Genome-wide association study identifies 14 previously unreported susceptibility loci for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Japanese

Nat Commun. 2019 Aug 15;10(1):3685. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11596-w.

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common pediatric spinal deformity. Several AIS susceptibility loci have been identified; however, they could explain only a small proportion of AIS heritability. To identify additional AIS susceptibility loci, we conduct a meta-analysis of the three genome-wide association studies consisting of 79,211 Japanese individuals. We identify 20 loci significantly associated with AIS, including 14 previously not reported loci. These loci explain 4.6% of the phenotypic variance of AIS. We find 21 cis-expression quantitative trait loci-associated genes in seven of the fourteen loci. By a female meta-analysis, we identify additional three significant loci. We also find significant genetic correlations of AIS with body mass index and uric acid. The cell-type specificity analyses show the significant heritability enrichment for AIS in multiple cell-type groups, suggesting the heterogeneity of etiology and pathogenesis of AIS. Our findings provide insights into etiology and pathogenesis of AIS.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asian People / genetics*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics
  • Scoliosis / genetics*
  • Sex Factors
  • Uric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Uric Acid