Genetic variations in protocadherin 15 and their interactions with noise exposure associated with noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese population

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between genetic variations in the Protocadherin 15 gene (PCDH15) and the risk to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in a Chinese population.Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 476 noise-sensitive workers (NIHL) and 475 noise-resistant workers (normal) matched for gender, years of noise exposure, and intensity of noise exposure. 13 tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms in PCDH15 were genotyped using nanofluidic dynamic arrays on the Fluidigm platform. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the associations of genetic variations of PCDH15 with NIHL adjusted by age, smoking/drinking status, and cumulative noise exposure and their interactions with noise exposure.Results: The allele frequency and genotypes of rs1104085 were significantly associated with the risk of NIHL(P=0.009 and 0.005 respectively ). The subjects carrying variant alleles (CT or CC) of rs11004085 had a decreased the risk for NIHL (adjusted odds ratio=0.587, 95% confidence interval 0.409–0.842) compared with subjects who had the wild-type (TT) homozygotes. The interactions were found between the SNPs of rs1100085, rs10825122, rs1930146, rs2384437, rs4540756, and rs2384375 and noise exposure.Conclusions: Genetic variations of PCDH15 and their interactions with occupational noise exposure are associated with genetic susceptibility to NIHL and modify the risk of noise induced hearing loss.