Genome-Wide Association Study of White Blood Cell Count in African Americans
Author Information
Author(s): Reiner Alexander P., Lettre Guillaume, Nalls Michael A., Ganesh Santhi K., Mathias Rasika, Austin Melissa A., Dean Eric, Arepalli Sampath, Britton Angela, Chen Zhao, Couper David, Curb J. David, Eaton Charles B., Fornage Myriam, Grant Struan F. A., Harris Tamara B., Hernandez Dena, Kamatini Naoyuki, Keating Brendan J., Kubo Michiaki, LaCroix Andrea, Lange Leslie A., Liu Simin, Lohman Kurt, Meng Yan, Mohler Emile R. III, Musani Solomon, Nakamura Yusuke, O'Donnell Christopher J., Okada Yukinori, Palmer Cameron D., Papanicolaou George J., Patel Kushang V., Singleton Andrew B., Takahashi Atsushi, Tang Hua, Taylor Herman A. Jr., Taylor Kent, Thomson Cynthia, Yanek Lisa R., Yang Lingyao, Ziv Elad, Zonderman Alan B., Folsom Aaron R., Evans Michele K., Liu Yongmei, Becker Diane M., Snively Beverly M., Wilson James G.
Primary Institution: University of Washington
Hypothesis
Whether genetic loci account for differences in white blood cell count among African Americans.
Conclusion
The study identified several genetic loci associated with white blood cell count in African Americans, including the DARC and CXCL2 genes.
Supporting Evidence
- Total white blood cell and neutrophil counts are lower among individuals of African descent due to the common African-derived null variant of the Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines gene.
- Independent evidence of the novel CXCL2 association with WBC was present in Hispanic Americans, Japanese, and European Americans.
- The chromosome 16q22 association finding is likely due to a genotyping artifact.
- Replication was observed for CDK6 and PSMD3-CSF3 regions in the African-American meta-analysis.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at the genes of over 16,000 African Americans to find out why their white blood cell counts are different, and they found some important genes that help explain this.
Methodology
A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on 16,388 African Americans from 7 cohorts, analyzing SNPs for associations with total white blood cell count.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding due to population stratification and local ancestry effects.
Limitations
The study may not capture all genetic factors influencing WBC count, and the results may not be generalizable to other populations.
Participant Demographics
Participants were self-identified African Americans from 7 population-based cohorts.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<2.5×10−8
Statistical Significance
p<2.5×10−8
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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