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Herrera ML, Paraíso-Luna J, Bustos-Martínez I, Barco Á. Targeting epigenetic dysregulation in autism spectrum disorders. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00162-X. [PMID: 38971705 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a range of neurodevelopmental pathologies characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behaviors, collectively affecting almost 1% of the worldwide population. Deciphering the etiology of ASD has proven challenging due to the intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors and the variety of molecular pathways affected. Epigenomic alterations have emerged as key players in ASD etiology. Their research has led to the identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and pinpointed specific gene targets for therapeutic interventions. This review examines the role of epigenetic alterations, resulting from both genetic and environmental influences, as a central causative factor in ASD, delving into its contribution to pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena L Herrera
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan Paraíso-Luna
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Bustos-Martínez
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Ángel Barco
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
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2
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Nutor C, Dunlop A, Sadler O, Brennan PA. Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Autism-Related Behaviors: Examining Maternal Stress as a Moderator in a Black American Cohort. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2355-2367. [PMID: 37097527 PMCID: PMC10127191 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05982-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal cannabis use and maternal stress have been proposed as risk factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Black mothers and mothers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) may be especially likely to experience high levels of stress. This study examined the impact of prenatal cannabis use and maternal stress (i.e., prenatal distress, racial discrimination, and lower SES) on child ASD-related behaviors in a sample of 172 Black mother-child pairs. We found that prenatal stress was significantly associated with ASD-related behaviors. Prenatal cannabis use did not predict ASD-related behaviors and did not interact with maternal stress to predict ASD-related behaviors. These findings replicate previous work on prenatal stress-ASD associations and add to the limited literature on prenatal cannabis-ASD associations in Black samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nutor
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - A Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, 1365 E Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - O Sadler
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - P A Brennan
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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3
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Huang M, Wang J, Liu W, Zhou H. Advances in the role of the GADD45 family in neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1349409. [PMID: 38332860 PMCID: PMC10850240 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1349409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The growth arrest and DNA damage inducible protein 45 (GADD45) family comprises stress-induced nuclear proteins that interact with DNA demethylases to facilitate DNA demethylation, thereby regulating diverse cellular processes including oxidative stress, DNA damage repair, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and neuroplasticity by modulating the expression patterns of specific genes. Widely expressed in the central nervous system, the GADD45 family plays a pivotal role in various neurological disorders, rendering it a potential therapeutic target for central nervous system diseases. This review presented a comprehensive overview of the expression patterns and potential mechanisms of action associated with each member of GADD45 family (GADD45α, GADD45β, and GADD45γ) in neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders, while also explored strategies to harness these mechanisms for intervention and treatment. Future research should prioritize the development of effective modulators targeting the GADD45 family for clinical trials aimed at treating central nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hongyan Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cognitive and Affective Disorders, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
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Wan C, Ma H, Liu J, Liu F, Liu J, Dong G, Zeng X, Li D, Yu Z, Wang X, Li J, Zhang G. Quantitative relationships of FAM50B and PTCHD3 methylation with reduced intelligence quotients in school aged children exposed to lead: Evidence from epidemiological and in vitro studies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167976. [PMID: 37866607 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
At present, the application of DNA methylation (DNAm) biomarkers in environmental health risk assessment (EHRA) is more challenging due to the unclearly quantitative relationship between them. We aimed to explore the role of FAM50B and PTCHD3 at the level of signaling pathways, and establish the quantitative relationship between them and children's intelligence quotients (IQs). DNAm of target regions was measured in multiple cell models and was compared with the human population data. Then the dose-response relationships of lead exposure with neurotoxicity and DNAm were established by benchmark dose (BMD) model, followed by potential signaling pathway screening. Results showed that there was a quantitative linear relationship between children's IQs and FAM50B/PTCHD3 DNAm (DNAm between 51.40 % - 78.78 % and 31.41 % - 74.19 % for FAM50B and PTCHD3, respectively), and this relationship was more significant when children's IQs > 90. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curves showed that FAM50B/PTCHD3 DNAm had a satisfying accuracy and consistency in predicting children's IQs, which was confirmed by sensitivity analysis of gender and CpG site grouping data. In cell experiments, there was also a quantitative linear relationship between FAM50B DNAm and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which was mediated by PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. In addition, the lead BMD of ROS was close to that of FAM50B DNAm, suggesting that FAM50B DNAm was a suitable biomarker for the risk assessments of adverse outcomes induced by lead. Taken collectively, these results suggest that FAM50B/PTCHD3 can be applied to EHRA and the prevention/intervention of adverse effects of lead on children's IQs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Huimin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Jiahong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei Liu
- School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510180, China
| | - Guanghui Dong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiaowen Zeng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Daochuan Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhiqiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xinming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Gan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Metkar SK, Yan Y, Lu Y, Lu J, Zhu X, Du F, Xu Y. Phosphodiesterase 2 and Its Isoform A as Therapeutic Targets in the Central Nervous System Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:941-955. [PMID: 37855295 DOI: 10.2174/1871527323666230811093126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphates (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are two essential second messengers, which are hydrolyzed by phosphodiesterase's (PDEs), such as PDE-2. Pharmacological inhibition of PDE-2 (PDE2A) in the central nervous system improves cAMP and cGMP signaling, which controls downstream proteins related to neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Considering that there are no specific treatments for these disorders, PDE-2 inhibitors' development has gained more attention in the recent decade. There is high demand for developing new-generation drugs targeting PDE2 for treating diseases in the central nervous and peripheral systems. This review summarizes the relationship between PDE-2 with neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental disorders as well as its possible treatment, mainly involving inhibitors of PDE2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay K Metkar
- Department of Anesthesiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Yuqing Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Jianming Lu
- Codex BioSolutions Inc. 12358 Parklawn Drive, Suite 250A, Rockville, MD 20852, Maryland
| | - Xiongwei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; USA
| | - Fu Du
- FD NeuroTechnologies Consulting & Services, Inc., Columbia, MD 21046, Maryland
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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Al-Beltagi M. Pre-autism: What a paediatrician should know about early diagnosis of autism. World J Clin Pediatr 2023; 12:273-294. [PMID: 38178935 PMCID: PMC10762597 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i5.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism, also known as an autism spectrum disorder, is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed in the first three years of a child's life. A range of symptoms characterizes it and can be diagnosed at any age, including adolescence and adulthood. However, early diagnosis is crucial for effective management, prognosis, and care. Unfortunately, there are no established fetal, prenatal, or newborn screening programs for autism, making early detection difficult. This review aims to shed light on the early detection of autism prenatally, natally, and early in life, during a stage we call as "pre-autism" when typical symptoms are not yet apparent. Some fetal, neonatal, and infant biomarkers may predict an increased risk of autism in the coming baby. By developing a biomarker array, we can create an objective diagnostic tool to diagnose and rank the severity of autism for each patient. These biomarkers could be genetic, immunological, hormonal, metabolic, amino acids, acute phase reactants, neonatal brainstem function biophysical activity, behavioral profile, body measurements, or radiological markers. However, every biomarker has its accuracy and limitations. Several factors can make early detection of autism a real challenge. To improve early detection, we need to overcome various challenges, such as raising community awareness of early signs of autism, improving access to diagnostic tools, reducing the stigma attached to the diagnosis of autism, and addressing various culturally sensitive concepts related to the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Algahrbia, Egypt
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
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Gonzales S, Zhao JZ, Choi NY, Acharya P, Jeong S, Lee MY. SOX7: Novel Autistic Gene Identified by Analysis of Multi-Omics Data. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3346245. [PMID: 37790478 PMCID: PMC10543249 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3346245/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Despite thousands of variants identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is unclear which mutations are causal because most are noncoding. Consequently, reliable diagnostic biomarkers are lacking. RNA-seq analysis captures biomolecular complexity that GWAS cannot by considering transcriptomic patterns. Therefore, integrating DNA and RNA testing may reveal causal genes and useful biomarkers for ASD. Methods We performed gene-based association studies using an adaptive test method with GWAS summary statistics from two large Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) datasets (ASD2019: 18,382 cases and 27,969 controls; ASD2017: 6,197 cases and 7,377 controls). We also investigated differential expression for genes identified with the adaptive test using an RNA-seq dataset (GSE30573: 3 cases and 3 controls) and DESeq2. Results We identified 5 genes significantly associated with ASD in ASD2019 (KIZ-AS1, p = 8.67×10- 10; KIZ, p = 1.16×10- 9; XRN2, p = 7.73×10- 9; SOX7, p = 2.22×10- 7; LOC101929229 (also known as PINX1-DT), p = 2.14×10- 6). Two of the five genes were replicated in ASD2017: SOX7 (p = 0.00087) and LOC101929229 (p = 0.009), and KIZ was close to the replication boundary of replication (p = 0.06). We identified significant expression differences for SOX7 (p = 0.0017, adjusted p = 0.0085), LOC101929229 (p = 5.83×10- 7, adjusted p = 1.18×10- 5), and KIZ (p = 0.00099, adjusted p = 0.0055). SOX7 encodes a transcription factor that regulates developmental pathways, alterations in which may contribute to ASD. Limitations The limitation of the gene-based analysis is the reliance on a reference population for estimating linkage disequilibrium between variants. The similarity of this reference population to the population of study is crucial to the accuracy of many gene-based analyses, including those performed in this study. As a result, the extent of our findings is limited to European populations, as this was our reference of choice. Future work includes a tighter integration of DNA and RNA information as well as extensions to non-European populations that have been under-researched. Conclusions These findings suggest that SOX7 and its related SOX family genes encode transcription factors that are critical to the downregulation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, an important developmental signaling pathway, providing credence to the biologic plausibility of the association between gene SOX7 and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Zizhen Zhao
- Miami Dade College Kendall Campus and School for Advanced Studies
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Santos HP, Enggasser AE, Clark J, Roell K, Zhabotynsky V, Gower WA, Yanni D, Yang NG, Washburn L, Gogcu S, Marsit CJ, Kuban K, O'Shea TM, Fry RC. Sexually dimorphic methylation patterns characterize the placenta and blood from extremely preterm newborns. BMC Biol 2023; 21:173. [PMID: 37608375 PMCID: PMC10464100 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01662-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health outcomes among children born prematurely are known to be sexually dimorphic, with male infants often more affected, yet the mechanism behind this observation is not clear. CpG methylation levels in the placenta and blood also differ by sex and are associated with adverse health outcomes. We contrasted CpG methylation levels in the placenta and neonatal blood (n = 358) from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn (ELGAN) cohort based on the EPIC array, which assays over 850,000 CpG sites across the epigenome. Sex-specific epigenome-wide association analyses were conducted for the placenta and neonatal blood samples independently, and the results were compared to determine tissue-specific differences between the methylation patterns in males and females. All models were adjusted for cell type heterogeneity. Enrichment pathway analysis was performed to identify the biological functions of genes related to the sexually dimorphic CpG sites. RESULTS Approximately 11,500 CpG sites were differentially methylated in relation to sex. Of these, 5949 were placenta-specific and 5361 were blood-specific, with only 233 CpG sites overlapping in both tissues. For placenta-specific CpG sites, 90% were hypermethylated in males. For blood-specific CpG sites, 95% were hypermethylated in females. In the placenta, keratinocyte differentiation biological pathways were enriched among the differentially methylated genes. No enrichment pathways were observed for blood. CONCLUSIONS Distinct methylation patterns were observed between male and female children born extremely premature, and keratinocyte differentiation pathways were enriched in the placenta. These findings provide new insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying sexually dimorphic health outcomes among extremely premature infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hudson P Santos
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
| | - Adam E Enggasser
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jeliyah Clark
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kyle Roell
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Vasyl Zhabotynsky
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - William Adam Gower
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Diana Yanni
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nou Gao Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Lisa Washburn
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Semsa Gogcu
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karl Kuban
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Boston. University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - T Michael O'Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Lax E, Do Carmo S, Enuka Y, Sapozhnikov DM, Welikovitch LA, Mahmood N, Rabbani SA, Wang L, Britt JP, Hancock WW, Yarden Y, Szyf M. Methyl-CpG binding domain 2 (Mbd2) is an epigenetic regulator of autism-risk genes and cognition. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:259. [PMID: 37443311 PMCID: PMC10344909 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02561-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Methyl-CpG-Binding Domain Protein family has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The Methyl-CpG-binding domain 2 (Mbd2) binds methylated DNA and was shown to play an important role in cancer and immunity. Some evidence linked this protein to neurodevelopment. However, its exact role in neurodevelopment and brain function is mostly unknown. Here we show that Mbd2-deficiency in mice (Mbd2-/-) results in deficits in cognitive, social and emotional functions. Mbd2 binds regulatory DNA regions of neuronal genes in the hippocampus and loss of Mbd2 alters the expression of hundreds of genes with a robust down-regulation of neuronal gene pathways. Further, a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis found an altered DNA methylation pattern in regulatory DNA regions of neuronal genes in Mbd2-/- mice. Differentially expressed genes significantly overlap with gene-expression changes observed in brains of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) individuals. Notably, downregulated genes are significantly enriched for human ortholog ASD risk genes. Observed hippocampal morphological abnormalities were similar to those found in individuals with ASD and ASD rodent models. Hippocampal Mbd2 knockdown partially recapitulates the behavioral phenotypes observed in Mbd2-/- mice. These findings suggest that Mbd2 is a novel epigenetic regulator of genes that are associated with ASD in humans. Mbd2 loss causes behavioral alterations that resemble those found in ASD individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Lax
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yehoshua Enuka
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Daniel M Sapozhnikov
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lindsay A Welikovitch
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Niaz Mahmood
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shafaat A Rabbani
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Liqing Wang
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Biesecker Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan P Britt
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wayne W Hancock
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Biesecker Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yosef Yarden
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Strathearn L, Momany A, Kovács EH, Guiler W, Ladd-Acosta C. The intersection of genome, epigenome and social experience in autism spectrum disorder: Exploring modifiable pathways for intervention. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 202:107761. [PMID: 37121464 PMCID: PMC10330448 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased substantially over the past two decades. Current research suggests that both genetic and environmental risk factors are involved in the etiology of ASD. The goal of this paper is to examine how one specific environmental factor, early social experience, may be correlated with DNA methylation (DNAm) changes in genes associated with ASD. We present an innovative model which proposes that polygenic risk and changes in DNAm due to social experience may both contribute to the symptoms of ASD. Previous research on genetic and environmental factors implicated in the etiology of ASD will be reviewed, with an emphasis on the oxytocin receptor gene, which may be epigenetically altered by early social experience, and which plays a crucial role in social and cognitive development. Identifying an environmental risk factor for ASD (e.g., social experience) that could be modified via early intervention and which results in epigenetic (DNAm) changes, could transform our understanding of this condition, facilitate earlier identification of ASD, and guide early intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lane Strathearn
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 51 Newton Road 2-471 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA 52241, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, 356 Medical Research Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (Hawk-IDDRC), University of Iowa, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Allison Momany
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (Hawk-IDDRC), University of Iowa, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Emese Hc Kovács
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 51 Newton Road 2-471 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA 52241, USA.
| | - William Guiler
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, 356 Medical Research Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology and the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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11
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Gonzales S, Zhao JZ, Choi NY, Acharya P, Jeong S, Lee MY. SOX7: Novel Autistic Gene Identified by Analysis of Multi-Omics Data. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.26.542456. [PMID: 37292933 PMCID: PMC10245991 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.26.542456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Genome-wide association studies and next generation sequencing data analyses based on DNA information have identified thousands of mutations associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, more than 99% of identified mutations are non-coding. Thus, it is unclear which of these mutations might be functional and thus potentially causal variants. Transcriptomic profiling using total RNA-sequencing has been one of the most utilized approaches to link protein levels to genetic information at the molecular level. The transcriptome captures molecular genomic complexity that the DNA sequence solely does not. Some mutations alter a gene's DNA sequence but do not necessarily change expression and/or protein function. To date, few common variants reliably associated with the diagnosis status of ASD despite consistently high estimates of heritability. In addition, reliable biomarkers used to diagnose ASD or molecular mechanisms to define the severity of ASD do not exist. Objectives It is necessary to integrate DNA and RNA testing together to identify true causal genes and propose useful biomarkers for ASD. Methods We performed gene-based association studies with adaptive test using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics with two large GWAS datasets (ASD 2019 data: 18,382 ASD cases and 27,969 controls [discovery data]; ASD 2017 data: 6,197 ASD cases and 7,377 controls [replication data]) which were obtained from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). In addition, we investigated differential expression for genes identified in gene-based GWAS with a RNA-seq dataset (GSE30573: 3 cases and 3 controls) using the DESeq2 package. Results We identified 5 genes significantly associated with ASD in ASD 2019 data (KIZ-AS1, p=8.67×10-10; KIZ, p=1.16×10-9; XRN2, p=7.73×10-9; SOX7, p=2.22×10-7; PINX1-DT, p=2.14×10-6). Among these 5 genes, gene SOX7 (p=0.00087), LOC101929229 (p=0.009), and KIZ-AS1 (p=0.059) were replicated in ASD 2017 data. KIZ (p=0.06) was close to the boundary of replication in ASD 2017 data. Genes SOX7 (p=0.0017, adjusted p=0.0085), LOC101929229 (also known as PINX1-DT, p=5.83×10-7, adjusted p=1.18×10-5), and KIZ (p=0.00099, adjusted p=0.0055) indicated significant expression differences between cases and controls in the RNA-seq data. SOX7 encodes a member of the SOX (SRY-related HMG-box) family of transcription factors pivotally contributing to determining of the cell fate and identity in many lineages. The encoded protein may act as a transcriptional regulator after forming a protein complex with other proteins leading to autism. Conclusion Gene SOX7 in the transcription factor family could be associated with ASD. This finding may provide new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Gonzales
- Department of Biostatistics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199
| | - Jane Zizhen Zhao
- Miami Dade College Kendall Campus and School for Advanced Studies, Miami, FL 33176
| | - Na Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76207
| | - Prabha Acharya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76207
| | - Sehoon Jeong
- Department of Healthcare Information Technology Inje University, Gimhae, South Korea, 50834
| | - Moo-Yeal Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76207
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12
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Stoccoro A, Conti E, Scaffei E, Calderoni S, Coppedè F, Migliore L, Battini R. DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Young Children with Idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119138. [PMID: 37298088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, the underlying pathological mechanisms of which are not yet completely understood. Although several genetic and genomic alterations have been linked to ASD, for the majority of ASD patients, the cause remains unknown, and the condition likely arises due to complex interactions between low-risk genes and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms that are highly sensitive to environmental factors and influence gene function without altering the DNA sequence, particularly aberrant DNA methylation, are involved in ASD pathogenesis. This systematic review aimed to update the clinical application of DNA methylation investigations in children with idiopathic ASD, investigating its potential application in clinical settings. To this end, a literature search was performed on different scientific databases using a combination of terms related to the association between peripheral DNA methylation and young children with idiopathic ASD; this search led to the identification of 18 articles. In the selected studies, DNA methylation is investigated in peripheral blood or saliva samples, at both gene-specific and genome-wide levels. The results obtained suggest that peripheral DNA methylation could represent a promising methodology in ASD biomarker research, although further studies are needed to develop DNA-methylation-based clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffei
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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13
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LaSalle JM. Epigenomic signatures reveal mechanistic clues and predictive markers for autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1890-1901. [PMID: 36650278 PMCID: PMC10560404 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01917-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with a commonality in deficits in social communication and language combined with repetitive behaviors and interests. The etiology of ASD is heterogeneous, as several hundred genes have been implicated as well as multiple in utero environmental exposures. Over the past two decades, epigenetic investigations, including DNA methylation, have emerged as a novel way to capture the complex interface of multivariate ASD etiologies. More recently, epigenome-wide association studies using human brain and surrogate accessible tissues have revealed some convergent genes that are epigenetically altered in ASD, many of which overlap with known genetic risk factors. Unlike transcriptomes, epigenomic signatures defined by DNA methylation from surrogate tissues such as placenta and cord blood can reflect past differences in fetal brain gene transcription, transcription factor binding, and chromatin. For example, the discovery of NHIP (neuronal hypoxia inducible, placenta associated) through an epigenome-wide association in placenta, identified a common genetic risk for ASD that was modified by prenatal vitamin use. While epigenomic signatures are distinct between different genetic syndromic causes of ASD, bivalent chromatin and some convergent gene pathways are consistently epigenetically altered in both syndromic and idiopathic ASD, as well as some environmental exposures. Together, these epigenomic signatures hold promising clues towards improved early prediction and prevention of ASD as well genes and gene pathways to target for pharmacological interventions. Future advancements in single cell and multi-omic technologies, machine learning, as well as non-invasive screening of epigenomic signatures during pregnancy or newborn periods are expected to continue to impact the translatability of the recent discoveries in epigenomics to precision public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine M LaSalle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, MIND Institute, Genome Center, Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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14
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Eaves LA, Enggasser AE, Camerota M, Gogcu S, Gower WA, Hartwell H, Jackson WM, Jensen E, Joseph RM, Marsit CJ, Roell K, Santos HP, Shenberger JS, Smeester L, Yanni D, Kuban KCK, O'Shea TM, Fry RC. CpG methylation patterns in placenta and neonatal blood are differentially associated with neonatal inflammation. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1072-1084. [PMID: 35764815 PMCID: PMC10289042 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02150-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infants born extremely premature are at increased risk for health complications later in life for which neonatal inflammation may be a contributing biological driver. Placental CpG methylation provides mechanistic information regarding the relationship between prenatal epigenetic programming, prematurity, neonatal inflammation, and later-in-life health. METHODS We contrasted CpG methylation in the placenta and neonatal blood spots in relation to neonatal inflammation in the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn (ELGAN) cohort. Neonatal inflammation status was based on the expression of six inflammation-related proteins, assessed as (1) day-one inflammation (DOI) or (2) intermittent or sustained systemic inflammation (ISSI, inflammation on ≥2 days in the first 2 postnatal weeks). Epigenome-wide CpG methylation was assessed in 354 placental samples and 318 neonatal blood samples. RESULTS Placental CpG methylation displayed the strongest association with ISSI (48 CpG sites) but was not associated with DOI. This was in contrast to CpG methylation in blood spots, which was associated with DOI (111 CpG sites) and not with ISSI (one CpG site). CONCLUSIONS Placental CpG methylation was strongly associated with ISSI, a measure of inflammation previously linked to later-in-life cognitive impairment, while day-one neonatal blood methylation was associated with DOI. IMPACT Neonatal inflammation increases the risk of adverse later-life outcomes, especially in infants born extremely preterm. CpG methylation in the placenta and neonatal blood spots were evaluated in relation to neonatal inflammation assessed via circulating proteins as either (i) day-one inflammation (DOI) or (ii) intermittent or sustained systemic inflammation (ISSI, inflammation on ≥2 days in the first 2 weeks). Tissue specificity was observed in epigenetic-inflammatory relationships: placental CpG methylation was associated with ISSI, neonatal blood CpG methylation was associated with DOI. Supporting the placental origins of disease framework, placental epigenetic patterns are associated with a propensity for ISSI in neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Eaves
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Adam E Enggasser
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Marie Camerota
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Semsa Gogcu
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - William A Gower
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hadley Hartwell
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Wesley M Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Jensen
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Robert M Joseph
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kyle Roell
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hudson P Santos
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- School of Nursing & Health Studies, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Shenberger
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Lisa Smeester
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Diana Yanni
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karl C K Kuban
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - T Michael O'Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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15
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Nabais MF, Gadd DA, Hannon E, Mill J, McRae AF, Wray NR. An overview of DNA methylation-derived trait score methods and applications. Genome Biol 2023; 24:28. [PMID: 36797751 PMCID: PMC9936670 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-02855-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Microarray technology has been used to measure genome-wide DNA methylation in thousands of individuals. These studies typically test the associations between individual DNA methylation sites ("probes") and complex traits or diseases. The results can be used to generate methylation profile scores (MPS) to predict outcomes in independent data sets. Although there are many parallels between MPS and polygenic (risk) scores (PGS), there are key differences. Here, we review motivations, methods, and applications of DNA methylation-based trait prediction, with a focus on common diseases. We contrast MPS with PGS, highlighting where assumptions made in genetic modeling may not hold in epigenetic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta F Nabais
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- University of Exeter Medical School, RILD Building, RD&E Hospital Wonford, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Danni A Gadd
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Eilis Hannon
- University of Exeter Medical School, RILD Building, RD&E Hospital Wonford, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, RILD Building, RD&E Hospital Wonford, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Allan F McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Naomi R Wray
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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16
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Wang W, Fu P. Gut Microbiota Analysis and In Silico Biomarker Detection of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder across Cohorts. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020291. [PMID: 36838256 PMCID: PMC9958793 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of human gut microbiota has attracted increasing interest in the fields of life science and healthcare. However, the complicated and interconnected associations between gut microbiota and human diseases are still difficult to determine in a predictive fashion. Artificial intelligence such as machine learning (ML) and deep learning can assist in processing and interpreting biological datasets. In this study, we aggregated data from different studies based on the species composition and relative abundance of gut microbiota in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developed (TD) individuals and analyzed the commonalities and differences of ASD-associated microbiota across cohorts. We established a predictive model using an ML algorithm to explore the diagnostic value of the gut microbiome for the children with ASD and identify potential biomarkers for ASD diagnosis. The results indicated that the Shenzhen cohort achieved a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) value of 0.984 with 97% accuracy, while the Moscow cohort achieved an AUROC value of 0.81 with 67% accuracy. For the combination of the two cohorts, the average prediction results had an AUROC of 0.86 and 80% accuracy. The results of our cross-cohort analysis suggested that a variety of influencing factors, such as population characteristics, geographical region, and dietary habits, should be taken into consideration in microbial transplantation or dietary therapy. Collectively, our prediction strategy based on gut microbiota can serve as an enhanced strategy for the clinical diagnosis of ASD and assist in providing a more complete method to assess the risk of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Wang
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, 58 Renmin Avenue, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Pengcheng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, 58 Renmin Avenue, Haikou 570228, China
- Correspondence:
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17
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Liu XQ, Huang J, Song C, Zhang TL, Liu YP, Yu L. Neurodevelopmental toxicity induced by PM2.5 Exposure and its possible role in Neurodegenerative and mental disorders. Hum Exp Toxicol 2023; 42:9603271231191436. [PMID: 37537902 DOI: 10.1177/09603271231191436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent extensive evidence suggests that ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5, with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) may be neurotoxic to the brain and cause central nervous system damage, contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. PM2.5 can enter the brain via various pathways, including the blood-brain barrier, olfactory system, and gut-brain axis, leading to adverse effects on the CNS. Studies in humans and animals have revealed that PM2.5-mediated mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and gut flora dysbiosis, play a crucial role in CNS damage. Additionally, PM2.5 exposure can induce epigenetic alterations, such as hypomethylation of DNA, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of some CNS damage. Through literature analysis, we suggest that promising therapeutic targets for alleviating PM2.5-induced neurological damage include inhibiting microglia overactivation, regulating gut microbiota with antibiotics, and targeting signaling pathways, such as PKA/CREB/BDNF and WNT/β-catenin. Additionally, several studies have observed an association between PM2.5 exposure and epigenetic changes in neuropsychiatric disorders. This review summarizes and discusses the association between PM2.5 exposure and CNS damage, including the possible mechanisms by which PM2.5 causes neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Qi Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jia Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chao Song
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tian-Liang Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yong-Ping Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Li Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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18
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Anna S, Magdalena J. Editorial: Epigenomic contributions to autism spectrum disorders. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1177378. [PMID: 37144095 PMCID: PMC10151758 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1177378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Starnawska Anna
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, CGPM, and Center for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Starnawska Anna
| | - Janecka Magdalena
- Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Weichselbaum C, Hendrix N, Albright J, Dougherty JD, Botteron KN, Constantino JN, Marrus N. Social attention during object engagement: toward a cross-species measure of preferential social orienting. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:58. [PMID: 36517753 PMCID: PMC9749210 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09467-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A central challenge in preclinical research investigating the biology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the translation of ASD-related social phenotypes across humans and animal models. Social orienting, an observable, evolutionarily conserved behavior, represents a promising cross-species ASD phenotype given that disrupted social orienting is an early-emerging ASD feature with evidence for predicting familial recurrence. Here, we adapt a competing-stimulus social orienting task from domesticated dogs to naturalistic play behavior in human toddlers and test whether this approach indexes decreased social orienting in ASD. METHODS Play behavior was coded from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) in two samples of toddlers, each with and without ASD. Sample 1 (n = 16) consisted of community-ascertained research participants, while Sample 2 involved a prospective study of infants at a high or low familial liability for ASD (n = 67). Coding quantified the child's looks towards the experimenter and caregiver, a social stimulus, while playing with high-interest toys, a non-social stimulus. A competing-stimulus measure of "Social Attention During Object Engagement" (SADOE) was calculated by dividing the number of social looks by total time spent playing with toys. SADOE was compared based on ASD diagnosis and differing familial liability for ASD. RESULTS In both samples, toddlers with ASD exhibited significantly lower SADOE compared to toddlers without ASD, with large effect sizes (Hedges' g ≥ 0.92) driven by a lower frequency of child-initiated spontaneous looks. Among toddlers at high familial likelihood of ASD, toddlers with ASD showed lower SADOE than toddlers without ASD, while SADOE did not differ based on presence or absence of familial ASD risk alone. SADOE correlated negatively with ADOS social affect calibrated severity scores and positively with the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales social subscale. In a binary logistic regression model, SADOE alone correctly classified 74.1% of cases, which rose to 85.2% when combined with cognitive development. CONCLUSIONS This work suggests that a brief behavioral measure pitting a high-interest nonsocial stimulus against the innate draw of social partners can serve as a feasible cross-species measure of social orienting, with implications for genetically informative behavioral phenotyping of social deficits in ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Weichselbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8232, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nicole Hendrix
- Department of Pediatrics, Marcus Autism Center, Emory University Pediatric Institute, 1920 Briarcliff Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Jordan Albright
- Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 3110 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8232, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, 35 Ave, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John N Constantino
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Natasha Marrus
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8504, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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20
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Song AY, Bakulski K, Feinberg JI, Newschaffer C, Croen LA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Schmidt RJ, Farzadegan H, Lyall K, Fallin MD, Volk HE, Ladd-Acosta C. Associations between accelerated parental biologic age, autism spectrum disorder, social traits, and developmental and cognitive outcomes in their children. Autism Res 2022; 15:2359-2370. [PMID: 36189953 PMCID: PMC9722613 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Parental age is a known risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), however, studies to identify the biologic changes underpinning this association are limited. In recent years, "epigenetic clock" algorithms have been developed to estimate biologic age and to evaluate how the epigenetic aging impacts health and disease. In this study, we examined the relationship between parental epigenetic aging and their child's prospective risk of ASD and autism related quantitative traits in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation study. Estimates of epigenetic age were computed using three robust clock algorithms and DNA methylation measures from the Infinium HumanMethylation450k platform for maternal blood and paternal blood specimens collected during pregnancy. Epigenetic age acceleration was defined as the residual of regressing chronological age on epigenetic age while accounting for cell type proportions. Multinomial logistic regression and linear regression models were completed adjusting for potential confounders for both maternal epigenetic age acceleration (n = 163) and paternal epigenetic age acceleration (n = 80). We found accelerated epigenetic aging in mothers estimated by Hannum's clock was significantly associated with lower cognitive ability and function in offspring at 12 months, as measured by Mullen Scales of Early Learning scores (β = -1.66, 95% CI: -3.28, -0.04 for a one-unit increase). We also observed a marginal association between accelerated maternal epigenetic aging by Horvath's clock and increased odds of ASD in offspring at 36 months of age (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.26). By contrast, fathers accelerated aging was marginally associated with decreased ASD risk in their offspring (aOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.01). Our findings suggest epigenetic aging could play a role in parental age risks on child brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Y. Song
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kelly Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, MI
| | - Jason I. Feinberg
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Craig Newschaffer
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State
University, State College, PA
| | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences and The MIND
Institute, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences and The MIND
Institute, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Homayoon Farzadegan
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University,
Philadelphia, PA
| | - M. Daniele Fallin
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta,
Georgia, USA
| | - Heather E. Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental
Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
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21
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Voinsky I, Zoabi Y, Shomron N, Harel M, Cassuto H, Tam J, Rose S, Scheck AC, Karim MA, Frye RE, Aran A, Gurwitz D. Blood RNA Sequencing Indicates Upregulated BATF2 and LY6E and Downregulated ISG15 and MT2A Expression in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179843. [PMID: 36077244 PMCID: PMC9456089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in over 100 genes are implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DNA SNPs, CNVs, and epigenomic modifications also contribute to ASD. Transcriptomics analysis of blood samples may offer clues for pathways dysregulated in ASD. To expand and validate published findings of RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) studies, we performed RNA-seq of whole blood samples from an Israeli discovery cohort of eight children with ASD compared with nine age- and sex-matched neurotypical children. This revealed 10 genes with differential expression. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we compared RNAs from whole blood samples of 73 Israeli and American children with ASD and 26 matched neurotypical children for the 10 dysregulated genes detected by RNA-seq. This revealed higher expression levels of the pro-inflammatory transcripts BATF2 and LY6E and lower expression levels of the anti-inflammatory transcripts ISG15 and MT2A in the ASD compared to neurotypical children. BATF2 was recently reported as upregulated in blood samples of Japanese adults with ASD. Our findings support an involvement of these genes in ASD phenotypes, independent of age and ethnicity. Upregulation of BATF2 and downregulation of ISG15 and MT2A were reported to reduce cancer risk. Implications of the dysregulated genes for pro-inflammatory phenotypes, immunity, and cancer risk in ASD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Voinsky
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yazeed Zoabi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Moria Harel
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 91031, Israel
| | | | - Joseph Tam
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Shannon Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Adrienne C. Scheck
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Mohammad A. Karim
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Richard E. Frye
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Rossignol Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA
| | - Adi Aran
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 91031, Israel
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (D.G.)
