Novel Genetic Locus of Visceral Fat and Systemic Inflammation.
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ABSTRACT: CONTEXT:Visceral fat (VF), more than fat elsewhere in the body [mostly subcutaneous fat (SF)], promotes systemic inflammation and related disease. The mechanisms of preferentially visceral accumulation of body fat are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE:To identify genetic loci and mechanistic pathways of preferential accumulation of VF and associated low-grade systemic inflammation. DESIGN:Genome-wide association study (GWAS). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:Population-based cohort of 1586 adolescents (aged 12 to 19 years) and adults (aged 36 to 65 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Abdominal VF and SF were measured with MRI, total body fat (TBF) was assessed with bioimpedance, and low-grade systemic inflammation was examined by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement. RESULTS:This GWAS of preferential accumulation of VF identified a significant locus on chromosome 6 at rs803522 (P = 1.1 × 10-9 or 4.3 × 10-10 for VF adjusted for SF or TBF, respectively). The major allele was associated with more VF; the association was similar in adolescents and adults. The allele was also associated with higher CRP level, but this association was stronger in adults than adolescents (P for interaction = 4.5 × 10-3). In adults, VF was a significant mediator (P = 1.9× 10-4) in the association between the locus and CRP, explaining 30% of the mediation. The locus was near ATG5, encoding an autophagy molecule reported to modulate adipocyte size and macrophage polarization. CONCLUSION:A genetic locus near ATG5 regulates preferential accumulation of VF (vs SF) in youth and adulthood and contributes to the development of systemic inflammation in adulthood.
SUBMITTER: Shin J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6642667 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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