Cathepsins and Glaucoma: Genetic Evidence from a Mendelian Randomization Approach

Abstract Background Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy primarily associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and characterized by optic nerve damage. Despite numerous risk factors, including high IOP, the molecular mechanisms underlying glaucoma remain unclear. The cathepsin family, a group of lysosomal proteases, plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. This study investigates the causal relationship between cathepsins and glaucoma using Mendelian Randomization (MR). Methods This two-sample MR study evaluates the causal relationship between nine cathepsins and glaucoma subtypes using genetic data from the INTERVAL study and the FinnGen consortium. The primary MR analysis used the Inverse Variance Weighting (IVW) method, with supplementary analyses including MR-Egger and Weighted Median methods. Reverse MR and multivariate MR analyses were also performed. Results Elevated levels of cathepsin F significantly decreased the risk of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) (OR = 0.815, p = 0.005). Reverse MR analyses indicated that primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) might reduce cathepsin F levels (OR = 0.949, p = 0.010). Multivariate MR analysis showed significant associations between specific cathepsins and glaucoma subtypes, including cathepsin F reducing the risk of PACG and cathepsin S reducing the risk of total glaucoma. Conclusion This study provides evidence of a causal relationship between cathepsin levels and glaucoma subtypes, particularly highlighting the protective role of cathepsin F against PACG. These research findings offer insights into potential therapeutic targets for glaucoma, with the elucidation of their deeper mechanisms awaiting further investigation.