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You W, Lin Y, Liu M, Lin Z, Ye R, Zhang C, Zeng R. Investigating potential novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for ankylosing spondylitis using plasma protein screening. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1406041. [PMID: 39185422 PMCID: PMC11341372 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1406041] [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: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. Recent genetic studies suggest certain plasma proteins may play a causal role in AS development. This study aims to identify and characterize these proteins using Mendelian randomization (MR) and colocalization analyses. Methods Plasma protein data were obtained from recent publications in Nature Genetics, integrating data from five previous GWAS datasets, including 738 cis-pQTLs for 734 plasma proteins. GWAS summary data for AS were sourced from IGAS and other European cohorts. MR analyses were conducted using "TwoSampleMR" to assess causal links between plasma protein levels and AS. Colocalization analysis was performed with the coloc R package to identify shared genetic variants. Sensitivity analyses and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were conducted to validate findings and explore therapeutic targets. We performed Phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) to examine the potential side effects of drug protein on AS treatment. Results After FDR correction, eight significant proteins were identified: IL7R, TYMP, IL12B, CCL8, TNFAIP6, IL18R1, IL23R, and ERAP1. Elevated levels of IL7R, IL12B, CCL8, IL18R1, IL23R, and ERAP1 increased AS risk, whereas elevated TYMP and TNFAIP6 levels decreased AS risk. Colocalization analysis indicated that IL23R, IL7R, and TYMP likely share causal variants with AS. PPI network analysis identified IL23R and IL7R as potential new therapeutic targets. Conclusions This study identified eight plasma proteins with significant associations with AS risk, suggesting IL23R, IL7R, and TYMP as promising therapeutic targets. Further research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms and potential for drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkang You
- Department of Orthopaedics, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yanbin Lin
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Mingzhong Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Zhangdian Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Rongjie Ye
- Department of Orthopaedics, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Canhong Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Rongdong Zeng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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Lin YL, Yao T, Wang YW, Zhou ZX, Hong ZC, Shen Y, Yan Y, Li YC, Lin JF. Potential drug targets for gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus identified through Mendelian randomization analysis. J Hum Genet 2024; 69:245-253. [PMID: 38429412 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-024-01234-9] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent chronic ailment, and present therapeutic approaches are not always effective. This study aimed to find new drug targets for GERD and Barrett's esophagus (BE). We obtained genetic instruments for GERD, BE, and 2004 plasma proteins from recently published genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to explore potential drug targets. We further winnowed down MR-prioritized proteins through replication, reverse causality testing, colocalization analysis, phenotype scanning, and Phenome-wide MR. Furthermore, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network, unveiling potential associations among candidate proteins. Simultaneously, we acquired mRNA expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from another GWAS encompassing four different tissues to identify additional drug targets. Meanwhile, we searched drug databases to evaluate these targets. Under Bonferroni correction (P < 4.8 × 10-5), we identified 11 plasma proteins significantly associated with GERD. Among these, 7 are protective proteins (MSP, GPX1, ERBB3, BT3A3, ANTR2, CCM2, and DECR2), while 4 are detrimental proteins (TMEM106B, DUSP13, C1-INH, and LINGO1). Ultimately, C1-INH and DECR2 successfully passed the screening process and exhibited similar directional causal effects on BE. Further analysis of eQTLs highlighted 4 potential drug targets, including EDEM3, PBX3, MEIS1-AS3, and NME7. The search of drug databases further supported our conclusions. Our study indicated that the plasma proteins C1-INH and DECR2, along with 4 genes (EDEM3, PBX3, MEIS1-AS3, and NME7), may represent potential drug targets for GERD and BE, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Lu Lin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tao Yao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying-Wei Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Zhou
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ze-Chao Hong
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Shen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Yan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue-Chun Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jia-Feng Lin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China.
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Elhage KG, Kranyak A, Jin JQ, Haran K, Spencer RK, Smith PL, Davis MS, Hakimi M, Bhutani T, Liao W. Mendelian Randomization Studies in Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:1022-1037. [PMID: 37977498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies have found associations between atopic dermatitis (AD) and comorbidities, including depression, obesity, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Although observational studies often cannot establish robust causality between potential risk factors and AD, Mendelian randomization minimizes confounding when exploring causality by relying on random allelic assortment at birth. In this study, we systematically reviewed 30 Mendelian randomization studies in AD. Body mass index, gut microbial flora, the IL-18 signaling pathway, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were among the causal factors for AD, whereas AD was causal for several medical conditions, including heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, and conjunctivitis. These insights may improve preventive counseling in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem G Elhage
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Allison Kranyak
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joy Q Jin
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kathryn Haran
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Riley K Spencer
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Payton L Smith
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mitchell S Davis
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marwa Hakimi
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tina Bhutani
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Wilson Liao
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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Wang H, Pang J, Zhou Y, Qi Q, Tang Y, Gul S, Sheng M, Dan J, Tang W. Identification of potential drug targets for allergic diseases from a genetic perspective: A mendelian randomization study. Clin Transl Allergy 2024; 14:e12350. [PMID: 38573314 PMCID: PMC10994001 DOI: 10.1002/clt2.12350] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic diseases typically refer to a heterogeneous group of conditions primarily caused by the activation of mast cells or eosinophils, including atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma. Asthma, AR, and AD collectively affect approximately one-fifth of the global population, imposing a significant economic burden on society. Despite the availability of drugs to treat allergic diseases, they have been shown to be insufficient in controlling relapses and halting disease progression. Therefore, new drug targets are needed to prevent the onset of allergic diseases. METHOD We employed a Mendelian randomization approach to identify potential drug targets for the treatment of allergic diseases. Leveraging 1798 genetic instruments for 1537 plasma proteins from the latest reported Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), we analyzed the GWAS summary statistics of Ferreira MA et al. (nCase = 180,129, nControl = 180,709) using the Mendelian randomization method. Furthermore, we validated our findings in the GWAS data from the FinnGen and UK Biobank cohorts. Subsequently, we conducted sensitivity tests through reverse causal analysis, Bayesian colocalization analysis, and phenotype scanning. Additionally, we performed protein-protein interaction analysis to determine the interaction between causal proteins. Finally, based on the potential protein targets, we conducted molecular docking to identify potential drugs for the treatment of allergic diseases. RESULTS At Bonferroni significance (p < 3.25 × 10-5), the Mendelian randomization analysis revealed 11 significantly associated protein-allergic disease pairs. Among these, the increased levels of TNFAIP3, ERBB3, TLR1, and IL1RL2 proteins were associated with a reduced risk of allergic diseases, with corresponding odds ratios of 0.82 (0.76-0.88), 0.74 (0.66-0.82), 0.49 (0.45-0.55), and 0.81 (0.75-0.87), respectively. Conversely, increased levels of IL6R, IL1R1, ITPKA, IL1RL1, KYNU, LAYN, and LRP11 proteins were linked to an elevated risk of allergic diseases, with corresponding odds ratios of 1.04 (1.03-1.05), 1.25 (1.18-1.34), 1.48 (1.25-1.75), 1.14 (1.11-1.18), 1.09 (1.05-1.12), 1.96 (1.56-2.47), and 1.05 (1.03-1.07), respectively. Bayesian colocalization analysis suggested that LAYN (coloc.abf-PPH4 = 0.819) and TNFAIP3 (coloc.abf-PPH4 = 0.930) share the same variant associated with allergic diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates a causal association between the expression levels of TNFAIP3 and LAYN and the risk of allergic diseases, suggesting them as potential drug targets for these conditions, warranting further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Jianyu Pang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Yuguan Zhou
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Qi Qi
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Yuheng Tang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Samina Gul
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Miaomiao Sheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Juhua Dan
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Wenru Tang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging & TumorMedicine SchoolKunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingYunnanChina
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Gu J, Yan GM, Kong XL, Zhang YY, Huang LH, Lu HM. Assessing the causal relationship between immune traits and systemic lupus erythematosus by bi-directional Mendelian randomization analysis. Mol Genet Genomics 2023; 298:1493-1503. [PMID: 37845373 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-023-02071-9] [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: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have observed relationships between immune cells and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but their causal links remain undetermined. Based on the public available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics, we conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the associations between 731 immune phenotypes and SLE pairs. Pairwise pleiotropy analysis was performed to identify pleiotropic genes for significant immunophenotype-SLE pairs. A comprehensive gene function analysis was undertaken to explore the mechanisms of immune cells in SLE. By using the instrumental variables extracted from GWAS data, we observed that increased levels of five immune phenotypes were causally associated with SLE risk (FDR < 0.05), that were CD20 on IgD+ CD38- naïve, BAFF-R on IgD+ CD38dim, CD39+ secreting Treg AC, CD14- CD16+ monocyte AC, and HLA DR on CD14+ monocyte. Pairwise gene-based analyses identified a total of 38 pleiotropic genes for 5 significant pairs identified and gene set enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of the identified pleiotropic genes in complex pathways (i.e., systemic lupus erythematosus, an integral component of luminal side of endoplasmic reticulum membrane, C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway and regulation of hormone secretion). This study demonstrates that the immune response influences the progression of SLE in a complex pattern. These findings greatly improve our understanding of the interaction between immune response and SLE risk and also aid in the design of therapeutic strategies from an immunological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gu
- Department of Outpatient and Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guan-Min Yan
- Department of Outpatient and Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Lin Kong
- Department of Outpatient and Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin-Ying Zhang
- Department of Outpatient and Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Hong Huang
- Department of Biostatistics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui-Min Lu
