BioProject

The aim of present study was to study the changes in peripheral blood gene expression profile induced by smoking. RNA was extracted from the PBMCs of 48 persons with detailed smoking history (24 were non-smokers, 16 were current smokers and 8 were ex-smokers). Gene expression profile was evaluated with the RNA sequencing and results were analyzed separately in males (24) and females (24). In male smokers, 13 genes were statistically significantly (FDR < 0.1) differentially expressed. In female smoker, 5 genes were differentially expressed with the FDR<0.1. Most of the differentially expressed genes were different between male and female smokers. However, GPR15, expression was changed in male and female smokers compared to non-smokers. Further analysis on the methylation of the genes GPR15 identified significant hypomethylation in smokers compared to non-smokers. GPR15 is the chemo-attractant receptor that regulates T-cell migration and immunity. Up-regulation of GPR15 could explain to some extend the health hazards of smoking for chronic inflammatory diseases Overall design: 48 persons with detailed smoking history (24 were non-smokers, 16 were current smokers and 8 were ex-smokers)