Exploring the Link Between Genetic Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease and Psoriasis

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Epidemiology
• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• The link between immune-mediated diseases (IMIDs) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is often attributed to inflammation, but causality and mechanisms are unclear.
• Psoriasis serves as a model IMID to investigate the relationship with CVD due to strong epidemiological evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess bidirectional genetic relationships between psoriasis and coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke.
• To evaluate associations between genetic predictors of CVD and nine other IMIDs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) with summary-level data from large genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
• Focused on European ancestry populations for CAD, stroke, psoriasis, and nine other IMIDs.
• Analyzed data from January 2023 to May 2024.

Main Results:

• Genetic predictors of psoriasis showed no association with CAD or stroke.
• Genetic predictors of CAD (OR, 1.07) and stroke (OR, 1.22) were associated with increased psoriasis risk.
• Shared genetic risk for CAD and stroke, but not individual CVD risk factors, was linked to increased psoriasis risk. No associations were found with other IMIDs.

Conclusions:

• Genetic predisposition to CVD increases psoriasis risk, but not the reverse.
• No significant associations were observed between CVD genetic predictors and other common IMIDs.
• Further research into the underlying mechanisms could reveal novel therapeutic targets for both psoriasis and CVD.