Genome-wide analysis of carotid plaque burden suggests a role of IL5 in men.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carotid artery plaque is an established marker of subclinical atherosclerosis with pronounced sex-dimorphism. Here, we aimed to identify genetic variants associated with carotid plaque burden (CPB) and to examine potential sex-specific genetic effects on plaque sizes.

Methods and results

We defined six operationalizations of CPB considering plaques in common carotid arteries, carotid bulb, and internal carotid arteries. We performed sex-specific genome-wide association analyses for all traits in the LIFE-Adult cohort (n = 727 men and n = 550 women) and tested significantly associated loci for sex-specific effects. In order to identify causal genes, we analyzed candidate gene expression data for correlation with CPB traits and corresponding sex-specific effects. Fu

SUBMITTER: Pott J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7259763 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature