ADAM19 SNPs were associated with FEV1/FVC at genome-wide significance in CHARGE and in the joint meta-analysis with SpiroMeta. ADAM19 is a member of “a disintegrin and metalloprotease” (ADAM) family of membrane-anchored glycoproteins that control cell-matrix interactions and help regulate growth and morphogenesis. Polymorphisms in another ADAM family member, ADAM33, have been associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and accelerated lung function decline in asthmatics and the general population35–37. ADAM19 has not been previously implicated in human pulmonary disorders, but it is abundantly expressed in alveolar epithelial cells and bronchial smooth muscle tissue38.
