Genetically predicted cortisol levels and risk of venous thromboembolism

Introduction - In observational studies, venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been associated with Cushing’s syndrome and with persistent mental stress, two conditions associated with higher cortisol levels. However, it remains unknown whether high cortisol levels within the usual range are causally associated with VTE risk. We aimed to assess the association between plasma cortisol levels and VTE risk using Mendelian randomization. Methods - Three genetic variants in the SERPINA1/SERPINA6 locus (rs12589136, rs11621961 and rs2749527) were used to proxy plasma cortisol. The associations of the cortisol-associated genetic variants with VTE were acquired from the INVENT (28 907 cases and 157 243 non-cases) and FinnGen (6913 cases and 169 986 non-cases) consortia. Corresponding data for VTE subtypes were available from the FinnGen consortium and UK Biobank. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses (inverse-variance weighted method) were performed. Results - Genetic predisposition to higher plasma cortisol levels was associated with a reduced risk of VTE (odds ratio [OR] per one standard deviation increment 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.87, p Conclusions - This study provides evidence that genetically predicted plasma cortisol levels in the high end of the normal range are associated with a decreased risk of VTE and that this association may be mediated by blood pressure. This study has implications for the planning of observational studies of cortisol and VTE, suggesting that blood pressure traits should be measured and accounted for

Cerebral small vessel disease genomics and its implications across the lifespan

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are the most common brain-imaging feature of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), hypertension being the main known risk factor. Here, we identify 27 genome-wide loci for WMH-volume in a cohort of 50,970 older individuals, accounting for modification/confounding by hypertension. Aggregated WMH risk variants were associated with altered white matter integrity (p = 2.5×10-7) in brain images from 1,738 young healthy adults, providing insight into the lifetime impact of SVD genetic risk. Mendelian randomization suggested causal association of increasing WMH-volume with stroke, Alzheimer-type dementia, and of increasing blood pressure (BP) with larger WMH-volume, notably also in persons without clinical hypertension. Transcriptome-wide colocalization analyses showed association of WMH-volume with expression of 39 genes, of which four encode known drug targets. Finally, we provide insight into BP-independent biological pathways underlying SVD and suggest potential for genetic stratification of high-risk individuals and for genetically-informed prioritization of drug targets for prevention trials.Peer reviewe

Stroke genetics informs drug discovery and risk prediction across ancestries

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of stroke — the second leading cause of death worldwide — were conducted predominantly in populations of European ancestry1,2. Here, in cross-ancestry GWAS meta-analyses of 110,182 patients who have had a stroke (five ancestries, 33% non-European) and 1,503,898 control individuals, we identify association signals for stroke and its subtypes at 89 (61 new) independent loci: 60 in primary inverse-variance-weighted analyses and 29 in secondary meta-regression and multitrait analyses. On the basis of internal cross-ancestry validation and an independent follow-up in 89,084 additional cases of stroke (30% non-European) and 1,013,843 control individuals, 87% of the primary stroke risk loci and 60% of the secondary stroke risk loci were replicated (P < 0.05). Effect sizes were highly correlated across ancestries. Cross-ancestry fine-mapping, in silico mutagenesis analysis3, and transcriptome-wide and proteome-wide association analyses revealed putative causal genes (such as SH3PXD2A and FURIN) and variants (such as at GRK5 and NOS3). Using a three-pronged approach4, we provide genetic evidence for putative drug effects, highlighting F11, KLKB1, PROC, GP1BA, LAMC2 and VCAM1 as possible targets, with drugs already under investigation for stroke for F11 and PROC. A polygenic score integrating cross-ancestry and ancestry-specific stroke GWASs with vascular-risk factor GWASs (integrative polygenic scores) strongly predicted ischaemic stroke in populations of European, East Asian and African ancestry5. Stroke genetic risk scores were predictive of ischaemic stroke independent of clinical risk factors in 52,600 clinical-trial participants with cardiometabolic disease. Our results provide insights to inform biology, reveal potential drug targets and derive genetic risk prediction tools across ancestries

