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Epidemiology, heritability, and genetic linkage of C-reactive protein in African Americans (from the Jackson Heart

Ervin R Fox1, Emelia J Benjamin, Daniel F Sarpong

  • 1University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, Mississippi, USA. efox@medicine.umsmed.edu

The American Journal of Cardiology
|September 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in African Americans are heritable and linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors. Body mass index significantly influences CRP variability in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) research is predominantly based on White, non-Hispanic populations.
  • Limited data exists on CRP levels, heritability, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor associations in African Americans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distribution, clinical correlates, heritability, and genetic linkage of C-reactive protein (CRP) in an African American cohort.
  • To analyze CRP's relationship with traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors within the Jackson Heart Study population.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of CRP distribution and correlates in 4,919 participants (2001-2004).
  • Estimation of CRP heritability (n=1,317) using variance-components methods, adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).
  • Multivariable regression and linkage analysis (multipoint variance-components) to identify genetic associations on chromosome 11.

Main Results:

  • Median CRP concentration was 2.7 mg/L.
  • Traditional risk factors explained 23.8% of CRP variability; BMI accounted for 57.1% of this explained variability.
  • Heritability of CRP was estimated at 0.45. Strongest linkage evidence for CRP was on chromosome 11 (logarithm of odds score = 2.72).

Conclusions:

  • Circulating CRP concentration is heritable in African Americans.
  • CRP is associated with key cardiovascular disease risk factors, notably BMI, in this population.
  • Findings highlight the importance of considering population-specific factors in CRP research and cardiovascular risk assessment.

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