Our study identified several novel loci related to two clinically important pulmonary function measures with evidence for replication, including GPR126, ADAM19, AGER-PPT2, and HTR4 for FEV1/FVC and INTS12-GSTCD-NPNT for FEV1 and confirmed previous reports of association with FEV1/FVC in the HHIP region. These loci include genes with biologically plausible functions, and their identification here warrants future investigations to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their influence on pulmonary function. A few of the associated polymorphisms are potentially functional, but most of the associated polymorphisms likely tag for yet unidentified functional variants. Fine mapping in these regions might identify and characterize such variants. Understanding the genetic determinants of pulmonary function is paramount in identifying the biological mechanisms that lead to its decline and ultimately lessening the mortality burden associated with reduced pulmonary function.
