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van Duijvenboden S, Ramírez J, Young WJ, Olczak KJ, Ahmed F, Alhammadi MJAY, Bell CG, Morris AP, Munroe PB. Integration of genetic fine-mapping and multi-omics data reveals candidate effector genes for hypertension. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:1718-1734. [PMID: 37683633 PMCID: PMC10577090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies of blood pressure (BP) have identified >1,000 loci, but the effector genes and biological pathways at these loci are mostly unknown. Using published association summary statistics, we conducted annotation-informed fine-mapping incorporating tissue-specific chromatin segmentation and colocalization to identify causal variants and candidate effector genes for systolic BP, diastolic BP, and pulse pressure. We observed 532 distinct signals associated with ≥2 BP traits and 84 with all three. For >20% of signals, a single variant accounted for >75% posterior probability, 65 were missense variants in known (SLC39A8, ADRB2, and DBH) and previously unreported BP candidate genes (NRIP1 and MMP14). In disease-relevant tissues, we colocalized >80 and >400 distinct signals for each BP trait with cis-eQTLs and regulatory regions from promoter capture Hi-C, respectively. Integrating mouse, human disorder, gene expression and tissue abundance data, and literature review, we provide consolidated evidence for 436 BP candidate genes for future functional validation and discover several potential drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan van Duijvenboden
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK; Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK; Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julia Ramírez
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red - Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - William J Young
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK; Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, EC1A 7BE London, UK
| | - Kaya J Olczak
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK
| | - Farah Ahmed
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK
| | | | - Christopher G Bell
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK
| | - Andrew P Morris
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; National Institute of Health and Care Research, Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Patricia B Munroe
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK; National Institute of Health and Care Research, Barts Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre, Queen Mary University of London, EC1M 6BQ London, UK.
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Thongsroy J, Mutirangura A. The association between Alu hypomethylation and the severity of hypertension. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270004. [PMID: 35802708 PMCID: PMC9269909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epigenetic changes that cause genomic instability may be the basis of pathogenic processes of age-associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Essential hypertension is one of the most common NCDs. Alu hypomethylation is an epigenetic event that is commonly found in elderly individuals. Epigenomic alterations are also found in age-associated NCDs such as osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus. Alu methylation prevents DNA from being damaged. Therefore, Alu hypomethylated DNA accumulates DNA damage and, as a result, causes organ function deterioration. Here, we report that Alu hypomethylation is a biomarker for essential hypertension. Results We investigated Alu methylation levels in white blood cells from normal controls, patients with prehypertension, and patients with hypertension. The hypertension group possessed the lowest Alu methylation level when classified by systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0088, respectively). In the hypertension group, a higher diastolic blood pressure and a lower Alu methylation level were observed (r = -0.6278). Moreover, we found that changes in Alu hypomethylation in the four years of follow-up in the same person were directly correlated with increased diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions Similar to other age-associated NCDs, Alu hypomethylation is found in essential hypertension and is directly correlated with severity, particularly with diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, Alu hypomethylation may be linked with the molecular pathogenesis of high blood pressure and can be used for monitoring the clinical outcome of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirapan Thongsroy
- School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- * E-mail:
| | - Apiwat Mutirangura
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Genetics of Cancer and Human Disease, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Hengel FE, Benitah JP, Wenzel UO. Mosaic theory revised: inflammation and salt play central roles in arterial hypertension. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:561-576. [PMID: 35354938 PMCID: PMC9061754 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-022-00851-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The mosaic theory of hypertension was advocated by Irvine Page ~80 years ago and suggested that hypertension resulted from the close interactions of different causes. Increasing evidence indicates that hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage are not only mediated by the proposed mechanisms that result in hemodynamic injury. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology and contributes to the deleterious consequences of arterial hypertension. Sodium intake is indispensable for normal body function but can be detrimental when it exceeds dietary requirements. Recent data show that sodium levels also modulate the function of monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, and different T-cell subsets. Some of these effects are mediated by changes in the microbiome and metabolome due to high-salt intake. The purpose of this review is to propose a revised and extended version of the mosaic theory by summarizing and integrating recent advances in salt, immunity, and hypertension research. Salt and inflammation are placed in the middle of the mosaic because both factors influence each of the remaining pieces.
