Heritability of the function and structure of the arterial wall: findings of the Erasmus Rucphen Family (ERF) study.
OBJECTIVE
Using 930 individuals connected in a single pedigree from an isolated population, participants of the Erasmus Rucphen Family (ERF) study, we investigated the heritability of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima media thickness (IMT), and carotid plaque score.


METHODS
PWV was measured between the carotid and femoral arteries as an indicator of aortic stiffness. Common carotid IMT and plaque score, quantifying alterations in arterial wall structure, were measured by ultrasonography.


RESULTS
All 3 traits were significantly associated with classic cardiovascular risk factors. Age- and gender-adjusted heritability estimates were 0.36 for PWV, 0.41 for carotid IMT, and 0.28 for plaque score. After adjustment for appropriate risk factors, the heritabilities were 0.26, 0.35, and 0.21 for PWV, IMT, and plaque score, respectively. All heritability estimates were statistically significant (P<0.001). Taking into account different proportions of variance associated with covariates for each trait, genetic factors explained &12% of the total variability for each of the phenotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first report on the heritability of PWV. The heritability estimates of IMT and plaque score were similar to those in previous reports. We conclude that genetic factors significantly contribute to arterial structure and function in this isolated population, presenting the opportunity to locate susceptibility genes related to cardiovascular disorders.
Sayed-Tabatabaei
F A
FA
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van Rijn
M J E
MJ
Schut
A F C
AF
Aulchenko
Y S
YS
Croes
E A
EA
Zillikens
M C
MC
Pols
H A P
HA
Witteman
J C M
JC
Oostra
B A
BA
van Duijn
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000473:pathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D010641:Phenotype; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography