A large-scale genome-wide association analysis of lung function in the Chinese population identifies novel loci and highlights shared genetic aetiology with obesity

Disease areas:

• nutrition and metabolism

Last updated:

2 July 2025

Author(s):

Zhaozhong Zhu, Jiachen Li, Jiahui Si, Baoshan Ma, Huwenbo Shi, Jun Lv, Weihua Cao, Yu Guo, Iona Y. Millwood, Robin G. Walters, Kuang Lin, Ling Yang, Yiping Chen, Huaidong Du, Bo Yu, Kohei Hasegawa, Carlos A. Camargo, Miriam F. Moffatt, William O.C. Cookson, Junshi Chen, Zhengming Chen, Liming Li, Canqing Yu, Liming Liang

Publish date:

25 March 2021

Journal:

European Respiratory Journal

PubMed ID:

33766948

DOI:

10.1183/13993003.00199-2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lung function is a heritable complex phenotype with obesity being one of its important risk factors. However, knowledge of their shared genetic basis is limited. Most genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for lung function have been based on European populations, limiting the generalisability across populations. Large-scale lung function GWASs in other populations are lacking.

METHODS: We included 100 285 subjects from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB). To identify novel loci for lung function, single-trait GWAS analyses were performed on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV₁/FVC in the CKB. We then performed genome-wide cross-trait analysis between lung function and obesity traits (body mass index (BMI), BMI-adjusted waist-to-hip ratio and BMI-adjusted waist circumference) to investigate the shared genetic effects in the CKB. Finally, polygenic risk scores (PRSs) of lung function were developed in the CKB and their interaction with BMI’s association on lung function were examined. We also conducted cross-trait analysis in parallel with the CKB using up to 457 756 subjects from the UK Biobank (UKB) for replication and investigation of ancestry-specific effects.

RESULTS: We identified nine genome-wide significant novel loci for FEV₁, six for FVC and three for FEV₁/FVC in the CKB. FEV₁ and FVC showed significant negative genetic correlation with obesity traits in both the CKB and UKB. Genetic loci shared between lung function and obesity traits highlighted important biological pathways, including cell proliferation, embryo, skeletal and tissue development, and regulation of gene expression. Mendelian randomisation analysis suggested significant negative causal effects of BMI on FEV₁ and on FVC in both the CKB and UKB. Lung function PRSs significantly modified the effect of change in BMI on change in lung function during an average follow-up of 8 years.

CONCLUSION: This large-scale GWAS of lung function identified novel loci and shared genetic aetiology between lung function and obesity. Change in BMI might affect change in lung function differently according to a subject’s polygenic background. These findings may open new avenues for the development of molecular-targeted therapies for obesity and lung function improvement.