{"title":"New Insights on the Therapeutic Potential of Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 for Osteoarthritis: Evidence from Mendelian Randomization.","authors":"Jiale Xie, Xin Xu, Mingyi Yang, Hui Yu, Jinrong Hao, Dinglong Yang, Peng Xu","doi":"10.1007/s40744-024-00682-1","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Research has highlighted the role of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the development of osteoarthritis (OA); however, its causal association remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether Runx2 expression is causally associated with OA and assess its therapeutic potential for OA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Genetic proxy instruments for Runx2 expression were obtained from gene expression quantitative trait locus (eQTLs) study of eQTLGen Consortium (n = 31,684). Aggregated genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for OA (including all OA [177,517 cases and 649,173 controls], knee OA (KOA) [62,497 cases and 333,557 controls], and hip OA (HOA) [36,445 cases and 316,943 controls]) were extracted from the Genetics of Osteoarthritis Consortium. We integrated eQTLs data with OA GWAS data to estimate their causal association and to estimate the potential of Runx2 as a drug target in the treatment of OA using summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis. Furthermore, different OA GWAS data (including all OA [77,052 cases and 378,169 controls], KOA [24,955 cases and 378,169 controls], and HOA [15,704 cases and 378,169 controls]) derived from the GWAS Catalog database were used for replication study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SMR analysis showed that high expression levels of Runx2 were associated with an increased risk of all OA [odds ratio (OR) 1.044, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.023-1.067; P = 5.03 × 10<sup>-5</sup>], KOA (OR 1.040, 95% CI 1.006-1.075; P = 0.021), and HOA (OR 1.067, 95% CI 1.022-1.113; P = 0.003). This suggests that Runx2 inhibitors may have promising potential for the treatment of OA. Notably, the causal effects of Runx2 with all OA (OR 1.053, 95% CI 1.027-1.079; P = 3.95 × 10<sup>-5</sup>) and KOA (OR 1.043, 95% CI 1.001-1.087; P = 0.045) were repeated in the replication study, but limited evidence supported the association of Runx2 expression levels with HOA (OR 1.045, 95% CI 0.993-1.101; P = 0.094).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our analyses indicate a positive correlation between Runx2 expression and OA risk across all three phenotypes, suggesting the potential of Runx2 inhibitors in the treatment of OA and providing evidence from a genetic perspective.</p>","PeriodicalId":21267,"journal":{"name":"Rheumatology and Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1001-1009"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11264677/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Rheumatology and Therapy","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40744-024-00682-1","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/6/14 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"RHEUMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Research has highlighted the role of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the development of osteoarthritis (OA); however, its causal association remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether Runx2 expression is causally associated with OA and assess its therapeutic potential for OA.
Methods: Genetic proxy instruments for Runx2 expression were obtained from gene expression quantitative trait locus (eQTLs) study of eQTLGen Consortium (n = 31,684). Aggregated genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for OA (including all OA [177,517 cases and 649,173 controls], knee OA (KOA) [62,497 cases and 333,557 controls], and hip OA (HOA) [36,445 cases and 316,943 controls]) were extracted from the Genetics of Osteoarthritis Consortium. We integrated eQTLs data with OA GWAS data to estimate their causal association and to estimate the potential of Runx2 as a drug target in the treatment of OA using summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis. Furthermore, different OA GWAS data (including all OA [77,052 cases and 378,169 controls], KOA [24,955 cases and 378,169 controls], and HOA [15,704 cases and 378,169 controls]) derived from the GWAS Catalog database were used for replication study.
Results: SMR analysis showed that high expression levels of Runx2 were associated with an increased risk of all OA [odds ratio (OR) 1.044, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.023-1.067; P = 5.03 × 10-5], KOA (OR 1.040, 95% CI 1.006-1.075; P = 0.021), and HOA (OR 1.067, 95% CI 1.022-1.113; P = 0.003). This suggests that Runx2 inhibitors may have promising potential for the treatment of OA. Notably, the causal effects of Runx2 with all OA (OR 1.053, 95% CI 1.027-1.079; P = 3.95 × 10-5) and KOA (OR 1.043, 95% CI 1.001-1.087; P = 0.045) were repeated in the replication study, but limited evidence supported the association of Runx2 expression levels with HOA (OR 1.045, 95% CI 0.993-1.101; P = 0.094).
Conclusions: Our analyses indicate a positive correlation between Runx2 expression and OA risk across all three phenotypes, suggesting the potential of Runx2 inhibitors in the treatment of OA and providing evidence from a genetic perspective.
期刊介绍:
Aims and Scope
Rheumatology and Therapy is an international, open access, peer reviewed, rapid publication journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of rheumatologic therapies. Studies relating to diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also welcomed.
Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile idiopathic/rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, axial spondyloarthritis, Pompe’s disease, inflammatory joint conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, systemic sclerosis, and fibromyalgia.