| | - David Gurwitz
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (D.G.)
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22
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Epigenetic profiling of social communication trajectories and co-occurring mental health problems: a prospective, methylome-wide association study. Dev Psychopathol 2022; 34:854-863. [PMID: 33494854 PMCID: PMC8622455 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420001662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
While previous studies suggest that both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of autism-related traits, little is known about potential biological mechanisms underlying these associations. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we examined prospective associations between DNA methylation (DNAm: nbirth = 804, nage 7 = 877) and trajectories of social communication deficits at age 8-17 years. Methylomic variation at three loci across the genome (false discovery rate = 0.048) differentiated children following high (n = 80) versus low (n = 724) trajectories of social communication deficits. This differential DNAm was specific to the neonatal period and not observed at 7 years of age. Associations between DNAm and trajectory membership remained robust after controlling for co-occurring mental health problems (i.e., hyperactivity/inattention, conduct problems). The three loci identified at birth were not replicated in the Generation R Study. However, to the best of our knowledge, ALSPAC is the only study to date that is prospective enough to examine DNAm in relation to longitudinal trajectories of social communication deficits from childhood to adolescence. Although the present findings might point to potentially novel sites that differentiate between a high versus low trajectory of social communication deficits, the results should be considered tentative until further replicated.
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23
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Madley-Dowd P, Kalkbrenner AE, Heuvelman H, Heron J, Zammit S, Rai D, Schendel D. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring intellectual disability: sibling analysis in an intergenerational Danish cohort. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1847-1856. [PMID: 33050963 PMCID: PMC8044256 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720003621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal smoking has known adverse effects on fetal development. However, research on the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring intellectual disability (ID) is limited, and whether any associations are due to a causal effect or residual confounding is unknown. METHOD Cohort study of all Danish births between 1995 and 2012 (1 066 989 persons from 658 335 families after exclusions), with prospectively recorded data for cohort members, parents and siblings. We assessed the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy (18.6% exposed, collected during prenatal visits) and offspring ID (8051 cases, measured using ICD-10 diagnosis codes F70-F79) using logistic generalised estimating equation regression models. Models were adjusted for confounders including measures of socio-economic status and parental psychiatric diagnoses and were adjusted for family averaged exposure between full siblings. Adjustment for a family averaged exposure allows calculation of the within-family effect of smoking on child outcomes which is robust against confounders that are shared between siblings. RESULTS We found increased odds of ID among those exposed to maternal smoking in pregnancy after confounder adjustment (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.28-1.42) which attenuated to a null effect following adjustment for family averaged exposure (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.78-1.06). CONCLUSIONS Our findings are inconsistent with a causal effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on offspring ID risk. By estimating a within-family effect, our results suggest that prior associations were the result of unmeasured genetic or environmental characteristics of families in which the mother smokes during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Madley-Dowd
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Amy E. Kalkbrenner
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hein Heuvelman
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jon Heron
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stanley Zammit
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Dheeraj Rai
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Avon and Wiltshire Partnership NHS Mental Health Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Diana Schendel
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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24
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Jensen AR, Lane AL, Werner BA, McLees SE, Fletcher TS, Frye RE. Modern Biomarkers for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Future Directions. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:483-495. [PMID: 35759118 PMCID: PMC9411091 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00600-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is an increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in the world today, with an estimated 2% of the population being affected in the USA. A major complicating factor in diagnosing, treating, and understanding autism spectrum disorder is that defining the disorder is solely based on the observation of behavior. Thus, recent research has focused on identifying specific biological abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder that can provide clues to diagnosis and treatment. Biomarkers are an objective way to identify and measure biological abnormalities for diagnostic purposes as well as to measure changes resulting from treatment. This current opinion paper discusses the state of research of various biomarkers currently in development for autism spectrum disorder. The types of biomarkers identified include prenatal history, genetics, neurological including neuroimaging, neurophysiologic, and visual attention, metabolic including abnormalities in mitochondrial, folate, trans-methylation, and trans-sulfuration pathways, immune including autoantibodies and cytokine dysregulation, autonomic nervous system, and nutritional. Many of these biomarkers have promising preliminary evidence for prenatal and post-natal pre-symptomatic risk assessment, confirmation of diagnosis, subtyping, and treatment response. However, most biomarkers have not undergone validation studies and most studies do not investigate biomarkers with clinically relevant comparison groups. Although the field of biomarker research in autism spectrum disorder is promising, it appears that it is currently in the early stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Jensen
- Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA
| | - Alison L Lane
- Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA
| | - Brianna A Werner
- Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA
| | - Sallie E McLees
- Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA
| | - Tessa S Fletcher
- Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA.,Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Richard E Frye
- Section on Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA.
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25
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Caramaschi D, Neumann A, Cardenas A, Tindula G, Alemany S, Zillich L, Pesce G, Lahti JMT, Havdahl A, Mulder R, Felix JF, Tiemeier H, Sirignano L, Frank J, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Deuschle M, Huen K, Eskenazi B, Send TS, Ferrer M, Gilles M, de Agostini M, Baïz N, Rifas-Shiman SL, Kvist T, Czamara D, Tuominen ST, Relton CL, Rai D, London SJ, Räikkönen K, Holland N, Annesi-Maesano I, Streit F, Hivert MF, Oken E, Sunyer J, Cecil CAM, Sharp G. Meta-analysis of epigenome-wide associations between DNA methylation at birth and childhood cognitive skills. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2126-2135. [PMID: 35145228 PMCID: PMC9126809 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01441-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive skills are a strong predictor of a wide range of later life outcomes. Genetic and epigenetic associations across the genome explain some of the variation in general cognitive abilities in the general population and it is plausible that epigenetic associations might arise from prenatal environmental exposures and/or genetic variation early in life. We investigated the association between cord blood DNA methylation at birth and cognitive skills assessed in children from eight pregnancy cohorts within the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetics (PACE) Consortium across overall (total N = 2196), verbal (total N = 2206) and non-verbal cognitive scores (total N = 3300). The associations at single CpG sites were weak for all of the cognitive domains investigated. One region near DUSP22 on chromosome 6 was associated with non-verbal cognition in a model adjusted for maternal IQ. We conclude that there is little evidence to support the idea that variation in cord blood DNA methylation at single CpG sites is associated with cognitive skills and further studies are needed to confirm the association at DUSP22.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doretta Caramaschi
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), Bristol Medical School, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Department of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
| | - Alexander Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gwen Tindula
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Silvia Alemany
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lea Zillich
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Giancarlo Pesce
- Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Team (EPAR), Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, UMR-S 1136 INSERM and Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jari M T Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), Bristol Medical School, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Nic Waals Institute of Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rosa Mulder
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lea Sirignano
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Josef Frank
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Deuschle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karen Huen
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Tabea Sarah Send
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Muriel Ferrer
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Gilles
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maria de Agostini
- Inserm, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), Villejuif, France
| | - Nour Baïz
- Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Team (EPAR), Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, UMR-S 1136 INSERM and Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tuomas Kvist
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Samuli T Tuominen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caroline L Relton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), Bristol Medical School, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Dheeraj Rai
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), Bristol Medical School, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stephanie J London
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Katri Räikkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Holland
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Team (EPAR), Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, UMR-S 1136 INSERM and Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Fabian Streit
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Charlotte A M Cecil
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gemma Sharp
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), Bristol Medical School, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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26
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Shen X, Caramaschi D, Adams MJ, Walker RM, Min JL, Kwong A, Hemani G, Barbu MC, Whalley HC, Harris SE, Deary IJ, Morris SW, Cox SR, Relton CL, Marioni RE, Evans KL, McIntosh AM. DNA methylome-wide association study of genetic risk for depression implicates antigen processing and immune responses. Genome Med 2022; 14:36. [PMID: 35354486 PMCID: PMC8969265 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-022-01039-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a disabling and highly prevalent condition where genetic and epigenetic, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), differences contribute to disease risk. DNA methylation is influenced by genetic variation but the association between polygenic risk of depression and DNA methylation is unknown. METHODS We investigated the association between polygenic risk scores (PRS) for depression and DNAm by conducting a methylome-wide association study (MWAS) in Generation Scotland (N = 8898, mean age = 49.8 years) with replication in the Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 and 1936 and adults in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) (Ncombined = 2049, mean age = 79.1, 69.6 and 47.2 years, respectively). We also conducted a replication MWAS in the ALSPAC children (N = 423, mean age = 17.1 years). Gene ontology analysis was conducted for the cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) probes significantly associated with depression PRS, followed by Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis to infer the causal relationship between depression and DNAm. RESULTS Widespread associations (NCpG = 71, pBonferroni < 0.05, p < 6.3 × 10-8) were found between PRS constructed using genetic risk variants for depression and DNAm in CpG probes that localised to genes involved in immune responses and neural development. The effect sizes for the significant associations were highly correlated between the discovery and replication samples in adults (r = 0.79) and in adolescents (r = 0.82). Gene Ontology analysis showed that significant CpG probes are enriched in immunological processes in the human leukocyte antigen system. Additional MWAS was conducted for each lead genetic risk variant. Over 47.9% of the independent genetic risk variants included in the PRS showed associations with DNAm in CpG probes located in both the same (cis) and distal (trans) locations to the genetic loci (pBonferroni < 0.045). Subsequent MR analysis showed that there are a greater number of causal effects found from DNAm to depression than vice versa (DNAm to depression: pFDR ranged from 0.024 to 7.45 × 10-30; depression to DNAm: pFDR ranged from 0.028 to 0.003). CONCLUSIONS PRS for depression, especially those constructed from genome-wide significant genetic risk variants, showed methylome-wide differences associated with immune responses. Findings from MR analysis provided evidence for causal effect of DNAm to depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyi Shen
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK.
