Genome-wide association study identifies three novel loci in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy

Natalie A. Afshari, Robert P. Igo, Nathan J. Morris, Dwight Stambolian, Shiwani Sharma, V. Lakshmi Pulagam, Steven Dunn, John F. Stamler, Barbara J. Truitt, Jacqueline Rimmler, Abraham Kuot, Christopher R. Croasdale, Xuejun Qin, Kathryn P. Burdon, S. Amer Riazuddin, Richard Mills, Sonja Klebe, Mollie A. Minear, Jiagang Zhao, Elmer BalajondaGeorge O. Rosenwasser, Keith H. Baratz, Venkateswara Mootha, Sanjay V. Patel, Simon G. Gregory, Joan E. Bailey-Wilson, Marianne O. Price, Francis W. Price, Jamie E. Craig, John H. Fingert, John D. Gottsch, Anthony J. Aldave, Gordon K. Klintworth, Jonathan H. Lass, Yi Ju Li, Sudha K. Iyengar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

The structure of the cornea is vital to its transparency, and dystrophies that disrupt corneal organization are highly heritable. To understand the genetic aetiology of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), the most prevalent corneal disorder requiring transplantation, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 1,404 FECD cases and 2,564 controls of European ancestry, followed by replication and meta-analysis, for a total of 2,075 cases and 3,342 controls. We identify three novel loci meeting genome-wide significance (P<5 × 10 -'8): KANK4 rs79742895, LAMC1 rs3768617 and LINC00970/ATP1B1 rs1200114. We also observe an overwhelming effect of the established TCF4 locus. Interestingly, we detect differential sex-specific association at LAMC1, with greater risk in women, and TCF4, with greater risk in men. Combining GWAS results with biological evidence we expand the knowledge of common FECD loci from one to four, and provide a deeper understanding of the underlying pathogenic basis of FECD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number14898
JournalNature communications
Volume8
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 30 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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