Identification of Novel Therapeutic Targets for Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Persistently high blood pressure remains the leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. This study aims to identify potential drug targets for hypertension. METHODS: Mendelian randomization was used to identify therapeutic targets for hypertension. Genome-wide association study summary statistics were obtained from the UK Biobank and FinnGen study. Cis-expression quantitative trait loci from the eQTLGen Consortium served as genetic instruments. Colocalization analysis evaluated the likelihood of shared causal variants between single-nucleotide polymorphisms influencing hypertension and gene expression. Survival analysis of UK Biobank data assessed hypertension and mortality risks across participants with different gene alleles. RESULTS: gene showed a lower hypertension-specific mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Drug target Mendelian randomization studies offer new directions for hypertension treatment, providing insights into its mechanisms and robust targets for developing antihypertensive drugs.