Biology subjects

Evangelou, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Evangelou, E..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Cardiovascular Disease Related Proteomic Biomarkers of Alcohol Consumption

The relationship between alcohol consumption, circulating proteins, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has not been well studied. We performed association analyses of alcohol consumption with three CVD risk factors and 71 CVD-related circulating proteins measured in 6,745 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age, 49 years; 53% women). We found that an increase in alcohol consumption was associated with a higher risk of incident hypertension (P=7.2E-3) but a lower risk of incident obesity (P=5.7E-4) and type 2 diabetes (P=1.4E-5) in a 14-year of follow-up. Using independent discovery (n=4,348) and validation (n=2,397) samples, we identified 20 alcohol-associated proteins (FDR<0.05 in discovery and P<0.05/n in validation), with majority (18 of 20 proteins) inversely associated with alcohol consumption. The alcohol-protein associations remained similar after removing heavy drinkers. Four proteins demonstrated consistent triangular relationships, as expected, with alcohol consumption and CVD risk factors. For example, a greater level of APOA1, which was associated with a higher alcohol consumption (P=1.2E-65), was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes (P=3.1E-5). However, several others showed inconsistent triangular relationships, e.g., a greater level of GDF15, which was associated with a lower alcohol consumption (P=1.0E-13), was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (P=2.4E-4). In conclusion, we identified 20 alcohol-associated proteins and demonstrated complex relationships between alcohol consumption, circulating proteins and CVD risk factors. Future studies with integration of more proteomic markers and larger sample size are warranted to unravel the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and CVD risk.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2019

Multi-ancestry analysis of gene-sleep interactions in 126,926 individuals identifies multiple novel blood lipid loci that contribute to our understanding of sleep-associated adverse blood lipid profile

Both short and long sleep are associated with an adverse lipid profile, likely through different biological pathways. To provide new insights in the biology of sleep-associated adverse lipid profile, we conducted multi-ancestry genome-wide sleep-SNP interaction analyses on three lipid traits (HDL-c, LDL-c and triglycerides). In the total study sample (discovery + replication) of 126,926 individuals from 5 different ancestry groups, when considering either long or short total sleep time interactions in joint analyses, we identified 49 novel lipid loci, and 10 additional novel lipid loci in a restricted sample of European-ancestry cohorts. In addition, we identified new gene-sleep interactions for known lipid loci such as LPL and PCSK9. The novel gene-sleep interactions had a modest explained variance in lipid levels: most notable, gene-short-sleep interactions explained 4.25% of the variance in triglyceride concentration. Collectively, these findings contribute to our understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in sleep-associated adverse lipid profiles.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2018

The role of glycaemic, lipid, blood pressure and obesity risk factors as mediators of the effect of height on Coronary Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Mendelian Randomisation Study.

We investigated by Mendelian Randomisation (MR) analyses the causal effect of adult height on coronary artery disease (CAD) (23,755 cases, 425,339 controls) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) (29,427 cases, 416,908 controls) in UK Biobank. We then examined whether such effects are mediated via known cardiometabolic risk factors including body mass index (BMI), glycaemic traits, lipid levels and blood pressure. We further cross-checked our findings by two-sample MR and Multivariate MR analyses with publicly available summary statistics data. One standard deviation (SD) higher genetically determined height (~6.5 cm) was causally associated with a 14% decrease in CAD risk (OR= 0.86, 95% CI= 0.790.94). This causal association remained significant after performing sensitivity analyses relaxing pleiotropy assumptions. The causal effect of height on CAD risk appeared to be independent of risk factors such as lipid levels, blood pressure and BMI; association was reduced by only 1-3% after adjustment for potential mediators. We observed no direct causal effect of height on T2D risk, once its effect on BMI was taken into account (OR= 0.99, 95% CI= 0.96-1.02), suggesting that BMI acts as a mediator.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2018

Genetic variants related to antihypertensive targets inform drug efficacy and side effects

BackgroundDrug effects can be investigated through natural variation in the genes for their protein targets. We aimed to use this approach to explore the potential side effects and repurposing potential of antihypertensive drugs, which are amongst the most commonly used medications worldwide.\n\nMethodsWe identified genetic instruments for antihypertensive drug classes as variants in the gene for the corresponding target that associated with systolic blood pressure at genome-wide significance. To validate the instruments, we compared Mendelian randomisation (MR) estimates for drug effects on coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke risk to randomised controlled trial (RCT) results. Phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) in the UK Biobank was performed to identify potential side effects and repurposing opportunities, with findings investigated in the Vanderbilt University Biobank (BioVU) and in observational analysis of the UK Biobank.\n\nFindingsWe identified suitable genetic instruments for beta-blockers (BBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). MR estimates for their effect on CHD and stroke risk respectively were comparable to results from RCTs against placebo. PheWAS in the UK Biobank identified an association of the CCB genetic risk score (scaled to drug effect) with increased risk of diverticulosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.23, 95%CI 1.10-1.38), with a consistent estimate found in BioVU (OR 1.16, 95%CI 0.94-1.44). Association with diverticulosis was further supported in observational analysis of CCB use in the UK Biobank (OR 1.08, 95%CI 1.02-1.15).\n\nInterpretationWe identified valid genetic instruments for BBs and CCBs. Using genetic and observational approaches, we highlighted a previously unreported potential detrimental effect of CCBs on risk of diverticulosis. This work serves as a proof of concept that investigation of genetic variants can offer a complementary approach to exploring the efficacy and side effects of anti-hypertensive medications.\n\nFundingWellcome Trust.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2018

