We found significant oxidation of nucleic acids localized to alveolar lung fibroblasts, increased levels of OGG1 mRNA expression, and decreased concentrations of NTH1, SMUG1, and YB1 mRNA in lung samples from subjects with very severe COPD compared with little or no COPD.
Assessment of smoking exposure in light smokers compared with those with hOGG1 Ser/Ser genotype showed that the risk of COPD was significantly elevated among individuals with Cys/Cys genotype (adjusted OR = 4.02, 95% CI 1.05 - 16.80, P = 0.042).