Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Phenome-wide Mendelian randomization mapping the influence of the plasma proteome on complex diseases

Jie Zheng, Valeriia Haberland, Denis Baird, Venexia Walker, Philip Haycock, Mark R. Hurle, Alex Gutteridge, Pau Erola, Yi Liu, Shan Luo, Jamie Robinson, Tom G. Richardson, James R Staley, Benjamin Elsworth, Stephen Burgess, Benjamin B. Sun, John Danesh, Heiko Runz, Joseph Maranville, Hannah M. Martin, James Yarmolinsky, Charles Laurin, Michael V. Holmes, Jimmy Z. Liu, Karol Estrada, Rita Santos, Linda McCarthy, Dawn Waterworth, Matthew R. Nelson, George Davey Smith, Adam S. Butterworth, Gibran Hemani, Robert A. Scott, Tom R. Gaunt

Nature Genetics · 2020

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Summary

This phenome-wide Mendelian randomization study examined the causal influence of the plasma proteome on complex disease susceptibility across multiple disease outcomes. Using summary statistics from large genetic cohorts, the authors identified circulating proteins with potential causal effects on disease risk, employing robust statistical methods to distinguish causation from correlation. The findings suggest new therapeutic targets and biological mechanisms underlying common diseases.

UK applicability

As a fundamental genetics and proteomics study using international cohort data, the results are broadly applicable to understanding disease mechanisms relevant to UK populations. Findings may inform precision medicine strategies and drug target prioritisation within the UK National Health Service.

Key measures

Genetic variants associated with plasma proteins; causal estimates for disease risk; pleiotropy assessment

Outcomes reported

The study used Mendelian randomization to evaluate causal associations between 1,400+ circulating proteins and multiple complex diseases. It identified protein biomarkers with potential causal roles in disease aetiology.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Dietary patterns & chronic disease
Study type
Research
Study design
Mendelian randomization analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1038/s41588-020-0682-6
Catalogue ID
BFmovbmir0-jzmfqc

Topic tags

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