Enhanced apoB48 metabolism in lipoprotein lipase X447 homozygotes

Trans-ethnic fine-mapping of lipid loci identifies population-specific signals and allelic heterogeneity that increases the trait variance explained

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified ∼100 loci associated with blood lipid levels, but much of the trait heritability remains unexplained, and at most loci the identities of the trait-influencing variants remain unknown. We conducted a trans-ethnic fine-mapping study at 18, 22, and 18 GWAS loci on the Metabochip for their association with triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), respectively, in individuals of African American (n = 6,832), East Asian (n = 9,449), and European (n = 10,829) ancestry. We aimed to identify the variants with strongest association at each locus, identify additional and population-specific signals, refine association signals, and assess the relative significance of previously described functional variants. Among the 58 loci, 33 exhibited evidence of association at P<1×10⁻⁴ in at least one ancestry group. Sequential conditional analyses revealed that ten, nine, and four loci in African Americans, Europeans, and East Asians, respectively, exhibited two or more signals. At these loci, accounting for all signals led to a 1.3- to 1.8-fold increase in the explained phenotypic variance compared to the strongest signals. Distinct signals across ancestry groups were identified at PCSK9 and APOA5. Trans-ethnic analyses narrowed the signals to smaller sets of variants at GCKR, PPP1R3B, ABO, LCAT, and ABCA1. Of 27 variants reported previously to have functional effects, 74% exhibited the strongest association at the respective signal. In conclusion, trans-ethnic high-density genotyping and analysis confirm the presence of allelic heterogeneity, allow the identification of population-specific variants, and limit the number of candidate SNPs for functional studies.

Lipid traits are heritable, but many of the DNA variants that influence lipid levels remain unknown. In a genomic region, more than one variant may affect gene expression or function, and the frequencies of these variants can differ across populations. Genotyping densely spaced variants in individuals with different ancestries may increase the chance of identifying variants that affect gene expression or function. We analyzed high-density genotyped variants for association with TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C in African Americans, East Asians, and Europeans. At several genomic regions, we provide evidence that two or more variants can influence lipid traits; across loci, these additional signals increase the proportion of trait variation that can be explained by genes. At some association signals shared across populations, combining data from individuals of different ancestries narrowed the set of likely functional variants. At PCSK9 and APOA5, the data suggest that different variants influence trait levels in different populations. Variants previously reported to alter gene expression or function frequently exhibited the strongest association at those signals. The multiple signals and population-specific characteristics of the loci described here may be shared by genetic loci for other complex traits.

Genetic variations at the lipoprotein lipase gene influence plasma lipid concentrations and interact with plasma n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids to modulate lipid metabolism

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether seven common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) locus interact with total plasma fatty acids to modulate plasma lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients.

METHODS

Plasma fatty acid composition, plasma lipid concentrations and LPL SNPs were determined in 452 subjects with the MetS in the European LIPGENE human study and were repeated in 1754 subjects from the LIPGENE-SU.VI.MAX Study.

RESULTS

Triglycerides (TG) were lower, and HDL higher in the carriers of rs328 and rs1059611 in the SUVIMAX cohort (all P<0.001), and these findings showed a similar, non-significant trend in LIPGENE cohort. In this last cohort, we found a gene-fatty acids interaction, as the carriers of the minor allele displayed a lower fasting TG and triglyceride rich lipoproteins-TG (TRL-TG) concentrations only when they had n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids below the median (all P<0.05). Moreover, subjects carrying the minor allele for rs328 SNP and with a low level of n-6 PUFA displayed higher nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) plasma concentrations as compared with homozygous for the major allele (P=0.034). Interestingly, the n-6 PUFA-dependent associations between those SNPs and TG metabolism were also replicated in subjects without MetS from the SU.VI.MAX cohort.

CONCLUSION

Two genetic variations at the LPL gene (rs328 and rs1059611) influence plasma lipid concentrations and interact with plasma n-6 PUFA to modulate lipid metabolism. The knowledge of new genetic factors together with the understanding of these gene-nutrient interactions could help to a better knowledge of the pathogenesis in the MetS.

Genetic variants influencing circulating lipid levels and risk of coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

Genetic studies might provide new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and risk of CAD. We therefore conducted a genome-wide association study to identify novel genetic determinants of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We combined genome-wide association data from 8 studies, comprising up to 17 723 participants with information on circulating lipid concentrations. We did independent replication studies in up to 37 774 participants from 8 populations and also in a population of Indian Asian descent. We also assessed the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at lipid loci and risk of CAD in up to 9 633 cases and 38 684 controls. We identified 4 novel genetic loci that showed reproducible associations with lipids (probability values, 1.6×10(-8) to 3.1×10(-10)). These include a potentially functional SNP in the SLC39A8 gene for HDL-C, an SNP near the MYLIP/GMPR and PPP1R3B genes for LDL-C, and at the AFF1 gene for triglycerides. SNPs showing strong statistical association with 1 or more lipid traits at the CELSR2, APOB, APOE-C1-C4-C2 cluster, LPL, ZNF259-APOA5-A4-C3-A1 cluster and TRIB1 loci were also associated with CAD risk (probability values, 1.1×10(-3) to 1.2×10(-9)).

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified 4 novel loci associated with circulating lipids. We also show that in addition to those that are largely associated with LDL-C, genetic loci mainly associated with circulating triglycerides and HDL-C are also associated with risk of CAD. These findings potentially provide new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and CAD risk.

Seven lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphisms, lipid fractions, and coronary disease: a HuGE association review and meta-analysis

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme in lipoprotein metabolism and a major candidate gene for coronary heart disease (CHD). The authors assessed associations between 7 LPL polymorphisms and lipid fractions and CHD risk in population-based cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies published by January 2007. Meta-analyses of 22,734 CHD cases and 50,177 controls in 89 association studies focused on the relations of the T-93G (rs1800590), D9N (rs1801177), G188E, N291S (rs268), PvuII (rs285), HindIII (rs320), and S447X (rs328) polymorphisms to high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, myocardial infarction, or coronary stenosis. Carriers of 9N or 291S had modestly adverse lipid profiles. Carriers of the less common allele of HindIII or of 447X had modestly advantageous profiles. The combined odds ratio for CHD among carriers was 1.33 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 1.56) for 9N, 1.07 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.20) for 291S, 0.89 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.98) for the less common HindIII allele, and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.94) for 447X. For T-93G (odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.52) and PvuII (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.04), there were null associations with lipid levels or CHD risk; information on G188E was limited (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 0.88, 8.87). The study of LPL genotypes confirms the existence of close interrelations between high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride pathways. The influence of these genotypes on CHD risk warrants further investigation.