51
|
Li Y, Yao M, Xie F, Qiu Y, Zhao X, Li R. Gut microbiota as a residual risk factor causally influencing cardiac structure and function: Mendelian randomization analysis and biological annotation. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1410272. [PMID: 39132134 PMCID: PMC11316272 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1410272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The gut microbiota (GM) is widely acknowledged to have a significant impact on cardiovascular health and may act as a residual risk factor affecting cardiac structure and function. However, the causal relationship between GM and cardiac structure and function remains unclear. Objective This study aims to employ a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the causal association between GM and cardiac structure and function. Methods Data on 119 GM genera were sourced from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis (13,266 European participants) conducted by the MiBioGen consortium, while data on 16 parameters of cardiac structure and function were obtained from the UK Biobank's GWAS of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (up to 41,135 European participants). Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) methods were utilized for causal association assessments, with sensitivity analyses conducted to reinforce the findings. Finally, biological annotation was performed on the GWAS data of GM and cardiac phenotypes with causal associations to explore potential mechanisms. Results The MR analysis, predominantly based on the IVW model, revealed 93 causal associations between the genetically predicted abundance of 44 GM genera and 16 cardiac structure and function parameters. These associations maintained consistent directions in MR-Egger and WM models, with no evidence of pleiotropy detected. Biological annotations suggest that GM may influence cardiac structure and function through pathways involved in myocardial cell development, cardiac contractility, and apoptosis. Conclusion The MR analysis supports a causal association between certain abundances of genetically predicted GM and cardiac structure and function, suggesting that GM could be a residual risk factor impacting cardiac phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meidan Yao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Evidence, Guangzhou, China
- Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Xie
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijun Qiu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinjun Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Zeng Y, Cao S, Yuan Y. Menopausal age does not affect ventricular structure and function: a Mendelian randomization study. Climacteric 2024:1-6. [PMID: 39051435 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2024.2380009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Observational studies have suggested an association between age at natural menopause (ANM) and ventricular structure and function. Nevertheless, the causal relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the causal effects of ANM on ventricular structure and function by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. METHODS Genome-wide association summary statistics for ANM and 16 ventricular structures and functions were obtained. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary MR approach for assessing causal associations. In addition, three additional MR methods (MR-Egger, weighted median and weighted mode) were performed to complement the IVW method. Furthermore, various sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate the reliability of the MR results. RESULTS The IVW method identified no causal association between ANM and all 16 ventricular structures or functions (p > 0.05). Three additional MR methods yielded parallel results to the IVW approach (p > 0.05). Various sensitivity tests revealed stability of the MR results, indicating no heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. CONCLUSION The present MR study indicated that ANM would not causally affect ventricular structure or function. Therefore, the correlation between ANM and ventricular characteristics in previous observational studies might be attributed to shared upstream cardiovascular risk factors or unidentified genetic mutations that simultaneously affect both ANM and ventricular structure and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youjie Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Si Cao
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Lai Y, Koelmel JP, Walker DI, Price EJ, Papazian S, Manz KE, Castilla-Fernández D, Bowden JA, Nikiforov V, David A, Bessonneau V, Amer B, Seethapathy S, Hu X, Lin EZ, Jbebli A, McNeil BR, Barupal D, Cerasa M, Xie H, Kalia V, Nandakumar R, Singh R, Tian Z, Gao P, Zhao Y, Froment J, Rostkowski P, Dubey S, Coufalíková K, Seličová H, Hecht H, Liu S, Udhani HH, Restituito S, Tchou-Wong KM, Lu K, Martin JW, Warth B, Godri Pollitt KJ, Klánová J, Fiehn O, Metz TO, Pennell KD, Jones DP, Miller GW. High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Human Exposomics: Expanding Chemical Space Coverage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12784-12822. [PMID: 38984754 PMCID: PMC11271014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
In the modern "omics" era, measurement of the human exposome is a critical missing link between genetic drivers and disease outcomes. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), routinely used in proteomics and metabolomics, has emerged as a leading technology to broadly profile chemical exposure agents and related biomolecules for accurate mass measurement, high sensitivity, rapid data acquisition, and increased resolution of chemical space. Non-targeted approaches are increasingly accessible, supporting a shift from conventional hypothesis-driven, quantitation-centric targeted analyses toward data-driven, hypothesis-generating chemical exposome-wide profiling. However, HRMS-based exposomics encounters unique challenges. New analytical and computational infrastructures are needed to expand the analysis coverage through streamlined, scalable, and harmonized workflows and data pipelines that permit longitudinal chemical exposome tracking, retrospective validation, and multi-omics integration for meaningful health-oriented inferences. In this article, we survey the literature on state-of-the-art HRMS-based technologies, review current analytical workflows and informatic pipelines, and provide an up-to-date reference on exposomic approaches for chemists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, care providers, and stakeholders in health sciences and medicine. We propose efforts to benchmark fit-for-purpose platforms for expanding coverage of chemical space, including gas/liquid chromatography-HRMS (GC-HRMS and LC-HRMS), and discuss opportunities, challenges, and strategies to advance the burgeoning field of the exposome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunjia Lai
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Jeremy P. Koelmel
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School
of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Douglas I. Walker
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Elliott J. Price
- RECETOX,
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stefano Papazian
- Department
of Environmental Science, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- National
Facility for Exposomics, Metabolomics Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 171 65, Sweden
| | - Katherine E. Manz
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Delia Castilla-Fernández
- Department
of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - John A. Bowden
- Center for
Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences,
College of Veterinary Medicine, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | | | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes,
Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement
et travail) − UMR_S, 1085 Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Bessonneau
- Univ Rennes,
Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement
et travail) − UMR_S, 1085 Rennes, France
| | - Bashar Amer
- Thermo
Fisher Scientific, San Jose, California 95134, United States
| | | | - Xin Hu
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Elizabeth Z. Lin
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School
of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Akrem Jbebli
- RECETOX,
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Brooklynn R. McNeil
- Biomarkers
Core Laboratory, Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Dinesh Barupal
- Department
of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Marina Cerasa
- Institute
of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Hongyu Xie
- Department
of Environmental Science, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vrinda Kalia
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Renu Nandakumar
- Biomarkers
Core Laboratory, Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Randolph Singh
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Zhenyu Tian
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern
University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Peng Gao
- Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health, and Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering, University
of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
- UPMC Hillman
Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, United States
| | - Yujia Zhao
- Institute
for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CM, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Saurabh Dubey
- Biomarkers
Core Laboratory, Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Kateřina Coufalíková
- RECETOX,
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Seličová
- RECETOX,
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Helge Hecht
- RECETOX,
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School
of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Hanisha H. Udhani
- Biomarkers
Core Laboratory, Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Sophie Restituito
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Kam-Meng Tchou-Wong
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Kun Lu
- Department
of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global
Public Health, The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jonathan W. Martin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- National
Facility for Exposomics, Metabolomics Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 171 65, Sweden
| | - Benedikt Warth
- Department
of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Krystal J. Godri Pollitt
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School
of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Jana Klánová
- RECETOX,
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Oliver Fiehn
- West Coast
Metabolomics Center, University of California−Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Thomas O. Metz
- Biological
Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Kurt D. Pennell
- School
of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Dean P. Jones
- Department
of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Gary W. Miller
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Wu G, Liu J, Shi H, Pan B, Li M, Wang X, Li Y, Cheng L, Guo W, Huang Y. The associations between dysregulation of human blood metabolites and lung cancer risk: evidence from genetic data. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:854. [PMID: 39026146 PMCID: PMC11256634 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12416-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic dysregulation is recognized as a significant hallmark of cancer progression. Although numerous studies have linked specific metabolic pathways to cancer incidence, the causal relationship between blood metabolites and lung cancer risk remains unclear. METHODS Genomic data from 29,266 lung cancer patients and 56,450 control individuals from the Transdisciplinary Research in Cancer of the Lung and the International Lung Cancer Consortium (TRICL-ILCCO) were utilized, and findings were replicated using additional data from the FinnGen consortium. The analysis focused on the associations between 486 blood metabolites and the susceptibility to overall lung cancer and its three major clinical subtypes. Various Mendelian randomization methods, including inverse-variance weighting, weighted median estimation, and MR-Egger regression, were employed to ensure the robustness of our findings. RESULTS A total of 19 blood metabolites were identified with significant associations with lung cancer risk. Specifically, oleate (OR per SD = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.51 to 4.36), 1-arachidonoylglyceropholine (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.22 to 2.65), and arachidonate (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.40) were associated with a higher risk of lung cancer. Conversely, 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.82), ADpSGEGDFXAEGGGVR, a fibrinogen cleavage peptide (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.77), and isovalerylcarnitine (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.78) were associated with a lower risk of lung cancer. Notably, isoleucine (OR = 9.64, 95% CI: 2.55 to 36.38) was associated with a significantly higher risk of lung squamous cell cancer, while acetyl phosphate (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.89) was associated with a significantly lower risk of small cell lung cancer. CONCLUSION This study reveals the complex relationships between specific blood metabolites and lung cancer risk, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for lung cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. The findings not only deepen our understanding of the metabolic mechanisms of lung cancer but also provide new insights for future treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gujie Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Haochun Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Binyang Pan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yao Li
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, Biomedical Sciences Building, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland.
| | - Weigang Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yiwei Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Lorincz-Comi N, Yang Y, Li G, Zhu X. MRBEE: A bias-corrected multivariable Mendelian randomization method. HGG ADVANCES 2024; 5:100290. [PMID: 38582968 PMCID: PMC11053334 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2024.100290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Mendelian randomization (MR) is an instrumental variable approach used to infer causal relationships between exposures and outcomes, which is becoming increasingly popular because of its ability to handle summary statistics from genome-wide association studies. However, existing MR approaches often suffer the bias from weak instrumental variables, horizontal pleiotropy and sample overlap. We introduce MRBEE (MR using bias-corrected estimating equation), a multivariable MR method capable of simultaneously removing weak instrument and sample overlap bias and identifying horizontal pleiotropy. Our extensive simulations and real data analyses reveal that MRBEE provides nearly unbiased estimates of causal effects, well-controlled type I error rates and higher power than comparably robust methods and is computationally efficient. Our real data analyses result in consistent causal effect estimates and offer valuable guidance for conducting multivariable MR studies, elucidating the roles of pleiotropy, and identifying total 42 horizontal pleiotropic loci missed previously that are associated with myopia, schizophrenia, and coronary artery disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noah Lorincz-Comi
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yihe Yang
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Gen Li
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Zhu
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Bouttle K, Ingold N, O’Mara TA. Using Genetics to Investigate Relationships between Phenotypes: Application to Endometrial Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:939. [PMID: 39062718 PMCID: PMC11276418 DOI: 10.3390/genes15070939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have accelerated the exploration of genotype-phenotype associations, facilitating the discovery of replicable genetic markers associated with specific traits or complex diseases. This narrative review explores the statistical methodologies developed using GWAS data to investigate relationships between various phenotypes, focusing on endometrial cancer, the most prevalent gynecological malignancy in developed nations. Advancements in analytical techniques such as genetic correlation, colocalization, cross-trait locus identification, and causal inference analyses have enabled deeper exploration of associations between different phenotypes, enhancing statistical power to uncover novel genetic risk regions. These analyses have unveiled shared genetic associations between endometrial cancer and many phenotypes, enabling identification of novel endometrial cancer risk loci and furthering our understanding of risk factors and biological processes underlying this disease. The current status of research in endometrial cancer is robust; however, this review demonstrates that further opportunities exist in statistical genetics that hold promise for advancing the understanding of endometrial cancer and other complex diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tracy A. O’Mara
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia (N.I.)
