Higher blood beta-crystallin B2 protein level is linked to greater cataract risk
Plasma Proteomics Identifies Proteins and Pathways Associated with Cataract: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Yuzhou Zhang … Jason C Yam
Ophthalmology science · 2026
Purpose
To systematically identify plasma proteins associated with cataract development and explore their potential causal relationships.
Methods
Forty-nine thousand, five hundred and eighty-one UK Biobank participants free of cataract at baseline.
Results
Each rise in this blood protein was associated with higher risk of developing cataract
HR 1.60 (95% CI 1.55 to 1.66)
CI excludes the null - significant
More results
Of the 2920 plasma proteins analyzed, 58 demonstrated significant associations with cataract risk ( P < 1.71×10 -5 , Bonferroni-corrected threshold).
More results
Mendelian randomization analysis provided evidence supporting causal relationships for 4 proteins (CRYBB2, V-set and immunoglobulin domain-containing protein 4, mevalonate kinase, and metalloproteinase inhibitor 1) with cataract, with genetically predicted CRYBB2 levels showing a significant association with cataract risk, which is strongly supported by colocalization evidence.
“
Conclusion
This study identified distinct plasma proteomic signatures associated with incident cataract, offering novel insights into cataract pathogenesis and highlighting potential targets for early detection and therapeutic development.