TY - JOUR T1 - Genome Analyses of >200,000 Individuals Identify 58 Loci for Chronic Inflammation and Highlight Pathways that Link Inflammation and Complex Disorders. JF - Am J Hum Genet Y1 - 2018 A1 - Ligthart, Symen A1 - Vaez, Ahmad A1 - Võsa, Urmo A1 - Stathopoulou, Maria G A1 - de Vries, Paul S A1 - Prins, Bram P A1 - van der Most, Peter J A1 - Tanaka, Toshiko A1 - Naderi, Elnaz A1 - Rose, Lynda M A1 - Wu, Ying A1 - Karlsson, Robert A1 - Barbalic, Maja A1 - Lin, Honghuang A1 - Pool, René A1 - Zhu, Gu A1 - Macé, Aurélien A1 - Sidore, Carlo A1 - Trompet, Stella A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Sabater-Lleal, Maria A1 - Kemp, John P A1 - Abbasi, Ali A1 - Kacprowski, Tim A1 - Verweij, Niek A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Huang, Tao A1 - Marzi, Carola A1 - Feitosa, Mary F A1 - Lohman, Kurt K A1 - Kleber, Marcus E A1 - Milaneschi, Yuri A1 - Mueller, Christian A1 - Huq, Mahmudul A1 - Vlachopoulou, Efthymia A1 - Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka A1 - Oldmeadow, Christopher A1 - Deelen, Joris A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Zhao, Jing Hua A1 - Feenstra, Bjarke A1 - Amini, Marzyeh A1 - Lahti, Jari A1 - Schraut, Katharina E A1 - Fornage, Myriam A1 - Suktitipat, Bhoom A1 - Chen, Wei-Min A1 - Li, Xiaohui A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Malerba, Giovanni A1 - Luan, Jian'an A1 - Bak, Tom A1 - Schork, Nicholas A1 - del Greco M, Fabiola A1 - Thiering, Elisabeth A1 - Mahajan, Anubha A1 - Marioni, Riccardo E A1 - Mihailov, Evelin A1 - Eriksson, Joel A1 - Ozel, Ayse Bilge A1 - Zhang, Weihua A1 - Nethander, Maria A1 - Cheng, Yu-Ching A1 - Aslibekyan, Stella A1 - Ang, Wei A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Yengo, Loic A1 - Portas, Laura A1 - Kooperberg, Charles A1 - Hofer, Edith A1 - Rajan, Kumar B A1 - Schurmann, Claudia A1 - den Hollander, Wouter A1 - Ahluwalia, Tarunveer S A1 - Zhao, Jing A1 - Draisma, Harmen H M A1 - Ford, Ian A1 - Timpson, Nicholas A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Huang, Hongyan A1 - Wahl, Simone A1 - Liu, Yongmei A1 - Huang, Jie A1 - Uh, Hae-Won A1 - Geller, Frank A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Yanek, Lisa R A1 - Trabetti, Elisabetta A1 - Lehne, Benjamin A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Verbanck, Marie A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Saba, Yasaman A1 - Meulenbelt, Ingrid A1 - O'Connell, Jeff R A1 - Laakso, Markku A1 - Giulianini, Franco A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Ballantyne, Christie M A1 - Hottenga, Jouke Jan A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Rivadineira, Fernando A1 - Rueedi, Rico A1 - Steri, Maristella A1 - Herzig, Karl-Heinz A1 - Stott, David J A1 - Menni, Cristina A1 - Frånberg, Mattias A1 - St Pourcain, Beate A1 - Felix, Stephan B A1 - Pers, Tune H A1 - Bakker, Stephan J L A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Peters, Annette A1 - Vaidya, Dhananjay A1 - Delgado, Graciela A1 - Smit, Johannes H A1 - Großmann, Vera A1 - Sinisalo, Juha A1 - Seppälä, Ilkka A1 - Williams, Stephen R A1 - Holliday, Elizabeth G A1 - Moed, Matthijs A1 - Langenberg, Claudia A1 - Räikkönen, Katri A1 - Ding, Jingzhong A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Sale, Michele M A1 - Chen, Yii-Der I A1 - James, Alan L A1 - Ruggiero, Daniela A1 - Soranzo, Nicole A1 - Hartman, Catharina A A1 - Smith, Erin N A1 - Berenson, Gerald S A1 - Fuchsberger, Christian A1 - Hernandez, Dena A1 - Tiesler, Carla M T A1 - Giedraitis, Vilmantas A1 - Liewald, David A1 - Fischer, Krista A1 - Mellström, Dan A1 - Larsson, Anders A1 - Wang, Yunmei A1 - Scott, William R A1 - Lorentzon, Matthias A1 - Beilby, John A1 - Ryan, Kathleen A A1 - Pennell, Craig E A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Balkau, Beverly A1 - Concas, Maria Pina A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Mendes de Leon, Carlos F A1 - Bottinger, Erwin P A1 - Kloppenburg, Margreet A1 - Paternoster, Lavinia A1 - Boehnke, Michael A1 - Musk, A W A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Evans, David M A1 - Madden, Pamela A F A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Zoledziewska, Magdalena A1 - Karhunen, Ville A1 - Kritchevsky, Stephen B A1 - Sattar, Naveed A1 - LaChance, Genevieve A1 - Clarke, Robert A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Attia, John R A1 - van Heemst, Diana A1 - Kajantie, Eero A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Gambaro, Giovanni A1 - Scott, Robert A A1 - Hicks, Andrew A A1 - Ferrucci, Luigi A1 - Standl, Marie A1 - Lindgren, Cecilia M A1 - Starr, John M A1 - Karlsson, Magnus A1 - Lind, Lars A1 - Li, Jun Z A1 - Chambers, John C A1 - Mori, Trevor A A1 - de Geus, Eco J C N A1 - Heath, Andrew C A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Auvinen, Juha A1 - Buckley, Brendan M A1 - de Craen, Anton J M A1 - Waldenberger, Melanie A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Meitinger, Thomas A1 - Scott, Rodney J A1 - McEvoy, Mark A1 - Beekman, Marian A1 - Bombieri, Cristina A1 - Ridker, Paul M A1 - Mohlke, Karen L A1 - Pedersen, Nancy L A1 - Morrison, Alanna C A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Whitfield, John B A1 - Strachan, David P A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Cucca, Francesco A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Jukema, J Wouter A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Hamsten, Anders A1 - Zeller, Tanja A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Nauck, Matthias A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - Qi, Lu A1 - Grallert, Harald A1 - Borecki, Ingrid B A1 - Rotter, Jerome I A1 - März, Winfried A1 - Wild, Philipp S A1 - Lokki, Marja-Liisa A1 - Boyle, Michael A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Melbye, Mads A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Penninx, Brenda W J H A1 - Becker, Diane M A1 - Worrall, Bradford B A1 - Gibson, Greg A1 - Krauss, Ronald M A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Zaza, Gianluigi A1 - Wareham, Nicholas J A1 - Oldehinkel, Albertine J A1 - Palmer, Lyle J A1 - Murray, Sarah S A1 - Pramstaller, Peter P A1 - Bandinelli, Stefania A1 - Heinrich, Joachim A1 - Ingelsson, Erik A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Vandenput, Liesbeth A1 - van der Harst, Pim A1 - Desch, Karl C A1 - Kooner, Jaspal S A1 - Ohlsson, Claes A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Shuldiner, Alan R A1 - Arnett, Donna K A1 - Beilin, Lawrence J A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Froguel, Philippe A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Jess, Tine A1 - Koenig, Wolfgang A1 - Loos, Ruth J F A1 - Evans, Denis A A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Smith, George Davey A1 - Slagboom, P Eline A1 - Eiriksdottir, Gudny A1 - Morris, Andrew P A1 - Psaty, Bruce M A1 - Tracy, Russell P A1 - Nolte, Ilja M A1 - Boerwinkle, Eric A1 - Visvikis-Siest, Sophie A1 - Reiner, Alex P A1 - Gross, Myron A1 - Bis, Joshua C A1 - Franke, Lude A1 - Franco, Oscar H A1 - Benjamin, Emelia J A1 - Chasman, Daniel I A1 - Dupuis, Josée A1 - Snieder, Harold A1 - Dehghan, Abbas A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z AB -