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Ren S, Sun C, Zhai W, Wei W, Liu J. Gaining new insights into the etiology of ulcerative colitis through a cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association study. Front Genet 2024; 15:1425370. [PMID: 39092429 PMCID: PMC11291327 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1425370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified 38 loci associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) susceptibility, but the risk genes and their biological mechanisms remained to be comprehensively elucidated. Methods Multi-marker analysis of genomic annotation (MAGMA) software was used to annotate genes on GWAS summary statistics of UC from FinnGen database. Genetic analysis was performed to identify risk genes. Cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) using the unified test for molecular signatures (UTMOST) was performed to compare GWAS summary statistics with gene expression matrix (from Genotype-Tissue Expression Project) for data integration. Subsequently, we used FUSION software to select key genes from the individual tissues. Additionally, conditional and joint analysis was conducted to improve our understanding on UC. Fine-mapping of causal gene sets (FOCUS) software was employed to accurately locate risk genes. The results of the four genetic analyses (MAGMA, UTMOST, FUSION and FOCUS) were combined to obtain a set of UC risk genes. Finally, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and Bayesian colocalization analysis were conducted to determine the causal relationship between the risk genes and UC. To test the robustness of our findings, the same approaches were taken to verify the GWAS data of UC on IEU. Results Multiple correction tests screened PIM3 as a risk gene for UC. The results of Bayesian colocalization analysis showed that the posterior probability of hypothesis 4 was 0.997 and 0.954 in the validation dataset. MR was conducted using the inverse variance weighting method and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs28645887 and rs62231924) were included in the analysis (p < 0.001, 95%CI: 1.45-1.89). In the validation dataset, MR result was p < 0.001, 95%CI: 1.19-1.72, indicating a clear causal relationship between PIM3 and UC. Conclusion Our study validated PIM3 as a key risk gene for UC and its expression level may be related to the risk of UC, providing a novel reference for further improving the current understanding on the genetic structure of UC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Ren
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Chaodi Sun
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wenjing Zhai
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wenli Wei
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jianping Liu
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Chen W, Zhang T, Zhang H. Causal relationship between type 2 diabetes and glioblastoma: bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16544. [PMID: 39020091 PMCID: PMC11255221 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67341-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
As the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Glioblastoma (GBM) rises globally, the relationship between T2DM and GBM remains controversial. This study aims to investigate whether genetically predicted T2DM is causally associated with GBM. We performed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using data from genome-wide studies on T2DM (N = 62,892) and GBM (N = 218,792) in European populations. The results of the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) approach served as the primary outcomes. We applied Cochran's Q test and MR-Egger regression for heterogeneity assessment. Leave-one-out analysis was used to evaluate whether any single SNP significantly influenced the observed effect. Our findings reveal a significant causal association between T2DM and an increased risk of GBM (OR [95% CI] 1.70 [1.09, 2.65], P = 0.019). Conversely, the reverse association between T2DM and GBM was insignificant (OR [95% CI] 1.00 [0.99, 1.01], P = 0.408) (P > 0.40). Furthermore, the results from Cochran's Q-test and funnel plots in the MR-Egger method indicated no evidence of pleiotropy between the SNPs and GBM. Additionally, we mapped causal SNPs to genes and identified 10 genes, including MACF1, C1orf185, PTGFRN, NOTCH2, ABCB10, GCKR, THADA, RBMS1, SPHKAP, and PPARG, located on chromosomes 1, 2, and 3. These genes are involved in key biological processes such as the BMP signaling pathway and various metabolic pathways relevant to both conditions. This study provides robust evidence of a significant causal relationship between T2DM and an increased risk of GBM. The identified SNP-mapped genes highlight potential biological mechanisms underlying this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Taoyuan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Zhu S, Hao Z, Chen Q, Liu X, Wu W, Luo Y, Zhang F. Casual effects of telomere length on sarcoidosis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1408980. [PMID: 39086950 PMCID: PMC11288844 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1408980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Telomere length, crucial for genomic stability, have been implicated in various inflamm-aging diseases, but their role in sarcoidosis remains unexplored. Objective This study aims to explore the casual effects between TL and sarcoidosis via a bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) study. Methods We examined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with TL and sarcoidosis, utilizing available open-access genome-wide association study (GWAS) databases from the UK Biobank and FinnGen. We employed five MR techniques, including Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), MR Egger, weighted median (WM), Robust adjusted profile score (RAPS), and Maximum likelihood, to assess causal relationships and explore pleiotropy. Results Summary data extracted from GWAS datasets of TL (n = 472,174) and (n = 217,758) of European ancestry. Employing 130 SNPs with genome-wide significance as instrumental factors for TL, we detect a significant negative correlation between TL and sarcoidosis (OR: 0.682, 95% confidence interval: 0.524-0.888, p : 0.0045). Similarly, utilizing 6 SNPs with genome-wide significance as instrumental factors for sarcoidosis, we fail to identify a noteworthy association between sarcoidosis and TL (OR: 0.992, 95% confidence interval: 0.979-1.005, p : 0.2424). Conclusion Our results suggest that longer telomeres may reduce the risk of sarcoidosis, highlighting TL as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and long-term monitoring. Understanding the critical role of telomere shortening enables more effective focus on diagnosing, treating, and curing sarcoidosis linked to telomeres. Clinical investigations into treatments that enhance TL are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiben Zhu
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ziyu Hao
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qihang Chen
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoliu Liu
- Medical Laboratory of Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenyan Wu
- Medical Laboratory of Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanping Luo
- Medical Laboratory of Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Science and Education, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
60
|
Wang J, Chen Z, Lai Y, Ma Z, Wang L, Fiori PL, Carru C, Capobianco G, Zhou L. Insights into inflammation and implications for the pathogenesis and long-term outcomes of endometrial cancer: genome-wide surveys and a clinical cohort study. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:846. [PMID: 39020272 PMCID: PMC11253470 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12630-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence showing a connection between inflammation and endometrial cancer (EC) risk, the surveys on genetic correlation and cohort studies investigating the impact on long-term outcomes have yet to be refined. We aimed to address the impact of inflammation factors on the pathogenesis, progression and consequences of EC. METHODS For the genetic correlation analyses, a two-sample of Mendelian randomization (MR) study was applied to investigate inflammation-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms involved with endometrial cancer from GWAS databases. The observational retrospective study included consecutive patients diagnosed with EC (stage I to IV) with surgeries between January 2010 and October 2020 at the Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College. RESULTS The 2-sample MR surveys indicated no causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and endometrial cancer. 780 cases (median age, 55.0 years ) diagnosed with EC were included in the cohort and followed up for an average of 6.8 years. Increased inflammatory parameters at baseline were associated with a higher FIGO stage and invasive EC risk (odds ratios [OR] 1.01 to 4.20). Multivariate-cox regression suggested that multiple inflammatory indicators were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.05). Nomogram models based on inflammatory risk and clinical factors were developed for OS and PFS with C-index of 0.811 and 0.789, respectively. LASSO regression for the validation supported the predictive efficacy of inflammatory and clinical factors on the long-term outcomes of EC. CONCLUSIONS Despite the fact that the genetic surveys did not show a detrimental impact of inflammatory cytokines on the endometrial cancer risk, our cohort study suggested that inflammatory level was associated with the progression and long-term outcomes of EC. This evidence may contribute to new strategies targeted at decreasing inflammation levels during EC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Zhichao Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Yaozhen Lai
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Zebiao Ma
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Luanhong Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Pier Luigi Fiori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ciriaco Carru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giampiero Capobianco
- Gynecologic and Obstetric Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
61
|
Chen H, Zheng Z, Cai X, Gao F. Causal links between serum micronutrients and epilepsy: a Mendelian randomization analysis. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1419289. [PMID: 39076846 PMCID: PMC11284170 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1419289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Micronutrient levels play a critical role in epilepsy. This study investigates the impact of micronutrient levels on epilepsy via Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods A two-sample MR framework evaluated the genetic association between 15 serum micronutrients and epilepsy phenotypes. The analysis included calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, potassium, folate, vitamins B6, B12, C, D, E, retinol, and carotene against all epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE), juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone and with spike-wave electroencephalography (GTCS), and various focal epilepsy phenotypes [with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), lesions other than HS, lesion-negative]. The random-effects inverse-variance weighted (IVW) model was the primary method used, supported by heterogeneity and pleiotropy assessments. Multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses (MVMR) were used to identify micronutrients that are significantly causally associated with different epilepsy subtypes and to confirm the most potential causal risk factors for these subtypes. Results Zinc conferred an increased risk of focal epilepsy with HS (OR = 1.01; p = 0.045). Carotene was similarly linked to higher risks of lesion-negative cases (OR = 1.129; p = 0.037). Conversely, vitamin B6 was associated with reduced risks of focal epilepsy with HS (OR = 0.949; p = 0.020), and vitamin D was linked to decreased risks of both CAE (OR = 0.976, 95% CI: 0.959-0.993, p = 0.006) and JAE (OR = 0.986, 95% CI: 0.973-0.999, p = 0.032). These associations were robust, showing minimal heterogeneity and no evidence of pleiotropy across various sensitivity analyses. After adjustment using MVMR, significant causal relationships between vitamin D and both CAE and JAE remained. Furthermore, the causal relationship between zinc and vitamin B6 on focal epilepsy with HS became non-significant, while carotene shifted from a risk factor to a protective factor for focal epilepsy lesion-negative after adjusting for vitamin D. Conclusion MR estimates provide robust evidence for the causal effects of vitamin D on reducing the risk of CAE, and JAE, which might provide alternative treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haohao Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zequn Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaorui Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fenfei Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Shen Y, Li C, Zhang X, Wang Y, Zhang H, Yu Z, Gui B, Hu R, Li Q, Gao A, Liang H. Gut microbiota linked to hydrocephalus through inflammatory factors: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1372051. [PMID: 39076985 PMCID: PMC11284128 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1372051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The gut microbiota (GM) has been implicated in neurological disorders, but the relationship with hydrocephalus, especially the underlying mechanistic pathways, is unclear. Using Mendelian randomization (MR), we aim to discover the mediating role of inflammatory factors in the relationship between GM and hydrocephalus. Methods After removing confounders, univariable and multivariable MR analyses were performed using summary statistics to assess the causal relationships between GM, inflammatory factors (IL-17A and IL-27), and types of hydrocephalus. Meta-analyses were used to reconcile the differences in MR results between different hydrocephalus sources. Finally, mediator MR analyses were applied to determine the mediating effect of inflammatory factors. Various sensitivity analysis methods were employed to ensure the reliability and stability of the results. Results After correction for P-values, Firmicutes (phylum) (OR, 0.34; 95%CI, 0.17-0.69; P = 2.71E-03, P FDR = 2.44E-02) significantly reduced the risk of obstructive hydrocephalus. The remaining 18 different taxa of GM had potential causal relationships for different types of hydrocephalus. In addition, Firmicutes (phylum) decreased the risk of obstructive hydrocephalus by increasing levels of IL-17A (mediating effect = 21.01%), while Eubacterium ruminantium group (genus) increased the risk of normal-pressure hydrocephalus by decreasing levels of IL-27 (mediating effect = 7.48%). Conclusion We reveal the connection between GM, inflammatory factors (IL-17A and IL-27), and hydrocephalus, which lays the foundation for unraveling the mechanism between GM and hydrocephalus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Changyu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hainan Cancer Hospital, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yaolou Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Haopeng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhao Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Binbin Gui
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Renjie Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Aili Gao
- School of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hongsheng Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
63
|
Lukas E, van de Weijer M, Bergstedt J, Bezzina CR, Treur JL. Causal inference in the field of arrhythmia: An introduction to mendelian randomization. Heart Rhythm 2024:S1547-5271(24)02896-0. [PMID: 39019383 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Mendelian randomization (MR) uses genetic variants associated with an exposure (eg, high blood pressure) as instrumental variables to test causal effects on an outcome (eg, atrial fibrillation [AF]). By leveraging the random assortment of genetic variants during gamete formation, MR reduces biases like confounding and reverse causation. We screened 391 papers, examining 277 that applied MR to investigate arrhythmia and, in others, cardiovascular traits, lifestyle, behavioral traits, and body composition. Our analysis focused on MR studies of arrhythmia and cardiovascular traits. Key findings highlight high systolic blood pressure, low resting heart rate, elevated cardiac troponin I levels, coronary artery disease, and heart failure as risk factors for AF, whereas AF itself increases heart failure risk. As genetic data become more accessible, MR's relevance grows. Sensitivity analyses and integrating MR with other methodologies in a triangulation framework enhance the robustness of causal inferences by navigating different biases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lukas
- Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margot van de Weijer
- Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Bergstedt
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Connie R Bezzina
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; European Reference Network for rare, low prevalence and complex diseases of the heart: ERN GUARD-Heart
| | - Jorien L Treur
- Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Chen X, Cheng Z, Xu J, Wang Q, Zhao Z, Jiang Q. Causal effects of denture wearing on epigenetic age acceleration and the mediating pathways: a mendelian randomization study. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:788. [PMID: 39003475 PMCID: PMC11246574 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04578-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epigenetic-age acceleration (EAA) represents the difference between chronological age and epigenetic age, reflecting accelerated biological aging. Observational studies suggested that oral disorders may impact DNA methylation patterns and aging, but their causal relationship remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate potential causal associations between dental traits and EAA, as well as to identify possible mediators. METHODS Using summary statistics of genome-wide association studies of predominantly European ancestry, we conducted univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the overall and independent effects of ten dental traits (dentures, bleeding gums, painful gums, loose teeth, toothache, ulcers, periodontitis, number of teeth, and two measures of caries) on four EAA subtypes (GrimAge acceleration [GrimAA], PhenoAge acceleration [PhenoAA], HannumAge acceleration [HannumAA] and intrinsic EAA [IEAA]), and used two-step Mendelian randomization to evaluate twelve potential mediators of the associations. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses were used to verity the robustness, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy. RESULTS Univariable inverse variance weighted MR analyses revealed a causal effect of dentures on greater GrimAA (β: 2.47, 95% CI: 0.93-4.01, p = 0.002), PhenoAA (β: 3.00, 95% CI: 1.15-4.85, p = 0.001), and HannumAA (β: 1.96, 95% CI: 0.58-3.33, p = 0.005). In multivariable MR, the associations remained significant after adjusting for periodontitis, caries, number of teeth and bleeding gums. Three out of 12 aging risk factors were identified as mediators of the association between dentures and EAA, including body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. No evidence for reverse causality and pleiotropy were detected (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings supported the causal effects of genetic liability for denture wearing on epigenetic aging, with partial mediation by obesity. More attention should be paid to the obesity-monitoring and management for slowing EAA among denture wearers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jiangyin People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, No.163, Shoushan Road, Jiangyin, 214400, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zheng Cheng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jiangyin People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, No.163, Shoushan Road, Jiangyin, 214400, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Junyu Xu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jiangyin People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, No.163, Shoushan Road, Jiangyin, 214400, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qianyi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Jiangyin People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, No.163, Shoushan Road, Jiangyin, 214400, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Zhibai Zhao
- Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianglin Jiang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jiangyin People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, No.163, Shoushan Road, Jiangyin, 214400, Jiangsu Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
65
|
Gao J, Shao S, Shen Y. Causal effects of gut microbiota on risk of interstitial cystitis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1434117. [PMID: 39070264 PMCID: PMC11272578 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1434117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The correlation between gut microbiota and interstitial cystitis has garnered significant attention in previous studies. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between them remains to be clarified. Methods Genetic variation serves as a tool in Mendelian randomization analyses, facilitating the inference of causal relationships between exposure factors and disease outcomes. In this study, summary statistics derived from a comprehensive genome-wide association study conducted by the MiBioGen consortium were utilized as exposure factors, while interstitial cystitis data sourced from the GWAS Catalog served as the disease outcome. Then, a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed by applying inverse variance-weighted, MR-Egger, Weighted Median, Simple Mode, and Weighted Mode. In addition, heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy were excluded by sensitivity analysis. Results IVW results confirmed that genus Haemophilus (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.16-4.15, p = 0.015), genus Butyricimonas (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.15-4.45, p = 0.018), genus Bacteroides (OR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.36-13.4, p = 0.013) and Coprococcus1 (OR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.28-8.99, p = 0.014) had a risk effect on interstitial cystitis. Sensitivity analysis did not find outlier SNPs. Conclusion Our analysis has identified a causal relationship between specific genera and interstitial cystitis. However, further validation through randomized controlled trials is essential to substantiate these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yuefan Shen
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
66
|
Bourassa KJ, Sbarra DA. Trauma, adversity, and biological aging: behavioral mechanisms relevant to treatment and theory. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:285. [PMID: 38997260 PMCID: PMC11245531 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Although stress and adversity are largely universal experiences, people exposed to greater hardship are at increased risk for negative health consequences. Recent studies identify accelerated biological aging as a mechanism that could explain how trauma and adversity gives rise to poor health, and advances in this area of study coincide with technological innovations in the measurement of biological aging, particularly epigenetic profiles consistent with accelerated aging derived from DNA methylation. In this review, we provide an overview of the current literature examining how adversity might accelerate biological aging, with a specific focus on social and health behaviors. The most extensive evidence in this area suggests that health-compromising behaviors, particularly smoking, may partially explain the association between adversity and accelerated aging. Although there is relatively less published support for the role of social behaviors, emerging evidence points to the importance of social connection as a mechanism for future study. Our review highlights the need to determine the extent to which the associations from adversity to accelerated aging are consistent with causal processes. As we consider these questions, the review emphasizes methodological approaches from the causal inference literature that can help deepen our understanding of how stress and trauma might result in poor health. The use of these methodologies will help provide evidence as to which behavioral interventions might slow aging and improve health, particularly among populations that more often experience adversity and trauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Bourassa
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham Veteran Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - David A Sbarra
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
67
|
Yu Y, Lu Y, Tan X, Wang N. Response to Letter to the Editor From Richmond et al: "Sleep Duration and Visceral Adipose Tissue: Linear and nonlinear Mendelian Randomization Analyses". J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1680-e1681. [PMID: 38569002 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuefeng Yu
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yingli Lu
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Department of Surgical Sciences (Sleep Science Laboratory, BMC), Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 05, Sweden
| | - Ningjian Wang
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| |
Collapse
|
68
|
Li N, Wang T, Zhang H, Li X, Bai H, Lu N, Lu K. Exploring the causal relationship between glutamine metabolism and leukemia risk: a Mendelian randomization and LC-MS/MS analysis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1418738. [PMID: 39050845 PMCID: PMC11265999 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1418738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This investigation sought to delineate the causal nexus between plasma glutamine concentrations and leukemia susceptibility utilizing bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis and to elucidate the metabolic ramifications of asparaginase therapy on glutamine dynamics in leukemia patients. Methods A bidirectional two-sample MR framework was implemented, leveraging genetic variants as instrumental variables from extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) tailored to populations of European descent. Glutamine quantification was executed through a rigorously validated Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) protocol. Comparative analyses of glutamine levels were conducted across leukemia patients versus healthy controls, pre- and post-asparaginase administration. Statistical evaluations employed inverse variance weighted (IVW) models, MR-Egger regression, and sensitivity tests addressing pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Results The MR findings underscored a significant inverse association between glutamine levels and leukemia risk (IVW p = 0.03558833), positing lower glutamine levels as a contributory factor to heightened leukemia susceptibility. Conversely, the analysis disclosed no substantive causal impact of leukemia on glutamine modulation (IVW p = 0.9694758). Notably, post-asparaginase treatment, a marked decrement in plasma glutamine concentrations was observed in patients (p = 0.0068), underlining the profound metabolic influence of the therapeutic regimen. Conclusion This study corroborates the hypothesized inverse relationship between plasma glutamine levels and leukemia risk, enhancing our understanding of glutamine's role in leukemia pathophysiology. The pronounced reduction in glutamine levels following asparaginase intervention highlights the critical need for meticulous metabolic monitoring to refine therapeutic efficacy and optimize patient management in clinical oncology. These insights pave the way for more tailored and efficacious treatment modalities in the realm of personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Mass Spectrometry Research Institute, Beijing Gobroad Hospital, Beijing, China
- Mass Spectrometry Research Institute, Beijing Gobroad Healthcare Group, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyi Wang
- Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiying Zhang
- Mass Spectrometry Research Institute, Beijing Gobroad Hospital, Beijing, China
- Mass Spectrometry Research Institute, Beijing Gobroad Healthcare Group, Beijing, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Gobroad Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Gobroad Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haochen Bai
- Mass Spectrometry Research Institute, Shanghai Liquan Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Gobroad Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kaizhi Lu
- Mass Spectrometry Research Institute, Beijing Gobroad Hospital, Beijing, China
- Mass Spectrometry Research Institute, Beijing Gobroad Healthcare Group, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
69
|
Xie L, Gan W, Cai G. The causal relationship between gut microbiota and diabetic neuropathy: a bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1402014. [PMID: 39050567 PMCID: PMC11266094 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1402014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Many studies suggest a strong correlation between gut microbiota (GM) and diabetic neuropathy (DN). However, the precise causal relationship between GM and DN has yet to be fully elucidated. Hence, a bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to examine the association between GM and DN. Methods Widely known genome-wide association study (GWAS) of GM was collected from the MiBio Gen project. Summary-level datasets for DN were taken from the FinnGen project. Inverse variance weighted approach was used for evaluating the causal relationship between GM and DN. Subsequently, pleiotropy and heterogeneity tests were performed to verify the reliability of the data. Furthermore, a bidirectional two-sample MR analysis was done to investigate the directionality of the causal relationships. Gene Ontology analysis was conducted to identify the associations that could indicate biological functions. Results We identified potential causal associations between GM and DN (p< 0.05 in all three MR methods). Among them, we found increased levels of Christensenellaceae R-7 (Odds ratio, OR= 1.52; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.03-2.23; p = 0.03), Ruminococcaceae UCG013 (OR =1.35; 95% CI = 1.00-1.85; p = 0.04), and Eggerthella groups (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.05-1.55; p = 0.01), which may be associated with a higher risk of DN, while increased levels of Peptococcaceae (OR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.54-0.90; p< 0.01) and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes groups (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.49-0.93; p = 0.01) could be associated with a lower risk. Gene Ontology pathway analysis revealed enrichment of genes regulated by the associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the apical plasma membrane, glycosyltransferase activity, hexosyltransferase activity and membrane raft. Reverse MR analyses indicated that DN was associated with five microbial taxa in all three MR methods. Conclusion The results of our study validate the possible causative relationship between GM and DN. This discovery gives new perspectives into the mechanism on how GM influences DN, and establishes a theoretical foundation for future investigations into targeted preventive measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Long Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha (The Changsha Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Wen Gan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yuebei People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
