高血压是世界范围内的重大公共卫生问题，然而其发病机制尚未完全阐明。有研究显示,一种新近发现的Ⅱ型跨膜丝氨酸蛋白Corin可能与血压的调节有关，它通过将心房钠尿肽前体（pro-ANP）激活而影响血压。研究表明Corin缺乏可能是高血压发生的一个重要机制。有关Corin与高血压关系的研究仅见于体外实验和动物实验。截至目前，Corin与高血压关系的人群研究还未见报道。本项目将在2007-2008年已建立的大规模高血压人群队列的基础上（已具有18550例对象的基线资料和血清标本），采用巢式病例对照研究方法，对新发生的高血压病例和相应的对照，进行基线Corin以及pro-ANP和ANP的检测，探讨Corin水平及其活性与高血压发病关系以及Corin与其他传统危险因素的交互作用对高血压发病的影响，为Corin在高血压发病中的作用提供流行病学证据，也为高血压治疗的新靶点和新药研发提供新思路。

Hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide. However，the disease mechanisms of hypertension have not been well clarified. Corin was a novel type Ⅱ transmembrane serin protease, which was shown to convert pro-atrial natriuretic peptide(pro-ANP) into active atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) and regulate blood pressure accordingly. Previous studies suggested that corin deficiency might represent an important mechanism underlying hypertension. To date, researches on the relationship between corin and hypertension were only reported in animal models or in vitro studies but not in human populations. We have finished the baseline investigation of a large hypertension cohort study and obtained the baseline information and blood samples in 18550 subjects during year 2007-2008. On this basis, a nested case-control study will be conducted. The hypertension patients and controls will be chosen in the follow-up study. Serum level of corin, pro-ANP and ANP will be tested to evaluate the association between corin and hypertension, as well as the interaction between corin and traditional risk factors. Our study will provide new epidemic evidence for the effect of corin on hypertension incidence and new insights into novel targets for hypertension therapy and drug discovery.