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive biomarker of chronic low-grade inflammation and is associated with multiple complex diseases. The genetic determinants of chronic inflammation remain largely unknown, and the causal role of CRP in several clinical outcomes is debated. We performed two genome-wide association studies (GWASs), on HapMap and 1000 Genomes imputed data, of circulating amounts of CRP by using data from 88 studies comprising 204,402 European individuals. Additionally, we performed in silico functional analyses and Mendelian randomization analyses with several clinical outcomes. The GWAS meta-analyses of CRP revealed 58 distinct genetic loci (p < 5 × 10). After adjustment for body mass index in the regression analysis, the associations at all except three loci remained. The lead variants at the distinct loci explained up to 7.0% of the variance in circulating amounts of CRP. We identified 66 gene sets that were organized in two substantially correlated clusters, one mainly composed of immune pathways and the other characterized by metabolic pathways in the liver. Mendelian randomization analyses revealed a causal protective effect of CRP on schizophrenia and a risk-increasing effect on bipolar disorder. Our findings provide further insights into the biology of inflammation and could lead to interventions for treating inflammation and its clinical consequences.

VL - 103 IS - 5 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30388399?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome-wide association meta-analysis highlights light-induced signaling as a driver for refractive error. JF - Nat Genet Y1 - 2018 A1 - Tedja, Milly S A1 - Wojciechowski, Robert A1 - Hysi, Pirro G A1 - Eriksson, Nicholas A1 - Furlotte, Nicholas A A1 - Verhoeven, Virginie J M A1 - Iglesias, Adriana I A1 - Meester-Smoor, Magda A A1 - Tompson, Stuart W A1 - Fan, Qiao A1 - Khawaja, Anthony P A1 - Cheng, Ching-Yu A1 - Höhn, René A1 - Yamashiro, Kenji A1 - Wenocur, Adam A1 - Grazal, Clare A1 - Haller, Toomas A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Wedenoja, Juho A1 - Jonas, Jost B A1 - Wang, Ya Xing A1 - Xie, Jing A1 - Mitchell, Paul A1 - Foster, Paul J A1 - Klein, Barbara E K A1 - Klein, Ronald A1 - Paterson, Andrew D A1 - Hosseini, S Mohsen A1 - Shah, Rupal L A1 - Williams, Cathy A1 - Teo, Yik Ying A1 - Tham, Yih Chung A1 - Gupta, Preeti A1 - Zhao, Wanting A1 - Shi, Yuan A1 - Saw, Woei-Yuh A1 - Tai, E-Shyong A1 - Sim, Xue Ling A1 - Huffman, Jennifer E A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Bencic, Goran A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Tsujikawa, Akitaka A1 - Matsuda, Fumihiko A1 - Whisenhunt, Kristina N A1 - Zeller, Tanja A1 - van der Spek, Peter J A1 - Haak, Roxanna A1 - Meijers-Heijboer, Hanne A1 - van Leeuwen, Elisabeth M A1 - Iyengar, Sudha K A1 - Lass, Jonathan H A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Rivadeneira, Fernando A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Vingerling, Johannes R A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Raitakari, Olli T A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Concas, Maria Pina A1 - Schwantes-An, Tae-Hwi A1 - Igo, Robert P A1 - Cuellar-Partida, Gabriel A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - Craig, Jamie E A1 - Gharahkhani, Puya A1 - Williams, Katie M A1 - Nag, Abhishek A1 - Rahi, Jugnoo S A1 - Cumberland, Phillippa M A1 - Delcourt, Cécile A1 - Bellenguez, Céline A1 - Ried, Janina S A1 - Bergen, Arthur A A1 - Meitinger, Thomas A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Wong, Tien Yin A1 - Hewitt, Alex W A1 - Mackey, David A A1 - Simpson, Claire L A1 - Pfeiffer, Norbert A1 - Pärssinen, Olavi A1 - Baird, Paul N A1 - Vitart, Veronique A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Bailey-Wilson, Joan E A1 - Young, Terri L A1 - Saw, Seang-Mei A1 - Stambolian, Dwight A1 - MacGregor, Stuart A1 - Guggenheim, Jeremy A A1 - Tung, Joyce Y A1 - Hammond, Christopher J A1 - Klaver, Caroline C W AB -

Refractive errors, including myopia, are the most frequent eye disorders worldwide and an increasingly common cause of blindness. This genome-wide association meta-analysis in 160,420 participants and replication in 95,505 participants increased the number of established independent signals from 37 to 161 and showed high genetic correlation between Europeans and Asians (>0.78). Expression experiments and comprehensive in silico analyses identified retinal cell physiology and light processing as prominent mechanisms, and also identified functional contributions to refractive-error development in all cell types of the neurosensory retina, retinal pigment epithelium, vascular endothelium and extracellular matrix. Newly identified genes implicate novel mechanisms such as rod-and-cone bipolar synaptic neurotransmission, anterior-segment morphology and angiogenesis. Thirty-one loci resided in or near regions transcribing small RNAs, thus suggesting a role for post-transcriptional regulation. Our results support the notion that refractive errors are caused by a light-dependent retina-to-sclera signaling cascade and delineate potential pathobiological molecular drivers.

