Genetic loci associated with cardiovascular disease

January 01, 0001

Genetic loci associated with cardiovascular disease

The researchers from the US, UK, Canada, Germany and Italy tested whether genetic factors distinctly contribute to either development of coronary atherosclerosis or, specifically, to myocardial infarction in existing coronary atherosclerosis. They did two genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with coronary angiographic phenotyping in participants of European ancestry. To identify loci that predispose to angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD), they compared individuals who had this disorder (n=12 393) with those who did not (controls, n=7383). To identify loci that predispose to myocardial infarction, theycompared patients who had angiographic CAD and myocardial infarction (n=5783) with those who had angiographic CAD but no myocardial infarction (n=3644).

In the comparison of patients with angiographic CAD versus controls, they identified a novel locus, ADAMTS7 (p=4·98×10-13). In the comparison of patients with angiographic CAD who had myocardial infarction versus those with angiographic CAD but no myocardial infarction, they identified a novel association at the ABO locus (p=7·62×10-9). The ABO association was attributable to the glycotransferase- deficient enzyme that encodes the ABO blood group O phenotype previously proposed to protect against myocardial infarction.

The researchers concluded: "Our findings indicate that specific genetic predispositions promote the development of coronary atherosclerosis whereas others lead to myocardial infarction in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis. The relation to specific CAD phenotypes might modify how novel loci are applied in personalised risk assessment and used in the development of novel therapies for CAD."

Personalised risk assessment and tailored therapies is a fascinating area and can augment public health approaches.

For the full abstract, click here.

The Lancet 15 January 2011 377(9763):383 - 392 © 2011 Elsevier Limited
Identification of ADAMTS7 as a novel locus for coronary atherosclerosis and association of ABO with myocardial infarction in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis: two genome-wide association studies. Muredach P Reilly, Mingyao Li, Jing He et al for the Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium and the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium. Correspondence to Muredach P Reilly: [email protected]

Category: K. Circulatory Keywords: locus, coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, genetics, genome-wide association studies, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 11 Februry 2011

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