Genome-wide identification of DNA methylation associated with Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressures among African Americans Open Access

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for numerous chronic health diseases. This study aims to further the understanding of the gene-environment interaction related to hypertension. The underlying molecular mechanisms that affect blood pressure measurements will be evaluated. By conducting an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of 972 African Americans from Jackson, Mississippi we identified novel methylation sites that were associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures. After correcting for confounders and multiple testing, two methylation sites were found to be statistically significantly associated with systolic blood pressure. These sites were located on the CCDC25 gene (p-value = 1.5x10^-7, FDR = 0.004) and COX7A2L gene (p-value = 1.5x10^-6, FDR = 0.020). Findings from this epigenomic study of African Americans may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of hypertension.

Table of Contents

BACKGROUND................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 3 METHODS......................................................................................................... 8 STUDY SAMPLE................................................................................................... 8 PHENOTYPE DATA................................................................................................ 8 MEASUREMENT OF DNA METHYLATION..................................................................... 9 DNA METHYLATION DATASET................................................................................. 9 STATISTICAL METHODS........................................................................................ 9 PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS.......................................................................... 11 RESULTS......................................................................................................... 13 DISCUSSION.................................................................................................... 15 STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS.............................................................................. 18 FUTURE DIRECTIONS........................................................................................ 20 REFERENCES................................................................................................... 22 TABLES.......................................................................................................... 29 FIGURES AND FIGURE LEGENDS......................................................................... 31 APPENDICES................................................................................................... 34

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, Genetics Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Keyword	African American epigenetics hypertension Epigenome-Wide Association Study DNA Methylation
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Sun, Yan, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Does not apply (no collaborating organization)

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