VL - 50 IS - 6 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29808027?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - A genome-wide association study of corneal astigmatism: The CREAM Consortium. JF - Mol Vis Y1 - 2018 A1 - Shah, Rupal L A1 - Li, Qing A1 - Zhao, Wanting A1 - Tedja, Milly S A1 - Tideman, J Willem L A1 - Khawaja, Anthony P A1 - Fan, Qiao A1 - Yazar, Seyhan A1 - Williams, Katie M A1 - Verhoeven, Virginie J M A1 - Xie, Jing A1 - Wang, Ya Xing A1 - Hess, Moritz A1 - Nickels, Stefan A1 - Lackner, Karl J A1 - Pärssinen, Olavi A1 - Wedenoja, Juho A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Concas, Maria Pina A1 - Uitterlinden, André A1 - Rivadeneira, Fernando A1 - Jaddoe, Vincent W V A1 - Hysi, Pirro G A1 - Sim, Xueling A1 - Tan, Nicholas A1 - Tham, Yih-Chung A1 - Sensaki, Sonoko A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Vingerling, Johannes R A1 - Jonas, Jost B A1 - Mitchell, Paul A1 - Hammond, Christopher J A1 - Höhn, René A1 - Baird, Paul N A1 - Wong, Tien-Yin A1 - Cheng, Chinfsg-Yu A1 - Teo, Yik Ying A1 - Mackey, David A A1 - Williams, Cathy A1 - Saw, Seang-Mei A1 - Klaver, Caroline C W A1 - Guggenheim, Jeremy A A1 - Bailey-Wilson, Joan E KW - Acid Phosphatase KW - Asian Continental Ancestry Group KW - Astigmatism KW - Claudins KW - Cohort Studies KW - Cornea KW - Corneal Diseases KW - European Continental Ancestry Group KW - Gene Expression KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Humans KW - Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins KW - Odds Ratio KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha KW - Software AB -

Purpose: To identify genes and genetic markers associated with corneal astigmatism.

Methods: A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of corneal astigmatism undertaken for 14 European ancestry (n=22,250) and 8 Asian ancestry (n=9,120) cohorts was performed by the Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia. Cases were defined as having >0.75 diopters of corneal astigmatism. Subsequent gene-based and gene-set analyses of the meta-analyzed results of European ancestry cohorts were performed using VEGAS2 and MAGMA software. Additionally, estimates of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability for corneal and refractive astigmatism and the spherical equivalent were calculated for Europeans using LD score regression.

Results: The meta-analysis of all cohorts identified a genome-wide significant locus near the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha () gene: top SNP: rs7673984, odds ratio=1.12 (95% CI:1.08-1.16), p=5.55×10. No other genome-wide significant loci were identified in the combined analysis or European/Asian ancestry-specific analyses. Gene-based analysis identified three novel candidate genes for corneal astigmatism in Europeans-claudin-7 (), acid phosphatase 2, lysosomal (), and TNF alpha-induced protein 8 like 3 ().

Conclusions: In addition to replicating a previously identified genome-wide significant locus for corneal astigmatism near the gene, gene-based analysis identified three novel candidate genes, , , and , that warrant further investigation to understand their role in the pathogenesis of corneal astigmatism. The much lower number of genetic variants and genes demonstrating an association with corneal astigmatism compared to published spherical equivalent GWAS analyses suggest a greater influence of rare genetic variants, non-additive genetic effects, or environmental factors in the development of astigmatism.