The journal is of interest to a broad audience of healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, case reports, trial protocols, communications and letters. The journal is read by a global audience and receives submissions from all over the world. Rheumatology and Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an international and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of all scientifically and ethically sound research.
Ethics and Disclosures
The journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and subscribes to its principles on how to deal with acts of misconduct thereby committing to investigate allegations of misconduct in order to ensure the integrity of research. Content in this journal is peer-reviewed (Single-blind). For more information on our publishing ethics policies, please see here: https://www.springer.com/gp/editorial-policies
Rapid Publication
The journal’s rapid publication timelines aim for a peer review decision within 2 weeks of submission. If an article is accepted it will be published online 3-4 weeks from acceptance. These rapid timelines are achieved through the combination of a dedicated in-house editorial team, who closely manage article workflow, and an extensive Editorial and Advisory Board who assist with rapid peer review. This allows the journal to support the rapid dissemination of research, whilst still providing robust peer review. Combined with the journal’s open access model this allows for the rapid and efficient communication of the latest research and reviews, allowing the advancement of rheumatologic therapies.
Personal Service
The journal’s dedicated in-house editorial team offer a personal “concierge service” meaning that authors will always have a personal point of contact able to update them on the status of their manuscript. The editorial team check all manuscripts to ensure that articles conform to the most recent COPE, GPP and ICMJE publishing guidelines. This supports the publication of ethically sound and transparent research. We also encourage pre-submission enquiries and are always happy to provide a confidential assessment of manuscripts.
Digital Features
Rheumatology and Therapy offers a range of additional features designed to increase the visibility, readership and educational value of the journal’s content. Each article is accompanied by key summary points, giving a time-efficient overview of the content to a wide readership. Articles may be accompanied by plain language summaries to assist readers who have some knowledge of, but not in-depth expertise in, the area to understand the scientific content and overall implications of the article. The journal also provides the option to include various types of digital features including animated abstracts, video abstracts, slide decks, audio slides, instructional videos, infographics, podcasts and animations. All additional features are peer reviewed to the same high standard as the article itself. If you consider that your paper would benefit from the inclusion of a digital feature, please let us know. Our editorial team are able to create high-quality slide decks and infographics in-house, and video abstracts through our partner Research Square, and would be happy to assist in any way we can. For further information about digital features, please contact the journal editor (see ‘Contact the Journal’ for email address), and see the ‘Guidelines for digital features and plain language summaries’ document under ‘Submission guidelines’.
For examples of digital features please visit:
https://springerhealthcare.com/expertise/publishing-digital-features/
Preprints
We encourage posting of preprints of primary research manuscripts on preprint servers, authors'' or institutional websites, and open communications between researchers whether on community preprint servers or preprint commenting platforms. Posting of preprints is not considered prior publication and will not jeopardize consideration in our journals. Authors should disclose details of preprint posting during the submission process or at any other point during consideration in the journal. Once the manuscript is published, it is the author''s responsibility to ensure that the preprint record is updated with a publication reference, including the DOI and a URL link to the published version of the article on the journal website.
Please see here for further information on preprint sharing: https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-helpdesk/submission/1302#c16721550
Peer Review Process
Upon submission, manuscripts are assessed by the editorial team to ensure they fit within the aims and scope of the journal and are also checked for plagiarism. All suitable submissions are then subject to a comprehensive single-blind peer review. Reviewers are selected based on their relevant expertise and publication history in the subject area. The journal has an extensive pool of editorial and advisory board members who have been selected to assist with peer review based on the afore-mentioned criteria.
At least two extensive reviews are required to make the editorial decision. Where reviewer recommendations are conflicted, the editorial board will be contacted for further advice and a presiding decision. Manuscripts are then either accepted, rejected or authors are required to make major or minor revisions (both reviewer comments and editorial comments may need to be addressed). Once a revised manuscript is re-submitted, it is assessed along with the responses to reviewer comments and if it has been adequately revised it will be accepted for publication. Accepted manuscripts are then copyedited and typeset by the production team before online publication. Appeals against decisions following peer review are considered on a case-by-case basis and should be sent to the journal editor, and authors are welcome to make rebuttals against individual reviewer comments if appropriate.
Considering the time and effort required for a detailed peer review we reward our regular reviewers with the opportunity to publish without publication fees (pending peer review) for every three reviews completed per calendar year.
Copyright
Rheumatology and Therapy is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License, which allows users to read, copy, distribute, and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited. The author assigns the exclusive right to any commercial use of the article to Springer. For more information about the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License, click here: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0.
Publication Fees
Upon acceptance of an article, authors will be required to pay the mandatory Rapid Service Fee of €5,250/$6,000/£4,300. The journal will consider fee discounts and waivers for developing countries and this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Open Access
All articles published by Rheumatology and Therapy are published open access.
Contact
For more information about the journal, including pre-submission enquiries, please contact charlotte.maddocks@springernature.com.