| Institution: | 1. Department of Medical Biology, University of Split, School of Medicine, ?oltanska 2, Split, Croatia;2. MRC Human Genetics Unit, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;3. Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Split, Spinciceva 1, Split, Croatia;4. Department of Public Health, University of Split, School of Medicine Split, ?oltanska 2, Split, Croatia |
| Abstract: | Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are multifactorial endocrine diseases most frequently accompanied by Tg and TPO autoantibodies. Both antibodies have a higher prevalence in females and act under a strong genetic influence.To identify novel variants underlying thyroid antibody levels, we performed GWAS meta-analysis on the plasma levels of TgAb and TPOAb in three Croatian cohorts, as well as gender specific GWAS and a bivariate analysis.No significant association was detected with the level of TgAb and TPOAb in the meta-analysis of GWAS or bivariate results for all individuals. The bivariate analysis in females only revealed a genome-wide significant association for the locus near GRIN3A (rs4457391, P = 7.76 × 10?9). The same locus had borderline association with TPOAb levels in females (rs1935377, P = 8.58 × 10?8).In conclusion, we identified a novel gender specific locus associated with TgAb and TPOAb levels. Our findings provide a novel insight into genetic and gender differences associated with thyroid antibodies. |