| | - Doretta Caramaschi
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Mark J Adams
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK
| | - Rosie M Walker
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Josine L Min
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alex Kwong
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Gibran Hemani
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Miruna C Barbu
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK
| | - Heather C Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK
| | - Sarah E Harris
- Lothian Birth Cohorts group, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Lothian Birth Cohorts group, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stewart W Morris
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohorts group, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caroline L Relton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK.
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27
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Schiavi S, Carbone E, Melancia F, di Masi A, Jarjat M, Brau F, Cardarelli S, Giorgi M, Bardoni B, Trezza V. Phosphodiesterase 2A inhibition corrects the aberrant behavioral traits observed in genetic and environmental preclinical models of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:119. [PMID: 35338117 PMCID: PMC8956682 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01885-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological inhibition of phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), has recently been proposed as a novel therapeutic tool for Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the leading monogenic cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Here, we investigated the role of PDE2A in ASD pathogenesis using two rat models that reflect one of either the genetic or environmental factors involved in the human disease: the genetic Fmr1-Δexon 8 rat model and the environmental rat model based on prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA, 500 mg/kg). Prior to behavioral testing, the offspring was treated with the PDE2A inhibitor BAY607550 (0.05 mg/kg at infancy, 0.1 mg/kg at adolescence and adulthood). Socio-communicative symptoms were assessed in both models through the ultrasonic vocalization test at infancy and three-chamber test at adolescence and adulthood, while cognitive impairments were assessed by the novel object recognition test in Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats (adolescence and adulthood) and by the inhibitory avoidance test in VPA-exposed rats (adulthood). PDE2A enzymatic activity in VPA-exposed infant rats was also assessed. In line with the increased PDE2A enzymatic activity previously observed in the brain of Fmr1-KO animals, we found an altered upstream regulation of PDE2A activity in the brain of VPA-exposed rats at an early developmental age (p < 0.05). Pharmacological inhibition of PDE2A normalized the communicative (p < 0.01, p < 0.05), social (p < 0.001, p < 0.05), and cognitive impairment (p < 0.001) displayed by both Fmr1-Δexon 8 and VPA-exposed rats. Altogether, these data highlight a key role of PDE2A in brain development and point to PDE2A inhibition as a promising pharmacological approach for the deficits common to both FXS and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Schiavi
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Deptartment of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Carbone
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Deptartment of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Melancia
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Deptartment of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra di Masi
- grid.8509.40000000121622106Deptartment of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
| | - Marielle Jarjat
- grid.429194.30000 0004 0638 0649Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, IPMC, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Fréderic Brau
- grid.429194.30000 0004 0638 0649Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, IPMC, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Silvia Cardarelli
- grid.7841.aDeptartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Giorgi
- grid.7841.aDeptartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Bardoni
- Université Côte d'Azur, Inserm, CNRS, IPMC, 06560, Valbonne, France.
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Deptartment of Science, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy.
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Varela RB, Cararo JH, Tye SJ, Carvalho AF, Valvassori SS, Fries GR, Quevedo J. Contributions of epigenetic inheritance to the predisposition of major psychiatric disorders: theoretical framework, evidence, and implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104579. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Williams LA, LaSalle JM. Future Prospects for Epigenetics in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:569-579. [PMID: 35962910 PMCID: PMC9626414 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00608-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of investigation into the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a current consensus in the field persists that ASD risk is too heterogeneous to be diagnosed by a single set of genetic variants. As such, ASD research has broadened to include assessment of other molecular biomarkers implicated in the condition that may be reflective of environmental exposures or gene by environment interactions. Epigenetic variance, and specifically differential DNA methylation, have emerged as areas of particularly high interest to ASD, as the epigenetic markers from specific chromatin loci collectively can reflect influences of multiple genetic and environmental factors and can also result in differential gene expression patterns. This review examines recent studies of the ASD epigenome, detailing common gene pathways found to be differentially methylated in people with ASD, and considers how these discoveries may inform our understanding of ASD etiology. We also consider future applications of epigenetics in ASD research and clinical practice, focusing on substratification, biomarker development, and experimental preclinical models of ASD that test causality. In combination with other -omics approaches, epigenomics allows an improved conceptualization of the multifactorial nature of ASD, and opens future lines of inquiry for both basic research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan A. Williams
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Janine M. LaSalle
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
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30
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Bakulski KM, Dou JF, Feinberg JI, Aung MT, Ladd-Acosta C, Volk HE, Newschaffer CJ, Croen LA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Levy SE, Landa R, Feinberg AP, Fallin MD. Autism-Associated DNA Methylation at Birth From Multiple Tissues Is Enriched for Autism Genes in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:775390. [PMID: 34899183 PMCID: PMC8655859 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.775390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy measures of DNA methylation, an epigenetic mark, may be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) development in children. Few ASD studies have considered prospective designs with DNA methylation measured in multiple tissues and tested overlap with ASD genetic risk loci. Objectives: To estimate associations between DNA methylation in maternal blood, cord blood, and placenta and later diagnosis of ASD, and to evaluate enrichment of ASD-associated DNA methylation for known ASD-associated genes. Methods: In the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI), an ASD-enriched risk birth cohort, genome-scale maternal blood (early n = 140 and late n = 75 pregnancy), infant cord blood (n = 133), and placenta (maternal n = 106 and fetal n = 107 compartments) DNA methylation was assessed on the Illumina 450k HumanMethylation array and compared to ASD diagnosis at 36 months of age. Differences in site-specific and global methylation were tested with ASD, as well as enrichment of single site associations for ASD risk genes (n = 881) from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database. Results: No individual DNA methylation site was associated with ASD at genome-wide significance, however, individual DNA methylation sites nominally associated with ASD (P < 0.05) in each tissue were highly enriched for SFARI genes (cord blood P = 7.9 × 10-29, maternal blood early pregnancy P = 6.1 × 10-27, maternal blood late pregnancy P = 2.8 × 10-16, maternal placenta P = 5.6 × 10-15, fetal placenta P = 1.3 × 10-20). DNA methylation sites nominally associated with ASD across all five tissues overlapped at 144 (29.5%) SFARI genes. Conclusion: DNA methylation sites nominally associated with later ASD diagnosis in multiple tissues were enriched for ASD risk genes. Our multi-tissue study demonstrates the utility of examining DNA methylation prior to ASD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - John F Dou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jason I Feinberg
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Max T Aung
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Heather E Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Craig J Newschaffer
- College of Health and Human Development, Penn State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Susan E Levy
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rebecca Landa
- Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andrew P Feinberg
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Biostatistics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Margaret D Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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31
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Lussier AA, Bodnar TS, Moksa M, Hirst M, Kobor MS, Weinberg J. Prenatal Adversity Alters the Epigenetic Profile of the Prefrontal Cortex: Sexually Dimorphic Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Food-Related Stress. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111773. [PMID: 34828381 PMCID: PMC8622940 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal adversity or stress can have long-term consequences on developmental trajectories and health outcomes. Although the biological mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, have the potential to link early-life environments to alterations in physiological systems, with long-term functional implications. We investigated the consequences of two prenatal insults, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and food-related stress, on DNA methylation profiles of the rat brain during early development. As these insults can have sex-specific effects on biological outcomes, we analyzed epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns in prefrontal cortex, a key brain region involved in cognition, executive function, and behavior, of both males and females. We found sex-dependent and sex-concordant influences of these insults on epigenetic patterns. These alterations occurred in genes and pathways related to brain development and immune function, suggesting that PAE and food-related stress may reprogram neurobiological/physiological systems partly through central epigenetic changes, and may do so in a sex-dependent manner. Such epigenetic changes may reflect the sex-specific effects of prenatal insults on long-term functional and health outcomes and have important implications for understanding possible mechanisms underlying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre A. Lussier
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Correspondence: (A.A.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Tamara S. Bodnar
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Michelle Moksa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (M.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Martin Hirst
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (M.M.); (M.H.)
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Michael S. Kobor
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada;
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Program in Child and Brain Development, CIFAR, MaRS Centre, West Tower, 661 University Ave., Suite 505, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Joanne Weinberg
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
- Correspondence: (A.A.L.); (J.W.)
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DNA methylation of the KLK8 gene in depression symptomatology. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:200. [PMID: 34715912 PMCID: PMC8556955 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01184-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is a common, complex, and debilitating mental disorder estimated to be under-diagnosed and insufficiently treated in society. Liability to depression is influenced by both genetic and environmental risk factors, which are both capable of impacting DNA methylation (DNAm). Accordingly, numerous studies have researched for DNAm signatures of this disorder. Recently, an epigenome-wide association study of monozygotic twins identified an association between DNAm status in the KLK8 (neuropsin) promoter region and severity of depression symptomatology. Methods In this study, we aimed to investigate: (i) if blood DNAm levels, quantified by pyrosequencing, at two CpG sites in the KLK8 promoter are associated with depression symptomatology and depression diagnosis in an independent clinical cohort and (ii) if KLK8 DNAm levels are associated with depression, postpartum depression, and depression symptomatology in four independent methylomic cohorts, with blood and brain DNAm quantified by either MBD-seq or 450 k methylation array. Results DNAm levels in KLK8 were not significantly different between depression cases and controls, and were not significantly associated with any of the depression symptomatology scores after correction for multiple testing (minimum p value for KLK8 CpG1 = 0.12 for ‘Depressed mood,’ and for CpG2 = 0.03 for ‘Loss of self-confidence with other people’). However, investigation of the link between KLK8 promoter DNAm levels and depression-related phenotypes collected from four methylomic cohorts identified significant association (p value < 0.05) between severity of depression symptomatology and blood DNAm levels at seven CpG sites. Conclusions Our findings suggest that variance in blood DNAm levels in KLK8 promoter region is associated with severity of depression symptoms, but not depression diagnosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-021-01184-5.
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Coppedè F. The diagnostic potential of the epigenome in autism spectrum disorders. Epigenomics 2021; 13:1587-1590. [PMID: 34617447 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tweetable abstract The diagnostic application of genome-wide methylation signatures is increasing in various syndromic forms of autism, but further studies are warranted to clarify whether epigenetic biomarkers can be of diagnostic utility in idiopathic ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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34
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Likhitweerawong N, Thonusin C, Boonchooduang N, Louthrenoo O, Nookaew I, Chattipakorn N, Chattipakorn SC. Profiles of urine and blood metabolomics in autism spectrum disorders. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:1641-1671. [PMID: 34338974 PMCID: PMC8502415 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00788-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Early diagnosis and treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pose challenges. The current diagnostic approach for ASD is mainly clinical assessment of patient behaviors. Biomarkers-based identification of ASD would be useful for pediatricians. Currently, there is no specific treatment for ASD, and evidence for the efficacy of alternative treatments remains inconclusive. The prevalence of ASD is increasing, and it is becoming more urgent to find the pathogenesis of such disorder. Metabolomic studies have been used to deeply investigate the alteration of metabolic pathways, including those associated with ASD. Metabolomics is a promising tool for identifying potential biomarkers and possible pathogenesis of ASD. This review comprehensively summarizes and discusses the abnormal metabolic pathways in ASD children, as indicated by evidence from metabolomic studies in urine and blood. In addition, the targeted interventions that could correct the metabolomic profiles relating to the improvement of autistic behaviors in affected animals and humans have been included. The results revealed that the possible underlying pathophysiology of ASD were alterations of amino acids, reactive oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, and microbiota-gut-brain axis. The potential common pathways shared by animal and human studies related to the improvement of ASD symptoms after pharmacological interventions were mammalian-microbial co-metabolite, purine metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation. The content of this review may contribute to novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD and possible therapeutic paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narueporn Likhitweerawong
- Division of Growth and Development, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chanisa Thonusin
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Inthawarorot Road, Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nonglak Boonchooduang
- Division of Growth and Development, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Orawan Louthrenoo
- Division of Growth and Development, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Intawat Nookaew
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkanasa, USA
| | - Nipon Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Inthawarorot Road, Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Siriporn C. Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Inthawarorot Road, Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Havdahl A, Niarchou M, Starnawska A, Uddin M, van der Merwe C, Warrier V. Genetic contributions to autism spectrum disorder. Psychol Med 2021; 51:2260-2273. [PMID: 33634770 PMCID: PMC8477228 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721000192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (autism) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by early childhood-onset impairments in communication and social interaction alongside restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. This review summarizes recent developments in human genetics research in autism, complemented by epigenetic and transcriptomic findings. The clinical heterogeneity of autism is mirrored by a complex genetic architecture involving several types of common and rare variants, ranging from point mutations to large copy number variants, and either inherited or spontaneous (de novo). More than 100 risk genes have been implicated by rare, often de novo, potentially damaging mutations in highly constrained genes. These account for substantial individual risk but a small proportion of the population risk. In contrast, most of the genetic risk is attributable to common inherited variants acting en masse, each individually with small effects. Studies have identified a handful of robustly associated common variants. Different risk genes converge on the same mechanisms, such as gene regulation and synaptic connectivity. These mechanisms are also implicated by genes that are epigenetically and transcriptionally dysregulated in autism. Major challenges to understanding the biological mechanisms include substantial phenotypic heterogeneity, large locus heterogeneity, variable penetrance, and widespread pleiotropy. Considerable increases in sample sizes are needed to better understand the hundreds or thousands of common and rare genetic variants involved. Future research should integrate common and rare variant research, multi-omics data including genomics, epigenomics, and transcriptomics, and refined phenotype assessment with multidimensional and longitudinal measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Havdahl
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - M. Niarchou
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TN, USA
| | - A. Starnawska
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Center for Genomics for Personalized Medicine, CGPM, and Center for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M. Uddin
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| | - C. van der Merwe
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, MA, USA
| | - V. Warrier
- Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, UK
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Anashkina AA, Erlykina EI. Molecular Mechanisms of Aberrant Neuroplasticity in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Review). Sovrem Tekhnologii Med 2021; 13:78-91. [PMID: 34513070 PMCID: PMC8353687 DOI: 10.17691/stm2021.13.1.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This review presents the analysis and systematization of modern data on the molecular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) development. Polyetiology and the multifactorial nature of ASD have been proved. The attempt has been made to jointly review and systematize current hypotheses of ASD pathogenesis at the molecular level from the standpoint of aberrant brain plasticity. The mechanism of glutamate excitotoxicity formation, the effect of imbalance of neuroactive amino acids and their derivatives, neurotransmitters, and hormones on the ASD formation have been considered in detail. The strengths and weaknesses of the proposed hypotheses have been analyzed from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine. The conclusion has been drawn on the leading role of glutamate excitotoxicity as a biochemical mechanism of aberrant neuroplasticity accompanied by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. The mechanism of aberrant neuroplasticity has also been traced at the critical moments of the nervous system development taking into account the influence of various factors of the internal and external environment. New approaches to searching for ASD molecular markers have been considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Anashkina
- Senior Teacher, Department of Biochemistry named after G.Y. Gorodisskaya; Senior Researcher, Central Scientific Research Laboratory, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia
| | - E I Erlykina
- Professor, Head of the Department of Biochemistry named after G.Y. Gorodisskaya, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia
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Shirvani-Farsani Z, Maloum Z, Bagheri-Hosseinabadi Z, Vilor-Tejedor N, Sadeghi I. DNA methylation signature as a biomarker of major neuropsychiatric disorders. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 141:34-49. [PMID: 34171761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a broadly-investigated epigenetic modification that has been considered as a heritable and reversible change. Previous findings have indicated that DNA methylation regulates gene expression in the central nervous system (CNS). Also, disturbance of DNA methylation patterns has been associated with destructive consequences that lead to human brain diseases such as neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs). In this review, we comprehensively discuss the mechanism and function of DNA methylation and its most recent associations with the pathology of NPDs-including major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SZ), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), and attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We also discuss how heterogeneous findings demand further investigations. Finally, based on the recent studies we conclude that DNA methylation status may have implications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics as a potential epigenetic biomarker of NPDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Shirvani-Farsani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University G.C., Tehran, IR, Iran.
| | - Zahra Maloum
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University G.C., Tehran, IR, Iran.
| | - Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
| | - Natalia Vilor-Tejedor
- BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Carrer Wellington 30, 08005, Barcelona, Spain; Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Clinical Genetics, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Iman Sadeghi
- BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Carrer Wellington 30, 08005, Barcelona, Spain; Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
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Abstract
Epigenetics has enriched human disease studies by adding new interpretations to disease features that cannot be explained by genetic and environmental factors. However, identifying causal mechanisms of epigenetic origin has been challenging. New opportunities have risen from recent findings in intra-individual and cyclical epigenetic variation, which includes circadian epigenetic oscillations. Cytosine modifications display deterministic temporal rhythms, which may drive ageing and complex disease. Temporality in the epigenome, or the 'chrono' dimension, may help the integration of epigenetic, environmental and genetic disease studies, and reconcile several disparities stemming from the arbitrarily delimited research fields. The ultimate goal of chrono-epigenetics is to predict disease risk, age of onset and disease dynamics from within individual-specific temporal dynamics of epigenomes.
