C-reactive protein, an ‘intermediate phenotype’ for inflammation: human twin studies reveal heritability, association with blood pressure and the metabolic syndrome, and the influence of common polymorphism at catecholaminergic/β-adrenergic pathway loci

Abstract

CRP secretion is substantially heritable in humans, demonstrating pleiotropy (shared genetic determination) with other features of the metabolic syndrome, such as BMI, triglycerides or BP. Multiple, common genetic variants in the catecholaminergic/beta-adrenergic pathway contribute to CRP, and these variants (especially at TH and ADRB2) seem to interact (epistasis) to influence the trait. The results uncover novel pathophysiological links between the adrenergic system and inflammation, and suggest new strategies to probe the role and actions of inflammation within this setting.