The causal role of immune cells in asthma: a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Abstract Background Immune cells may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of asthma. We conducted a Mendelian random analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between immune cells and asthma. Objective Immune cells play an important role in the development of asthma, but the specific relationship between them is not clear. This study aims to infer the causal relationship between them from the perspective of genetics. Methods The statistical data were collected from the published genome-wide association studies(GWAS)study of immune cells, and the genetic variation points were selected as instrumental variables(IVS).Inverse variance weighted (IVW), Weighted median, MR-Egger regression, Simple mode and Weighted mode were used for two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy and stability of the results. Results IVW results showed that BAFF − R on B cell, BAFF − R on IgD− CD27−,BAFF − R on IgD+ CD24−,BAFF − R on IgD+ CD38dim,CD14 on CD33br HLA DR+ CD14dim,CD25 on B cell,CD25 on IgD+ CD24−,CD25 on IgD+ CD38− naive,CD25 on naive − mature B cell,CD25 on transitional,CD33 on basophil,CD33 on CD14+ monocyte,CD33 on CD33dim HLA DR+ CD11b−,CD33 on CD66b++ myeloid cell,CD38 on IgD− CD38dim,CD86 on myeloid DC,HLA DR on CD14− CD16+ monocyte, IgD+ CD38br %lymphocyte, Transitional %lymphocyte may be the risk factors of asthma,CD11b on CD14+ monocyte,CD24 on IgD+ CD38br,CD28 on CD45RA+ CD4+,CD45 on NK,CD28 on CD45RA+ CD4+,HLA DR+ NK %CD3− lymphocyte, HLA DR+ NK AC, IgD− CD38− %B cell, PDL − 1 on CD14+ CD16− monocyte, Plasmacytoid DC %DC may be a protective factor for asthma. Conclusion This study explored the causal relationship between immune cells and asthma, and screened out immune cells related to asthma. These immune cells may become new biomarkers or therapeutic targets, provide new treatment ideas for the prevention and treatment of asthma, and promote the understanding of asthma.