Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis

Zhangren Yan,1 Dandan Shen,1 Xiaoqian Qiu,2 Bohua Ai,2 Chenxi Xiong2 1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Surgery, Hospital of Traditional Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, People’s Republic of China; 2Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine...

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Main Authors: Yan Z, Shen D, Qiu X, Ai B, Xiong C
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-04-01
Series:Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/causal-impact-of-immune-phenotypes-on-herpes-zoster-and-postherpetic-n-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
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author Yan Z
Shen D
Qiu X
Ai B
Xiong C
author_facet Yan Z
Shen D
Qiu X
Ai B
Xiong C
author_sort Yan Z
collection DOAJ
description Zhangren Yan,1 Dandan Shen,1 Xiaoqian Qiu,2 Bohua Ai,2 Chenxi Xiong2 1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Surgery, Hospital of Traditional Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, People’s Republic of China; 2Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chenxi Xiong, Email 13870672919@163.comBackground: Previous research has investigated the contribution of immunological cells to both herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). This Mendelian randomization (MR) study seeks to further assess the cause-and-effect connection among 731 immune cell phenotypes and HZ and PHN providing partial causal evidence.Methods: The data for HZ and PHN were sourced from the FinnGen database, and the 731 immune cell phenotypes were drawn from GWAS. Five analytical methods, primarily utilizing the inverse variance weighted (IVW) approach, were selected to assess the cause-and-effect connection in relation to exposure and outcomes. Finally, sensitivity analyses were undertaken to verify the robustness as well as validity of the data.Results: The MR analysis utilizing the IVW method revealed that in the forward Mendelian randomization, two immune cell phenotypes of T cells were negatively connected with HZ(P < 0.05, OR < 1). In comparison, two other immune cell phenotypes were advantageously linked with PHN(P < 0.05, OR > 1). In the reverse Mendelian randomization, HZ was positively associated with five immune cell phenotypes from T cells and NK cells (P < 0.05, OR > 1). PHN demonstrated a positive association with nine immune cell phenotypes from T cells, myeloid cells, B cells, CDC, and monocytes (P < 0.05, OR > 1), while showing a negative association with the remaining 11 immune cells (P < 0.05, OR < 1). Likewise, No evidence of disparity, horizontal pleiotropy, or backward causality was found.Conclusion: This study employs Mendelian randomization analysis to elucidate the complex causal relationships between various immune cell phenotypes and the development of HZ and PHN. The findings provide insights into the immune mechanisms underlying disease progression, advancing our understanding of immune-mediated pathways and their potential implications for future therapeutic strategies.Keywords: causal effect, Mendelian randomization, immunophenotypes, herpes zoster, postherpetic neuralgia
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series Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
spelling doaj-art-d3d64cdefda34b5e95dc040ae3792f882025-08-20T02:12:46ZengDove Medical PressClinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology1178-70152025-04-01Volume 18919928102104Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization AnalysisYan ZShen DQiu XAi BXiong CZhangren Yan,1 Dandan Shen,1 Xiaoqian Qiu,2 Bohua Ai,2 Chenxi Xiong2 1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Surgery, Hospital of Traditional Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, People’s Republic of China; 2Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chenxi Xiong, Email 13870672919@163.comBackground: Previous research has investigated the contribution of immunological cells to both herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). This Mendelian randomization (MR) study seeks to further assess the cause-and-effect connection among 731 immune cell phenotypes and HZ and PHN providing partial causal evidence.Methods: The data for HZ and PHN were sourced from the FinnGen database, and the 731 immune cell phenotypes were drawn from GWAS. Five analytical methods, primarily utilizing the inverse variance weighted (IVW) approach, were selected to assess the cause-and-effect connection in relation to exposure and outcomes. Finally, sensitivity analyses were undertaken to verify the robustness as well as validity of the data.Results: The MR analysis utilizing the IVW method revealed that in the forward Mendelian randomization, two immune cell phenotypes of T cells were negatively connected with HZ(P < 0.05, OR < 1). In comparison, two other immune cell phenotypes were advantageously linked with PHN(P < 0.05, OR > 1). In the reverse Mendelian randomization, HZ was positively associated with five immune cell phenotypes from T cells and NK cells (P < 0.05, OR > 1). PHN demonstrated a positive association with nine immune cell phenotypes from T cells, myeloid cells, B cells, CDC, and monocytes (P < 0.05, OR > 1), while showing a negative association with the remaining 11 immune cells (P < 0.05, OR < 1). Likewise, No evidence of disparity, horizontal pleiotropy, or backward causality was found.Conclusion: This study employs Mendelian randomization analysis to elucidate the complex causal relationships between various immune cell phenotypes and the development of HZ and PHN. The findings provide insights into the immune mechanisms underlying disease progression, advancing our understanding of immune-mediated pathways and their potential implications for future therapeutic strategies.Keywords: causal effect, Mendelian randomization, immunophenotypes, herpes zoster, postherpetic neuralgiahttps://www.dovepress.com/causal-impact-of-immune-phenotypes-on-herpes-zoster-and-postherpetic-n-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCIDcausal effectmendelian randomizationimmunophenotypesherpes zosterpostherpetic neuralgia
spellingShingle Yan Z
Shen D
Qiu X
Ai B
Xiong C
Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
causal effect
mendelian randomization
immunophenotypes
herpes zoster
postherpetic neuralgia
title Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis
title_full Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis
title_fullStr Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis
title_short Causal Impact of Immune Phenotypes on Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis
title_sort causal impact of immune phenotypes on herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia insights from mendelian randomization analysis
topic causal effect
mendelian randomization
immunophenotypes
herpes zoster
postherpetic neuralgia
url https://www.dovepress.com/causal-impact-of-immune-phenotypes-on-herpes-zoster-and-postherpetic-n-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
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