VL - 24 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29422769?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome-wide association study identifies 74 loci associated with educational attainment. JF - Nature Y1 - 2016 A1 - Okbay, Aysu A1 - Beauchamp, Jonathan P A1 - Fontana, Mark Alan A1 - Lee, James J A1 - Pers, Tune H A1 - Rietveld, Cornelius A A1 - Turley, Patrick A1 - Chen, Guo-Bo A1 - Emilsson, Valur A1 - Meddens, S Fleur W A1 - Oskarsson, Sven A1 - Pickrell, Joseph K A1 - Thom, Kevin A1 - Timshel, Pascal A1 - de Vlaming, Ronald A1 - Abdellaoui, Abdel A1 - Ahluwalia, Tarunveer S A1 - Bacelis, Jonas A1 - Baumbach, Clemens A1 - Bjornsdottir, Gyda A1 - Brandsma, Johannes H A1 - Pina Concas, Maria A1 - Derringer, Jaime A1 - Furlotte, Nicholas A A1 - Galesloot, Tessel E A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Gupta, Richa A1 - Hall, Leanne M A1 - Harris, Sarah E A1 - Hofer, Edith A1 - Horikoshi, Momoko A1 - Huffman, Jennifer E A1 - Kaasik, Kadri A1 - Kalafati, Ioanna P A1 - Karlsson, Robert A1 - Kong, Augustine A1 - Lahti, Jari A1 - van der Lee, Sven J A1 - deLeeuw, Christiaan A1 - Lind, Penelope A A1 - Lindgren, Karl-Oskar A1 - Liu, Tian A1 - Mangino, Massimo A1 - Marten, Jonathan A1 - Mihailov, Evelin A1 - Miller, Michael B A1 - van der Most, Peter J A1 - Oldmeadow, Christopher A1 - Payton, Antony A1 - Pervjakova, Natalia A1 - Peyrot, Wouter J A1 - Qian, Yong A1 - Raitakari, Olli A1 - Rueedi, Rico A1 - Salvi, Erika A1 - Schmidt, Börge A1 - Schraut, Katharina E A1 - Shi, Jianxin A1 - Smith, Albert V A1 - Poot, Raymond A A1 - St Pourcain, Beate A1 - Teumer, Alexander A1 - Thorleifsson, Gudmar A1 - Verweij, Niek A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Wellmann, Juergen A1 - Westra, Harm-Jan A1 - Yang, Jingyun A1 - Zhao, Wei A1 - Zhu, Zhihong A1 - Alizadeh, Behrooz Z A1 - Amin, Najaf A1 - Bakshi, Andrew A1 - Baumeister, Sebastian E A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Bønnelykke, Klaus A1 - Boyle, Patricia A A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - Cappuccio, Francesco P A1 - Davies, Gail A1 - De Neve, Jan-Emmanuel A1 - Deloukas, Panos A1 - Demuth, Ilja A1 - Ding, Jun A1 - Eibich, Peter A1 - Eisele, Lewin A1 - Eklund, Niina A1 - Evans, David M A1 - Faul, Jessica D A1 - Feitosa, Mary F A1 - Forstner, Andreas J A1 - Gandin, Ilaria A1 - Gunnarsson, Bjarni A1 - Halldórsson, Bjarni V A1 - Harris, Tamara B A1 - Heath, Andrew C A1 - Hocking, Lynne J A1 - Holliday, Elizabeth G A1 - Homuth, Georg A1 - Horan, Michael A A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - de Jager, Philip L A1 - Joshi, Peter K A1 - Jugessur, Astanand A1 - Kaakinen, Marika A A1 - Kähönen, Mika A1 - Kanoni, Stavroula A1 - Keltigangas-Järvinen, Liisa A1 - Kiemeney, Lambertus A L M A1 - Kolcic, Ivana A1 - Koskinen, Seppo A1 - Kraja, Aldi T A1 - Kroh, Martin A1 - Kutalik, Zoltán A1 - Latvala, Antti A1 - Launer, Lenore J A1 - Lebreton, Maël P A1 - Levinson, Douglas F A1 - Lichtenstein, Paul A1 - Lichtner, Peter A1 - Liewald, David C M A1 - Loukola, Anu A1 - Madden, Pamela A A1 - Mägi, Reedik A1 - Mäki-Opas, Tomi A1 - Marioni, Riccardo E A1 - Marques-Vidal, Pedro A1 - Meddens, Gerardus A A1 - McMahon, George A1 - Meisinger, Christa A1 - Meitinger, Thomas A1 - Milaneschi, Yusplitri A1 - Milani, Lili A1 - Montgomery, Grant W A1 - Myhre, Ronny A1 - Nelson, Christopher P A1 - Nyholt, Dale R A1 - Ollier, William E R A1 - Palotie, Aarno A1 - Paternoster, Lavinia A1 - Pedersen, Nancy L A1 - Petrovic, Katja E A1 - Porteous, David J A1 - Räikkönen, Katri A1 - Ring, Susan M A1 - Robino, Antonietta A1 - Rostapshova, Olga A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Rustichini, Aldo A1 - Salomaa, Veikko A1 - Sanders, Alan R A1 - Sarin, Antti-Pekka A1 - Schmidt, Helena A1 - Scott, Rodney J A1 - Smith, Blair H A1 - Smith, Jennifer A A1 - Staessen, Jan A A1 - Steinhagen-Thiessen, Elisabeth A1 - Strauch, Konstantin A1 - Terracciano, Antonio A1 - Tobin, Martin D A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Vaccargiu, Simona A1 - Quaye, Lydia A1 - van Rooij, Frank J A A1 - Venturini, Cristina A1 - Vinkhuyzen, Anna A E A1 - Völker, Uwe A1 - Völzke, Henry A1 - Vonk, Judith M A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Waage, Johannes A1 - Ware, Erin B A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Attia, John R A1 - Bennett, David A A1 - Berger, Klaus A1 - Bertram, Lars A1 - Bisgaard, Hans A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I A1 - Borecki, Ingrid B A1 - Bültmann, Ute A1 - Chabris, Christopher F A1 - Cucca, Francesco A1 - Cusi, Daniele A1 - Deary, Ian J A1 - Dedoussis, George V A1 - van Duijn, Cornelia M A1 - Eriksson, Johan G A1 - Franke, Barbara A1 - Franke, Lude A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Gejman, Pablo V A1 - Gieger, Christian A1 - Grabe, Hans-Jörgen A1 - Gratten, Jacob A1 - Groenen, Patrick J F A1 - Gudnason, Vilmundur A1 - van der Harst, Pim A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Hinds, David A A1 - Hoffmann, Wolfgang A1 - Hyppönen, Elina A1 - Iacono, William G A1 - Jacobsson, Bo A1 - Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta A1 - Jöckel, Karl-Heinz A1 - Kaprio, Jaakko A1 - Kardia, Sharon L R A1 - Lehtimäki, Terho A1 - Lehrer, Steven F A1 - Magnusson, Patrik K E A1 - Martin, Nicholas G A1 - McGue, Matt A1 - Metspalu, Andres A1 - Pendleton, Neil A1 - Penninx, Brenda W J H A1 - Perola, Markus A1 - Pirastu, Nicola A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Posthuma, Danielle A1 - Power, Christine A1 - Province, Michael A A1 - Samani, Nilesh J A1 - Schlessinger, David A1 - Schmidt, Reinhold A1 - Sørensen, Thorkild I A A1 - Spector, Tim D A1 - Stefansson, Kari A1 - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur A1 - Thurik, A Roy A1 - Timpson, Nicholas J A1 - Tiemeier, Henning A1 - Tung, Joyce Y A1 - Uitterlinden, André G A1 - Vitart, Veronique A1 - Vollenweider, Peter A1 - Weir, David R A1 - Wilson, James F A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Conley, Dalton C A1 - Krueger, Robert F A1 - Davey Smith, George A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Laibson, David I A1 - Medland, Sarah E A1 - Meyer, Michelle N A1 - Yang, Jian A1 - Johannesson, Magnus A1 - Visscher, Peter M A1 - Esko, Tõnu A1 - Koellinger, Philipp D A1 - Cesarini, David A1 - Benjamin, Daniel J KW - Alzheimer Disease KW - Bipolar Disorder KW - Brain KW - Cognition KW - Computational Biology KW - Educational Status KW - Fetus KW - Gene Expression Regulation KW - Gene-Environment Interaction KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Great Britain KW - Humans KW - Molecular Sequence Annotation KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Schizophrenia AB -

