Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies β-nerve growth factor as a target for endometriosis

Chenxi Gao, He Jia
Medicine · 2025 · vol. 104(46) , pp. e45854 · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000045854 · PMID:41239706 · W4416218648
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This study used Mendelian randomization to find that beta-nerve growth factor is causally linked to endometriosis, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder with poorly understood mechanisms. Inflammatory proteins are hypothesized to play a causal role, but evidence remains limited. We performed a 2-sample Mendelian randomization study to assess causal relationships between 91 inflammatory proteins and endometriosis. Genetic instruments were derived from protein quantitative trait loci data (14,824 individuals of European ancestry), and endometriosis data were obtained from the Finnish cohort and UK Biobank. Primary analysis used inverse variance weighting and Wald ratio methods, with validation in independent cohorts. Sensitivity analyses included reverse causality, Bayesian colocalization, and phenotype screening. Beta-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) was significantly associated with endometriosis risk (OR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.60-3.09; P = 1.75 × 10-6), with strong colocalization evidence (PPH3 + PPH4 = 97.22%). C-X-C motif chemokine 11 and signaling lymphocytic activation molecule showed associations in primary analysis but were not validated. Phenotype screening linked C-X-C motif chemokine 11 and signaling lymphocytic activation molecule to autoimmune, metabolic, and oncological conditions. DrugBank analysis identified 5 potential β-NGF-targeted therapies. This study provides robust evidence for the causal role of β-NGF in endometriosis and identifies potential therapeutic targets. These findings advance our understanding of endometriosis pathogenesis and highlight opportunities for targeted treatment development.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Nerve Growth Factor Nerve Growth Factor Nerve Growth Factor Nerve Growth Factor

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (32)

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