Novel Risk Loci Identified in a Genome-Wide Association Study of Urolithiasis in a Japanese Population

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019 May;30(5):855-864. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2018090942. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Abstract

Background: A family history of urolithiasis is associated with a more than doubling of urolithiasis risk, and a twin study estimating 56% heritability of the condition suggests a pivotal role for host genetic factors. However, previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified only six risk-related loci.

Methods: To identify novel urolithiasis-related loci in the Japanese population, we performed a large-scale GWAS of 11,130 cases and 187,639 controls, followed by a replication analysis of 2289 cases and 3817 controls. Diagnosis of urolithiasis was confirmed either by a clinician or using medical records or self-report. We also assessed the association of urolithiasis loci with 16 quantitative traits, including metabolic, kidney-related, and electrolyte traits (such as body mass index, lipid storage, eGFR, serum uric acid, and serum calcium), using up to 160,000 samples from BioBank Japan.

Results: The analysis identified 14 significant loci, including nine novel loci. Ten regions showed a significant association with at least one quantitative trait, including metabolic, kidney-related, and electrolyte traits, suggesting a common genetic basis for urolithiasis and these quantitative traits. Four novel loci were related to metabolic traits, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, or hyperuricemia. The remaining ten loci were associated with kidney- or electrolyte-related traits; these may affect crystallization. Weighted genetic risk score analysis indicated that the highest risk group (top 20%) showed an odds ratio of 1.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.42 to 2.06) - 2.13 (95% confidence interval, 2.00 to 2.27) compared with the reference group (bottom 20%).

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that host genetic factors related to regulation of metabolic and crystallization pathways contribute to the development of urolithiasis.

Keywords: genetics and development; human genetics; kidney stones.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asian People / genetics
  • Calcium / blood*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Genetic Loci*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / epidemiology*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study / methods*
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Uric Acid / blood*
  • Urolithiasis / genetics*
  • Urolithiasis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Uric Acid
  • Calcium