A study of causal relationships between human IgG N-glycosylation traits and twelve associated diseases

N-glycosylation of IgG affects ligand binding, antigen recognition and modulates immune response. IgG N- glycome is altered in many pathological states, including cancers, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, the causal relationships between diseases and IgG N-glycosylation traits remain enigmatic. In the current study we implement a Mendelian Randomization approach to study causal effect of IgG N-glycan traits on 12 diseases and vice versa. We have found limited genetic evidence that increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus might lead to increased bisection of IgG N- glycans.