Mendelian randomization study on causal association of TEF and circadian rhythm with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract Background Previous research has revealed the potential impact of circadian rhythms on pulmonary diseases; however, the connection between circadian rhythm-associated Thyrotroph Embryonic Factor (TEF) and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) remains unclear. We aim to assess the genetic causal relationship between TEF and PAH by utilizing two sets of genetic instrumental variables (IV) and publicly available Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Methods Total of 23 independent TEF genetic IVs from recent MR reports and PAH GWAS including 162,962 European individuals were used to perform this two-sample MR study. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were used to demonstrate the role of TEF in PAH. Results Our analysis revealed that as TEF levels increased genetically, there was a corresponding increase in the risk of PAH, as evidenced by IVW (OR = 1.233, 95% CI: 1.054–1.441; P = 0.00871) and weighted median (OR = 1.292, 95% CI for OR: 1.064–1.568; P = 0.00964) methods. Additionally, the up-regulation of TEF expression was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of abnormal circadian rhythm (IVW: P = 0.0024733, β = 0.05239). However, we did not observe a significant positive correlation between circadian rhythm and PAH (IVW: P = 0.3454942, β = 1.4980398). In addition, our in vitro experiments demonstrated that TEF is significantly overexpressed in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). And overexpression of TEF promotes PASMC viability and migratory capacity, as well as upregulates the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion Our analysis suggests a causal relationship between genetically increased TEF levels and an elevated risk of both PAH and abnormal circadian rhythm. Consequently, higher TEF levels may represent a risk factor for individuals with PAH.