Intersecting single-cell transcriptomics and genome-wide association studies identifies crucial cell populations and candidate genes for atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have discovered hundreds of common genetic variants for atherosclerotic disease and cardiovascular risk factors. The translation of susceptibility loci into biological mechanisms and targets for drug discovery remains challenging. Intersecting genetic and gene expression data has led to the identification of candidate genes. However, previously studied tissues are often non-diseased and heterogeneous in cell composition, hindering accurate candidate prioritization. Therefore, we analysed single-cell transcriptomics from atherosclerotic plaques for cell-type-specific expression to identify atherosclerosis-associated candidate gene-cell pairs.

Methods and results

We applied gene-based analyses using GWAS summary statistics from 46 a

SUBMITTER: Slenders L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8841481 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature