Analysis combining correlated glaucoma traits identifies five new risk loci for open-angle glaucoma

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 15;8(1):3124. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20435-9.

Abstract

Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. To identify new risk loci for OAG, we performed a genome-wide association study in 3,071 OAG cases and 6,750 unscreened controls, and meta-analysed the results with GWAS data for intraocular pressure (IOP) and optic disc parameters (the overall meta-analysis sample size varying between 32,000 to 48,000 participants), which are glaucoma-related traits. We identified and independently validated four novel genome-wide significant associations within or near MYOF and CYP26A1, LINC02052 and CRYGS, LMX1B, and LMO7 using single variant tests, one additional locus (C9) using gene-based tests, and two genetic pathways - "response to fluid shear stress" and "abnormal retina morphology" - in pathway-based tests. Interestingly, some of the new risk loci contribute to risk of other genetically-correlated eye diseases including myopia and age-related macular degeneration. To our knowledge, this study is the first integrative study to combine genetic data from OAG and its correlated traits to identify new risk variants and genetic pathways, highlighting the future potential of combining genetic data from genetically-correlated eye traits for the purpose of gene discovery and mapping.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Endophenotypes
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Genotype
  • Glaucoma / etiology
  • Glaucoma / genetics
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / etiology*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / genetics*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / genetics
  • LIM Domain Proteins / genetics
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Optic Disk / physiology
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Retinoic Acid 4-Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Tonometry, Ocular / methods
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Visual Fields / genetics
  • gamma-Crystallins / genetics

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 beta
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • LMO7 protein, human
  • MYOF protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • gamma-Crystallins
  • CRYGS protein, human
  • CYP26A1 protein, human
  • Retinoic Acid 4-Hydroxylase

Grants and funding