Insights into the human plasma proteome enable new therapeutic approaches

The researchers used modern epidemiological methods and molecular technologies to map the biological influences on the human plasma proteome - i.e. the totality of all proteins in blood plasma. Among other things, UMAP, a method for reducing the complexity of data, and Mendelian randomization, a method for causal inference, were used.

The study identified 23 causal drivers of 4,775 plasma proteins. These drivers were categorized into modifiable (potential intervention targets) and non-modifiable drivers. A notable finding of the study was that approximately 10-77% of the variation in more than one-third of the target proteins was explained by genetic and non-genetic factors. Mendelian randomization analysis also revealed causal pathways between modifiable factors and plasma proteins for hundreds of protein-disease associations.

These findings have far-reaching implications for precision medicine and public health. The identification of modifiable drivers offers new opportunities for preventive measures and therapies - for example to reduce inflammation or to improve kidney function in order to reduce the risk of certain diseases. By understanding the causal relationships between proteins and diseases, researchers can identify potential therapeutic targets and develop new treatment strategies.