@article {6608, title = {Simple biologically informed inflammatory index of two serum cytokines predicts 10 year all-cause mortality in older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci}, volume = {69}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Feb}, pages = {165-73}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Individual measurements of inflammation have been utilized to assess adverse outcomes risk in older adults with varying degrees of success. This study was designed to identify biologically informed, aggregate measures of inflammation for optimal risk assessment and to inform further biological study of inflammatory pathways.

METHODS: In total, 15 nuclear factor-kappa B-mediated pathway markers of inflammation were first measured in baseline serum samples of 1,155 older participants in the InCHIANTI population. Of these, C-reactive protein, interleukin-1-receptor antagonist, interleukin-6, interleukin-18, and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 were independent predictors of 5-year mortality. These five inflammatory markers were measured in baseline serum samples of 5,600 Cardiovascular Health Study participants. A weighted summary score, the first principal component summary score, and an inflammation index score were developed from these five log-transformed inflammatory markers, and their prediction of 10-year all-cause mortality was evaluated in Cardiovascular Health Study and then validated in InCHIANTI.

RESULTS: The inflammation index score that included interleukin-6 and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 was the best predictor of 10-year all-cause mortality in Cardiovascular Health Study, after adjusting for age, sex, education, race, smoking, and body mass index (hazards ratio = 1.62; 95\% CI: 1.54, 1.70) compared with all other single and combined measures. The inflammation index score was also the best predictor of mortality in the InCHIANTI validation study (hazards ratio 1.33; 95\% CI: 1.17-1.52). Stratification by sex and CVD status further strengthened the association of inflammation index score with mortality.

CONCLUSION: A simple additive index of serum interleukin-6 and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 best captures the effect of chronic inflammation on mortality in older adults among the 15 biomarkers measured.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomarkers, C-Reactive Protein, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Inflammation, Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-6, Longevity, Male, Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I, Risk Factors}, issn = {1758-535X}, doi = {10.1093/gerona/glt023}, author = {Varadhan, Ravi and Yao, Wenliang and Matteini, Amy and Beamer, Brock A and Xue, Qian-Li and Yang, Huanle and Manwani, Bhavish and Reiner, Alexander and Jenny, Nancy and Parekh, Neel and Fallin, M Daniele and Newman, Anne and Bandeen-Roche, Karen and Tracy, Russell and Ferrucci, Luigi and Walston, Jeremy} } @article {6812, title = {Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies Identifies Genetic Risk Factors for Stroke in African Americans.}, journal = {Stroke}, volume = {46}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Aug}, pages = {2063-8}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The majority of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of stroke have focused on European-ancestry populations; however, none has been conducted in African Americans, despite the disproportionately high burden of stroke in this population. The Consortium of Minority Population Genome-Wide Association Studies of Stroke (COMPASS) was established to identify stroke susceptibility loci in minority populations.

METHODS: Using METAL, we conducted meta-analyses of GWAS in 14 746 African Americans (1365 ischemic and 1592 total stroke cases) from COMPASS, and tested genetic variants with P<10(-6) for validation in METASTROKE, a consortium of ischemic stroke genetic studies in European-ancestry populations. We also evaluated stroke loci previously identified in European-ancestry populations.

RESULTS: The 15q21.3 locus linked with lipid levels and hypertension was associated with total stroke (rs4471613; P=3.9{\texttimes}10(-8)) in African Americans. Nominal associations (P<10(-6)) for total or ischemic stroke were observed for 18 variants in or near genes implicated in cell cycle/mRNA presplicing (PTPRG, CDC5L), platelet function (HPS4), blood-brain barrier permeability (CLDN17), immune response (ELTD1, WDFY4, and IL1F10-IL1RN), and histone modification (HDAC9). Two of these loci achieved nominal significance in METASTROKE: 5q35.2 (P=0.03), and 1p31.1 (P=0.018). Four of 7 previously reported ischemic stroke loci (PITX2, HDAC9, CDKN2A/CDKN2B, and ZFHX3) were nominally associated (P<0.05) with stroke in COMPASS.

CONCLUSIONS: We identified a novel genetic variant associated with total stroke in African Americans and found that ischemic stroke loci identified in European-ancestry populations may also be relevant for African Americans. Our findings support investigation of diverse populations to identify and characterize genetic risk factors, and the importance of shared genetic risk across populations.