Educational attainment is strongly influenced by social and other environmental factors, but genetic factors are estimated to account for at least 20% of the variation across individuals. Here we report the results of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for educational attainment that extends our earlier discovery sample of 101,069 individuals to 293,723 individuals, and a replication study in an independent sample of 111,349 individuals from the UK Biobank. We identify 74 genome-wide significant loci associated with the number of years of schooling completed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with educational attainment are disproportionately found in genomic regions regulating gene expression in the fetal brain. Candidate genes are preferentially expressed in neural tissue, especially during the prenatal period, and enriched for biological pathways involved in neural development. Our findings demonstrate that, even for a behavioural phenotype that is mostly environmentally determined, a well-powered GWAS identifies replicable associated genetic variants that suggest biologically relevant pathways. Because educational attainment is measured in large numbers of individuals, it will continue to be useful as a proxy phenotype in efforts to characterize the genetic influences of related phenotypes, including cognition and neuropsychiatric diseases.

VL - 533 IS - 7604 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27225129?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Genome-wide association analysis on normal hearing function identifies PCDH20 and SLC28A3 as candidates for hearing function and loss. JF - Hum Mol Genet Y1 - 2015 A1 - Vuckovic, Dragana A1 - Dawson, Sally A1 - Scheffer, Deborah I A1 - Rantanen, Taina A1 - Morgan, Anna A1 - Di Stazio, Mariateresa A1 - Vozzi, Diego A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Concas, Maria P A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Nolan, Lisa A1 - Bahl, Aileen A1 - Loukola, Anu A1 - Viljanen, Anne A1 - Davis, Adrian A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Corey, David P A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - Girotto, Giorgia AB -