- Department of Outpatient and Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Lin J, Zhou J, Liu Z, Zeng R, Wang L, Li F, Cui L, Zheng Y. Identification of potential drug targets for varicose veins: a Mendelian randomization analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1126208. [PMID: 37404740 PMCID: PMC10315832 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1126208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Varicose veins are a common chronic disease that creates a significant economic burden on the healthcare system. Current treatment options, including pharmacological treatments, are not always effective, and there is a need for more targeted therapies. A Mendelian randomization (MR) method uses genetic variants as instrumental variables to estimate the causal effect of an exposure on an outcome, and it has been successful in identifying therapeutic targets in other diseases. However, few studies have used MR to explore potential protein drug targets for varicose veins. Methods To identify potential drug targets for varicose veins of lower extremities, we undertook a comprehensive screen of plasma protein with a two-sample MR method. We used recently reported cis-variants as genetic instruments of 2,004 plasma proteins, then applied MR to a recent meta-analysis of genome-wide association study on varicose veins (22,037 cases and 437,665 controls). Furthermore, pleiotropy detection, reverse causality testing, colocalization analysis, and external replication were utilized to strengthen the causal effects of prioritized proteins. Phenome-wide MR (PheW-MR) of the prioritized proteins for the risk of 525 diseases was conducted to screen potential side effects. Results We identified eight plasma proteins that are significantly associated with the risk of varicose veins after Bonferroni correction (P < 2.495 × 10-5), with five being protective (LUM, POSTN, RPN1, RSPO3, and VAT1) and three harmful (COLEC11, IRF3, and SARS2). Most identified proteins showed no pleiotropic effects except for COLLEC11. Bidirectional MR and MR Steiger testing excluded reverse causal relationship between varicose veins and prioritized proteins. The colocalization analysis indicated that COLEC11, IRF3, LUM, POSTN, RSPO3, and SARS2 shared the same causal variant with varicose veins. Finally, seven identified proteins replicated with alternative instruments except for VAT1. Furthermore, PheW-MR revealed that only IRF3 had potential harmful adverse side effects. Conclusions We identified eight potential causal proteins for varicose veins with MR. A comprehensive analysis indicated that IRF3, LUM, POSTN, RSPO3, and SARS2 might be potential drug targets for varicose veins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Lin
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhili Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Zeng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fangda Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Liqiang Cui
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuehong Zheng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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7
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Lee GY, Yao C, Hwang SJ, Ma J, Joehanes R, Lee DH, Ellison RC, Moore LL, Liu C, Levy D. Integrative Mendelian randomization reveals the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products as protective in relation to rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8002. [PMID: 37198231 PMCID: PMC10192300 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35098-4] [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: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Given the critical roles of the immune system and inflammatory signals in the pathogenesis of CVD, we hypothesized that interrogation of CVD-related proteins using integrative genomics might provide new insights into the pathophysiology of RA. We utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) for causal inference between circulating protein levels and RA by incorporating genetic variants, followed by colocalization to characterize the causal associations. Genetic variants from three sources were obtained: those associated with 71 CVD-related proteins measured in nearly 7000 Framingham Heart Study participants, a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) of RA (19 234 cases, 61 565 controls), and GWAS of rheumatoid factor (RF) levels from the UK Biobank (n = 30 565). We identified the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), a critical inflammatory pathway protein, as putatively causal and protective for both RA (odds ratio per 1-standard deviation increment in inverse-rank normalized sRAGE level = 0.364; 95% confidence interval 0.342-0.385; P = 6.40 × 10-241) and RF levels (β [change in RF level per sRAGE increment] = - 1.318; SE = 0.434; P = 0.002). Using an integrative genomic approach, we highlight the AGER/RAGE axis as a putatively causal and promising therapeutic target for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gha Young Lee
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - Chen Yao
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - Shih-Jen Hwang
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - Jiantao Ma
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
- School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, USA
| | - Roby Joehanes
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - Dong Heon Lee
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
| | - R Curtis Ellison
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lynn L Moore
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA
- School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Levy
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01702, USA.
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Chen Y, Chen W. Genome-Wide Integration of Genetic and Genomic Studies of Atopic Dermatitis: Insights into Genetic Architecture and Pathogenesis. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2958-2967.e8. [PMID: 35577104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common heterogeneous, chronic, itching, and inflammatory skin disease. Genetic studies have identified multiple AD susceptibility genes. However, the genetic architecture of AD has not been elucidated. In this study, we conducted a large-scale meta-analysis of AD (35,647 cases and 1,013,885 controls) to characterize the genetic basis of AD. The heritability of AD in different datasets varied from 0.6 to 7.1%. We identified 31 previously unreported genes by integrating multiomics data. Among the 31 genes, MCL1 was identified as a potential treatment target for AD by mediating gene‒drug interactions. Tissue enrichment analyses and phenome-wide association study provided strong support for the role of the hemic and immune systems in AD. Across 1,207 complex traits and diseases, genetic correlations indicated that AD shared links with multiple respiratory phenotypes. The phenome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis (Mendelian randomization‒phenome-wide association study) revealed that the age of onset of diabetes exhibited a positive causal effect on AD (inverse-variance weighted β = 0.39, SEM = 0.09, P = 2.77 × 10-5). Overall, these results provide important insights into the genetic architecture of AD and will lead to a more thorough and complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxuan Chen
- Department of General Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenyan Chen
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
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Mikkelsen H, Landt EM, Benn M, Nordestgaard BG, Dahl M. Causal risk factors for asthma in Mendelian randomization studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Transl Allergy 2022; 12:e12207. [PMID: 36434743 PMCID: PMC9640961 DOI: 10.1002/clt2.12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several risk factors for asthma have been proposed; however, the causality of these associations is sometimes unclear. Mendelian randomization is a powerful epidemiological approach that can help elucidate the causality of risk factors. The aim of the present study was to identify causal risk factors for asthma through Mendelian Randomization studies. METHODS A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE was conducted, to identify studies investigating risk factors for asthma or respiratory allergies through Mendelian Randomization. When two or more studies investigated the same risk factor a meta-analysis was conducted. Of 239 studies initially identified, 41 were included. RESULTS A causal association between adiposity and adult asthma risk was found in 10 out of 12 studies with a summary risk ratio of 1.05 per kg/m2 increase in BMI (95% CI: 1.03-1.07). Puberty timing (n = 3), alcohol (n = 2), and linoleic acid (n = 1) had causal effects on asthma risk, while vitamins/minerals (n = 6) showed no consistent effect on asthma. The effect of smoking on adult asthma conflicted between studies. Several of the significant associations of asthma with immune related proteins (n = 5) and depression (n = 2) investigated through multiple traits analyses could generally benefit from replications in independent datasets. CONCLUSION This systematic review and meta-analysis found evidence for causal effects of adiposity, puberty timing, linoleic acid, alcohol, immune related proteins, and depression on risk of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Mikkelsen
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryZealand University HospitalKøgeDenmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Eskild Morten Landt
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryZealand University HospitalKøgeDenmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Marianne Benn
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryRigshospitaletCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Børge Grønne Nordestgaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryHerlev and Gentofte HospitalCopenhagen University HospitalHerlevDenmark
| | - Morten Dahl
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryZealand University HospitalKøgeDenmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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10
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Yang Q, Sanderson E, Tilling K, Borges MC, Lawlor DA. Exploring and mitigating potential bias when genetic instrumental variables are associated with multiple non-exposure traits in Mendelian randomization. Eur J Epidemiol 2022; 37:683-700. [PMID: 35622304 PMCID: PMC9329407 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-022-00874-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing size and number of genome-wide association studies, individual single nucleotide polymorphisms are increasingly found to associate with multiple traits. Many different mechanisms could result in proposed genetic IVs for an exposure of interest being associated with multiple non-exposure traits, some of which could bias MR results. We describe and illustrate, through causal diagrams, a range of scenarios that could result in proposed IVs being related to non-exposure traits in MR studies. These associations could occur due to five scenarios: (i) confounding, (ii) vertical pleiotropy, (iii) horizontal pleiotropy, (iv) reverse causation and (v) selection bias. For each of these scenarios we outline steps that could be taken to explore the underlying mechanism and mitigate any resulting bias in the MR estimation. We recommend MR studies explore possible IV-non-exposure associations across a wider range of traits than is usually the case. We highlight the pros and cons of relying on sensitivity analyses without considering particular pleiotropic paths versus systematically exploring and controlling for potential pleiotropic or other biasing paths via known traits. We apply our recommendations to an illustrative example of the effect of maternal insomnia on offspring birthweight in UK Biobank.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yang
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Eleanor Sanderson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Maria Carolina Borges
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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11
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Zuber V, Grinberg NF, Gill D, Manipur I, Slob EAW, Patel A, Wallace C, Burgess S. Combining evidence from Mendelian randomization and colocalization: Review and comparison of approaches. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:767-782. [PMID: 35452592 PMCID: PMC7612737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mendelian randomization and colocalization are two statistical approaches that can be applied to summarized data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to understand relationships between traits and diseases. However, despite similarities in scope, they are different in their objectives, implementation, and interpretation, in part because they were developed to serve different scientific communities. Mendelian randomization assesses whether genetic predictors of an exposure are associated with the outcome and interprets an association as evidence that the exposure has a causal effect on the outcome, whereas colocalization assesses whether two traits are affected by the same or distinct causal variants. When considering genetic variants in a single genetic region, both approaches can be performed. While a positive colocalization finding typically implies a non-zero Mendelian randomization estimate, the reverse is not generally true: there are several scenarios which would lead to a non-zero Mendelian randomization estimate but lack evidence for colocalization. These include the existence of distinct but correlated causal variants for the exposure and outcome, which would violate the Mendelian randomization assumptions, and a lack of strong associations with the outcome. As colocalization was developed in the GWAS tradition, typically evidence for colocalization is concluded only when there is strong evidence for associations with both traits. In contrast, a non-zero estimate from Mendelian randomization can be obtained despite only nominally significant genetic associations with the outcome at the locus. In this review, we discuss how the two approaches can provide complementary information on potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Zuber
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Dipender Gill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Section, Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education and Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK; Clinical Pharmacology Group, Pharmacy and Medicines Directorate, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Genetics Department, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ichcha Manipur
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eric A W Slob
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ashish Patel
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Chris Wallace
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen Burgess
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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12
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Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies causal links between blood proteins and severe COVID-19. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010042. [PMID: 35239653 PMCID: PMC8893330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In November 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic death toll surpassed five million individuals. We applied Mendelian randomization including >3,000 blood proteins as exposures to identify potential biomarkers that may indicate risk for hospitalization or need for respiratory support or death due to COVID-19, respectively. After multiple testing correction, using genetic instruments and under the assumptions of Mendelian Randomization, our results were consistent with higher blood levels of five proteins GCNT4, CD207, RAB14, C1GALT1C1, and ABO being causally associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or respiratory support/death due to COVID-19 (ORs = 1.12-1.35). Higher levels of FAAH2 were solely associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (OR = 1.19). On the contrary, higher levels of SELL, SELE, and PECAM-1 decrease risk of hospitalization or need for respiratory support/death (ORs = 0.80-0.91). Higher levels of LCTL, SFTPD, KEL, and ATP2A3 were solely associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization (ORs = 0.86-0.93), whilst higher levels of ICAM-1 were solely associated with a decreased risk of respiratory support/death of COVID-19 (OR = 0.84). Our findings implicate blood group markers and binding proteins in both hospitalization and need for respiratory support/death. They, additionally, suggest that higher levels of endocannabinoid enzymes may increase the risk of hospitalization. Our research replicates findings of blood markers previously associated with COVID-19 and prioritises additional blood markers for risk prediction of severe forms of COVID-19. Furthermore, we pinpoint druggable targets potentially implicated in disease pathology.
