Non-APOE variants predominately expressed in smooth muscle cells contribute to the influence of Alzheimer's disease genetic risk on white matter hyperintensities

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: White matter hyperintensity volumes (WMHVs) are disproportionally prevalent in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), potentially reflecting neurovascular injury. We quantify the association between AD polygenic risk score (AD-PRS) and WMHV, exploring single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are proximal to genes overexpressed in cerebrovascular cell species. METHODS: In a UK-Biobank sub-sample (mean age = 64, range = 45–81 years), we associate WMHV with (1) AD-PRS estimated via SNPs across the genome (minus apolipoprotein E [APOE] locus) and (2) AD-PRS estimated with SNPs proximal to specific genes that are overexpressed in cerebrovascular cell species. RESULTS: We observed a positive association between non-APOE-AD-PRS and WMHVs. We further demonstrate an association between WMHVs and AD-PRS constructed with SNPs that are proximal to genes over-represented in smooth muscles cells (SMCs; β = 0.135, P FWE< 0.01) and internally replicated (P DISCOVERY+REPLICATION< 0.01). DISCUSSION: Common AD genetic risk could explain physiological processes underlying vascular pathology in AD. SMC function may offer a treatment target to prevent WMHV-related AD pathophysiology prior to the onset of symptoms. Highlights: Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk factors such as apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4, link to increased white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV). WMHVs indicate vascular risk and neurovascular injury in AD. The broader genetic link between AD risk and WMHV is not fully understood. We quantify AD polygenic risk score (PRS) associations with WMHV, excluding APOE. AD-PRS in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) shows a significant association with increased WMHV.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAlzheimer's & Dementia
Early online date31 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 31 Dec 2024

Keywords

  • cerebrovascular
  • polygenic risk score
  • preclinical
  • smooth muscles cells
  • white matter hyperintensities

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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