Studying human kidneys to understand the genes behind high blood pressure

Translating signals from genome-wide association studies into biological mechanisms of hypertension – expression quantitative trait locus analysis in the human kidney

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major and very common risk factor for heart disease. Better ways to identify and treat those at high risk of developing hypertension are urgently needed. Studies of the human genome have uncovered small changes in more than 100 regions of DNA that are linked to high blood pressure. However, we know little about why these regions of DNA are important. The key organs involved in blood pressure control are the kidneys. Professor Tomaszewski’s research team at the University of Manchester believe that these DNA regions may exert their effects by acting as ‘on’ or ‘off’ switches for genes in the kidneys. This project will test this theory by looking at how active the regions are in human kidneys, and identifying the genes they affect. This could flag up previously unsuspected kidney genes as culprits in causing hypertension. The team are looking at healthy sections of 519 kidneys, donated by people having kidneys removed due to cancer. This research could reveal new ways to prevent and treat hypertension.