Heritability analysis of lipids and three gene loci in twins link the macrophage scavenger receptor to HDL cholesterol concentrations

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1997 Oct;17(10):2054-60. doi: 10.1161/01.atv.17.10.2054.

Abstract

We studied 100 healthy monozygotic and 72 dizygotic twin pairs (mean age, 34 +/- 14 years) to test for genetic influences on blood lipids and to examine relevant gene loci. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels were determined after a 12-hour fast. Zygosity was determined with the use of microsatellite markers. Heritability estimates were conducted by using the lisrel 8 program; a sib-pair analysis was conducted by using the sibpal program. Linear regression analyses were carried out between identical-by-descent status and squared within-pair differences of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG values. Heritability estimates of the lipid serum concentrations ranged from .58 to .66. A significant linkage relationship was found for HDL-C (P = .008) and TGs (P = .05) with D8S261 on chromosome 8p. However, no linkage was found between any of the lipid variables and the lipoprotein lipase gene locus (LPL GZ14/15 and D8S282). Because D8S261 is located approximately halfway between the LPL and macrophage scavenger receptor genes, we examined the nearby markers D8S549 and D8S1731. Linkage was found for HDL-C and D8S549 (P = .001) and for HDL-C and D8S1731 (P = .04). On the other hand, we found no linkage between the LDL receptor gene locus and LDL-C serum concentrations nor between the LPL gene locus and the various other lipid fractions. Our data suggest a significant influence of the macrophage scavenger receptor gene locus on HDL-C and weak influence on TG levels. We suggest that inherited variability in the macrophage scavenger receptor gene has an influence on serum lipid concentrations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Chromosome Mapping*
  • Female
  • Genetic Linkage*
  • Humans
  • Lipoprotein Lipase / genetics*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics*
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein*
  • Receptors, Scavenger
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class B
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Twins*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein
  • Receptors, Scavenger
  • Scarb1 protein, mouse
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class B
  • Triglycerides
  • Lipoprotein Lipase