Archiv Publikationen

Genetic associations at 53 loci highlight cell types and biological pathways relevant for kidney function

Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci. Of these 53 loci, 19 associate with eGFR among individuals with diabetes. Using bioinformatics, we show that identified genes at eGFR loci are enriched for expression in kidney tissues and in pathways relevant for kidney development and transmembrane transporter activity, kidney structure, and regulation of glucose metabolism. Chromatin state mapping and DNase I hypersensitivity analyses across adult tissues demonstrate preferential mapping of associated variants to regulatory regions in kidney but not extra-renal tissues. These findings suggest that genetic determinants of eGFR are mediated largely through direct effects within the kidney and highlight important cell types and biological pathways.

Nature Communications, 21. Januar 2016 | PMID 26831199

Human Pigmentation, Cutaneous Vitamin D Synthesis and Evolution: Variants of Genes (SNPs) Involved in Skin Pigmentation Are Associated with 25(OH)D Serum Concentration

Vitamin D deficiency is common and associated with higher risk for and unfavourable outcome of many diseases. Limited data exist on genetic determinants of serum 25(OH)D concentration. In a cohort of the LURIC study (n=2974, median 25(OH)D concentration 15.5 ng/ml), we tested the hypothesis that variants (SNPs, n=244) of several genes (n=15) involved in different aspects of skin pigmentation, including melanosomal biogenesis (ATP7A, DTNBP1, BLOC1S5, PLDN, PMEL), melanosomal transport within melanocytes (RAB27A, MYO5A, MLPH); or various melanocyte signaling pathways (MC1R, MITF, PAX3, SOX10, DKK1, RACK1, CNR1) are predictive of serum 25(OH)D levels. Eleven SNPs located in 6 genes were associated (p<0.05) with low or high serum 25(OH)D levels, 3 out of these 11 SNPs reached the aimed significance level after correction for multiple comparisons (FDR). In the linear regression model adjusted for sex, body mass index (BMI), year of birth and month of blood sample rs7565264 (MLPH), rs10932949 (PAX3), and rs9328451 (BLOC1S5) showed a significant association with 25(OH)D. The combined impact on variation of 25(OH)D serum levels (coefficient of determination (R(2))) for the 11 SNPs was 1.6% and for the 3 SNPs after FDR 0.3%. In Cox Regression we identified rs2292881 (MLPH) as having a significant association (advantage) with overall survival. Kaplan-Meier analysis did not show any significant impact of individual SNPs on overall survival. In conclusion, these results shed new light on the role of sunlight, skin pigmentation and vitamin D for human evolution. Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Anticancer Research März 2016 | PMID 26977047

Kleber ME, Seppälä I, Pilz S, Hoffmann MM, Tomaschitz A, Oksala N, Raitoharju E, Lyytikäinen LP, Mäkelä KM, Laaksonen R, Kähönen M, Raitakari OT, Huang J, Kienreich K, Fahrleitner-Pammer A, Drechsler C, Krane V, Boehm BO, Koenig W, Wanner C, Lehtimäki T, März W, Meinitzer A.

Genome-wide association study identifies 3 genomic loci significantly associated with serum levels of homoarginine: the AtheroRemo Consortium.

Circulation. Cardiovascular genetics, Epub 18.09.2013

Lüblinghoff, Nicola

Einfluss von genetischen Varianten im Promotor des Hämoxygenase-1-Gens auf das koronare Risiko

Daten aus der LURIC-Studie

Dissertation Freiburg 2005 [Erstgutachter: Priv.-Doz. Dr. Karl Winkler]