1
|
Fang Z, Jia S, Mou X, Li Z, Hu T, Tu Y, Zhao J, Zhang T, Lin W, Lu Y, Feng C, Xia S. Shared genetic architecture and causal relationship between liver and heart disease. iScience 2024; 27:109431. [PMID: 38523778 PMCID: PMC10959668 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109431] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship and genetic mechanisms of liver and heart diseases, focusing on the liver-heart axis (LHA) as a fundamental biological basis. Through genome-wide association study analysis, we explore shared genes and pathways related to LHA. Shared genetic factors are found in 8 out of 20 pairs, indicating genetic correlations. The analysis reveals 53 loci with pleiotropic effects, including 8 loci exhibiting shared causality across multiple traits. Based on SNP-p level tissue-specific multi-marker analysis of genomic annotation (MAGMA) analysis demonstrates significant enrichment of pleiotropy in liver and heart diseases within different cardiovascular tissues and female reproductive appendages. Gene-specific MAGMA analysis identifies 343 pleiotropic genes associated with various traits; these genes show tissue-specific enrichment primarily in the liver, cardiovascular system, and other tissues. Shared risk loci between immune cells and both liver and cardiovascular diseases are also discovered. Mendelian randomization analyses provide support for causal relationships among the investigated trait pairs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Sixiang Jia
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Xuanting Mou
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Tianli Hu
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Yiting Tu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Tianlong Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Wenting Lin
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Yile Lu
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Shudong Xia
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
The kidney harbours different types of endothelia, each with specific structural and functional characteristics. The glomerular endothelium, which is highly fenestrated and covered by a rich glycocalyx, participates in the sieving properties of the glomerular filtration barrier and in the maintenance of podocyte structure. The microvascular endothelium in peritubular capillaries, which is also fenestrated, transports reabsorbed components and participates in epithelial cell function. The endothelium of large and small vessels supports the renal vasculature. These renal endothelia are protected by regulators of thrombosis, inflammation and complement, but endothelial injury (for example, induced by toxins, antibodies, immune cells or inflammatory cytokines) or defects in factors that provide endothelial protection (for example, regulators of complement or angiogenesis) can lead to acute or chronic renal injury. Moreover, renal endothelial cells can transition towards a mesenchymal phenotype, favouring renal fibrosis and the development of chronic kidney disease. Thus, the renal endothelium is both a target and a driver of kidney and systemic cardiovascular complications. Emerging therapeutic strategies that target the renal endothelium may lead to improved outcomes for both rare and common renal diseases.
Collapse
|