Causal associations and shared genetics between hypertension and COVID-19

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Ancha Baranova1,2, Hongbao Cao1, Fuquan Zhang3,4

  • 1School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.

Journal of Medical Virology
|March 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Genetically determined hypertension increases the risk for severe COVID-19. Shared genetic factors and inflammatory pathways link hypertension to increased COVID-19 hospitalization risk.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Hypertension is a prevalent condition globally.
  • COVID-19 has shown varied severity, with some individuals experiencing more severe outcomes.
  • Understanding the interplay between hypertension and COVID-19 severity is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic relationship between hypertension and COVID-19.
  • To explore molecular pathways that may link hypertension to severe COVID-19.
  • To identify shared genetic variations and causal effects.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic correlation analysis was performed.
  • Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were utilized.
  • Genome-wide association signals were compared to identify shared genetic loci and genes.
  • Hypertension-driven molecular pathways were constructed from literature data.

Main Results:

  • A positive genetic correlation (rg = 0.19) was found between hypertension and COVID-19.
  • MR analyses indicated a causal effect of genetic liability to hypertension on hospitalized COVID-19 (OR: 1.05).
  • Three overlapping loci and eight shared protein-coding risk genes (e.g., ABO, WNT3) were identified.
  • Molecular pathway analysis suggested hypertension promotes COVID-19 via inflammatory pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Genetically determined hypertension is associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19.
  • Shared genetic variations and molecular pathways, particularly inflammatory ones, may underlie the causal link.
  • These findings highlight hypertension as a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Keywords:
COVID-19Mendelian randomizationhypertensionsystemic inflammation

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