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Abdolmaleky HM, Zhou JR, Thiagalingam S. Cataloging recent advances in epigenetic alterations in major mental disorders and autism. Epigenomics 2021; 13:1231-1245. [PMID: 34318684 PMCID: PMC8738978 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last two decades, diverse epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation, histone modifications, RNA editing and miRNA dysregulation have been associated with psychiatric disorders. A few years ago, in a review we outlined the most common epigenetic alterations in major psychiatric disorders (e.g., aberrant DNA methylation of DTNBP1, HTR2A, RELN, MB-COMT and PPP3CC, and increased expression of miR-34a and miR-181b). Recent follow-up studies have uncovered other DNA methylation aberrations affecting several genes in mental disorders, in addition to dysregulation of many miRNAs. Here, we provide an update on new epigenetic findings and highlight potential origin of the diversity and inconsistencies, focusing on drug effects, tissue/cell specificity of epigenetic landscape and discuss shortcomings of the current diagnostic criteria in mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, 02118 MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02215 MA, USA
| | - Jin-Rong Zhou
- Department of Surgery, Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02215 MA, USA
| | - Sam Thiagalingam
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, 02118 MA, USA
- Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, 02118 MA, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, 02218 MA, USA
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Villicaña S, Bell JT. Genetic impacts on DNA methylation: research findings and future perspectives. Genome Biol 2021; 22:127. [PMID: 33931130 PMCID: PMC8086086 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02347-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple recent studies highlight that genetic variants can have strong impacts on a significant proportion of the human DNA methylome. Methylation quantitative trait loci, or meQTLs, allow for the exploration of biological mechanisms that underlie complex human phenotypes, with potential insights for human disease onset and progression. In this review, we summarize recent milestones in characterizing the human genetic basis of DNA methylation variation over the last decade, including heritability findings and genome-wide identification of meQTLs. We also discuss challenges in this field and future areas of research geared to generate insights into molecular processes underlying human complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Villicaña
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, St. Thomas’ Hospital, King’s College London, 3rd Floor, South Wing, Block D, London, SE1 7EH UK
| | - Jordana T. Bell
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, St. Thomas’ Hospital, King’s College London, 3rd Floor, South Wing, Block D, London, SE1 7EH UK
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41
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Lafontaine N, Campbell PJ, Castillo-Fernandez JE, Mullin S, Lim EM, Kendrew P, Lewer M, Brown SJ, Huang RC, Melton PE, Mori TA, Beilin LJ, Dudbridge F, Spector TD, Wright MJ, Martin NG, McRae AF, Panicker V, Zhu G, Walsh JP, Bell JT, Wilson SG. Epigenome-Wide Association Study of Thyroid Function Traits Identifies Novel Associations of fT3 With KLF9 and DOT1L. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e2191-e2202. [PMID: 33484127 PMCID: PMC8063248 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Circulating concentrations of free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyrotropin (TSH) are partly heritable traits. Recent studies have advanced knowledge of their genetic architecture. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), may be important in pituitary-thyroid axis regulation and action, but data are limited. OBJECTIVE To identify novel associations between fT3, fT4, and TSH and differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in the genome in subjects from 2 Australian cohorts. METHOD We performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of thyroid function parameters and DNAm using participants from: Brisbane Systems Genetics Study (median age 14.2 years, n = 563) and the Raine Study (median age 17.0 years, n = 863). Plasma fT3, fT4, and TSH were measured by immunoassay. DNAm levels in blood were assessed using Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip arrays. Analyses employed generalized linear mixed models to test association between DNAm and thyroid function parameters. Data from the 2 cohorts were meta-analyzed. RESULTS We identified 2 DMPs with epigenome-wide significant (P < 2.4E-7) associations with TSH and 6 with fT3, including cg00049440 in KLF9 (P = 2.88E-10) and cg04173586 in DOT1L (P = 2.09E-16), both genes known to be induced by fT3. All DMPs had a positive association between DNAm and TSH and a negative association between DNAm and fT3. There were no DMPs significantly associated with fT4. We identified 23 differentially methylated regions associated with fT3, fT4, or TSH. CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated associations between blood-based DNAm and both fT3 and TSH. This may provide insight into mechanisms underlying thyroid hormone action and/or pituitary-thyroid axis function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Lafontaine
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Correspondence: Nicole Lafontaine, MBBS, BMedSci, RACP, Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Level 1, Building C, QEII Medical Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Purdey J Campbell
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | | | - Shelby Mullin
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ee Mun Lim
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Pathwest Laboratory Medicine, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | | | | | - Suzanne J Brown
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Rae-Chi Huang
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Phillip E Melton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Trevor A Mori
- Medical School, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Lawrence J Beilin
- Medical School, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Frank Dudbridge
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Tim D Spector
- Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Margaret J Wright
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Allan F McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Vijay Panicker
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Gu Zhu
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - John P Walsh
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Jordana T Bell
- Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Scott G Wilson
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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42
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Hannon E, Dempster EL, Mansell G, Burrage J, Bass N, Bohlken MM, Corvin A, Curtis CJ, Dempster D, Di Forti M, Dinan TG, Donohoe G, Gaughran F, Gill M, Gillespie A, Gunasinghe C, Hulshoff HE, Hultman CM, Johansson V, Kahn RS, Kaprio J, Kenis G, Kowalec K, MacCabe J, McDonald C, McQuillin A, Morris DW, Murphy KC, Mustard CJ, Nenadic I, O'Donovan MC, Quattrone D, Richards AL, Rutten BPF, St Clair D, Therman S, Toulopoulou T, Van Os J, Waddington JL, Sullivan P, Vassos E, Breen G, Collier DA, Murray RM, Schalkwyk LS, Mill J. DNA methylation meta-analysis reveals cellular alterations in psychosis and markers of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. eLife 2021; 10:e58430. [PMID: 33646943 PMCID: PMC8009672 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed a systematic analysis of blood DNA methylation profiles from 4483 participants from seven independent cohorts identifying differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with psychosis, schizophrenia, and treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Psychosis cases were characterized by significant differences in measures of blood cell proportions and elevated smoking exposure derived from the DNA methylation data, with the largest differences seen in treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients. We implemented a stringent pipeline to meta-analyze epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) results across datasets, identifying 95 DMPs associated with psychosis and 1048 DMPs associated with schizophrenia, with evidence of colocalization to regions nominated by genetic association studies of disease. Many schizophrenia-associated DNA methylation differences were only present in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, potentially reflecting exposure to the atypical antipsychotic clozapine. Our results highlight how DNA methylation data can be leveraged to identify physiological (e.g., differential cell counts) and environmental (e.g., smoking) factors associated with psychosis and molecular biomarkers of treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilis Hannon
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Barrack RoadExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Emma L Dempster
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Barrack RoadExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Georgina Mansell
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Barrack RoadExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Joe Burrage
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Barrack RoadExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Nick Bass
- Division of Psychiatry, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Marc M Bohlken
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, HeidelberglaanUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Aiden Corvin
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, St. James HospitalDublinIreland
| | - Charles J Curtis
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David Dempster
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Marta Di Forti
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Gary Donohoe
- Centre for Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | - Fiona Gaughran
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- National Psychosis Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Michael Gill
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Amy Gillespie
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Division, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Cerisse Gunasinghe
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Hilleke E Hulshoff
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Christina M Hultman
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Viktoria Johansson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sweden, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care ServicesStockholmSweden
| | - René S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Public Health, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtNetherlands
| | - Kaarina Kowalec
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- College of Pharmacy, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
| | - James MacCabe
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Colm McDonald
- Centre for Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics (NICOG), School of Medicine, National University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | - Andrew McQuillin
- Division of Psychiatry, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Division of Psychiatry, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Derek W Morris
- Centre for Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | - Kieran C Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Colette J Mustard
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and IslandsInvernessUnited Kingdom
| | - Igor Nenadic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University HospitalJenaGermany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps University Marburg/ Marburg University Hospital UKGMMarburgGermany
| | - Michael C O'Donovan
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | - Diego Quattrone
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alexander L Richards
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | - Bart PF Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtNetherlands
| | - David St Clair
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Univeristy of AberdeenAberdeenUnited Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Therman
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Mental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
| | - Timothea Toulopoulou
- Department of Psychology and National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Centre (ASBAM), Bilkent UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Jim Van Os
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - John L Waddington
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC)
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Barrack RoadExeterUnited Kingdom
- Division of Psychiatry, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, HeidelberglaanUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, St. James HospitalDublinIreland
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College CorkCorkIreland
- Centre for Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- National Psychosis Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Division, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sweden, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care ServicesStockholmSweden
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Public Health, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtNetherlands
- College of Pharmacy, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
- Centre for Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics (NICOG), School of Medicine, National University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
- Division of Psychiatry, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and IslandsInvernessUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University HospitalJenaGermany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps University Marburg/ Marburg University Hospital UKGMMarburgGermany
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtNetherlands
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Univeristy of AberdeenAberdeenUnited Kingdom
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Mental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Psychology and National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Centre (ASBAM), Bilkent UniversityAnkaraTurkey
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
- Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
- Neuroscience Genetics, Eli Lilly and CompanySurreyUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, University of EssexColchesterUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Patrick Sullivan
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Evangelos Vassos
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Gerome Breen
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Robin M Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Barrack RoadExeterUnited Kingdom
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43
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Sabit H, Tombuloglu H, Rehman S, Almandil NB, Cevik E, Abdel-Ghany S, Rashwan S, Abasiyanik MF, Yee Waye MM. Gut microbiota metabolites in autistic children: An epigenetic perspective. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06105. [PMID: 33553761 PMCID: PMC7848646 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota has become an issue of great importance recently due to its major role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over the past three decades, there has been a sustained research activity focused to explain the actual mechanism by which gut microbiota triggers/develops autism. Several genetic and epigenetic factors are involved in this disorder, with epigenetics being the most active area of research. Although the constant investigation and advancements, epigenetic implications in ASD still need a deeper functional/causal analysis. In this review, we describe the major gut microbiota metabolites and how they induce epigenetic changes in ASD along with interactions through the gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Sabit
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Huseyin Tombuloglu
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Suriya Rehman
- Department of Epidemic Diseases, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Noor B Almandil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Emre Cevik
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaimaa Abdel-Ghany
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Misr University for Science and Technology, P. O. Box 77, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sanaa Rashwan
- Pediatrics Department, Madinat Zayed Hospital, SEHA, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Fatih Abasiyanik
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.,Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Mary Miu Yee Waye
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Croucher Laboratory for Human Genomics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong
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44
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Panisi C, Guerini FR, Abruzzo PM, Balzola F, Biava PM, Bolotta A, Brunero M, Burgio E, Chiara A, Clerici M, Croce L, Ferreri C, Giovannini N, Ghezzo A, Grossi E, Keller R, Manzotti A, Marini M, Migliore L, Moderato L, Moscone D, Mussap M, Parmeggiani A, Pasin V, Perotti M, Piras C, Saresella M, Stoccoro A, Toso T, Vacca RA, Vagni D, Vendemmia S, Villa L, Politi P, Fanos V. Autism Spectrum Disorder from the Womb to Adulthood: Suggestions for a Paradigm Shift. J Pers Med 2021; 11:70. [PMID: 33504019 PMCID: PMC7912683 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The wide spectrum of unique needs and strengths of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a challenge for the worldwide healthcare system. With the plethora of information from research, a common thread is required to conceptualize an exhaustive pathogenetic paradigm. The epidemiological and clinical findings in ASD cannot be explained by the traditional linear genetic model, hence the need to move towards a more fluid conception, integrating genetics, environment, and epigenetics as a whole. The embryo-fetal period and the first two years of life (the so-called 'First 1000 Days') are the crucial time window for neurodevelopment. In particular, the interplay and the vicious loop between immune activation, gut dysbiosis, and mitochondrial impairment/oxidative stress significantly affects neurodevelopment during pregnancy and undermines the health of ASD people throughout life. Consequently, the most effective intervention in ASD is expected by primary prevention aimed at pregnancy and at early control of the main effector molecular pathways. We will reason here on a comprehensive and exhaustive pathogenetic paradigm in ASD, viewed not just as a theoretical issue, but as a tool to provide suggestions for effective preventive strategies and personalized, dynamic (from womb to adulthood), systemic, and interdisciplinary healthcare approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Panisi
- Fondazione Istituto Sacra Famiglia ONLUS, Cesano Boscone, 20090 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Franca Rosa Guerini
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Federico Balzola
- Division of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Pier Mario Biava
- Scientific Institute of Research and Care Multimedica, 20138 Milan, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Bolotta
- DIMES, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.M.A.); (A.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Marco Brunero
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Ernesto Burgio
- ECERI—European Cancer and Environment Research Institute, Square de Meeus 38-40, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium;
| | - Alberto Chiara
- Dipartimento Materno Infantile ASST, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Mario Clerici
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Croce
- Centro Domino per l’Autismo, Universita’ Cattolica Brescia, 20139 Milan, Italy;
| | - Carla Ferreri
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF), 40129 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Niccolò Giovannini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Ghezzo
- DIMES, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.M.A.); (A.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Enzo Grossi
- Autism Research Unit, Villa Santa Maria Foundation, 22038 Tavernerio, Italy;
| | - Roberto Keller
- Adult Autism Centre DSM ASL Città di Torino, 10138 Turin, Italy;
| | - Andrea Manzotti
- RAISE Lab, Foundation COME Collaboration, 65121 Pescara, Italy;
| | - Marina Marini
- DIMES, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.M.A.); (A.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Medical Genetics Laboratories, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Lucio Moderato
- Fondazione Istituto Sacra Famiglia ONLUS, Cesano Boscone, 20090 Milan, Italy;
| | - Davide Moscone
- Associazione Spazio Asperger ONLUS, Centro Clinico CuoreMenteLab, 00141 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michele Mussap
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Puericulture Institute and Neonatal Section, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, 09100 Cagliari, Italy; (M.M.); (V.F.)