Identification of genetic variants associated with venous thrombosis

La maladie thromboembolique veineuse (MTEV) résulte de l’interaction entre des facteurs environnementaux et génétiques. Cinq anomalies constitutionnelles constituent le bilan de thrombophilie (BT) : les déficits en AT, PC et PS, le facteur V Leiden et la mutation de la prothrombine. Seule la moitié des déficits « présumés » en PS trouvent une explication moléculaire. Dans le premier article, seuls les patients présentant une mutation délétère du gène de la PS (PROS1) étaient à risque de MTEV. Seuls des taux <30%, permettaient de dépister les mutations délétères. La mutation Heerlen située sur PROS1 est réputée neutre. Dans le second article, la mutation Heerlen était associée à un risque de MTEV de 6,57. De récentes études ont identifié une trentaine de polymorphismes associés à la MTEV. Cependant, leur impact dans les familles présentant un facteur biologique de risque est méconnu. De même, l’impact de facteurs environnementaux tels que l’obésité et le tabagisme est mal évalué dans ces familles. Dans le troisième article, la prise en compte de 5 facteurs de risque fréquents à effet faible (obésité, tabac, groupe sanguin et deux polymorphismes situés sur F11 et FGG) en complément du dépistage de l’anomalie familiale permettait de mieux caractériser le risque individuel. Nous avons testé la même stratégie dans une population spécifique de femmes sous contraceptifs oraux combinés (4ème article). Trois facteurs de risque fréquents (groupe sanguin, obésité et un polymorphisme de F11) étaient associés à un OR de 13 lorsqu’ils étaient combinés. Au total, la prise en compte de facteurs de risque fréquents à effet faible, permettait une meilleure évaluation du risque individuel.Venous thromboembolism (VT) results from the interaction between environmental and genetic factors. Five inherited hemostatic defects are part of the thrombophilia screening (TS): AT, PC and PS deficiencies, factor V Leiden and prothrombin mutation. A molecular defect is identified in only half of assumed PS deficiencies. In the first article, only detrimental mutations (DM) located on PROS1 (PS gene) increased VT risk. Only free PS levels below 30% enabled the identification of DM. PS Heerlen mutation located within PROS1 has been considered neutral for a long time. In the second article, the association between PS Heerlen and VT has been tested in a sample of 4173 patients with VT history and 5970 healthy individuals. PS Heerlen was associated with a 6.57 increased risk of VT. Recent genome wide association studies identified nearly 30 polymorphisms associated with VT. However, the impact of such polymorphisms in families with known defects is uncertain. We therefore tested in a third article the association between 11 selected polymorphisms, obesity, smoking and VT in 651 families with known thrombophilia. Considering 5 common risk factors (obesity, smoking, ABO blood group, two polymorphisms located on FGG and F11) together with the TS resulted in a better assessment of VT risk in individuals from families with thrombophilia. We then applied the same strategy in a sample of women using combined oral contraceptives. Three common risk factors (non-O blood groups, obesity and a polymorphism located on F11), when combined, were associated with a 13 OR. In conclusion, considering common risk factors improved the individual assessment of VT risk

α1 -antitrypsin Pittsburgh and plasmin-mediated proteolysis

International audienceEssentials Patients with α-1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) Pittsburgh exhibit a mild bleeding tendency. A new case of α1-AT Pittsburgh with suspected high antifibrinolytic potential was studied. We showed that α1-AT Pittsburgh inhibits tissue plasminogen activator and plasmin. The antifibrinolytic potential of the variant contributes to explaining the mild bleeding phenotype.α1 -Antitrypsin (α1 -AT) Pittsburgh has a Met358 to Arg substitution at the reactive Met-Ser site of α1 -AT, which enables the protein to act as a potent thrombin inhibitor. Four patients with α1 -AT Pittsburgh have been described to date. An additional young girl was recently diagnosed with α1 -AT Pittsburgh in our center after presenting with a large hematoma in the forearm. Interestingly, all of these patients showed a potent thrombin inhibitor in the plasma and a mild bleeding phenotype. This observation suggests that the in vivo consequences of the mutation may contribute to the maintenance of normal hemostatic balance. We assessed inhibition of the fibrinolytic system by the variant protein by evaluating the fibrinolysis inhibitory potential of the patient's plasma, purified wild-type α1 -AT and purified Pittsburgh α1 -AT with an electrophoretic zymography system, western blotting, and clot fibrinolysis. Our results indicate that the patient's plasma and purified α1 -AT Pittsburgh have strong potential to inhibit tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasmin

The effects of the Fenton reaction are limited by zeolites in vitro

International audienceWe report the effects of zeolite pore systems in limiting the oxidation of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in plasma using the mixing of FeCl2 and H2O2 (“Fenton solution”) as an oxidant. We tested three homemade zeolites and nineteen natural zeolites. Six polar zeolites were effective in restricting the oxidation of vitamin C and the majority of them acted by chelation of ferrous/ferric chloride. Faujasite (FAU13x) was the most active ROS scavenger. On the other hand, two natural zeolites, Goosecreekite and Stilbite (GOOnat and STInat), inhibited the oxidation of vitamin C by action on the reduction of hydrogen peroxide concentration to form H2O. Our hypothesis suggests that effective zeolites have the advantage of never being saturated in the time. Here, for the first time, we identified a substrate (zeolite) which acts directly on the two substrates (Fe2+/H2O2) to limit ROS formation

