Exploring the Causal Relationship Between Plasma Proteins and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Study Using Genome-Wide Mendelian Randomization, Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis, and Network Pharmacology

This study investigates the causal relationship between plasma proteins and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using data from 35,559 individuals and genome-wide association studies. It identifies 62 plasma proteins significantly associated with OSA risk, including NTN4 and TFF2, and reveals causal relationships with genes like CELF2 and NTRK3. The research highlights 10 core genes involved in OSA's pathological processes, such as oxidative stress and immune regulation. Drug prediction analysis suggests compounds like 3,4-DHB and SB 202190 as potential therapies. Single-cell sequencing confirms the role of T cells and dendritic cells in OSA progression. The study identifies 62 therapeutic targets, with 10 prioritized for clinical trials, offering insights for developing targeted OSA treatments and reducing drug development costs.