| | - GuangRong Cai
- Trauma Department of Orthopaedics, Yuebei People’s Hospital, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
70
|
Chen YH, Ren CY, Yu C. Causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and unstable angina: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1435394. [PMID: 39045549 PMCID: PMC11263098 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1435394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Research from observational studies has demonstrated a link between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Uncertainty surrounds the exact genetic cause of AD and coronary heart disease, particularly unstable angina (UA). Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to examine the causal genetic link between AD and UA to evaluate the impact of AD on UA. Methods The purpose of the bidirectional MR analysis was to investigate the link between exposure and illness causation. Genetic instrumental variables for AD were obtained from European populations using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The primary causal conclusions were obtained using the inverse variance weighted approach (IVW), and other sensitivity analysis techniques were employed. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to evaluate heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy to guarantee accurate MR results. Results An elevated risk of UA was linked to genetically predicted AD (IVW: OR=3.439, 95% CI: 1.565-7.555, P=0.002). A substantial genetic relationship between UA and the risk of AD was not supported by any evidence in the reverse study (IVW: OR=0.998, 95% CI: 0.995-1.001, P=0.190). Various MR techniques produced consistent results. Sensitivity analysis revealed no discernible heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. Conclusions One risk factor for UA that we found in our bidirectional Mendelian randomization trial was AD. This highlights the necessity of researching the underlying molecular mechanisms linked to AD and UA as well as the possibility of creating individualized treatment plans based on genetic data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-hang Chen
- Department of Operations Management, Chongqing Mental Health Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Cong-ying Ren
- Department of Hospital Infection Control, Chongqing Mental Health Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Cao Yu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
71
|
Pang Z, Lu Y, Zhou G, Hui F, Xu L, Viau C, Spigelman A, MacDonald P, Wishart D, Li S, Xia J. MetaboAnalyst 6.0: towards a unified platform for metabolomics data processing, analysis and interpretation. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:W398-W406. [PMID: 38587201 PMCID: PMC11223798 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
We introduce MetaboAnalyst version 6.0 as a unified platform for processing, analyzing, and interpreting data from targeted as well as untargeted metabolomics studies using liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The two main objectives in developing version 6.0 are to support tandem MS (MS2) data processing and annotation, as well as to support the analysis of data from exposomics studies and related experiments. Key features of MetaboAnalyst 6.0 include: (i) a significantly enhanced Spectra Processing module with support for MS2 data and the asari algorithm; (ii) a MS2 Peak Annotation module based on comprehensive MS2 reference databases with fragment-level annotation; (iii) a new Statistical Analysis module dedicated for handling complex study design with multiple factors or phenotypic descriptors; (iv) a Causal Analysis module for estimating metabolite - phenotype causal relations based on two-sample Mendelian randomization, and (v) a Dose-Response Analysis module for benchmark dose calculations. In addition, we have also improved MetaboAnalyst's visualization functions, updated its compound database and metabolite sets, and significantly expanded its pathway analysis support to around 130 species. MetaboAnalyst 6.0 is freely available at https://www.metaboanalyst.ca.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Pang
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University,Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guangyan Zhou
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University,Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fiona Hui
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University,Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lei Xu
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University,Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charles Viau
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University,Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Aliya F Spigelman
- Department of Pharmacology and Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Patrick E MacDonald
- Department of Pharmacology and Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David S Wishart
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shuzhao Li
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Jianguo Xia
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University,Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
72
|
Liu P, Luo Y, Zhang M. Intestinal microbiota and tuberculosis: Insights from Mendelian randomization. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38762. [PMID: 38968531 PMCID: PMC11250452 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory tuberculosis (RTB), a global health concern affecting millions of people, has been observationally linked to the gut microbiota, but the depth and nature of this association remain elusive. Despite these findings, the underlying causal relationship is still uncertain. Consequently, we used the Mendelian randomization (MR) method to further investigate this potential causal connection. We sourced data on the gut microbiota from a comprehensive genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted by the MiBioGen Consortium (7686 cases, and 115,893 controls). For RTB, we procured 2 distinct datasets, labeled the Fingen R9 TBC RESP and Fingen R9 AB1 RESP, from the Finnish Genetic Consortium. To decipher the potential relationship between the gut microbiota and RTB, we employed MR on both datasets. Our primary mode of analysis was the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method. To ensure robustness and mitigate potential confounders, we meticulously evaluated the heterogeneity and potential pleiotropy of the outcomes. In the TBC RESP (RTB1) dataset related to the gut microbiota, the IVW methodology revealed 7 microbial taxa that were significantly associated with RTB. In a parallel vein, the AB1 RESP (RTB2) dataset highlighted 4 microbial taxa with notable links. Notably, Lachnospiraceae UCG010 was consistently identified across both datasets. This correlation was especially evident in the data segments designated Fingen R9 TBC RESP (OR = 1.799, 95% CI = 1.243-2.604) and Finngen R9 AB1 RESP (OR = 2.131, 95% CI = 1.088-4.172). Our study identified a causal relationship between particular gut microbiota and RTB at the level of prediction based on genetics. This discovery sheds new light on the mechanisms of RTB development, which are mediated by the gut microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peijun Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| | - Yaomei Luo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| | - Minghua Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| |
Collapse
|
73
|
Tao T, Mo X, Zhao L. Identifying novel potential drug targets for endometriosis via plasma proteome screening. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1416978. [PMID: 39036049 PMCID: PMC11257892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1416978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic painful condition that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. Currently, surgery or medication can only provide limited symptom relief. This study used a comprehensive genetic analytical approach to explore potential drug targets for EM in the plasma proteome. Methods In this study, 2,923 plasma proteins were selected as exposure and EM as outcome for two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. The plasma proteomic data were derived from the UK Biobank Pharmaceutical Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP), while the EM dataset from the FinnGen consortium R10 release data. Several sensitivity analyses were performed, including summary-data-based MR (SMR) analyses, heterogeneity in dependent instruments (HEIDI) test, reverse MR analyses, steiger detection test, and bayesian co-localization analyses. Furthermore, proteome-wide association study (PWAS) and single-cell transcriptomic analyses were also conducted to validate the findings. Results Six significant (p < 3.06 × 10-5) plasma protein-EM pairs were identified by MR analyses. These included EPHB4 (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.20 - 1.63), FSHB (OR = 3.91, 95% CI: 3.13 - 4.87), RSPO3 (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.38 - 1.86), SEZ6L2 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.23 - 1.68) and WASHC3 (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.54 - 2.59) were identified as risk factors, whereas KDR (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75 - 0.90) was found to be a protective factor. All six plasma proteins passed the SMR test (P < 8.33 × 10-3), but only four plasma proteins passed the HEIDI heterogeneity test (PHEIDI > 0.05), namely FSHB, RSPO3, SEZ6L2 and EPHB4. These four proteins showed strong evidence of co-localization (PPH4 > 0.7). In particular, RSPO3 and EPHB4 were replicated in the validated PWAS. Single-cell analyses revealed high expression of SEZ6L2 and EPHB4 in stromal and epithelial cells within EM lesions, while RSPO3 exhibited elevated expression in stromal cells and fibroblasts. Conclusion Our study identified FSHB, RSPO3, SEZ6L2, and EPHB4 as potential drug targets for EM and highlighted the critical role of stromal and epithelial cells in disease development. These findings provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of EM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tao
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Mo
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangbin Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
74
|
Hong CX, Pan YZ, Dai FB. Potential association of rheumatic diseases with bone mineral density and fractures: a bi-directional mendelian randomization study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2024; 25:521. [PMID: 38970016 PMCID: PMC11225327 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07496-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have implicated rheumatoid arthritis as an independent risk factor for bone density loss. However, whether there is a causal relationship between rheumatic diseases and bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures is still controversial. We employed a bidirectional Mendelian analysis to explore the causal relationship between rheumatic diseases and BMD or fractures. METHODS The rheumatic diseases instrumental variables (IVs) were obtained from a large Genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis dataset of European descent. Analyses were performed for the three rheumatic diseases: ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (n = 22,647 cases, 99,962 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 58,284 cases, 13,108,512 SNPs), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 14,267 cases, 7,071,163 SNPs). Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were carried out by using R language TwoSampleMR version 0.5.7. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods were used to analyze the causal relationship between rheumatic diseases and BMD or fracture. RESULTS The MR results revealed that there was absence of evidence for causal effect of AS on BMD or fracture. However, there is a positive causal relationship of RA with fracture of femur (95% CI = 1.0001 to 1.077, p = 0.046), and RA and fracture of forearm (95% CI = 1.015 to 1.064, p = 0.001). SLE had positive causal links for fracture of forearm (95% CI = 1.004 to 1.051, p = 0.020). Additionally, increasing in heel bone mineral density (Heel-BMD) and total bone mineral density (Total-BMD) can lead to a reduced risk of AS without heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects. The results were stable and reliable. There was absence of evidence for causal effect of fracture on RA (95% CI = 0.929 to 1.106, p = 0.759), and fracture on SLE (95% CI = 0.793 to 1.589, p = 0.516). CONCLUSIONS RA and SLE are risk factors for fractures. On the other hand, BMD increasing can reduce risk of AS. Our results indicate that rheumatic diseases may lead to an increased risk of fractures, while increased BMD may lead to a reduced risk of rheumatic diseases. These findings provide insight into the risk of BMD and AS, identifying a potential predictor of AS risk as a reduction in BMD.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Humans
- Bone Density/genetics
- Mendelian Randomization Analysis
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Genome-Wide Association Study
- Fractures, Bone/genetics
- Fractures, Bone/epidemiology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/epidemiology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/epidemiology
- Rheumatic Diseases/genetics
- Rheumatic Diseases/epidemiology
- Rheumatic Diseases/complications
- Risk Factors
- Spondylitis, Ankylosing/genetics
- Spondylitis, Ankylosing/complications
- Spondylitis, Ankylosing/epidemiology
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Xuan Hong
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Cangnan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325899, China
| | - Yan-Zheng Pan
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Feng-Bo Dai
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Cangnan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325899, China.
