背景:研究强调了runt相关转录因子2(Runx2)在骨关节炎(OA)发展中的作用;但是,其因果关系尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨Runx2表达是否与OA有因果关系,并评估其对OA的治疗潜力。
方法:从eQTLGen联盟的基因表达数量性状基因座(eQTLs)研究中获得了Runx2表达的遗传代理仪器(n=31,684)。OA的聚合全基因组关联研究(GWAS)数据(包括所有OA[177,517例病例和649,173例对照],膝关节OA(KOA)[62,497例和333,557例对照],和髋部OA(HOA)[36,445例和316,943例对照])是从骨关节炎遗传学联盟中提取的。我们将eQTL数据与OAGWAS数据整合,以估计它们的因果关系,并使用基于汇总数据的孟德尔随机化(SMR)分析估计Runx2作为治疗OA的药物靶标的潜力。此外,不同的OAGWAS数据(包括所有OA[77,052例和378,169例对照],KOA[24,955例病例和378,169例对照],和HOA[15,704例和378,169例对照])来自GWAS目录数据库,用于复制研究。
结果:SMR分析表明,Runx2的高表达水平与所有OA的风险增加相关[比值比(OR)1.044,95%置信区间(CI)1.023-1.067;P=5.03×10-5],KOA(OR1.040,95%CI1.006-1.075;P=0.021),和HOA(OR1.067,95%CI1.022-1.113;P=0.003)。这表明Runx2抑制剂可能具有治疗OA的有希望的潜力。值得注意的是,在复制研究中重复了Runx2与所有OA(OR1.053,95%CI1.027-1.079;P=3.95×10-5)和KOA(OR1.043,95%CI1.001-1.087;P=0.045)的因果效应。但有限的证据支持Runx2表达水平与HOA的相关性(OR1.045,95%CI0.993-1.101;P=0.094)。
结论:我们的分析表明,在所有三种表型中,Runx2表达与OA风险之间呈正相关。提示Runx2抑制剂在治疗OA中的潜力,并从遗传角度提供证据。
BACKGROUND: Research has highlighted the role of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the development of osteoarthritis (OA); however, its causal association remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether Runx2 expression is causally associated with OA and assess its therapeutic potential for OA.
METHODS: Genetic proxy instruments for Runx2 expression were obtained from gene expression quantitative trait locus (eQTLs) study of eQTLGen Consortium (n = 31,684). Aggregated genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for OA (including all OA [177,517 cases and 649,173 controls], knee OA (KOA) [62,497 cases and 333,557 controls], and hip OA (HOA) [36,445 cases and 316,943 controls]) were extracted from the Genetics of Osteoarthritis Consortium. We integrated eQTLs data with OA GWAS data to estimate their causal association and to estimate the potential of Runx2 as a drug target in the treatment of OA using summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis. Furthermore, different OA GWAS data (including all OA [77,052 cases and 378,169 controls], KOA [24,955 cases and 378,169 controls], and HOA [15,704 cases and 378,169 controls]) derived from the GWAS Catalog database were used for replication study.
RESULTS: SMR analysis showed that high expression levels of Runx2 were associated with an increased risk of all OA [odds ratio (OR) 1.044, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.023-1.067; P = 5.03 × 10-5], KOA (OR 1.040, 95% CI 1.006-1.075; P = 0.021), and HOA (OR 1.067, 95% CI 1.022-1.113; P = 0.003). This suggests that Runx2 inhibitors may have promising potential for the treatment of OA. Notably, the causal effects of Runx2 with all OA (OR 1.053, 95% CI 1.027-1.079; P = 3.95 × 10-5) and KOA (OR 1.043, 95% CI 1.001-1.087; P = 0.045) were repeated in the replication study, but limited evidence supported the association of Runx2 expression levels with HOA (OR 1.045, 95% CI 0.993-1.101; P = 0.094).
CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses indicate a positive correlation between Runx2 expression and OA risk across all three phenotypes, suggesting the potential of Runx2 inhibitors in the treatment of OA and providing evidence from a genetic perspective.