Statistical Bioinformatics Seminar Series: Dr Jiayue-Clara Jiang

Speaker: Dr Jiayue-Clara Jiang (University of Queensland) 

Title: Using statistical genomics to identify sex-specific risk factors of
cardiovascular diseases 

Abstract: Current management and care policies for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are
mostly based on male-oriented evidence, and female-specific risk factors of CVDs remain
poorly understood.  To improve the understanding of female-specific CVD risk factors, we
applied statistical genomic methods to investigate the sex-specific association between
psychiatric disorders and the incident risks of CVDs in a cohort of ~345,000
European-ancestry individuals (UK Biobank).  The genetic risks of three psychiatric
disorders (major depression [MD], schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) were estimated
using polygenic risk scores.  

Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that having a higher genetic risk of
MD was associated with increased incident risks of atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary
artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) in females, but not in males.  These
associations remained in the absence of any psychiatric disorder diagnosis or medication
use, and were thus not simply a consequence of diagnosis or psychiatric medications.
Mediation analysis showed that traditional risk factors did not explain the sex
differences.  We did not observe any association with CVD risks in either sex for the
genetic risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.  

In conclusion, our findings highlight the sex differences in the risk profiles of CVDs,
and show that a higher genetic risk of MD is a greater risk factor for CVDs in females
versus males.  Our findings warrant further investigation to understand the biological
mechanisms mediating this sex difference.  Further studies are essential to determine
whether the genetic risk of MD is useful for improving the prediction of CVD risks,
especially for females.  

About the speaker: Jiayue-Clara Jiang is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland (UQ).  Clara’s research focuses
on using genomic and transcriptomic analysis to investigate the genetic basis of
cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, with a particular focus on female health, as
well as using statistical genomic approaches to explore possible opportunities for drug
repurposing.  Clara graduated from the University of Queensland with Bachelor of
Advanced Science (First Class Honours) in 2017, and was awarded the University Medal.
Clara was awarded her PhD at the University of Queensland in 2021, where she utilised
bioinformatic approaches and molecular experiments to decipher the genetic aetiology of
breast cancer, specifically the regulatory role of transposons or ’jumping genes’ in
modulating the transcriptional landscape in the cancer state.  Clara is also a UQ
Wellness ambassador and an advocate for promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in
academia.  

This event will be held online.  

Zoom: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/84087321707