| |
Collapse
|
75
|
Chen A, Wang Y, Hu YQ. Exploring Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota and Alzheimer's Disease: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2024; 8:1031-1040. [PMID: 39114549 PMCID: PMC11305842 DOI: 10.3233/adr-240071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Many observational studies have investigated the link between the gut microbiota and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the causality remains uncertain. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the causal impact of gut microbiota on AD. Methods A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted employing summary data. Summary statistics for AD were from the latest genome-wide association study (cases and proxy cases: 85,934; controls: 401,577). Summary data for gut microbiota were acquired from MiBioGen consortium. Causal effect estimations primarily relied on the inverse variance weighting method along with the sensitivity analyses for testing for pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Additionally, reverse MR analyses were performed to examine potential reverse causality. Results Seven gut microbiota were identified as associated with AD risk. Order Selenomonadales (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.24, p = 0.01), Family Pasteurellaceae (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.13, p = 0.01), and Genus Methanobrevibacter (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.13, p = 0.04) were correlated with an elevated likelihood of AD, while Class Mollicutes (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.95, p = 0.00), Genus Ruminiclostridium9 (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.97, p = 0.01), Genus Clostridiuminnocuumgroup (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99, p = 0.03), and Genus Eggerthella (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-1.00, p = 0.04) exerted beneficial impact in mitigating AD. No statistically significant reverse causality was found between AD and each of these seven specific gut microbiota species. Conclusions This study unveiled a causal link between certain gut microbiota and AD, offering new insights for advancing clinical treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuquan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue-Qing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center for Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
76
|
Qu C, Lu J, Chen Y, Li J, Xu X, Li F. Unravelling the role of gut microbiota in acute pancreatitis: integrating Mendelian randomization with a nested case-control study. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1401056. [PMID: 39021624 PMCID: PMC11253135 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1401056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Gut microbiota may influence the development of acute pancreatitis (AP), a serious gastrointestinal disease with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify a causal link by investigating the relationship between gut microbiota and AP. Methods Mendelian randomization (MR) and a nested case-control study were used to explore associations between gut microbiota composition and AP. 16S rRNA sequencing, random forest modelling (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to identify significant gut microbiota and their correlation with hospitalization duration in AP patients. Results Bidirectional MR results confirmed a causal link between specific gut microbiota and AP (15 and 8 microbial taxa identified via forward and reverse MR, respectively). The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis demonstrated a pronounced difference in gut microbiota composition between cases and controls. Notably, after a comprehensive evaluation of the results of RF and SVM, Bacteroides plebeius (B. plebeius) was found to play a significant role in influencing the hospital status. Using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the predictive power (0.757) of B. plebeius. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis offered further insight that patients with an elevated abundance of B. plebeius experienced prolonged hospital stays. Conclusion Combining MR with nested case-control studies provided a detailed characterization of interactions between gut microbiota and AP. B. plebeius was identified as a significant contributor, suggesting its role as both a precursor and consequence of AP dynamics. The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of AP and its complex relationship with the gut microbiota. This study lays the groundwork for future therapeutic interventions targeting microbial dynamics in AP treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Qu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiongdi Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongyan Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
77
|
Hong P, Han L, Wan Y. Mendelian randomization study of lipid metabolism characteristics and migraine risk. Eur J Pain 2024; 28:978-986. [PMID: 38183343 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between serum lipids and migraine is controversial. However, randomized controlled trials have suggested that statins may be efficacious for the prevention of migraine. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between lipids metabolism and migraine risk. METHODS Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), relating to the serum lipid traits and the effect of lipid-lowering drugs that target APOB, CETP, HMGCR, NPC1L1, and PCSK9, were extracted from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary data. The GWAS summary data were obtained from the Global Lipids Genetic Consortium (GLGC), the UK Biobank, and the FinnGen study, respectively. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to evaluate the association between serum lipid traits and lipid-lowering drugs with migraine risk. RESULTS Regarding serum lipids, it was found that SNPs related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), or triglycerides (TG) levels were not associated with migraine, migraine with aura (MA) or migraine without aura (MO). In addition, genotypes of HMGCR related to higher LDL-C levels were associated with increased risk of migraine (OR = 1.46, p = 0.035) and MA (OR = 2.03, p = 0.008); However, genotypes of PCSK9 related to higher LDL-C levels were associated with decreased risk of migraine (OR = 0.75, p = 0.001) and MA (OR = 0.69, p = 0.004); And genotypes of APOB related to higher LDL-C levels were associated with decreased risk of MO (OR = 0.62, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS There is a relationship between lipid metabolism characteristics and migraine risk. SIGNIFICANCE Based on the genome-wide association summary data, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), or triglycerides (TG) level were not associated with risk of migraine, migraine with aura (MA) or migraine without aura (MO). However, genotypes of HMGCR related to higher LDL-C levels have shown an increased risk on migraine and MA. And genotypes of APOB or PCSK9 related to higher LDL-C levels have shown a decreased risk on MO, or migraine and MA, respectively. These results suggested that there may be a relationship between lipid metabolism characteristics and the risk for migraine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peiwei Hong
- Department of Neurology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
- West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Han
- Department of Neurology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
- West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Wan
- Department of Neurology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
- West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
78
|
Yang Q, He B, Borges MC, Lawlor DA. Accuracy in drug target Mendelian randomization of maternal and foetal health. J Hypertens 2024; 42:1283-1284. [PMID: 38818841 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yang
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Baoting He
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China
| | - Maria Carolina Borges
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
79
|
Martínez-Magaña JJ, Hurtado-Soriano J, Rivero-Segura NA, Montalvo-Ortiz JL, Garcia-delaTorre P, Becerril-Rojas K, Gomez-Verjan JC. Towards a Novel Frontier in the Use of Epigenetic Clocks in Epidemiology. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:103033. [PMID: 38955096 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Health problems associated with aging are a major public health concern for the future. Aging is a complex process with wide intervariability among individuals. Therefore, there is a need for innovative public health strategies that target factors associated with aging and the development of tools to assess the effectiveness of these strategies accurately. Novel approaches to measure biological age, such as epigenetic clocks, have become relevant. These clocks use non-sequential variable information from the genome and employ mathematical algorithms to estimate biological age based on DNA methylation levels. Therefore, in the present study, we comprehensively review the current status of the epigenetic clocks and their associations across the human phenome. We emphasize the potential utility of these tools in an epidemiological context, particularly in evaluating the impact of public health interventions focused on promoting healthy aging. Our review describes associations between epigenetic clocks and multiple traits across the life and health span. Additionally, we highlighted the evolution of studies beyond mere associations to establish causal mechanisms between epigenetic age and disease. We explored the application of epigenetic clocks to measure the efficacy of interventions focusing on rejuvenation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Jaime Martínez-Magaña
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neuroscience Division, West Haven, CT, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Janitza L Montalvo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neuroscience Division, West Haven, CT, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paola Garcia-delaTorre
- Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área de Envejecimiento, Centro Médico Nacional, Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
80
|
Li Z, Wen J, Wu W, Dai Z, Liang X, Zhang N, Cheng Q, Zhang H. Causal relationship and shared genes between air pollutants and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A large-scale genetic analysis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14812. [PMID: 38970158 PMCID: PMC11226412 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Air pollutants have been reported to have a potential relationship with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The causality and underlying mechanism remained unknown despite several existing observational studies. We aimed to investigate the potential causality between air pollutants (PM2.5, NOX, and NO2) and the risk of ALS and elucidate the underlying mechanisms associated with this relationship. METHODS The data utilized in our study were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association study data sets, in which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were employed as the instrumental variantswith three principles. Two-sample Mendelian randomization and transcriptome-wide association (TWAS) analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of air pollutants on ALS and identify genes associated with both pollutants and ALS, followed by regulatory network prediction. RESULTS We observed that exposure to a high level of PM2.5 (OR: 2.40 [95% CI: 1.26-4.57], p = 7.46E-3) and NOx (OR: 2.35 [95% CI: 1.32-4.17], p = 3.65E-3) genetically increased the incidence of ALS in MR analysis, while the effects of NO2 showed a similar trend but without sufficient significance. In the TWAS analysis, TMEM175 and USP35 turned out to be the genes shared between PM2.5 and ALS in the same direction. CONCLUSION Higher exposure to PM2.5 and NOX might causally increase the risk of ALS. Avoiding exposure to air pollutants and air cleaning might be necessary for ALS prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Li
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jie Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xisong Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| |
Collapse
|
81
|
Mu C, Dang X, Luo XJ. Mendelian randomization analyses reveal causal relationships between brain functional networks and risk of psychiatric disorders. Nat Hum Behav 2024; 8:1417-1428. [PMID: 38724650 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-01879-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Dysfunction of brain resting-state functional networks has been widely reported in psychiatric disorders. However, the causal relationships between brain resting-state functional networks and psychiatric disorders remain largely unclear. Here we perform bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to investigate the causalities between 191 resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) phenotypes (n = 34,691 individuals) and 12 psychiatric disorders (n = 14,307 to 698,672 individuals). Forward MR identified 8 rsfMRI phenotypes causally associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders. For example, the increase in the connectivity of motor, subcortical-cerebellum and limbic network was associated with lower risk of autism spectrum disorder. In adddition, increased connectivity in the default mode and central executive network was associated with lower risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Reverse MR analysis revealed significant associations between 4 psychiatric disorders and 6 rsfMRI phenotypes. For instance, the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder increases the connectivity of the attention, salience, motor and subcortical-cerebellum network. The risk of schizophrenia mainly increases the connectivity of the default mode and central executive network and decreases the connectivity of the attention network. In summary, our findings reveal causal relationships between brain functional networks and psychiatric disorders, providing important interventional and therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders at the brain functional network level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changgai Mu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinglun Dang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiong-Jian Luo
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
82
|
Zhao SS, Burgess S. Use of Mendelian randomization to assess the causal status of modifiable exposures for rheumatic diseases. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2024:101967. [PMID: 38951047 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2024.101967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The explosion in Mendelian randomization (MR) publications is hard to ignore and shows no signs of slowing. Clinician readers, who may not be familiar with jargon-ridden methods, are expected to discern the good from the many low-quality studies that make overconfident claims of causality or stretch the plausibility of what MR can investigate. We aim to equip readers with foundational concepts, contextualized using examples in rheumatology, to appraise the many MR papers that are or will appear in their journals. We highlight the importance of assessing whether exposures are under plausibly specific genetic influence, whether the hypothesized causal pathways make biological sense, and whether results stand up to replication and use of control outcomes. Quality of research can vary substantially using MR as with any design, and all methods have inherent limitations. MR studies have provided and can still contribute valuable insights in the context of evidence triangulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sizheng Steven Zhao
