Diversity of CFTR variants across ancestries characterized using 454,727 UK biobank whole exome sequences

Abstract

Limited understanding of the diversity of CFTR variants across ancestries hampers efforts to advance molecular diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF). The consequences pose a risk of delayed diagnoses and subsequently worsened health outcomes for patients. Characterizing the distribution of CFTR variants across ancestries is, therefore, critical for revolutionizing molecular diagnoses of CF. By interrogating 454,727 UK biobank whole exome Sequences, we detected over 4,000 CFTR variants, including novel ancestry-specific variants, across six ancestries. F508del was the most prevalent CF-causing variant found across the ancestries, except in East Asia, where V520F was the most prevalent. Sixteen participants had two CF-causing variants, with two diagnosed as CF. We found 154 participants with a CF-causing and varying clinical consequences (VCC) variant. Overall, participants with multiple clinically relevant variants reported indications significantly associated with CF and its pulmonary phenotypes [Bonferroni adjusted p<0.05]. Potentially, participants with classical CF phenotypes may benefit from current CF therapies.