Genetic Architecture of Natriuretic Peptides and Blood Pressure Response

NPs are vital cardiac-derived hormones that are known for their role in salt regulation, vascular function, and blood pressure (BP) regulation. NPs are also key regulators of insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and energy expenditure. Recent evidence has shown that low NP levels are associated with higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases like hypertension (HTN). Animal studies have shown that the loss of the NP gene in mice is associated with the development of salt-sensitive HTN. Prior research indicates that individuals with genetically lower NP levels show higher systolic and diastolic BP and are at a 15% higher risk of HTN.

NP levels are highly heritable, with heritability ranging from 35%-44%, independent of factors like age, body mass index, sex, and race. The availability of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from a comprehensive cohort of individuals provides an opportunity to advance the discovery of novel genomic loci and rare variants regulating NP levels. Previous studies on the genetic determinants of NP levels were limited by their focus on diseased populations, use of genotyping array data, or lack of comprehensive genetic analysis. Examination of the genotype-based differences in NP may provide not only insights into the pathophysiology of diseases like salt-sensitive HTN, but also help discover new pharmacogenomic treatment approaches.

In the proposed study, the investigators will leverage data from multiple large cohorts, including the TransOmics for Precision Medicine cohorts, UK Biobank, and All of Us Research Program, to investigate the genetic architecture of NP levels, including the common, rare, and structural variants. The investigators will conduct fine mapping to identify variants that might cause disease and perform analyses to prioritize genes associated with NPs. Additionally, the summary statistics of the common variant analysis will be used to develop NP polygenic risk scores using standardized methodologies. The best-performing NP PGS will be validated, and the association of genetically determined NP levels with cardiometabolic and cardiovascular disease will be examined. The NP PGS will then be used to conduct a Mendelian randomization analysis to examine the causal role of NPs in cardiometabolic disease.

The investigators will enroll 200 hypertensive participants for 4 weeks, during which the participants will receive 1 week each of high and low-salt diets in a random sequence, and undergo a volume loading using a normal saline infusion protocol at the end of each diet period. Each diet period will be followed by a week of washout.

The investigators hypothesize that individuals with genetically determined low NP levels will exhibit a poorer response to salt and volume loading. The main questions this study aims to answer are:

• How does the genetic makeup of NP affect the BP differences after consuming a high and low salt diet?
• How do the NP precursor levels change following consumption of a high and low salt diet in participants with differences in genetically determined NP levels?

Using this NP PGS, the investigators will explore the clinical implications of genetically determined NP levels on the BP response to salt and volume loading by conducting a genotype-first trial, and this data will provide an understanding of the determinants of BP response and may foster new NP based individualized therapeutics.