Sign in Subscribe
Blood pressure

Proteome-Wide Mendelian Randomization Study Uncovers Molecular Determinants of Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Imperial College London have conducted a comprehensive proteome-wide Mendelian randomization study to investigate the molecular pathways leading to elevated blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. The study, sponsored by the British Heart Foundation, the UK Dementia Research Institute, and the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, aimed to identify key plasma proteins with potential causal roles in blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular disease risk.

Key Takeaways:

  • A proteome-wide Mendelian randomization study identified 242 proteins associated with blood pressure, of which 48 were also linked to coronary artery disease or stroke.
  • Four proteins (ACOX1, FGF5, FURIN, and MST1) exhibited potential causal effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, with genetically predicted FURIN and FGF5 strongly associated with stroke risk.
  • Network Mendelian randomization suggested that 30.5-77.2% of the effect of these proteins on coronary artery disease and stroke was mediated through blood pressure regulation.
  • Observational analyses supported the findings, with potential causal effects on coronary artery disease and stroke observed for ACOX1, FGF5, and MST1.
  • The research highlighted the importance of blood pressure as a major mediator of cardiovascular disease risk.

Statistics:

  • 242 proteins were associated with blood pressure.
  • 48 proteins were linked to coronary artery disease or stroke.
  • 30.5-77.2% of the effect of the identified proteins on coronary artery disease and stroke was mediated through blood pressure regulation.
  • 4 proteins (ACOX1, FGF5, FURIN, and MST1) exhibited potential causal effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Sources:

  • "Blood pressure, plasma proteins, and cardiovascular diseases: a network Mendelian randomization and observational study" (abstract only) European Heart Journal, 2025 (Oxford University Press - www.oup.com/)
  • NewsRx. Reports from Imperial College London Advance Knowledge in Heart Disease (Blood pressure, plasma proteins, and cardiovascular diseases: a network Mendelian randomization and observational study) (NewsRx - www.newsrx.com/news/2025-10-20/newsrx-17277.html)

Read more