Causal associations and shared genetics between hypertension and COVID‐19

Abstract

To evaluate the genetic relationship between hypertension and COVID-19 and explore the molecular pathways linking hypertension to COVID-19. We performed genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to assess potential associations between hypertension and hospitalized COVID-19. We compared genome-wide association signals to reveal shared genetic variation between hypertension and hospitalized COVID-19. Moreover, hypertension-driven molecular pathways were constructed based on large-scale literature data to understand the influence of hypertension on COVID-19 at the molecular level. Hypertension has a positive genetic correlation with COVID-19 (r g = 0.19). The MR analyses indicate that genetic liability to hypertension confers a causal effect on hospitalized COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.05, confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.09, p = 0.030). Hypertension and hospitalized COVID-19 have three overlapping loci and share eight protein-coding risk genes, including ABO, CSF2, FUT2, IZUMO1, MAMSTR, NPNT, RASIP1, and WNT3. Molecular pathway analysis suggests that hypertension may promote the development of COVID-19 through the induction of inflammatory pathways. Our study suggests that genetically determined hypertension may increase the risk for severe COVID-19. The shared genetic variation and the connecting molecular pathways may underline causal links between hypertension and COVID-19.

Exploring genetic associations between allergic diseases and indicators of COVID-19 using mendelian randomization

“…Fourthly, after performing sensitivity analysis using multiple methods, we were still unable to rule out potential genetic variation or eliminate the interference of environmental factors. Fifthly, due to the limitations of GWAS dataset, this study did not further stratify the COVID19-related confounders to further clarify associations of atopic diseases with COVID-19 in different subgroups, such as hypertension, 16 lifestyle, 17 and diabetes. 18 Finally, the database resources were limited and needed to be supported by more clinical data and basic mechanistic studies.…”

Clinical Features and Vaccine Efficacy Analysis of COVID-19 patients in a Chongqing Shelter hospital in 2022

“…Patients with hypertension often have reduced immune function, increased inflammatory responses, and vascular damage. Molecular pathway analyses suggest that hypertension may promote the development of COVID-19 by inducing inflammatory pathways, which increases the risk of severe illness and death in infected patients 32,33 . Studies have also reported that patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have relatively higher rates of severe illness and mortality after COVID-19 infection 34 .…”

Clinical Features and Vaccine Efficacy Analysis of COVID-19 patients in a Chongqing Shelter hospital in 2022

“…Patients with hypertension often have reduced immune function, increased in ammatory responses, and vascular damage. Molecular pathway analyses suggest that hypertension may promote the development of COVID-19 by inducing in ammatory pathways, which increases the risk of severe illness and death in infected patients 32,33 . Studies have also reported that patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have relatively higher rates of severe illness and mortality after COVID-19 infection 34 .…”