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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.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/ncomms10023

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nature communications

Publication Date

21/01/2016

Volume

7

Addresses

Center for Biomedicine, European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano (EURAC), affiliated to the University of Lübeck, Via Galvani 31, Bolzano 39100, Italy.

Keywords

ICBP Consortium, AGEN Consortium, CARDIOGRAM, CHARGe-Heart Failure Group, ECHOGen Consortium, Humans, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Gene Expression Regulation, Genotype, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, Genome-Wide Association Study