Targeted sequencing to identify novel genetic risk factors for deep vein thrombosis: a study of 734 genes

International audienceEssentials Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has a large unknown genetic component. We sequenced coding areas of 734 hemostasis-related genes in 899 DVT patients and 599 controls. Variants in F5, FGA-FGG, CYP4V2-KLKB1-F11, and ABO were associated with DVT risk. Associations in KLKB1 and F5 suggest a more complex genetic architecture than previously thought. SUMMARY: Background Although several genetic risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are known, almost all related to hemostasis, a large genetic component remains unexplained. Objectives To identify novel genetic determinants by using targeted DNA sequencing. Patients/Methods We included 899 DVT patients and 599 controls from three case-control studies (DVT-Milan, Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment of risk factors for venous thrombosis [MEGA], and the Thrombophilia, Hypercoagulability and Environmental Risks in Venous Thromboembolism [THE-VTE] study) for sequencing of the coding regions of 734 genes involved in hemostasis or related pathways. We performed single-variant association tests for common variants (minor allele frequency [MAF] ≥ 1%) and gene-based tests for rare variants (MAF ≤ 1%), accounting for multiple testing by use of the false discovery rate (FDR). Results Sixty-two of 3617 common variants were associated with DVT risk (FDR 0.2). Conclusions We confirmed associations between DVT and common variants in F5,ABO,FGA-FGG, and CYP4V2-KLKB1-F11, and observed secondary signals in F5 and CYP4V2-KLKB1-F11 that warrant replication and fine-mapping in larger studies