The exact mechanisms underlying the observed relationship of genetic loci and metabolites—e.g., genes within chromosome 1q32 (e.g., ADORA1, PPFIA4) and sphingomyelin (d17:1/16:0, d18:1/15:0, d16:1/17:0)—with asthma risk warrant further clarification. This evidence concerns the gene PPFIA4 and asthma.