GWAS of Self-reported Mosquito Bite Size, Itch Intensity and Attractiveness to Mosquitoes Implicates Immune-related Predisposition Loci

Overview

Journal Hum Mol Genet

Specialties Genetics
Molecular Biology

Date 2017 Feb 16

PMID 28199695

Citations 19

Authors

Amy V Jones

Mera Tilley

Alex Gutteridge

Craig Hyde

Michael Nagle

Daniel Ziemek

Donal Gorman

Eric B Fauman

Xing Chen

Melissa R Miller

Chao Tian

Youna Hu

David A Hinds

Peter Cox

Serena Scollen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Understanding the interaction between humans and mosquitoes is a critical area of study due to the phenomenal burdens on public health from mosquito-transmitted diseases. In this study, we conducted the first genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of self-reported mosquito bite reaction size (n = 84,724), itchiness caused by bites (n = 69,057), and perceived attractiveness to mosquitoes (n = 16,576). In total, 15 independent significant (P < 5×10-8) associations were identified. These loci were enriched for immunity-related genes that are involved in multiple cytokine signalling pathways. We also detected suggestive enrichment of these loci in enhancer regions that are active in stimulated T-cells, as well as within loci previously identified as controlling central memory T-cell levels. Egger regression analysis between the traits suggests that perception of itchiness and attractiveness to mosquitoes is driven, at least in part, by the genetic determinants of bite reaction size.Our findings illustrate the complex genetic and immunological landscapes underpinning human interactions with mosquitoes.

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