Genome-wide association study identifies 17 new loci influencing concentrations of circulating 1 cytokines and growth factors 2

46 47 Circulating cytokines and growth factors are regulators of inflammation and have been implicated 48 in autoimmune and metabolic diseases. In this genome-wide association study (GWAS) up to 49 n=8,293 Finns we identified 27 loci with genome-wide association (P-value<1.2×10) for one or 50 more cytokines, including 17 unidentified in previous GWASes. Fifteen of the associated SNPs had 51 expression quantitative trait loci in whole blood. We provide strong genetic instruments to clarify 52 the causal roles of cytokine signaling and upstream inflammation in immune-related and other 53 chronic diseases. We further link known autoimmune disease variants including Crohn's disease, 54 multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis with new inflammatory markers, which elucidate the 55 molecular mechanisms underpinning these diseases and suggest potential drug targets. 56 57 peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not . http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/045005 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online Mar. 25, 2016;