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13
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Abstract
Vulnerability to coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 varies due to differences in interferon gamma (IFNγ) immunity. We investigated whether a key modifiable interferon precursor, interleukin-18, was related to COVID-19, overall and by severity, using Mendelian randomisation. We used four established genome-wide significant genetic predictors of interleukin-18 applied to the most recent genome-wide association study of COVID-19 (June 2021) to obtain Mendelian randomisation inverse variance weighted estimates by severity, i.e. any (cases = 112 612, non-cases = 2 474 079), hospitalised (cases = 24 274, non-cases = 2 061 529) and very severe (cases = 8779, non-cases = 1 001 875) COVID-19. To be comprehensive, we also conducted an exploratory analysis for IFNγ and two related cytokines with less well-established genetic predictors, i.e. interleukin-12 and interleukin-23. Genetically predicted interleukin-18 was associated with lower risk of any COVID-19 (odds ratio (OR) 0.96 per standard deviation, 95% confidence interval (0.94–0.99, P-value 0.004)) and of very severe COVID-19 (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.999, P-value 0.048). Sensitivity analysis and a more liberal genetic instrument selection gave largely similar results. Few genome-wide significant genetic predictors were available for IFNγ, interleukin-12 or interleukin-23, and no associations with COVID-19 were evident. Interleukin-18 could be a modifiable target to prevent COVID-19 and should be further explored in an experimental design.
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14
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Prince C, Mitchell RE, Richardson TG. Integrative multiomics analysis highlights immune-cell regulatory mechanisms and shared genetic architecture for 14 immune-associated diseases and cancer outcomes. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:2259-2270. [PMID: 34741802 PMCID: PMC8715275 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing functional insight into the causal molecular drivers of immunological disease is a critical challenge in genomic medicine. Here, we systematically apply Mendelian randomization (MR), genetic colocalization, immune-cell-type enrichment, and phenome-wide association methods to investigate the effects of genetically predicted gene expression on ten immune-associated diseases and four cancer outcomes. Using whole blood-derived estimates for regulatory variants from the eQTLGen consortium (n = 31,684), we constructed genetic risk scores for 10,104 genes. Applying the inverse-variance-weighted MR method transcriptome wide while accounting for linkage disequilibrium structure identified 664 unique genes with evidence of a genetically predicted effect on at least one disease outcome (p < 4.81 × 10-5). We next undertook genetic colocalization to investigate cell-type-specific effects at these loci by using gene expression data derived from 18 types of immune cells. This highlighted many cell-type-dependent effects, such as PRKCQ expression and asthma risk (posterior probability = 0.998), which was T cell specific. Phenome-wide analyses on 311 complex traits and endpoints allowed us to explore shared genetic architecture and prioritize key drivers of disease risk, such as CASP10, which provided evidence of an effect on seven cancer-related outcomes. Our atlas of results can be used to characterize known and novel loci in immune-associated disease and cancer susceptibility, both in terms of elucidating cell-type-dependent effects as well as dissecting shared disease pathways and pervasive pleiotropy. As an exemplar, we have highlighted several key findings in this study, although similar evaluations can be conducted via our interactive web platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Prince
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Ruth E Mitchell
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Tom G Richardson
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK; Novo Nordisk Research Centre, Headington, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.
