Project Title

Integrating proteomics and genetics to investigate cardiovascular disease risk across life stages 

Background

Both genetic and modifiable risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and unfavorable lifestyle contribute to the development of ASCVD in adults. These cardiovascular risk factors are also evident in children with obesity. Proteomic profiling is a powerful approach for investigating disease prediction.  

Aim

This project aims to associate circulating proteins with incident ASCVD, identify protein mediators linking risk factors to ASCVD in adults, and determine whether these proteins are indicators of cardiometabolic dysfunction in children with obesity. By integrating genetic data with mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we aim to uncover new insights into proteins that are causally involved in the pathogenesis of ASCVD. 

Methods

We will use data from The Diet, Cancer and Health-Next Generations cohort, a population-based study with genotype, lifestyle information, cardiovascular risk factors, and linkage to nationwide registries. This project will include 800 participants with incident ASCVD and 800 randomly selected controls. It will also include over 3,000 children and adolescents with and without obesity from the HOLBAEK study, with genotype, cardiovascular risk factor information, and proteomic data.