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Science, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biological Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Stephen Burgess
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
83
|
Jareebi MA, Alqassim AY. The impact of educational attainment on mental health: A Causal Assessment from the UKB and FinnGen Cohorts. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38602. [PMID: 38941394 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Observational studies report inverse associations between educational attainment and depression/anxiety risks, but confounding hinders causal inference. This study aimed to assess potential causal relationships using Mendelian randomization (MR). Two-sample MR analysis was conducted using genetic instruments for education, smoking, body mass index, and physical activity from published genome-wide association studies. Depression and anxiety data came from the UK Biobank ([UKB] 117,782 individuals) and FinnGen (215,644 individuals) cohorts. Inverse variance weighted regression determined associations between exposures and mental health outcomes. Increased educational attainment was causally associated with reduced risks of depression (odds ratio [OR] = 0.99 per year, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.990-0.996, P < .001) and anxiety (OR = 0.99, CI: 0.98-0.991, P < .001) in both cohorts. Smoking initiation conferred higher risks of depression (UKB OR = 1.05, CI: 1.03-1.06, P < .001; FinnGen OR = 1.20, CI: 1.10-1.32, P < .001) and anxiety (FinnGen only, OR = 1.10, CI: 1.01-1.21, P < .05). Likewise, maternal smoking history associated with greater depression (UKB OR = 1.15, CI: 1.10-1.35, P = .027) and anxiety susceptibility (FinnGen OR = 3.02, CI: 1.67-5.46, P = .011). Higher body mass index elevated depression risk in both cohorts. Physical activity showed no clear associations. This MR study provides evidence that education may causally reduce mental health disorder risk. Smoking, obesity, and low activity appear detrimentally linked to depression and anxiety. Improving access to education could offer effective strategies for lowering population psychiatric burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A Jareebi
- Family and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | | |
Collapse
|
84
|
Wen J, Tian YE, Skampardoni I, Yang Z, Cui Y, Anagnostakis F, Mamourian E, Zhao B, Toga AW, Zalesky A, Davatzikos C. The genetic architecture of biological age in nine human organ systems. NATURE AGING 2024:10.1038/s43587-024-00662-8. [PMID: 38942983 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Investigating the genetic underpinnings of human aging is essential for unraveling the etiology of and developing actionable therapies for chronic diseases. Here, we characterize the genetic architecture of the biological age gap (BAG; the difference between machine learning-predicted age and chronological age) across nine human organ systems in 377,028 participants of European ancestry from the UK Biobank. The BAGs were computed using cross-validated support vector machines, incorporating imaging, physical traits and physiological measures. We identify 393 genomic loci-BAG pairs (P < 5 × 10-8) linked to the brain, eye, cardiovascular, hepatic, immune, metabolic, musculoskeletal, pulmonary and renal systems. Genetic variants associated with the nine BAGs are predominantly specific to the respective organ system (organ specificity) while exerting pleiotropic links with other organ systems (interorgan cross-talk). We find that genetic correlation between the nine BAGs mirrors their phenotypic correlation. Further, a multiorgan causal network established from two-sample Mendelian randomization and latent causal variance models revealed potential causality between chronic diseases (for example, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes), modifiable lifestyle factors (for example, sleep duration and body weight) and multiple BAGs. Our results illustrate the potential for improving human organ health via a multiorgan network, including lifestyle interventions and drug repurposing strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Wen
- Laboratory of AI and Biomedical Science (LABS), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Ye Ella Tian
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ioanna Skampardoni
- Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Imaging Laboratory (AIBIL), Center for AI and Data Science for Integrated Diagnostics (AI2D), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhijian Yang
- Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Imaging Laboratory (AIBIL), Center for AI and Data Science for Integrated Diagnostics (AI2D), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuhan Cui
- Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Imaging Laboratory (AIBIL), Center for AI and Data Science for Integrated Diagnostics (AI2D), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Mamourian
- Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Imaging Laboratory (AIBIL), Center for AI and Data Science for Integrated Diagnostics (AI2D), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bingxin Zhao
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Arthur W Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (LONI), Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Zalesky
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christos Davatzikos
- Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Imaging Laboratory (AIBIL), Center for AI and Data Science for Integrated Diagnostics (AI2D), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
85
|
Liu P, Zhang Q, Ding H, Zou H. Association of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with polycystic ovary syndrome through bidirectional Mendelian randomization. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1429783. [PMID: 39005659 PMCID: PMC11239387 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1429783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Observational studies have established a link between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), with obesity being a significant confounding factor that complicates the understanding of causality. This study seeks to clarify the causal relationship by utilizing bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods A bidirectional MR strategy was implemented to investigate the potential causal relationship between PCOS and OSAS. Instrumental variables (IVs) for PCOS were sourced from a dataset comprising 3,609 cases and 229,788 controls. For OSAS, statistical data were obtained from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 38,998 subjects, alongside a control group of 336,659 individuals. Our MR analysis utilized several methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted mode, weighted median, simple mode, and MR-Egger, primarily focusing on the IVW technique. Sensitivity tests were conducted to ensure the robustness of our findings. Results Utilizing the IVW method, we identified a notable causal association from OSAS to PCOS, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.463 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.086-1.971 (p = 0.012). In the opposite direction, PCOS also appeared to significantly affect OSAS development, indicated by an OR of 1.041 and a 95% CI of 1.012-1.072 (p = 0.006). The MR-Egger intercept test showed no evidence of directional pleiotropy, affirming the credibility of our causal findings (p > 0.05). Conclusion This study suggests a bidirectional causal relationship between PCOS and an increased risk of OSAS. These insights could guide future screening and prevention strategies for both conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peijun Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Nursing, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| | - Haitao Ding
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| | - Hua Zou
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| |
Collapse
|
86
|
Jin Y, Zhou H, Jin X, Wang J. Deciphering the lipid-cancer nexus: comprehensive Mendelian randomization analysis of the associations between lipid profiles and digestive system cancer susceptibility. Lipids Health Dis 2024; 23:202. [PMID: 38937739 PMCID: PMC11209958 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02191-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digestive system cancers represent a significant global health challenge and are attributed to a combination of demographic and lifestyle changes. Lipidomics has emerged as a pivotal area in cancer research, suggesting that alterations in lipid metabolism are closely linked to cancer development. However, the causal relationship between specific lipid profiles and digestive system cancer risk remains unclear. METHODS Using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, we elucidated the causal relationships between lipidomic profiles and the risk of five types of digestive system cancer: stomach, liver, esophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect impact of developing lipid profiles on the risk of digestive system cancers utilizing data from public databases such as the GWAS Catalog and the UK Biobank. The inverse‒variance weighted (IVW) method and other strict MR methods were used to evaluate the potential causal links. In addition, we performed sensitivity analyses and reverse MR analyses to ensure the robustness of the results. RESULTS Significant causal relationships were identified between certain lipidomic traits and the risk of developing digestive system cancers. Elevated sphingomyelin (d40:1) levels were associated with a reduced risk of developing gastric cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, P < 0.001), while elevated levels of phosphatidylcholine (16:1_20:4) increased the risk of developing esophageal cancer (OR = 1.31, P = 0.02). Conversely, phosphatidylcholine (18:2_0:0) had a protective effect against colorectal cancer (OR = 0.86, P = 0.036). The bidirectional analysis did not suggest reverse causality between cancer risk and lipid levels. Strict MR methods demonstrated the robustness of the above causal relationships. CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the significant causal relationships between specific lipidomic traits and the risk of developing various digestive system cancers, highlighting the potential of lipid profiles in informing cancer prevention and treatment strategies. These results reinforce the value of MR in unraveling complex lipid-cancer interactions, offering new avenues for research and clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongyan Jin
- Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoli Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
87
|
Li X, Xiong R. Association between frailty and gestational diabetes mellitus: a bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1382516. [PMID: 38994009 PMCID: PMC11236542 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1382516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The causality between frailty and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not yet been fully explored. A potential bidirectional causality was also needed to be confirmed. Methods A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was conducted, with frailty-related data was collected from UK Biobank and TwinGen and GDM-related data was collected from the FinnGen consortium. We performed univariable and multivariable-adjusted MR with adjustments for body mass index (BMI). Several methodologies of MR were conducted to confirm the robustness of results. Results Frailty was significantly associated with elevated risks of GDM (OR, 3.563; 95% CI, 1.737 to 7.309; P< 0.001) and GDM was also significantly associated with elevated risks of frailty ( β , 0.087; 95% CI, 0.040 to 0.133; P< 0.001). There is no evidence demonstrating the existence of horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity. This association was robust after adjustments for BMI. The sensitivity analyses with Weighted median, Maximum likelihood, Penalised weighted median, MR Egger and MR PRESSO methods indicated consistent results. Conclusion Our study provides evidence of the bidirectional causal association between frailty and GDM from genetic perspectives, signaling that the identification and assessment of frailty should become a standard strategy during the early stages and care of gestational diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Xiong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chengdu Xinhua Hospital Affiliated To North Sichuan Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
88
|
Omar M, Omar M, Nassar S, Lahat A, Sharif K. Limited Clinical Impact of Genetic Associations between Celiac Disease and Type 2 Inflammatory Diseases: Insights from Mendelian Randomization. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1429. [PMID: 39062002 PMCID: PMC11274227 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Celiac disease, a gluten-triggered autoimmune disorder, is known for its systemic inflammatory effects. Its genetic associations with type 2 inflammatory diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis remain unclear, prompting this study to explore their potential genetic interplay. Methods: Utilizing two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR), we examined the genetic associations using 15 genetic instruments from GWAS datasets. Our analysis focused on celiac disease and its relation to asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and IgE-mediated food allergies. A power analysis was conducted to determine the study's detection capabilities, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using various MR methods. Results: Our Mendelian randomization analysis identified statistically significant genetic associations between celiac disease and several type 2 inflammatory diseases, although these were practically insignificant. Specifically, celiac disease was associated with a slight increase in the risk of atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.037) and a minor protective effect against asthma (OR = 0.97). The link with allergic rhinitis was statistically detectable (OR = 1.002) but practically negligible. Despite robust statistical confirmation through various sensitivity analyses, all observed effects remained within the range of practical equivalence (ROPE). Conclusions: Our study identifies potential genetic associations between celiac disease and certain type 2 inflammatory diseases. However, these associations, predominantly within the ROPE range, suggest only limited clinical implications. These findings highlight the need for cautious interpretation and indicate that further exploration for clinical applications may not be warranted at this stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmud Omar
- Sheba Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Mohammad Omar
- School of Medicine, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 61077 Kharkiv, Ukraine;
| | - Salih Nassar
- Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon 5822012, Israel;
| | - Adi Lahat
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262100, Israel; (A.L.); (K.S.)
| | - Kassem Sharif
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262100, Israel; (A.L.); (K.S.)
