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 randomisation study examined causal relationships between the circulating plasma proteome and risk of multiple complex diseases. Using genetic variants as instrumental variables, the authors mapped protein-disease associations to infer potential causal pathways. The work contributes to understanding the role of circulating proteins in disease aetiology, though causal claims remain subject to standard MR assumptions and sensitivity analyses.

UK applicability

The findings may inform understanding of disease mechanisms relevant to UK clinical practice and population health, particularly where plasma protein biomarkers could support preventive strategies. However, the work is primarily mechanistic rather than intervention-focused and does not directly address UK-specific dietary or farming systems.

Key measures

Causal estimates between plasma protein levels and disease risk, derived from genetic variants as instrumental variables; sensitivity analyses for MR assumptions

Outcomes reported

The study identified causal associations between circulating plasma proteins and risk of multiple complex diseases using genetic instrumental variables. Protein-disease relationships were mapped to infer potential causal pathways underlying disease aetiology.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Measurement methods & nutrient profiling
Study type
Research
Study design
Mendelian randomisation (phenome-wide association study)
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1038/s41588-020-0682-6
Catalogue ID
BFmowc2by2-00fqtw

Topic tags

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