}, keywords = {African Americans, Case-Control Studies, Cohort Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genome-Wide Association Study, Humans, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Risk Factors, Stroke}, issn = {1524-4628}, doi = {10.1161/STROKEAHA.115.009044}, author = {Carty, Cara L and Keene, Keith L and Cheng, Yu-Ching and Meschia, James F and Chen, Wei-Min and Nalls, Mike and Bis, Joshua C and Kittner, Steven J and Rich, Stephen S and Tajuddin, Salman and Zonderman, Alan B and Evans, Michele K and Langefeld, Carl D and Gottesman, Rebecca and Mosley, Thomas H and Shahar, Eyal and Woo, Daniel and Yaffe, Kristine and Liu, Yongmei and Sale, Mich{\`e}le M and Dichgans, Martin and Malik, Rainer and Longstreth, W T and Mitchell, Braxton D and Psaty, Bruce M and Kooperberg, Charles and Reiner, Alexander and Worrall, Bradford B and Fornage, Myriam} } @article {7120, title = {Association of inflammatory, lipid and mineral markers with cardiac calcification in older adults.}, journal = {Heart}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Jul 13}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Calcification of the aortic valve and adjacent structures involves inflammatory, lipid and mineral metabolism pathways. We hypothesised that circulating biomarkers reflecting these pathways are associated with cardiac calcification in older adults.

METHODS: We investigated the associations of various biomarkers with valvular and annular calcification in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Of the 5888 participants, up to 3585 were eligible after exclusions for missing biomarker, covariate or echocardiographic data. We evaluated analytes reflecting lipid (lipoprotein (Lp) (a), Lp-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) mass and activity), inflammatory (interleukin-6, soluble (s) CD14) and mineral metabolism (fetuin-A, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23) pathways that were measured within 5 years of echocardiography. The relationships of plasma biomarkers with aortic valve calcification (AVC), aortic annular calcification (AAC) and mitral annular calcification (MAC) were assessed with relative risk (RR) regression.

RESULTS: Calcification was prevalent: AVC 59\%, AAC 45\% and MAC 41\%. After adjustment, Lp(a), LpPLA2 mass and activity and sCD14 were positively associated with AVC. RRs for AVC per SD (95\% CI) were as follows: Lp(a), 1.051 (1.022 to 1.081); LpPLA2 mass, 1.036 (1.006 to 1.066) and LpPLA2 activity, 1.037 (1.004 to 1.071); sCD14, 1.039 (1.005 to 1.073). FGF-23 was positively associated with MAC, 1.040 (1.004 to 1.078) and fetuin-A was negatively associated, 0.949 (0.911 to 0.989). No biomarkers were significantly associated with AAC.

CONCLUSION: This study shows novel associations of circulating FGF-23 and fetuin-A with MAC, and LpPLA2 and sCD14 with AVC, confirming that previously reported for Lp(a). Further investigation of Lp and inflammatory pathways may provide added insight into the aetiology of AVC, while study of phosphate regulation may illuminate the pathogenesis of MAC.

}, issn = {1468-201X}, doi = {10.1136/heartjnl-2016-309404}, author = {Bortnick, Anna E and Bartz, Traci M and Ix, Joachim H and Chonchol, Michel and Reiner, Alexander and Cushman, Mary and Owens, David and Barasch, Eddy and Siscovick, David S and Gottdiener, John S and Kizer, Jorge R} } @article {9113, title = {eSCAN: scan regulatory regions for aggregate association testing using whole-genome sequencing data.}, journal = {Brief Bioinform}, volume = {23}, year = {2022}, month = {2022 01 17}, abstract = {

Multiple statistical methods for aggregate association testing have been developed for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. Many aggregate variants in a given genomic window and ignore existing knowledge to define test regions, resulting in many identified regions not clearly linked to genes, and thus, limiting biological understanding. Functional information from new technologies (such as Hi-C and its derivatives), which can help link enhancers to their effector genes, can be leveraged to predefine variant sets for aggregate testing in WGS data. Here, we propose the eSCAN (scan the enhancers) method for genome-wide assessment of enhancer regions in sequencing studies, combining the advantages of dynamic window selection in SCANG (SCAN the Genome), a previously developed method, with the advantages of incorporating putative regulatory regions from annotation. eSCAN, by searching in putative enhancers, increases statistical power and aids mechanistic interpretation, as demonstrated by extensive simulation studies. We also apply eSCAN for blood cell traits using NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine WGS data. Results from real data analysis show that eSCAN is able to capture more significant signals, and these signals are of shorter length (indicating higher resolution fine-mapping capability) and drive association of larger regions detected by other methods.

}, keywords = {Genome, Genome-Wide Association Study, Genomics, Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid, Whole Genome Sequencing}, issn = {1477-4054}, doi = {10.1093/bib/bbab497}, author = {Yang, Yingxi and Sun, Quan and Huang, Le and Broome, Jai G and Correa, Adolfo and Reiner, Alexander and Raffield, Laura M and Yang, Yuchen and Li, Yun} } @article {9502, title = {Association Between Whole Blood-Derived Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk.}, journal = {J Am Heart Assoc}, year = {2023}, month = {2023 Oct 07}, pages = {e029090}, abstract = {

Background The relationship between mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA CN) and cardiovascular disease remains elusive. Methods and Results We performed cross-sectional and prospective association analyses of blood-derived mtDNA CN and cardiovascular disease outcomes in 27 316 participants in 8 cohorts of multiple racial and ethnic groups with whole-genome sequencing. We also performed Mendelian randomization to explore causal relationships of mtDNA CN with coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiometabolic risk factors (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). <0.01 was used for significance. We validated most of the previously reported associations between mtDNA CN and cardiovascular disease outcomes. For example, 1-SD unit lower level of mtDNA CN was associated with 1.08 (95\% CI, 1.04-1.12; <0.001) times the hazard for developing incident CHD, adjusting for covariates. Mendelian randomization analyses showed no causal effect from a lower level of mtDNA CN to a higher CHD risk (β=0.091; =0.11) or in the reverse direction (β=-0.012; =0.076). Additional bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses revealed that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol had a causal effect on mtDNA CN (β=-0.084; <0.001), but the reverse direction was not significant (=0.059). No causal associations were observed between mtDNA CN and obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, in either direction. Multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses showed no causal effect of CHD on mtDNA CN, controlling for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (=0.52), whereas there was a strong direct causal effect of higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on lower mtDNA CN, adjusting for CHD status (β=-0.092; <0.001). Conclusions Our findings indicate that high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol may underlie the complex relationships between mtDNA CN and vascular atherosclerosis.

}, issn = {2047-9980}, doi = {10.1161/JAHA.122.029090}, author = {Liu, Xue and Sun, Xianbang and Zhang, Yuankai and Jiang, Wenqing and Lai, Meng and Wiggins, Kerri L and Raffield, Laura M and Bielak, Lawrence F and Zhao, Wei and Pitsillides, Achilleas and Haessler, Jeffrey and Zheng, Yinan and Blackwell, Thomas W and Yao, Jie and Guo, Xiuqing and Qian, Yong and Thyagarajan, Bharat and Pankratz, Nathan and Rich, Stephen S and Taylor, Kent D and Peyser, Patricia A and Heckbert, Susan R and Seshadri, Sudha and Boerwinkle, Eric and Grove, Megan L and Larson, Nicholas B and Smith, Jennifer A and Vasan, Ramachandran S and Fitzpatrick, Annette L and Fornage, Myriam and Ding, Jun and Carson, April P and Abecasis, Goncalo and Dupuis, Jos{\'e}e and Reiner, Alexander and Kooperberg, Charles and Hou, Lifang and Psaty, Bruce M and Wilson, James G and Levy, Daniel and Rotter, Jerome I and Bis, Joshua C and Satizabal, Claudia L and Arking, Dan E and Liu, Chunyu} } @article {9449, title = {Whole genome analysis of plasma fibrinogen reveals population-differentiated genetic regulators with putative liver roles.}, journal = {medRxiv}, year = {2023}, month = {2023 Jun 12}, abstract = {

UNLABELLED: Genetic studies have identified numerous regions associated with plasma fibrinogen levels in Europeans, yet missing heritability and limited inclusion of non-Europeans necessitates further studies with improved power and sensitivity. Compared with array-based genotyping, whole genome sequencing (WGS) data provides better coverage of the genome and better representation of non-European variants. To better understand the genetic landscape regulating plasma fibrinogen levels, we meta-analyzed WGS data from the NHLBI{\textquoteright}s Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program (n=32,572), with array-based genotype data from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) Consortium (n=131,340) imputed to the TOPMed or Haplotype Reference Consortium panel. We identified 18 loci that have not been identified in prior genetic studies of fibrinogen. Of these, four are driven by common variants of small effect with reported MAF at least 10\% higher in African populations. Three ( , and signals contain predicted deleterious missense variants. Two loci, and , each harbor two conditionally distinct, non-coding variants. The gene region encoding the protein chain subunits ( ), contains 7 distinct signals, including one novel signal driven by rs28577061, a variant common (MAF=0.180) in African reference panels but extremely rare (MAF=0.008) in Europeans. Through phenome-wide association studies in the VA Million Veteran Program, we found associations between fibrinogen polygenic risk scores and thrombotic and inflammatory disease phenotypes, including an association with gout. Our findings demonstrate the utility of WGS to augment genetic discovery in diverse populations and offer new insights for putative mechanisms of fibrinogen regulation.

