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Genetic and environmental causes of variation in basal levels of blood cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

David M Evans ,
Ian H Frazer  and
Nicholas G Martin
David M Evans*
Affiliation:
Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Joint Genetics Program, University of Queensland, Brisbane. nickM@qimr.edu.au
Ian H Frazer
Affiliation:
Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Nicholas G Martin
Affiliation:
Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Joint Genetics Program, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
*
*Correspondence: Professor NG Martin, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane 4029, Australia. Tel: + 61 7 3362 0278; Fax: + 61 7 3362 0101;

Abstract

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The genetic and environmental determinants of variation in blood cell size and number were investigated in 392 pairs of 12-year-old twins. The following blood cell indices were measured: haemoglobin, red blood cell count, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, platelet number, total white cell count, level of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, total lymphocytes, CD3+ lymphocytes, CD4+ lymphocytes, CD8+ lymphocytes, CD19+ lymphocytes, CD56+ lymphocytes and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio. Genetic factors contributed significantly to all blood cell measures accounting for between 61 and 96% of variance. Heritability estimates did not differ significantly between males and females, although the sample size of the present study was not large enough to exclude the possibility of sex-limited gene expression. Common environmental factors were important in determining red blood cell count and haematocrit, but were not important in determining basal levels of any white blood cell type.

Keywords

erythrocytesimmune systemtwinsgenetic analysesheritabilitylymphocytesT-cellsCD4+ /CD8+ ratio
Type
Articles
Information
Twin Research and Human Genetics , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , 01 August 1999 , pp. 250 - 257
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999