Circulating white blood cells and lung function impairment: the observational studies and Mendelian randomization...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Genetics

Background:

• Circulating white blood cell (WBC) counts are associated with impaired lung function.
• The causal relationship between WBC subtypes and lung function has not been definitively established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the independent effects of WBC subtypes on lung function.
• To investigate the causal relationships between WBC subtypes and lung function using Mendelian randomization.

Main Methods:

• Observational studies included 19,159 participants from NHANES, coke-oven workers (COW), and Dongfeng-Tongji (DFTJ) cohorts.
• Linear and LASSO regression models assessed associations between WBC subtypes and lung function.
• Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis estimated causal effects of WBC on lung function in 4012 subjects from COW and DFTJ cohorts.

Main Results:

• Total WBC counts were negatively associated with lung function (FVC and FEV1).
• Neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils showed independent associations with lower lung function (p < .05), excluding lymphocytes.
• MR analysis indicated that genetically predicted total WBC and neutrophil counts causally reduce FVC and FEV1 (p < .05).

Conclusions:

• WBC subtypes, except lymphocytes, are independently associated with reduced lung function.
• Circulating neutrophils are suggested as potential causal factors in lung function impairment.
• Findings highlight the role of specific WBCs in respiratory health and disease.