SLC12A2 and Hypertension: Our analysis showed that among the genes nearest to the top GWAS loci (±250 kb), 4 genes were related to vascular development and remodeling (CASZ1, PIEZO1; putative role in blood vessel remodeling: STIM2 and NFATC2), 4 genes were implicated in blood pressure and hypertension (CASZ1, PIEZO1, SLC12A2, and EBF1), 5 genes were linked to immune response/inflammation (PPP3R1, EBF1, GATA2, NFATC2, and RAPGEF3), and 2 genes were ion channels involved in regulation of both cell volume and vascular tone (PIEZO1 and SLC12A2).