Hearing loss and individual differences in normal hearing both have a substantial genetic basis. Although many new genes contributing to deafness have been identified, very little is known about genes/variants modulating the normal range of hearing ability. To fill this gap, we performed a two-stage meta-analysis on hearing thresholds (tested at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz) and on pure-tone averages (low-, medium- and high-frequency thresholds grouped) in several isolated populations from Italy and Central Asia (total N = 2636). Here, we detected two genome-wide significant loci close to PCDH20 and SLC28A3 (top hits: rs78043697, P = 4.71E-10 and rs7032430, P = 2.39E-09, respectively). For both loci, we sought replication in two independent cohorts: B58C from the UK (N = 5892) and FITSA from Finland (N = 270). Both loci were successfully replicated at a nominal level of significance (P < 0.05). In order to confirm our quantitative findings, we carried out RT-PCR and reported RNA-Seq data, which showed that both genes are expressed in mouse inner ear, especially in hair cells, further suggesting them as good candidates for modulatory genes in the auditory system. Sequencing data revealed no functional variants in the coding region of PCDH20 or SLC28A3, suggesting that variation in regulatory sequences may affect expression. Overall, these results contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying human hearing function.

VL - 24 IS - 19 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26188009?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Platelet diameters in inherited thrombocytopenias: analysis of 376 patients with all known disorders. JF - Blood Y1 - 2014 A1 - Noris, Patrizia A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Pecci, Alessandro A1 - Civaschi, Elisa A1 - Savoia, Anna A1 - Seri, Marco A1 - Melazzini, Federica A1 - Loffredo, Giuseppe A1 - Russo, Giovanna A1 - Bozzi, Valeria A1 - Notarangelo, Lucia Dora A1 - Gresele, Paolo A1 - Heller, Paula G A1 - Pujol-Moix, Núria A1 - Kunishima, Shinji A1 - Cattaneo, Marco A1 - Bussel, James A1 - De Candia, Erica A1 - Cagioni, Claudia A1 - Ramenghi, Ugo A1 - Barozzi, Serena A1 - Fabris, Fabrizio A1 - Balduini, Carlo L KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Blood Platelets KW - Case-Control Studies KW - Cell Size KW - Child KW - Child, Preschool KW - Diagnosis, Differential KW - Female KW - Hearing Loss, Sensorineural KW - Humans KW - Infant KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Molecular Motor Proteins KW - Mutation KW - Myosin Heavy Chains KW - Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic KW - Thrombocytopenia KW - Young Adult AB -

Abnormalities of platelet size are one of the distinguishing features of inherited thrombocytopenias (ITs), and evaluation of blood films is recommended as an essential step for differential diagnosis of these disorders. Nevertheless, what we presently know about this subject is derived mainly from anecdotal evidence. To improve knowledge in this field, we evaluated platelet size on blood films obtained from 376 patients with all 19 forms of IT identified so far and found that these conditions differ not only in mean platelet diameter, but also in platelet diameter distribution width and the percentage of platelets with increased or reduced diameters. On the basis of these findings, we propose a new classification of ITs according to platelet size. It distinguishes forms with giant platelets, with large platelets, with normal or slightly increased platelet size, and with normal or slightly decreased platelet size. We also measured platelet diameters in 87 patients with immune thrombocytopenia and identified cutoff values for mean platelet diameter and the percentage of platelets with increased or reduced size that have good diagnostic accuracy in differentiating ITs with giant platelets and with normal or slightly decreased platelet size from immune thrombocytopenia and all other forms of IT.

VL - 124 IS - 6 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24990887?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Alteration of liver enzymes is a feature of the MYH9-related disease syndrome. JF - PLoS One Y1 - 2012 A1 - Pecci, Alessandro A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Fierro, Tiziana A1 - Bozzi, Valeria A1 - Mezzasoma, Annamaria A1 - Noris, Patrizia A1 - Ramenghi, Ugo A1 - Loffredo, Giuseppe A1 - Fabris, Fabrizio A1 - Momi, Stefania A1 - Magrini, Umberto A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Savoia, Anna A1 - Balduini, Carlo A1 - Gresele, Paolo KW - Abnormalities, Multiple KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Aged, 80 and over KW - Biopsy KW - Case-Control Studies KW - Child KW - Child, Preschool KW - Demography KW - Female KW - Follow-Up Studies KW - Humans KW - Immunohistochemistry KW - Infant KW - Liver KW - Liver Function Tests KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Molecular Motor Proteins KW - Mutation KW - Myosin Heavy Chains KW - Odds Ratio KW - Syndrome KW - Young Adult AB -

BACKGROUND: MYH9-related disease (MYH9-RD) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic syndrome characterized by congenital thrombocytopenia associated with the risk of developing progressive nephropathy, sensorineural deafness, and presenile cataract. During the collection of a large case-series of patients with MYH9-RD we noticed several cases with unexplained elevation of liver enzymes. Our aim was to evaluate if the alteration of liver tests is a feature of the MYH9-RD and to define its clinical significance.