- Department of Medicine B, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262100, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
89
|
Gu Y, Ye X, Zhao W, He S, Zhang W, Zeng X. The circadian syndrome is a better predictor for psoriasis than the metabolic syndrome via an explainable machine learning method - the NHANES survey during 2005-2006 and 2009-2014. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1379130. [PMID: 38988999 PMCID: PMC11233539 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1379130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the association between circadian syndrome (CircS) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with psoriasis. Compare the performance of MetS and CircS in predicting psoriasis. Methods An observational study used data from the NHANES surveys conducted in 2005-2006 and 2009-2014. We constructed three multiple logistic regression models to investigate the relationship between MetS, CircS, and their components with psoriasis. The performance of MetS and CircS in predicting psoriasis was compared using five machine-learning algorithms, and the best-performing model was explained via SHAP. Then, bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses with the inverse variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method were employed to determine the causal effects of each component. Result A total of 9,531 participants were eligible for the study. Both the MetS (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.07-2.17, P = 0.02) and CircS (OR = 1.40, 95%CI: 1.02-1.91, P = 0.039) positively correlated with psoriasis. Each CircS algorithmic model performs better than MetS, with Categorical Features+Gradient Boosting for CircS (the area under the precision-recall curve = 0.969) having the best prediction effect on psoriasis. Among the components of CircS, elevated blood pressure, depression symptoms, elevated waist circumference (WC), and short sleep contributed more to predicting psoriasis. Under the IVW methods, there were significant causal relationships between WC (OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.34-1.73, P = 1.35e-10), hypertension (OR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.19-2.37, P = 0.003), depression symptoms (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.17-1.65, P = 1.51e-4), and short sleep (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.21-3.39, p = 0.007) with psoriasis risk. Conclusion CircS demonstrated superior predictive ability for prevalent psoriasis compared to MetS, with elevated blood pressure, depression symptoms, and elevated WC contributing more to the prediction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunfan Gu
- Department of Dermatology, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Dermatology, Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Xinglan Ye
- School of Clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenting Zhao
- First Clinical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiwei He
- First Clinical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiming Zhang
- School of Clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianyu Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
90
|
Wang Z, Zuo M, Li W, Chen S, Yuan Y, He Y, Yang Y, Mao Q, Liu Y. The impact of telomere length on the risk of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14713. [PMID: 38926610 PMCID: PMC11208170 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65725-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) affects mainly aged populations. The gradual shortening of telomere length (TL) is one of the hallmarks of aging. Whereas the genetic contribution of TL to the iNPH is incompletely understood. We aimed to investigate the causal relationship between TL and iNPH through the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. We respectively obtained 186 qualified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TL and 20 eligible SNPs of iNPH for MR analysis. The result of MR analysis showed that genetically predicted longer TL was significantly associated with a reduced odd of iNPH (odds ratio [OR] = 0.634 95% Confidence interval [CI] 0.447-0.899, p = 0.011). The causal association remained consistent in multivariable MR (OR = 0.530 95% CI 0.327-0.860, p = 0.010). However, there was no evidence that the iNPH was causally associated with the TL (OR = 1.000 95% CI 0.996-1.004, p = 0.955). Our study reveals a potential genetic contribution of TL to the etiology of iNPH, that is a genetically predicted increased TL might be associated with a reduced risk of iNPH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingrong Zuo
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, West China Women's and Children's Hospital: Sichuan University West China Second University Hospital, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Siliang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunbo Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuze He
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qing Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
91
|
Liang Y, Luo S, Bell S, Mo JMY, He B, Zhou Y, Bai X, Au Yeung SL. Do iron homeostasis biomarkers mediate the associations of liability to type 2 diabetes and glycemic traits in liver steatosis and cirrhosis: a two-step Mendelian randomization study. BMC Med 2024; 22:270. [PMID: 38926684 PMCID: PMC11210020 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03486-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies, including Mendelian randomization (MR), have demonstrated type 2 diabetes (T2D) and glycemic traits are associated with increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, few studies have explored the underlying pathway, such as the role of iron homeostasis. METHODS We used a two-step MR approach to investigate the associations of genetic liability to T2D, glycemic traits, iron biomarkers, and liver diseases. We analyzed summary statistics from various genome-wide association studies of T2D (n = 933,970), glycemic traits (n ≤ 209,605), iron biomarkers (n ≤ 246,139), MASLD (n ≤ 972,707), and related biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and proton density fat fraction (PDFF)). Our primary analysis was based on inverse-variance weighting, followed by several sensitivity analyses. We also conducted mediation analyses and explored the role of liver iron in post hoc analysis. RESULTS Genetic liability to T2D and elevated fasting insulin (FI) likely increased risk of liver steatosis (ORliability to T2D: 1.14 per doubling in the prevalence, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.19; ORFI: 3.31 per log pmol/l, 95% CI: 1.92, 5.72) and related biomarkers. Liability to T2D also likely increased the risk of developing liver cirrhosis. Genetically elevated ferritin, serum iron, and liver iron were associated with higher risk of liver steatosis (ORferritin: 1.25 per SD, 95% CI 1.07, 1.46; ORliver iron: 1.15 per SD, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.26) and liver cirrhosis (ORserum iron: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.63; ORliver iron: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.68). Ferritin partially mediated the association between FI and liver steatosis (proportion mediated: 7%, 95% CI: 2-12%). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides credible evidence on the causal role of T2D and elevated insulin in liver steatosis and cirrhosis risk and indicates ferritin may play a mediating role in this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shan Luo
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Steven Bell
- Precision Breast Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jacky Man Yuen Mo
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Baoting He
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yangzhong Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaoyin Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shiu Lun Au Yeung
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
92
|
Sun D, Shi Z, Chen H, Du Q, Zhang Y, Wang R, Kong L, Luo W, Lang Y, Wang X, Zhou H. COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization and severity and the risk of brain cortical structure: a Mendelian randomization study. QJM 2024; 117:413-421. [PMID: 38195890 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcad291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies have reported structural changes in the brains of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); it remains unclear whether these associations are causal. AIM We evaluated the causal effects of COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization and severity on cortical structures. DESIGN Mendelian randomization (MR) study. METHODS Data on the different COVID-19 phenotypes were obtained from the latest large-scale genome-wide association study (R7) of the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. Brain structure data, including cortical thickness (TH) and surface area (SA), were obtained from the ENIGMA Consortium. Additionally, we employed the round 5 dataset released in January 2021 as the validation cohort. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis in MR. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. We performed enrichment analysis on the MR analyses that passed the sensitivity analysis filtering. RESULTS After IVW and sensitivity analyses, we observed causal associations between COVID-19 susceptibility and rostral middle frontal SAw (P = 0.0308, β = -39.1236), cuneus THw (P = 0.0170, β = -0.0121), medial orbitofrontal THw (P = 0.0002, β = 0.0225), postcentral THw (P = 0.0217, β = -0.0106), temporal pole THw (P = 0.0077, β = 0.0359), medial orbitofrontal SAnw (P = 0.0106, β = -24.0397), medial orbitofrontal THnw (P = 0.0007, β = 0.0232), paracentral SAnw (P = 0.0483, β = -20.1442), rostral middle frontal SAnw (P = 0.0368, β = -81.9719) and temporal pole THnw (P = 0.0429, β = 0.0353). COVID-19 hospitalization had causal effects on medial orbitofrontal THw (P = 0.0053, β = 0.0063), postcentral THw (P = 0.0143, β = -0.0042), entorhinal THnw (P = 0.0142, β = 0.0142), medial orbitofrontal THnw (P = 0.0147, β = 0.0065) and paracentral SAnw (P = 0.0119, β = -7.9970). COVID-19 severity had causal effects on rostral middle frontal SAw (P = 0.0122, β = -11.8296), medial orbitofrontal THw (P = 0.0155, β = 0.0038), superior parietal THw (P = 0.0291, β = -0.0021), lingual SAnw (P = 0.0202, β = -11.5270), medial orbitofrontal THnw (P = 0.0290, β = 0.0039), paracentral SAnw (P = 0.0180, β = -5.7744) and pars triangularis SAnw (P = 0.0151, β = -5.4520). CONCLUSION Our MR results demonstrate a causal relationship between different COVID-19 phenotypes and cortical structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Sun
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Z Shi
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - H Chen
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Q Du
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Y Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - R Wang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - L Kong
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - W Luo
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Y Lang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - X Wang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - H Zhou
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
93
|
Jingzhi W, Cui X. The Impact of Blood and Urine Biomarkers on Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Insights from Mendelian Randomization and Cross-sectional Study from NHANES. Biol Proced Online 2024; 26:19. [PMID: 38918699 PMCID: PMC11201032 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-024-00248-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, affecting millions worldwide. Its complex pathogenesis involves a variety of risk factors, including lipid metabolism and inflammation. This study aims to elucidate the causal relationships between biomarkers related to these processes and AMD, leveraging Mendelian randomization (MR) and cross-sectional analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHOD We conducted a two-phase study, initially using MR to explore the causality between 35 biomarkers and various AMD subtypes, followed by observational analysis with NHANES data to validate these findings. RESULTS MR analysis identified a protective role of TG and a risk factor role of HDL-C and CRP in AMD development. NHANES data corroborated these findings, highlighting a nuanced relationship between these biomarkers and AMD. Notably, lipid metabolism-related biomarkers showed stronger associations with early AMD, whereas CRP's significance was pronounced in late AMD. CONCLUSION This comprehensive analysis, combining MR with NHANES data, reinforces the importance of lipid metabolism and inflammation in AMD's etiology. Future research should further investigate these biomarkers' mechanisms and their potential as therapeutic targets for AMD prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang Jingzhi
- Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Yancheng No.1 People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Xuehao Cui
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
94
|
Khan M, Ludl AA, Bankier S, Björkegren JLM, Michoel T. Prediction of causal genes at GWAS loci with pleiotropic gene regulatory effects using sets of correlated instrumental variables. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2401.06261v2. [PMID: 38259344 PMCID: PMC10802687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) is a statistical technique that uses sets of genetic instruments to estimate the direct causal effects of multiple exposures on an outcome of interest. At genomic loci with pleiotropic gene regulatory effects, that is, loci where the same genetic variants are associated to multiple nearby genes, MVMR can potentially be used to predict candidate causal genes. However, consensus in the field dictates that the genetic instruments in MVMR must be independent (not in linkage disequilibrium), which is usually not possible when considering a group of candidate genes from the same locus. Here we used causal inference theory to show that MVMR with correlated instruments satisfies the instrumental set condition. This is a classical result by Brito and Pearl (2002) for structural equation models that guarantees the identifiability of individual causal effects in situations where multiple exposures collectively, but not individually, separate a set of instrumental variables from an outcome variable. Extensive simulations confirmed the validity and usefulness of these theoretical results. Importantly, the causal effect estimates remained unbiased and their variance small even when instruments are highly correlated, while bias introduced by horizontal pleiotropy or LD matrix sampling error was comparable to standard MR. We applied MVMR with correlated instrumental variable sets at genome-wide significant loci for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk using expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) data from seven vascular and metabolic tissues in the STARNET study. Our method predicts causal genes at twelve loci, each associated with multiple colocated genes in multiple tissues. We confirm causal roles for PHACTR1 and ADAMTS7 in arterial tissues, among others. However, the extensive degree of regulatory pleiotropy across tissues and the limited number of causal variants in each locus still require that MVMR is run on a tissue-by-tissue basis, and testing all gene-tissue pairs with cis-eQTL associations at a given locus in a single model to predict causal gene-tissue combinations remains infeasible. Our results show that within tissues, MVMR with dependent, as opposed to independent, sets of instrumental variables significantly expands the scope for predicting causal genes in disease risk loci with pleiotropic regulatory effects. However, considering risk loci with regulatory pleiotropy that also spans across tissues remains an unsolved problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariyam Khan
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Adriaan-Alexander Ludl
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sean Bankier
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Johan LM Björkegren
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences/Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tom Michoel
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
95
|
Zhang Y, Zhang B, Wang R, Chen X, Xiao H, Xu X. The causal relationship and potential mediators between plasma lipids and atopic dermatitis: a bidirectional two-sample, two-step mendelian randomization. Lipids Health Dis 2024; 23:191. [PMID: 38909247 PMCID: PMC11193249 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02134-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies have indicated that the plasma lipid profiles of patients with atopic dermatitis show significant differences compared to healthy individuals. However, the causal relationship between these differences remains unclear due to the inherent limitations of observational studies. Our objective was to explore the causal effects between 179 plasma lipid species and atopic dermatitis, and to investigate whether circulating inflammatory proteins serve as mediators in this causal pathway. METHODS We utilized public genome-wide association studies data to perform a bidirectional two-sample, two-step mendelian randomization study. The inverse variance-weighted method was adopted as the primary analysis technique. MR-Egger and the weighted median were used as supplementary analysis methods. MR-PRESSO, Cochran's Q test, and MR-Egger intercept test were applied for sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness of our findings. RESULTS The Mendelian randomization analysis revealed that levels of Phosphatidylcholine (PC) (18:1_20:4) (OR: 0.950, 95% CI: 0.929-0.972, p = 6.65 × 10- 6), Phosphatidylethanolamine (O-18:1_20:4) (OR: 0.938, 95% CI: 0.906-0.971, p = 2.79 × 10- 4), Triacylglycerol (TAG) (56:6) (OR: 0.937, 95% CI: 0.906-0.969, p = 1.48 × 10- 4) and TAG (56:8) (OR: 0.918, 95% CI: 0.876-0.961, p = 2.72 × 10- 4) were inversely correlated with the risk of atopic dermatitis. Conversely, PC (18:1_20:2) (OR: 1.053, 95% CI: 1.028-1.079, p = 2.11 × 10- 5) and PC (O-18:1_20:3) (OR: 1.086, 95% CI: 1.039-1.135, p = 2.47 × 10- 4) were positively correlated with the risk of atopic dermatitis. The results of the reverse directional Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that atopic dermatitis exerted no significant causal influence on 179 plasma lipid species. The level of circulating IL-18R1 was identified as a mediator for the increased risk of atopic dermatitis associated with higher levels of PC (18:1_20:2), accounting for a mediation proportion of 9.07%. CONCLUSION Our research suggests that plasma lipids can affect circulating inflammatory proteins and may serve as one of the pathogenic factors for atopic dermatitis. Targeting plasma lipid levels as a treatment for atopic dermatitis presents a potentially novel approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuke Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Bohan Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Xinghan Chen
- Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Haitao Xiao
- Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Xuewen Xu
- Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
96
|
Lloyd K, Harrison S, Sallis HM, Davey Smith G, Munafò MR, Wootton RE. Exploring the Bidirectional Causal Pathways Between Smoking Behaviors and Headache: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Nicotine Tob Res 2024; 26:903-912. [PMID: 37702655 PMCID: PMC11190053 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although observational data suggest a relationship between headache and smoking, there remain questions about causality. Smoking may increase headache risk, individuals may smoke to alleviate headaches, or smoking and headache may share common risk factors. Mendelian randomization (MR) is a method that uses genetic variants as instruments for making causal inferences about an exposure and an outcome. AIMS AND METHODS First, we conducted logistic regression of observational data in UK Biobank assessing the association between smoking behaviors (smoking status, cigarettes per day amongst daily smokers, and lifetime smoking score) on the risk of self-reported headache (in the last month and for more than 3 months). Second, we used genetic instruments for smoking behaviors and headache (identified in independent genome-wide association studies [GWAS]) to perform bidirectional MR analysis. RESULTS Observationally, there is a weak association between smoking behavior and experiencing headache, with increased cigarettes per day associated with increased headache risk. In the MR analysis, genetic liability to smoking initiation and lifetime smoking increased odds of headache in the last month but not odds of headaches lasting more than 3 months. In the opposite direction, there was weak evidence for higher genetic liability to headaches decreasing the chance of quitting. CONCLUSIONS There was weak evidence for a partially bidirectional causal relationship between smoking behaviors and headache in the last month. Given this relationship is distinct from smoking heaviness, it suggests headache and smoking may share common risk factors such as personality traits. IMPLICATIONS Using MR, this study addresses the uncertainty regarding the observed relationship between headache and smoking. There was evidence for weak causal effects of smoking initiation and lifetime smoking (but not smoking heaviness) on likelihood of experiencing headache in the last month, but not over a prolonged period of more than 3 months. Those with higher genetic liability to headaches were also less likely to successfully stop smoking. This partially bidirectional causal relationship distinct from smoking heaviness suggests that observed associations are unlikely due to biological effects of tobacco smoke exposure and may be explained by shared personality traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Lloyd
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sean Harrison
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol, UK
| | - Hannah M Sallis
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Marcus R Munafò
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Robyn E Wootton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
97
|
Lu J, Wang X, Xu F, Rao C, Guo Y, Su Z, Chen S, Li Q. Exploring causal correlations of inflammatory biomarkers in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus: insights from bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1412434. [PMID: 38974901 PMCID: PMC11224557 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1412434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Neuroinflammatory processes have been identified as playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases, including idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). iNPH, defined as a common disease of cognitive impairment in older adults, poses major challenges for therapeutic interventions owing to the stringent methodological requirements of relevant studies, clinical heterogeneity, unclear etiology, and uncertain diagnostic criteria. This study aims to assess the relationship between circulating inflammatory biomarkers and iNPH risk using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) combined with meta-analysis. Methods In our bidirectional MR study, genetic data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 1,456 iNPH cases and 409,726 controls of European ancestry were employed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with exposures served as instrumental variables for estimating the causal relationships between iNPH and 132 types of circulating inflammatory biomarkers from corresponding GWAS data. Causal associations were primarily examined using the inverse variance-weighted method, supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode analyses. In the results, heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q test. Horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated through the MR-Egger intercept test and the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outliers test. Sensitivity analysis was conducted through leave-one-out analysis. Reverse MR analyses were performed to mitigate bias from reverse causality. Meta-analyses of identical inflammatory biomarkers from both data sources strengthened the findings. Results Results indicated a genetically predicted association between Interleukin-16 (IL-16) [OR: 1.228, 95% CI: 1.049-1.439, p = 0.011], TNF-related apoptosis ligand (TRAIL) [OR: 1.111, 95% CI: 1.019-1.210, p = 0.017] and Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) [OR: 1.303, 95% CI: 1.025-1.658, p = 0.031] and the risk of iNPH. Additionally, changes in human Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (hGDNF) [OR: 1.044, 95% CI: 1.006-1.084, p = 0.023], Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) [OR: 1.058, 95% CI: 1.020, 1.098, p = 0.003] and Interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) [OR: 0.897, 95% CI: 0.946-0.997, p = 0.037] levels were identified as possible consequences of iNPH. Conclusion Our MR study of inflammatory biomarkers and iNPH, indicated that IL-16, TRAIL, and uPA contribute to iNPH pathogenesis. Furthermore, iNPH may influence the expression of hGDNF, MMP-1, and IL-12p70. Therefore, targeting specific inflammatory biomarkers could be promising strategy for future iNPH treatment and prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianglong Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xianpeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fanjie Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Changjun Rao
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhang Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhipeng Su
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Siyan Chen
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
98
|
Jiang L, Sun YQ, Denos M, Brumpton BM, Chen Y, Malmo V, Sanderson E, Mai XM. Serum vitamin D, blood pressure and hypertension risk in the HUNT study using observational and Mendelian randomization approaches. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14312. [PMID: 38906907 PMCID: PMC11192928 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64649-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Limited studies have triangulated the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) or hypertension risk utilizing both observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) approaches. We employed data from the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) to conduct cross-sectional (n = 5854) and prospective (n = 3592) analyses, as well as one-sample MR (n = 86,324). We also used largest publicly available data for two-sample MR. Our cross-sectional analyses showed a 25 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D was associated with a 1.73 mmHg decrease in SBP (95% CI - 2.46 to - 1.01), a 0.91 mmHg decrease in DBP (95% CI - 1.35 to - 0.47) and 19% lower prevalence of hypertension (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.90) after adjusting for important confounders. However, these associations disappeared in prospective analyses. One-sample and two-sample MR results further suggested no causal relationship between serum vitamin D levels and blood pressure or hypertension risk in the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), Postbox 8905, MTFS, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway.
- Clinic of Cardiology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Yi-Qian Sun
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Clinic of Laboratory Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- TkMidt-Center for Oral Health Services and Research, Mid-Norway, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marion Denos
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), Postbox 8905, MTFS, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ben Michael Brumpton
- Clinic of Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Levanger, Norway
| | - Yue Chen
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Vegard Malmo
- Clinic of Cardiology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Eleanor Sanderson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Xiao-Mei Mai
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), Postbox 8905, MTFS, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
99
|
Rosoff DB, Hamandi AM, Bell AS, Mavromatis LA, Park LM, Jung J, Wagner J, Lohoff FW. Major Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Use Behaviors, and Longevity. JAMA Psychiatry 2024:2820199. [PMID: 38888899 PMCID: PMC11195603 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.1429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Importance Observational studies suggest that major psychiatric disorders and substance use behaviors reduce longevity, making it difficult to disentangle their relationships with aging-related outcomes. Objective To evaluate the associations between the genetic liabilities for major psychiatric disorders, substance use behaviors (smoking and alcohol consumption), and longevity. Design, Settings, and Participants This 2-sample mendelian randomization (MR) study assessed associations between psychiatric disorders, substance use behaviors, and longevity using single-variable and multivariable models. Multiomics analyses were performed elucidating transcriptomic underpinnings of the MR associations and identifying potential proteomic therapeutic targets. This study sourced summary-level genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, gene expression, and proteomic data from cohorts of European ancestry. Analyses were performed from May 2022 to November 2023. Exposures Genetic susceptibility for major depression (n = 500 199), bipolar disorder (n = 413 466), schizophrenia (n = 127 906), problematic alcohol use (n = 435 563), weekly alcohol consumption (n = 666 978), and lifetime smoking index (n = 462 690). Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome encompassed aspects of health span, lifespan, and exceptional longevity. Additional outcomes were epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) clocks. Results Findings from multivariable MR models simultaneously assessing psychiatric disorders and substance use behaviorsm suggest a negative association between smoking and longevity in cohorts of European ancestry (n = 709 709; 431 503 [60.8%] female; β, -0.33; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.28; P = 4.59 × 10-34) and with increased EAA (n = 34 449; 18 017 [52.3%] female; eg, PhenoAge: β, 1.76; 95% CI, 0.72 to 2.79; P = 8.83 × 10-4). Transcriptomic imputation and colocalization identified 249 genes associated with smoking, including 36 novel genes not captured by the original smoking GWAS. Enriched pathways included chromatin remodeling and telomere assembly and maintenance. The transcriptome-wide signature of smoking was inversely associated with longevity, and estimates of individual smoking-associated genes, eg, XRCC3 and PRMT6, aligned with the smoking-longevity MR analyses, suggesting underlying transcriptomic mediators. Cis-instrument MR prioritized brain proteins associated with smoking behavior, including LY6H (β, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.03; P = 2.37 × 10-6) and RIT2 (β, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.03; P = 1.05 × 10-5), which had favorable adverse-effect profiles across 367 traits evaluated in phenome-wide MR. Conclusions The findings suggest that the genetic liability of smoking, but not of psychiatric disorders, is associated with longevity. Transcriptomic associations offer insights into smoking-related pathways, and identified proteomic targets may inform therapeutic development for smoking cessation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Rosoff
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, NIH-Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ali M. Hamandi
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Andrew S. Bell
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lucas A. Mavromatis
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lauren M. Park
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jeesun Jung
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Josephin Wagner
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Falk W. Lohoff
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
100
|
Wang Q, Chen S, Wang G, Zhang T, Gao Y. Integrated mendelian randomization analyses highlight AFF3 as a novel eQTL-mediated susceptibility gene in renal cancer and its potential mechanisms. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:739. [PMID: 38886730 PMCID: PMC11181572 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12513-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS A growing number of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) have been found to be linked with tumorigenesis. In this article, we employed integrated Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to identify novel susceptibility genes in renal cancer (RC) and reveal their potential mechanisms. METHODS Two-sample MR analyses were performed to infer causal relationships between eQTLs, metabolites, and RC risks through the "TwoSampleMR" R package. Sensitivity analyses, such as heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and leave-one-out analysis, were used to assess the stability of our outcomes. Summary-data-based MR (SMR) analyses were used to verify the causal relationships among cis-eQTLs and RC risks via the SMR 1.3.1 software. RESULTS Our results provided the first evidence for AFF3 eQTL elevating RC risks, suggesting its oncogenic roles (IVW method; odds ratio (OR) = 1.0005; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0001-1.0010; P = 0.0285; heterogeneity = 0.9588; pleiotropy = 0.8397). Further SMR analysis validated the causal relationships among AFF3 cis-eQTLs and RC risks (P < 0.05). Moreover, the TCGA-KIRC, the ICGC-RC, and the GSE159115 datasets verified that the AFF3 gene was more highly expressed in RC tumors than normal control via scRNA-sequencing and bulk RNA-sequencing (P < 0.05). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis identified six potential biological pathways of AFF3 involved in RC. As for the potential mechanism of AFF3 in RC, we concluded in this article that AFF3 eQTL could negatively modulate the levels of the X-11,315 metabolite (IVW method; OR = 0.9127; 95% CI = 0.8530-0.9765; P = 0.0081; heterogeneity = 0.4150; pleiotropy = 0.8852), exhibiting preventive effects against RC risks (IVW method; OR = 0.9987; 95% CI = 0.9975-0.9999; P = 0.0380; heterogeneity = 0.5362; pleiotropy = 0.9808). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that AFF3 could serve as a novel eQTL-mediated susceptibility gene in RC and reveal its potential mechanism of elevating RC risks via negatively regulating the X-11,315 metabolite levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiming Wang
- Department of Urology, Jianhu Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 666 South Ring Road, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, 224700, China
| | - Shaopeng Chen
- Department of Urology, Jianhu Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 666 South Ring Road, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, 224700, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Urology, Jianhu Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 666 South Ring Road, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, 224700, China
| | - Tielong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Jianhu Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 666 South Ring Road, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, 224700, China
| | - Yulong Gao
- Department of Urology, Jianhu Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, No. 666 South Ring Road, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, 224700, China.
| |
Collapse
|