KEY POINTS: Largest and most diverse genetic study of plasma fibrinogen identifies 54 regions (18 novel), housing 69 conditionally distinct variants (20 novel).Sufficient power achieved to identify signal driven by African population variant.Links to (1) liver enzyme, blood cell and lipid genetic signals, (2) liver regulatory elements, and (3) thrombotic and inflammatory disease.

}, doi = {10.1101/2023.06.07.23291095}, author = {Huffman, Jennifer E and Nicolas, Jayna and Hahn, Julie and Heath, Adam S and Raffield, Laura M and Yanek, Lisa R and Brody, Jennifer A and Thibord, Florian and Almasy, Laura and Bartz, Traci M and Bielak, Lawrence F and Bowler, Russell P and Carrasquilla, Germ{\'a}n D and Chasman, Daniel I and Chen, Ming-Huei and Emmert, David B and Ghanbari, Mohsen and Haessle, Jeffery and Hottenga, Jouke-Jan and Kleber, Marcus E and Le, Ngoc-Quynh and Lee, Jiwon and Lewis, Joshua P and Li-Gao, Ruifang and Luan, Jian{\textquoteright}an and Malmberg, Anni and Mangino, Massimo and Marioni, Riccardo E and Martinez-Perez, Angel and Pankratz, Nathan and Polasek, Ozren and Richmond, Anne and Rodriguez, Benjamin At and Rotter, Jerome I and Steri, Maristella and Suchon, Pierre and Trompet, Stella and Weiss, Stefan and Zare, Marjan and Auer, Paul and Cho, Michael H and Christofidou, Paraskevi and Davies, Gail and de Geus, Eco and Deleuze, Jean-Francois and Delgado, Graciela E and Ekunwe, Lynette and Faraday, Nauder and G{\"o}gele, Martin and Greinacher, Andreas and He, Gao and Howard, Tom and Joshi, Peter K and Kilpel{\"a}inen, Tuomas O and Lahti, Jari and Linneberg, Allan and Naitza, Silvia and Noordam, Raymond and Pa{\"u}ls-Verg{\'e}s, Ferran and Rich, Stephen S and Rosendaal, Frits R and Rudan, Igor and Ryan, Kathleen A and Souto, Juan Carlos and van Rooij, Frank Ja and Wang, Heming and Zhao, Wei and Becker, Lewis C and Beswick, Andrew and Brown, Michael R and Cade, Brian E and Campbell, Harry and Cho, Kelly and Crapo, James D and Curran, Joanne E and de Maat, Moniek Pm and Doyle, Margaret and Elliott, Paul and Floyd, James S and Fuchsberger, Christian and Grarup, Niels and Guo, Xiuqing and Harris, Sarah E and Hou, Lifang and Kolcic, Ivana and Kooperberg, Charles and Menni, Cristina and Nauck, Matthias and O{\textquoteright}Connell, Jeffrey R and Orr{\`u}, Valeria and Psaty, Bruce M and R{\"a}ikk{\"o}nen, Katri and Smith, Jennifer A and Soria, Jos{\'e} Manuel and Stott, David J and van Hylckama Vlieg, Astrid and Watkins, Hugh and Willemsen, Gonneke and Wilson, Peter and Ben-Shlomo, Yoav and Blangero, John and Boomsma, Dorret and Cox, Simon R and Dehghan, Abbas and Eriksson, Johan G and Fiorillo, Edoardo and Fornage, Myriam and Hansen, Torben and Hayward, Caroline and Ikram, M Arfan and Jukema, J Wouter and Kardia, Sharon Lr and Lange, Leslie A and M{\"a}rz, Winfried and Mathias, Rasika A and Mitchell, Braxton D and Mook-Kanamori, Dennis O and Morange, Pierre-Emmanuel and Pedersen, Oluf and Pramstaller, Peter P and Redline, Susan and Reiner, Alexander and Ridker, Paul M and Silverman, Edwin K and Spector, Tim D and V{\"o}lker, Uwe and Wareham, Nick and Wilson, James F and Yao, Jie and Tr{\'e}gou{\"e}t, David-Alexandre and Johnson, Andrew D and Wolberg, Alisa S and de Vries, Paul S and Sabater-Lleal, Maria and Morrison, Alanna C and Smith, Nicholas L} }