C-Reactive Protein: Shooting at the Messenger?

Findings from a genomewide association and Mendelian randomization study suggest that CRP is a marker, not a cause, of atherosclerosis.

C-reactive protein levels are independently associated with cardiovascular disease, but whether CRP plays a causal role (and might therefore be an appropriate treatment target) is unclear. The authors of a recent genetics study found no evidence to support causality (JW Cardiol Oct 29 2008), but the study was limited by a relatively small number of cases, and the CRP variants examined are rare.

In genomewide association and replication studies, these researchers used combined data on >31,000 individuals from five study cohorts to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at five genetic loci significantly associated with variance in CRP levels. They then performed a Mendelian randomization study using pooled data on nearly 129,000 indi…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)