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Olczak KJ, Taylor-Bateman V, Nicholls HL, Traylor M, Cabrera CP, Munroe PB. Hypertension genetics past, present and future applications. J Intern Med 2021; 290:1130-1152. [PMID: 34166551 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Essential hypertension is a complex trait where the underlying aetiology is not completely understood. Left untreated it increases the risk of severe health complications including cardiovascular and renal disease. It is almost 15 years since the first genome-wide association study for hypertension, and after a slow start there are now over 1000 blood pressure (BP) loci explaining ∼6% of the single nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability. Success in discovery of hypertension genes has provided new pathological insights and drug discovery opportunities and translated to the development of BP genetic risk scores (GRSs), facilitating population disease risk stratification. Comparing highest and lowest risk groups shows differences of 12.9 mm Hg in systolic-BP with significant differences in risk of hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction. GRSs are also being trialled in antihypertensive drug responses. Drug targets identified include NPR1, for which an agonist drug is currently in clinical trials. Identification of variants at the PHACTR1 locus provided insights into regulation of EDN1 in the endothelin pathway, which is aiding the development of endothelin receptor EDNRA antagonists. Drug re-purposing opportunities, including SLC5A1 and canagliflozin (a type-2 diabetes drug), are also being identified. In this review, we present key studies from the past, highlight current avenues of research and look to the future focusing on gene discovery, epigenetics, gene-environment interactions, GRSs and drug discovery. We evaluate limitations affecting BP genetics, including ancestry bias and discuss streamlining of drug target discovery and applications for treating and preventing hypertension, which will contribute to tailored precision medicine for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaya J Olczak
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Victoria Taylor-Bateman
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Hannah L Nicholls
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Centre for Translational Bioinformatics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Traylor
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Claudia P Cabrera
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Centre for Translational Bioinformatics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,NIHR Barts Biomedical Centre, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Patricia B Munroe
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,NIHR Barts Biomedical Centre, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Kozel BA, Barak B, Ae Kim C, Mervis CB, Osborne LR, Porter M, Pober BR. Williams syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2021; 7:42. [PMID: 34140529 PMCID: PMC9437774 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-021-00276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare microdeletion disorder that occurs in as many as 1:7,500 individuals. WS arises due to the mispairing of low-copy DNA repetitive elements at meiosis. The deletion size is similar across most individuals with WS and leads to the loss of one copy of 25-27 genes on chromosome 7q11.23. The resulting unique disorder affects multiple systems, with cardinal features including but not limited to cardiovascular disease (characteristically stenosis of the great arteries and most notably supravalvar aortic stenosis), a distinctive craniofacial appearance, and a specific cognitive and behavioural profile that includes intellectual disability and hypersociability. Genotype-phenotype evidence is strongest for ELN, the gene encoding elastin, which is responsible for the vascular and connective tissue features of WS, and for the transcription factor genes GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, which are known to affect intellectual ability, social functioning and anxiety. Mounting evidence also ascribes phenotypic consequences to the deletion of BAZ1B, LIMK1, STX1A and MLXIPL, but more work is needed to understand the mechanism by which these deletions contribute to clinical outcomes. The age of diagnosis has fallen in regions of the world where technological advances, such as chromosomal microarray, enable clinicians to make the diagnosis of WS without formally suspecting it, allowing earlier intervention by medical and developmental specialists. Phenotypic variability is considerable for all cardinal features of WS but the specific sources of this variability remain unknown. Further investigation to identify the factors responsible for these differences may lead to mechanism-based rather than symptom-based therapies and should therefore be a high research priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A. Kozel
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience and The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Chong Ae Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolyn B. Mervis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, USA
| | - Lucy R. Osborne
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie Porter
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Barbara R. Pober
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Luft FC. Can Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Beat Schnüffel?: Assessing Hypertension Polygenic Risk Scores. Hypertension 2021; 77:1128-1132. [PMID: 33689463 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.16739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich C Luft
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Medical Faculty and Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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