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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