Economic evaluation of a novel genetic screening test for risk of venous thromboembolism compared with standard of care in women considering combined hormonal contraception in Switzerland

AIM The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of the Pill Protect (PP) genetic screening test for venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk compared with standard of care (SoC), for women considering combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) in Switzerland. METHODS A two-part microsimulation model was developed to estimate VTE events, costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with the PP and SoC strategies. In the first portion of the model, a cohort of 1 million Swiss first-time seekers of a CHC were simulated. It was determined whether each women would receive a CHC or non-CHC by using prescribing patterns elicited from a modified Delphi study. These results formed the basis of the SoC strategy. For the PP strategy, a PP test was included and the results considered in addition to SoC practice. Each woman then entered a Markov model that captured morbidity and mortality over a lifetime. The risk of having a VTE was derived from the risk algorithm that underpins the PP test. The remaining model inputs relating to population characteristics, costs, health resource use, mortality and utilities were derived from published studies or national sources. The model was validated and calibrated to align with population-based studies. Extensive uncertainty analyses were conducted. RESULTS From a Swiss health system perspective, the PP strategy in comparison with the SoC strategy generated an additional CHF 231, and gained 0.003 QALYs per woman, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CHF 76 610 per QALY gained. Assuming a threshold of CHF 100 000 per QALY gained, the PP strategy is likely to be cost effective. Our results were generally robust to variations in the parameter values. CONCLUSIONS The PP test may be cost effective in Switzerland for screening women seeking CHCs for their risk of VTE based on the current evidence

Common Risk Factors Add to Inherited Thrombophilia to Predict Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Families

International audienceThe clinical venous thromboembolism (VTE) pattern often shows wide heterogeneity within relatives of a VTE-affected family, although they carry the same thrombophilia defect. It is then mandatory to develop additional tools for assessing VTE risk in families with thrombophilia. This study aims to assess whether common environmental and genetic risk factors for VTE contribute to explain this heterogeneity. A total of 2,214 relatives from 651 families with known inherited thrombophilia were recruited at the referral center for thrombophilia in Marseilles, France, from 1986 to 2013. A thrombophilia screening was systematically performed in all included relatives. According to the severity of the thrombophilia defect, individuals were split into three groups: no familial defect, mild thrombophilia, and severe thrombophilia. In addition, common genetic factors (ABO blood group and 11 polymorphisms selected on the basis of their association with VTE in the general population) were genotyped. Furthermore, body mass index and smoking were collected. VTE incidence was 1.74, 3.64, and 6.40 per 1,000 person-years in individuals with no familial defect, mild thrombophilia, and severe thrombophilia, respectively. Five common risk factors were associated with VTE in this population: obesity, smoking, ABO blood group, and F11_rs2036914 and FGG_rs2066865 polymorphisms. These common factors were then included into a three-level risk score. The score was highly efficient for assessing VTE risk in mild thrombophilia patients by identifying two groups with different VTE risk; individuals with low score had the same risk as individuals with no familial defect whereas individuals with high score had the same risk as individuals with severe thrombophilia. An overall score including the five items plus the thrombophilia status was built and displayed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.702 for discriminating VTE and non-VTE relatives. In conclusion, integrating common environmental and genetic risk factors improved VTE risk assessment in relatives from families with thrombophilia. Ã Equally contributed to the article

Bayesian Network Analysis of plasma microRNA sequencing data in patients with venous thrombosis

International audienceMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs participating to several biological processes and known to be involved in various pathologies. Measurable in body fluids, miRNAs have been proposed to serve as efficient biomarkers for diseases and/or associated traits. We here performed a next-generation-sequencing based profiling of plasma miRNAs in 344 patients with venous thrombosis (VT) and assessed the association of plasma miRNA levels with several haemostatic traits and the risk of VT recurrence. Among the most significant findings, we detected an association between hsa-miR-199b-3p and hematocrit 2 levels (p = 0.0016), these two markers having both been independently reported to associate with VT risk. We also observed suggestive evidence for association of hsa-miR-370-3p (p = 0.019), hsa-miR-27b-3p (p = 0.016) and hsa-miR-222-3p (p = 0.049) with VT recurrence, the observations at the latter two miRNAs confirming the recent findings of Wang et al. (Clin Epigenetics 2019). Besides, by conducting Genome Wide Association Studies on miRNA levels and meta-analyzing our results with some publicly available, we identified 21 new associations of SNP with plasma miRNA levels at the statistical significance threshold of p < 5 × 10-8 , some of these associations pertaining to thrombosis associated mechanisms. In conclusion, this study provides novel data about the impact of miRNAs' variability in haemostasis and new arguments supporting the association of few miRNAs with the risk of recurrence in patients with venous thrombosis