Genome-wide association analysis identifies novel blood pressure loci and offers biological insights into cardiovascular risk.

Nat Genet
Authors
Abstract

Elevated blood pressure is the leading heritable risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. We report genetic association of blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure) among UK Biobank participants of European ancestry with independent replication in other cohorts, and robust validation of 107 independent loci. We also identify new independent variants at 11 previously reported blood pressure loci. In combination with results from a range of in silico functional analyses and wet bench experiments, our findings highlight new biological pathways for blood pressure regulation enriched for genes expressed in vascular tissues and identify potential therapeutic targets for hypertension. Results from genetic risk score models raise the possibility of a precision medicine approach through early lifestyle intervention to offset the impact of blood pressure-raising genetic variants on future cardiovascular disease risk.

Year of Publication
2017
Journal
Nat Genet
Volume
49
Issue
3
Pages
403-415
Date Published
2017 Mar
ISSN
1546-1718
DOI
10.1038/ng.3768
PubMed ID
28135244
Links
Grant list
RG/15/12/31616 / British Heart Foundation / United Kingdom
SP/13/2/30111 / British Heart Foundation / United Kingdom
MR/L01632X/1 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
MR/L01341X/1 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
MR/L016311/1 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
CZD/16/6/4 / Chief Scientist Office / United Kingdom
MC_PC_U127561128 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
MR/K006584/1 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
G0600237 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom