Genome-wide association study of vitamin D concentrations and bone mineral density in the African American-Diabetes Heart Study

Relative to European Americans, African Americans have lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) concentrations, higher 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D-3) concentrations and bone mineral density (BMD), and paradoxically reduced burdens of calcified atherosclerotic plaque (subclinical atherosclerosis). To identify genetic factors contributing to vitamin D and BMD measures, association analysis of >14M variants was conducted in a maximum of 697 African American-Diabetes Heart Study participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The most significant association signals were detected for VDBP on chromosome 4; variants rs7041 (beta = 0.44, SE = 0.019, P = 9.4x10(-86)) and rs4588 (beta = 0.17, SE = 0.021, P = 3.5x10(-08)) in the group-specific component (vitamin D binding protein) gene (GC). These variants were found to be independently associated. In addition, rs7041 was also associated with bioavailable vitamin D (BAVD; beta = 0.16, SE = 0.02, P = 3.3x10(-19)). Six rare variants were significantly associated with 25OHD, including a non-synonymous variant in HSPG2 (rs116788687; beta = -1.07, SE = 0.17, P = 2.2x10(-10)) and an intronic variant in TNIK (rs143555701; beta = -1.01, SE = 0.18, P = 9.0x10(-10)), both biologically related to bone development. Variants associated with 25OHD failed to replicate in African Americans from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study (IRASFS). Evaluation of vitamin D metabolism and bone mineral density phenotypes in an African American population enriched for T2D could provide insight into ethnic specific differences in vitamin D metabolism and bone mineral density.

Automated summary

Compared to European Americans, African Americans show differences in vitamin D and bone density measures, with significant associations found for specific genetic variants. These findings provide insight into ethnic-specific differences in vitamin D metabolism and bone density in African Americans.