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15
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Reay WR, Cairns MJ. Advancing the use of genome-wide association studies for drug repurposing. Nat Rev Genet 2021; 22:658-671. [PMID: 34302145 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00387-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed important biological insights into complex diseases, which are broadly expected to lead to the identification of new drug targets and opportunities for treatment. Drug development, however, remains hampered by the time taken and costs expended to achieve regulatory approval, leading many clinicians and researchers to consider alternative paths to more immediate clinical outcomes. In this Review, we explore approaches that leverage common variant genetics to identify opportunities for repurposing existing drugs, also known as drug repositioning. These approaches include the identification of compounds by linking individual loci to genes and pathways that can be pharmacologically modulated, transcriptome-wide association studies, gene-set association, causal inference by Mendelian randomization, and polygenic scoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Reay
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Murray J Cairns
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. .,Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
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16
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Ou YN, Yang YX, Deng YT, Zhang C, Hu H, Wu BS, Liu Y, Wang YJ, Zhu Y, Suckling J, Tan L, Yu JT. Identification of novel drug targets for Alzheimer's disease by integrating genetics and proteomes from brain and blood. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6065-6073. [PMID: 34381170 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01251-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have discovered numerous risk genes for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but how these genes confer AD risk is challenging to decipher. To efficiently transform genetic associations into drug targets for AD, we employed an integrative analytical pipeline using proteomes in the brain and blood by systematically applying proteome-wide association study (PWAS), Mendelian randomization (MR) and Bayesian colocalization. Collectively, we identified the brain protein abundance of 7 genes (ACE, ICA1L, TOM1L2, SNX32, EPHX2, CTSH, and RTFDC1) are causal in AD (P < 0.05/proteins identified for PWAS and MR; PPH4 >80% for Bayesian colocalization). The proteins encoded by these genes were mainly expressed on the surface of glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes. Of them, ACE with its protein abundance was also identified in significant association with AD on the blood-based studies and showed significance at the transcriptomic level. SNX32 was also found to be associated with AD at the blood transcriptomic level. Collectively, our current study results on genetic, proteomic, and transcriptomic approaches has identified compelling genes, which may provide important leads to design future functional studies and potential drug targets for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Ou
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu-Xiang Yang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue-Ting Deng
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Can Zhang
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Bang-Sheng Wu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan-Jiang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - John Suckling
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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17
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Arleevskaya M, Takha E, Petrov S, Kazarian G, Novikov A, Larionova R, Valeeva A, Shuralev E, Mukminov M, Bost C, Renaudineau Y. Causal risk and protective factors in rheumatoid arthritis: A genetic update. J Transl Autoimmun 2021; 4:100119. [PMID: 34522877 PMCID: PMC8424591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of risk and protective factors in complex diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved from epidemiological studies, which test association, to the use of Mendelian randomization approaches, which test direct relationships. Indeed, direct associations with the mucosal origin of RA are retrieved with periodontal disease (Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans predominantly), interstitial lung involvement, tobacco smoking and air pollutants. Next, factors directly associated with an acquired immune response include genetic factors (HLA DRB1, PTPN22), capacity to produce anti-modified protein antibodies (AMPA), and relatives with a history of autoimmune diseases. Finally, factors can be also classified according to their direct capacity to interfere with the IL-6/CRP/sIL-IL6R proinflammatory pathway as risk factor (body fat, cardiometabolic factors, type 2 diabetes, depressive syndrome) or either as protective factors by controlling of sIL-6R levels (higher education level, and intelligence). Although some co-founders have been characterized (e.g. vitamin D, physical activity, cancer) the direct association with sex-discrepancy, pregnancy, and infections among other factors remains to be better explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Arleevskaya
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia.,Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - E Takha
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia
| | - S Petrov
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia.,Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - G Kazarian
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia
| | - A Novikov
- Sobolev Institute of Mathematics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, Russia
| | - R Larionova
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia.,Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - A Valeeva
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia
| | - E Shuralev
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia.,Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russia.,Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine Named After N.E. Bauman, Kazan, Russia
| | - M Mukminov
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia.,Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - C Bost
- CHU Toulouse, INSERM U1291, CNRS U5051, University Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Y Renaudineau
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, Kazan, Russia.,CHU Toulouse, INSERM U1291, CNRS U5051, University Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
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18
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Yang Z, Schooling CM, Kwok MK. Genetic Evidence on the Association of Interleukin (IL)-1-Mediated Chronic Inflammation with Airflow Obstruction: A Mendelian Randomization Study. COPD 2021; 18:432-442. [PMID: 34348529 DOI: 10.1080/15412555.2021.1955848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical studies suggest interleukin (IL)-1α/β is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, recent trials of anti-IL-1 therapies showed limited benefit for COPD. To clarify, we primarily examined total and direct effects of IL-1 and its receptors/coreceptors/receptor antagonists (IL-1/IL-1Rs) on airflow obstruction (AO) using Mendelian randomization (MR), and secondarily explored reverse causation using bidirectional MR. We selected independent cis protein quantitative trait loci (cis-pQTLs) as genetic instruments for IL-1/IL-1Rs from two proteomic genome-wide association studies (n = 11,594) of European ancestry (mean age ∼47 years). We applied those cis-pQTLs to the International COPD Genetics Consortium (n = 15,256 cases, 47,936 controls) of ∼81.9% European descent (∼57 years). No IL-1/IL-1Rs were significantly associated with AO after correction for multiple testing. However, a higher genetically predicted IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was nominally associated with a 20% reduction in AO risk using univariable MR, with a larger direct effect (∼31%, i.e. not via IL-1α/β) using multivariable MR. Furthermore, higher total IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) was nominally associated with lower AO. Nominal total effects were also noted for higher IL-1α with lower AO and higher IL-1R1 with higher AO. Higher IL-1Ra and IL-18BP might have a role in preventing AO, but need to be contextualized.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15412555.2021.1955848 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Yang
