An in-depth study of genes involved with the susceptibility and the severity of meningococcal disease in children
Current research
- Imperial College, London, UK
- Researchers:
Dr David Inwald, Professor Mike Levin
- Start Date: 11 August 2011
- Type: Scientific
There is now evidence that genetic factors play an important role in determining susceptibility and outcome of meningococcal sepsis. Although a number of candidate genes have been identified as playing a role in meningococcal disease over the past decade, the development of high throughput methodologies and the techniques for whole genome SNP scanning, together with the bioinformatic methods for analyzing and interpreting the information arising from these studies, now offers powerful new tools for understanding the genetic basis of disease.
We aim to identify the genetic basis of susceptibility and outcome of meningococcal disease by further analysis of data from a genome-wide association study conducted on approximately 1,500 patients from the UK and Europe, utilizing genome-wide SNP analysis on UK cases followed by confirmatory studies on the European cohorts. We have already completed both the genome-wide study and validatory study as a collaboration between the EU meningococcal consortium and the Genome Institute of Singapore. We have identified a number of significant associations meeting the genome-wide levels of statistical significance. Further bioinformatic analysis focusing on genes controlling severity and acting in biological pathways will be undertaken. Candidate genes will be further investigated using fine mapping, RNA expression analysis and functional studies.
Identification of the genetic basis of susceptibility and severity of meningococcal disease should provide new information about inflammatory mechanisms involved in determining severity and outcome of the disease, identify novel targets for intervention, and improve understanding of those who are at risk.