METHODS AND FINDINGS: Data concerning liver tests, prospectively recorded in the Italian Registry for MYH9-RD, were collected and compared with those of three control populations: patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia, patients with inherited thrombocytopenias other than MYH9-RD, and the participants to a large epidemiologic survey in an Italian geographic isolate. Thirty-eight of 75 evaluable MYH9-RD patients (50.7%) showed an elevation of ALT and/or AST, and 17 of 63 (27.0%) an increase of GGT. The increases ranged from 1.9 ± 0.7 to 2.7 ± 1.6 fold the upper normal limit. The prevalence of liver test alterations was significantly higher in MYH9-RD patients than in each of the control populations, with odds ratios ranging from 8.2 (95% CIs 2.2-44.8) to 24.7 (14.8-40.8). Clinical follow-up and more detailed liver studies of a subset of patients, including ultrasound liver scan, liver elastography and liver biopsy in one case, did not show any significant structural damage or evolution towards liver insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of liver enzymes is a frequent and previously unrecognized feature of the MYH9-RD syndrome; however, this defect does not appear to have poor prognostic value.

VL - 7 IS - 4 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22558294?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Influence of age, sex and ethnicity on platelet count in five Italian geographic isolates: mild thrombocytopenia may be physiological. JF - Br J Haematol Y1 - 2012 A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Gasparini, Paolo A1 - d'Adamo, Pio A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Toniolo, Daniela A1 - Sala, Cinzia A1 - Minelli, Cosetta A1 - Gögele, Martin A1 - Balduini, Carlo L KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Age Distribution KW - Aged KW - Aged, 80 and over KW - Child KW - Child, Preschool KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Infant KW - Italy KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Platelet Count KW - Reference Values KW - Sex Distribution KW - Thrombocytopenia KW - Young Adult VL - 157 IS - 3 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22171955?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Hearing function and thresholds: a genome-wide association study in European isolated populations identifies new loci and pathways. JF - J Med Genet Y1 - 2011 A1 - Girotto, Giorgia A1 - Pirastu, Nicola A1 - Sorice, Rossella A1 - Biino, Ginevra A1 - Campbell, Harry A1 - d'Adamo, Adamo P A1 - Hastie, Nicholas D A1 - Nutile, Teresa A1 - Polasek, Ozren A1 - Portas, Laura A1 - Rudan, Igor A1 - Ulivi, Sheila A1 - Zemunik, Tatijana A1 - Wright, Alan F A1 - Ciullo, Marina A1 - Hayward, Caroline A1 - Pirastu, Mario A1 - Gasparini, Paolo KW - Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing KW - Animals KW - Auditory Threshold KW - Carrier Proteins KW - Databases, Genetic KW - Europe KW - European Continental Ancestry Group KW - Female KW - Founder Effect KW - Genetic Linkage KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Hearing KW - Hearing Loss KW - Humans KW - Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins KW - Male KW - Mice KW - Phenotype KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases KW - Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 2 KW - Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate AB -

BACKGROUND: Hearing is a complex trait, but until now only a few genes are known to contribute to variability of this process. In order to discover genes and pathways that underlie auditory function, a genome-wide association study was carried out within the International Consortium G-EAR.

METHODS: Meta-analysis of genome-wide association study's data from six isolated populations of European ancestry for an overall number of 3417 individuals.

RESULTS: Eight suggestive significant loci (p<10(-7)) were detected with a series of genes expressed within the inner ear such as: DCLK1, PTPRD, GRM8, CMIP. Additional biological candidates marked by a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with a suggestive association (p<10(-6)) were identified, as well as loci encompassing 'gene desert regions'-genes of unknown function or genes whose function has not be linked to hearing so far. Some of these new loci map to already known hereditary hearing loss loci whose genes still need to be identified. Data have also been used to construct a highly significant 'in silico' pathway for hearing function characterised by a network of 49 genes, 34 of which are certainly expressed in the ear.

CONCLUSION: These results provide new insights into the molecular basis of hearing function and may suggest new targets for hearing impairment treatment and prevention.

VL - 48 IS - 6 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21493956?dopt=Abstract ER -