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special administrative Region, China
| | - C Mary Schooling
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special administrative Region, China.,Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, USA
| | - Man Ki Kwok
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special administrative Region, China
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19
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Chu X, Zhang B, Koeken VACM, Gupta MK, Li Y. Multi-Omics Approaches in Immunological Research. Front Immunol 2021; 12:668045. [PMID: 34177908 PMCID: PMC8226116 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.668045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a vital role in health and disease, and is regulated through a complex interactive network of many different immune cells and mediators. To understand the complexity of the immune system, we propose to apply a multi-omics approach in immunological research. This review provides a complete overview of available methodological approaches for the different omics data layers relevant for immunological research, including genetics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and cellomics. Thereafter, we describe the various methods for data analysis as well as how to integrate different layers of omics data. Finally, we discuss the possible applications of multi-omics studies and opportunities they provide for understanding the complex regulatory networks as well as immune variation in various immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Chu
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Valerie A. C. M. Koeken
- Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Manoj Kumar Gupta
- Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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20
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Richardson TG, Zheng J, Gaunt TR. Computational Tools for Causal Inference in Genetics. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:a039248. [PMID: 33288654 PMCID: PMC8168525 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The advent of large-scale, phenotypically rich, and readily accessible data provides an unprecedented opportunity for epidemiologists, statistical geneticists, bioinformaticians, and also behavioral and social scientists to investigate the causes and consequences of disease. Computational tools and resources are an integral component of such endeavors, which will become increasingly important as these data continue to grow exponentially. In this review, we have provided an overview of computational software and databases that have been developed to assist with analyses in causal inference. This includes online tools that can be used to help generate hypotheses, publicly accessible resources that store summary-level information for millions of genetic markers, and computational approaches that can be used to leverage this wealth of data to study causal relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom G Richardson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Jie Zheng
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
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21
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Kalaoja M, Corbin LJ, Tan VY, Ahola‐Olli AV, Havulinna AS, Santalahti K, Pitkänen N, Lehtimäki T, Lyytikäinen L, Raitoharju E, Seppälä I, Kähönen M, Ripatti S, Palotie A, Perola M, Viikari JS, Jalkanen S, Maksimow M, Salomaa V, Salmi M, Raitakari OT, Kettunen J, Timpson NJ. The Role of Inflammatory Cytokines as Intermediates in the Pathway from Increased Adiposity to Disease. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2021; 29:428-437. [PMID: 33491305 PMCID: PMC8614117 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the role of cytokines as intermediates in the pathway from increased adiposity to disease. METHODS BMI and circulating levels of up to 41 cytokines were measured in individuals from three Finnish cohort studies (n = 8,293). Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to assess the impact of BMI on circulating cytokines and the impact of BMI-driven cytokines on risk of obesity-related diseases. RESULTS Observationally, BMI was associated with 19 cytokines. For every SD increase in BMI, causal effect estimates were strongest for hepatocyte growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and were as ratios of geometric means 1.13 (95% CI: 1.08-1.19), 1.08 (95% CI: 1.04-1.14), and 1.13 (95% CI: 1.04-1.21), respectively. TRAIL was associated with a small increase in the odds of coronary artery disease (odds ratio: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00-1.06). There was inconsistent evidence for a protective role of MCP-1 against inflammatory bowel diseases. CONCLUSIONS Observational and MR estimates of the effect of BMI on cytokine levels were generally concordant. There was little evidence for an effect of raised levels of BMI-driven cytokines on disease. These findings illustrate the challenges of MR when applied in the context of molecular mediation.
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Korologou-Linden R, Leyden GM, Relton CL, Richmond RC, Richardson TG. Multi-omics analyses of cognitive traits and psychiatric disorders highlights brain-dependent mechanisms. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 32:ddab016. [PMID: 33481009 PMCID: PMC9990996 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrating findings from genome-wide association studies with molecular datasets can develop insight into the underlying functional mechanisms responsible for trait-associated genetic variants. We have applied the principles of Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate whether brain-derived gene expression (n = 1194) may be responsible for mediating the effect of genetic variants on eight cognitive and psychological outcomes (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, depression, intelligence, insomnia, neuroticism and schizophrenia). Transcriptome-wide analyses identified 83 genes associated with at least one outcome (PBonferroni < 6.72 × 10-6), with multiple-trait colocalization also implicating changes to brain-derived DNA methylation at nine of these loci. Comparing effects between outcomes identified evidence of enrichment which may reflect putative causal relationships, such as an inverse relationship between genetic liability towards schizophrenia risk and cognitive ability in later life. Repeating these analyses in whole blood (n = 31 684), we replicated 58.2% of brain-derived effects (based on P < 0.05). Finally, we undertook phenome-wide evaluations at associated loci to investigate pleiotropic effects with 700 complex traits. This highlighted pleiotropic loci such as FURIN (initially implicated in schizophrenia risk (P = 1.05 × 10-7)) which had evidence of an effect on 28 other outcomes, as well as genes which may have a more specific role in disease pathogenesis (e.g. SLC12A5 which only provided evidence of an effect on depression (P = 7.13 × 10-10)). Our results support the utility of whole blood as a valuable proxy for informing initial target identification but also suggest that gene discovery in a tissue-specific manner may be more informative. Finally, non-pleiotropic loci highlighted by our study may be of use for therapeutic translational endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanna Korologou-Linden
