁃ Patients with abnormalities in ADP-ribosyltransferases, ADP-ribosyl-acceptor hydrolases, and their substrates. Children who are two years of age or older may be studied if they have a known defect in ADP-ribosylation, or if they have a family member with a defect in ADP-ribosylation and may be affected.