# Whole-genome sequencing analysis of coronary atherosclerosis and related traits

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2021 · $772,792

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Genome-wide association studies have identified common single nucleotide variants at over 160 genetic loci
associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and subclinical atherosclerosis (coronary artery calcification,
carotid intima media thickness, and carotid plaque). These discoveries have led to important insights into the
pathways that contribute to subclinical atherosclerosis and CAD, as well as insights into the genetic architecture
of atherosclerosis. For example, the heritability explained by common genetic variants for CAD appears to be
concentrated in regulatory regions. Nevertheless, neither the genome-wide association studies nor exome
sequencing studies performed to date have been able to examine both coding and non-coding variants across
the allele frequency spectrum in relation to subclinical atherosclerosis and CAD. Furthermore, these studies
have largely focused on European ancestry participants. Approaches that identify pleiotropic loci or quantify
genetic correlation among phenotypes exist, but have not yet been applied to subclinical atherosclerosis and
CAD. Genetic risk prediction studies based on common variants show promise with regards to improving primary
prevention, but the extent to which adding low-frequency and rare variants to polygenic risk scores improves risk
prediction is not known, nor have scores been developed and tested in those of non-European ancestry.
A wealth of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data has been generated by initiatives such as the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program and the National
Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Centers for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) program in
populations from different ancestries. To expand our knowledge of genetic factors contributing to CAD and
subclinical atherosclerosis phenotypes, we propose to use WGS data from TOPMed and CCDG (up to 101,295
individuals from diverse ancestries, of which 58% are non-European ancestry), with extended genomic coverage
of low-frequency and rare genetic variants as well as more complex genetic variants such as structural variants.
Findings from the WGS analysis will be replicated in several large-scale data sources, including exome
sequencing data and genotype data imputed using TOPMed as the reference panel. Thus, we will examine
genetic variation that has so far been missed, including structural variants.
We will leverage the results of these analyses to explore the genetic architecture of subclinical atherosclerosis
and CAD, investigate pleiotropy and genetic correlation between subclinical atherosclerosis and CAD and related
cardiovascular traits, as well as assess the contribution of low-frequency and rare variants to risk prediction of
CAD. Finally, we will create and test a polygenic risk score designed specifically for African ancestry population.
This proposal brings together large-scale WGS datasets, clinical and subclinical atherosclero...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10129420
- **Project number:** 5R01HL146860-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL STEFAN DE VRIES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $772,792
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-03-17 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10129420

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10129420, Whole-genome sequencing analysis of coronary atherosclerosis and related traits (5R01HL146860-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10129420. Licensed CC0.

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