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Genevieve M Leyden
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Caroline L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Rebecca C Richmond
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Tom G Richardson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
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Földvári-Nagy L, Schnabel T, Dörnyei G, Korcsmáros T, Lenti K. On the role of bacterial metalloproteases in COVID-19 associated cytokine storm. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:7. [PMID: 33441142 PMCID: PMC7805260 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00699-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytokine release syndrome or cytokine storm, which is the hyper-induction of inflammatory responses has a central role in the mortality rate of COVID-19 and some other viral infections. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key player in the development of cytokine storms. Shedding of interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6Rα) results in the accumulation of soluble interleukin-6 receptors (sIL-6R). Only relatively few cells express membrane-bound IL-6Rα. However, sIL-6R can act on potentially all cells and organs through the ubiquitously expressed gp130, the coreceptor of IL-6Rα. Through this, so-called trans-signaling, IL-6-sIL-6R is a powerful factor in the development of cytokine storms and multiorgan involvement. Some bacteria (e.g., Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes), commonly considered to cause co-infections during viral pneumonia, can directly induce the shedding of membrane receptors, including IL-6Rα, or enhance endogenous shedding mechanisms causing the increase of sIL-6R level. Here we hypothesise that bacteria promoting shedding and increase the sIL-6R level can be an important contributing factor for the development of cytokine storms. Therefore, inhibition of IL-6Rα shedding by drastically reducing the number of relevant bacteria may be a critical element in reducing the chance of a cytokine storm. Validation of this hypothesis can support the consideration of the prophylactic use of antibiotics more widely and at an earlier stage of infection to decrease the mortality rate of COVID-19. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Földvári-Nagy
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, 17. Vas str., Budapest, 1088 Hungary
| | - Tamás Schnabel
- I. Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Department of Orthopaedics - COVID Quarantine, ÉKC New Saint John’s Hospital, 1-3. Diós árok, Budapest, 1125 Hungary
| | - Gabriella Dörnyei
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, 17. Vas str., Budapest, 1088 Hungary
| | - Tamás Korcsmáros
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ UK
| | - Katalin Lenti
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, 17. Vas str., Budapest, 1088 Hungary
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Brown SJ. What Have We Learned from GWAS for Atopic Dermatitis? J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:19-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.05.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Kibinge NK, Relton CL, Gaunt TR, Richardson TG. Characterizing the Causal Pathway for Genetic Variants Associated with Neurological Phenotypes Using Human Brain-Derived Proteome Data. Am J Hum Genet 2020; 106:885-892. [PMID: 32413284 PMCID: PMC7273531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Leveraging high-dimensional molecular datasets can help us develop mechanistic insight into associations between genetic variants and complex traits. In this study, we integrated human proteome data derived from brain tissue to evaluate whether targeted proteins putatively mediate the effects of genetic variants on seven neurological phenotypes (Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depression, insomnia, intelligence, neuroticism, and schizophrenia). Applying the principles of Mendelian randomization (MR) systematically across the genome highlighted 43 effects between genetically predicted proteins derived from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and these outcomes. Furthermore, genetic colocalization provided evidence that the same causal variant at 12 of these loci was responsible for variation in both protein and neurological phenotype. This included genes such as DCC, which encodes the netrin-1 receptor and has an important role in the development of the nervous system (p = 4.29 × 10-11 with neuroticism), as well as SARM1, which has been previously implicated in axonal degeneration (p = 1.76 × 10-08 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). We additionally conducted a phenome-wide MR study for each of these 12 genes to assess potential pleiotropic effects on 700 complex traits and diseases. Our findings suggest that genes such as SNX32, which was initially associated with increased risk of Alzheimer disease, may potentially influence other complex traits in the opposite direction. In contrast, genes such as CTSH (which was also associated with Alzheimer disease) and SARM1 may make worthwhile therapeutic targets because they did not have genetically predicted effects on any of the other phenotypes after correcting for multiple testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson K Kibinge
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline L Relton
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Tom G Richardson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom.
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Integrative analysis of Mendelian randomization and Bayesian colocalization highlights four genes with putative BMI-mediated causal pathways to diabetes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7476. [PMID: 32366963 PMCID: PMC7198550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64493-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with BMI and diabetes. However, lack of adequate data has for long time prevented investigations on the pathogenesis of diabetes where BMI was a mediator of the genetic causal effects on this disease. Of our particular interest is the underlying causal mechanisms of diabetes. We leveraged the summary statistics reported in two studies: UK Biobank (N = 336,473) and Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT, N = 339,224) to investigate BMI-mediated genetic causal pathways to diabetes. We first estimated the causal effect of BMI on diabetes by using four Mendelian randomization methods, where a total of 76 independent BMI-associated SNPs (R2 ≤ 0.001, P < 5 × 10−8) were used as instrumental variables. It was consistently shown that higher level of BMI (kg/m2) led to increased risk of diabetes. We then applied two Bayesian colocalization methods and identified shared causal SNPs of BMI and diabetes in genes TFAP2B, TCF7L2, FTO and ZC3H4. This study utilized integrative analysis of Mendelian randomization and colocalization to uncover causal relationships between genetic variants, BMI and diabetes. It highlighted putative causal pathways to diabetes mediated by BMI for four genes.
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