Genome-wide association and functional studies identify 46 novel loci for alcohol consumption and suggest common genetic mechanisms with neuropsychiatric disorders

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Alcohol consumption is a heritable complex trait. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of alcohol use in ~480,000 people of European descent to decipher the genetic architecture of alcohol intake. We identified 46 novel, common loci, and investigated their potential functional significance using magnetic resonance imaging data, gene expression and behavioral studies in Drosophila. Our results identify new genetic pathways associated with alcohol consumption and suggest common genetic mechanisms with several neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2018

Importance of vitamin D in critically ill children with subgroup analyses of sepsis and respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCritical care and sepsis remain high priority concerns in children. Observational studies report high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and present mixed results regarding the correlation between vitamin D status and adverse outcomes. Associations between deficiency and mortality, particularly in children with sepsis, remain unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to address this uncertainty.\n\nMethodsPubMed, OVID and Google Scholar were searched for observational studies in critically ill children. We obtained pooled prevalence estimates for vitamin D deficiency and odds ratios for the association of mortality in critically ill children treated in intensive care units, with subgroup analysis for children with sepsis. Meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were used to investigate heterogeneity.\n\nFindingsForty-eight studies were included. The total sample size was 7,199, with 1,679 (23%) children acting as controls in case-control studies. Of 5,520 critically ill children, 2,664 (48%) were vitamin D deficient (< 50 nmol/L). Results of the random effects model demonstrated a pooled prevalence of vitamin D deficiency of 54.9% (95% CI 48.0-61.6, I2=95.0%, 95% CI 94.0-95.8, p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis of children with sepsis (16 studies, 788 total individuals) we observed higher prevalence of deficiency (63.8%, 95% CI 49.9-75.7, I2=90.5%, 95% CI 86.2-93.5%, p < 0.0001). In patients admitted to intensive care for respiratory tract infections (24 studies, 1,683 total individuals), prevalence was 49.9% (95% CI 37.6-62.2; I2 = 93.9%, 95% CI 92.1-95.3, p < 0.0001). Only one identified study assessed vitamin D levels in sepsis and mortality. The meta-regression model with all available variables (year of publication, total study sample size, quality score, study design, country group and clinical setting) explained 37.52% of I2 (F = 5.1119, p = 0.0005) with clinical setting and country groups being significant predictors for prevalence.\n\nOur meta-analysis (18 studies, 2,463 total individuals) showed an increased risk of death in vitamin D deficient critically ill children both with the random (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.24-2.64, p-value = 0.002) and fixed effects (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.27-2.33, p= 0.0005) models with low heterogeneity (I2 = 25.7%, 95% CI 0.0-58.0, p = 0.153) and low evidence of publication bias (p = 0.084, Eggers test).\n\nInterpretationCirculating vitamin D deficiency is common amongst critically ill children, particularly in those with sepsis. Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency in critically ill children is associated with increased mortality. Clinical trials, studies with larger sample sizes and standardized approaches are needed to further assess associations between circulating levels of vitamin D and mortality or other outcomes in the pediatric population.\n\nFundingNone\n\nRegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42016050638)\n\nCopyrightOpen access article under terms of CC BY

epidemiology↗

bioRxiv2018

An Atlas of Human and Murine Genetic Influences on Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common debilitating chronic disease diagnosed primarily using bone mineral density (BMD). We undertook a comprehensive assessment of human genetic determinants of bone density in 426,824 individuals, identifying a total of 518 genome-wide significant loci, (301 novel), explaining 20% of the total variance in BMD--as estimated by heel quantitative ultrasound (eBMD). Next, meta-analysis identified 13 bone fracture loci in ~1.2M individuals, which were also associated with BMD. We then identified target genes from cell-specific genomic landscape features, including chromatin conformation and accessible chromatin sites, that were strongly enriched for genes known to influence bone density and strength (maximum odds ratio = 58, P = 10-75). We next performed rapid throughput skeletal phenotyping of 126 knockout mice lacking eBMD Target Genes and showed that these mice had an increased frequency of abnormal skeletal phenotypes compared to 526 unselected lines (P < 0.0001). In-depth analysis of one such Target Gene, DAAM2, showed a disproportionate decrease in bone strength relative to mineralization. This comprehensive human and murine genetic atlas provides empirical evidence testing how to link associated SNPs to causal genes, offers new insights into osteoporosis pathophysiology and highlights opportunities for drug development.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

Genetic analysis of over one million people identifies 535 novel loci for blood pressure.

High blood pressure is the foremost heritable global risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We report the largest genetic association study of blood pressure traits to date (systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure) in over one million people of European ancestry. We identify 535 novel blood pressure loci that not only offer new biological insights into blood pressure regulation but also reveal shared loci influencing lifestyle exposures. Our findings offer the potential for a precision medicine strategy for future cardiovascular disease prevention.

genetics↗