| | - Antonia Parmeggiani
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS ISNB, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Valentina Pasin
- Milan Institute for health Care and Advanced Learning, 20124 Milano, Italy;
| | | | - Cristina Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Marina Saresella
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Medical Genetics Laboratories, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Tiziana Toso
- Unione Italiana Lotta alla Distrofia Muscolare UILDM, 35100 Padova, Italy;
| | - Rosa Anna Vacca
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), National Research Council of Italy, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - David Vagni
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy, 98164 Messina, Italy;
| | | | - Laura Villa
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Via Don Luigi Monza 20, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy;
| | - Pierluigi Politi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Vassilios Fanos
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Puericulture Institute and Neonatal Section, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, 09100 Cagliari, Italy; (M.M.); (V.F.)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
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45
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Starnawska A, Demontis D. Role of DNA Methylation in Mediating Genetic Risk of Psychiatric Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:596821. [PMID: 33868039 PMCID: PMC8049112 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.596821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are common, complex, and heritable conditions estimated to be the leading cause of disability worldwide. The last decade of research in genomics of psychiatry, performed by multinational, and multicenter collaborative efforts on hundreds of thousands of mental disorder cases and controls, provided invaluable insight into the genetic risk variants of these conditions. With increasing cohort sizes, more risk variants are predicted to be identified in the near future, but there appears to be a knowledge gap in understanding how these variants contribute to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Majority of the identified common risk single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are non-coding but are enriched in regulatory regions of the genome. It is therefore of great interest to study the impact of identified psychiatric disorders' risk SNPs on DNA methylation, the best studied epigenetic modification, playing a pivotal role in the regulation of transcriptomic processes, brain development, and functioning. This work outlines the mechanisms through which risk SNPs can impact DNA methylation levels and provides a summary of current evidence on the role of DNA methylation in mediating the genetic risk of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Starnawska
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine (CGPM), Center for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ditte Demontis
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine (CGPM), Center for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus, Denmark
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46
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Pua EPK, Thomson P, Yang JYM, Craig JM, Ball G, Seal M. Individual Differences in Intrinsic Brain Networks Predict Symptom Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:681-693. [PMID: 32959054 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurobiology of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is still unknown. We hypothesized that differences in subject-level properties of intrinsic brain networks were important features that could predict individual variation in ASD symptom severity. We matched cases and controls from a large multicohort ASD dataset (ABIDE-II) on age, sex, IQ, and image acquisition site. Subjects were matched at the individual level (rather than at group level) to improve homogeneity within matched case-control pairs (ASD: n = 100, mean age = 11.43 years, IQ = 110.58; controls: n = 100, mean age = 11.43 years, IQ = 110.70). Using task-free functional magnetic resonance imaging, we extracted intrinsic functional brain networks using projective non-negative matrix factorization. Intrapair differences in strength in subnetworks related to the salience network (SN) and the occipital-temporal face perception network were robustly associated with individual differences in social impairment severity (T = 2.206, P = 0.0301). Findings were further replicated and validated in an independent validation cohort of monozygotic twins (n = 12; 3 pairs concordant and 3 pairs discordant for ASD). Individual differences in the SN and face-perception network are centrally implicated in the neural mechanisms of social deficits related to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Peng Kiat Pua
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia.,Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Phoebe Thomson
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph Yuan-Mou Yang
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia.,Neuroscience Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Advanced Clinical Imaging Suite (NACIS), The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia.,Molecular Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.,Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Gareth Ball
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Marc Seal
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
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47
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Mordaunt CE, Jianu JM, Laufer BI, Zhu Y, Hwang H, Dunaway KW, Bakulski KM, Feinberg JI, Volk HE, Lyall K, Croen LA, Newschaffer CJ, Ozonoff S, Hertz-Picciotto I, Fallin MD, Schmidt RJ, LaSalle JM. Cord blood DNA methylome in newborns later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder reflects early dysregulation of neurodevelopmental and X-linked genes. Genome Med 2020; 12:88. [PMID: 33054850 PMCID: PMC7559201 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00785-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with complex heritability and higher prevalence in males. The neonatal epigenome has the potential to reflect past interactions between genetic and environmental factors during early development and influence future health outcomes. METHODS We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of 152 umbilical cord blood samples from the MARBLES and EARLI high-familial risk prospective cohorts to identify an epigenomic signature of ASD at birth. Samples were split into discovery and replication sets and stratified by sex, and their DNA methylation profiles were tested for differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between ASD and typically developing control cord blood samples. DMRs were mapped to genes and assessed for enrichment in gene function, tissue expression, chromosome location, and overlap with prior ASD studies. DMR coordinates were tested for enrichment in chromatin states and transcription factor binding motifs. Results were compared between discovery and replication sets and between males and females. RESULTS We identified DMRs stratified by sex that discriminated ASD from control cord blood samples in discovery and replication sets. At a region level, 7 DMRs in males and 31 DMRs in females replicated across two independent groups of subjects, while 537 DMR genes in males and 1762 DMR genes in females replicated by gene association. These DMR genes were significantly enriched for brain and embryonic expression, X chromosome location, and identification in prior epigenetic studies of ASD in post-mortem brain. In males and females, autosomal ASD DMRs were significantly enriched for promoter and bivalent chromatin states across most cell types, while sex differences were observed for X-linked ASD DMRs. Lastly, these DMRs identified in cord blood were significantly enriched for binding sites of methyl-sensitive transcription factors relevant to fetal brain development. CONCLUSIONS At birth, prior to the diagnosis of ASD, a distinct DNA methylation signature was detected in cord blood over regulatory regions and genes relevant to early fetal neurodevelopment. Differential cord methylation in ASD supports the developmental and sex-biased etiology of ASD and provides novel insights for early diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E. Mordaunt
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Julia M. Jianu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Benjamin I. Laufer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Yihui Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Hyeyeon Hwang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Keith W. Dunaway
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Kelly M. Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Jason I. Feinberg
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Heather E. Volk
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Craig J. Newschaffer
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Sally Ozonoff
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - M. Daniele Fallin
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Janine M. LaSalle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Genome Center, and MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
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48
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Lee EC, Hu VW. Phenotypic Subtyping and Re-Analysis of Existing Methylation Data from Autistic Probands in Simplex Families Reveal ASD Subtype-Associated Differentially Methylated Genes and Biological Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6877. [PMID: 32961747 PMCID: PMC7555936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with core deficits in social communication and manifestation of restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviors. Despite the core symptomatology, ASD is extremely heterogeneous with respect to the severity of symptoms and behaviors. This heterogeneity presents an inherent challenge to all large-scale genome-wide omics analyses. In the present study, we address this heterogeneity by stratifying ASD probands from simplex families according to the severity of behavioral scores on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised diagnostic instrument, followed by re-analysis of existing DNA methylation data from individuals in three ASD subphenotypes in comparison to that of their respective unaffected siblings. We demonstrate that subphenotyping of cases enables the identification of over 1.6 times the number of statistically significant differentially methylated regions (DMR) and DMR-associated genes (DAGs) between cases and controls, compared to that identified when all cases are combined. Our analyses also reveal ASD-related neurological functions and comorbidities that are enriched among DAGs in each phenotypic subgroup but not in the combined case group. Moreover, relational gene networks constructed with the DAGs reveal signaling pathways associated with specific functions and comorbidities. In addition, a network comprised of DAGs shared among all ASD subgroups and the combined case group is enriched in genes involved in inflammatory responses, suggesting that neuroinflammation may be a common theme underlying core features of ASD. These findings demonstrate the value of phenotype definition in methylomic analyses of ASD and may aid in the development of subtype-directed diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valerie W. Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA;
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49
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Rovira P, Sánchez-Mora C, Pagerols M, Richarte V, Corrales M, Fadeuilhe C, Vilar-Ribó L, Arribas L, Shireby G, Hannon E, Mill J, Casas M, Ramos-Quiroga JA, Soler Artigas M, Ribasés M. Epigenome-wide association study of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:199. [PMID: 32561708 PMCID: PMC7305172 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0860-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder that often persists into adulthood. There is growing evidence that epigenetic dysregulation participates in ADHD. Given that only a limited number of epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) of ADHD have been conducted so far and they have mainly focused on pediatric and population-based samples, we performed an EWAS in a clinical sample of adults with ADHD. We report one CpG site and four regions differentially methylated between patients and controls, which are located in or near genes previously involved in autoimmune diseases, cancer or neuroticism. Our sensitivity analyses indicate that smoking status is not responsible for these results and that polygenic risk burden for ADHD does not greatly impact the signatures identified. Additionally, we show an overlap of our EWAS findings with genetic signatures previously described for ADHD and with epigenetic signatures for smoking behavior and maternal smoking. These findings support a role of DNA methylation in ADHD and emphasize the need for additional efforts in larger samples to clarify the role of epigenetic mechanisms on ADHD across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Rovira
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Mora
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mireia Pagerols
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vanesa Richarte
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Corrales
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christian Fadeuilhe
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Vilar-Ribó
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorena Arribas
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Shireby
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Eilis Hannon
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Miquel Casas
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Soler Artigas
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Marta Ribasés
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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50
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Maes M, Anderson G, Betancort Medina SR, Seo M, Ojala JO. Integrating Autism Spectrum Disorder Pathophysiology: Mitochondria, Vitamin A, CD38, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Melatonergic Alterations in the Placenta and Gut. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4405-4420. [PMID: 31682209 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191102165459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A diverse array of data has been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), reflecting the complexity of its pathophysiology as well as its heterogeneity. Two important hubs have emerged, the placenta/prenatal period and the postnatal gut, with alterations in mitochondria functioning crucial in both. METHODS Factors acting to regulate mitochondria functioning in ASD across development are reviewed in this article. RESULTS Decreased vitamin A, and its retinoic acid metabolites, lead to a decrease in CD38 and associated changes that underpin a wide array of data on the biological underpinnings of ASD, including decreased oxytocin, with relevance both prenatally and in the gut. Decreased sirtuins, poly-ADP ribose polymerase-driven decreases in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), hyperserotonemia, decreased monoamine oxidase, alterations in 14-3-3 proteins, microRNA alterations, dysregulated aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity, suboptimal mitochondria functioning, and decreases in the melatonergic pathways are intimately linked to this. Many of the above processes may be modulating, or mediated by, alterations in mitochondria functioning. Other bodies of data associated with ASD may also be incorporated within these basic processes, including how ASD risk factors such as maternal obesity and preeclampsia, as well as more general prenatal stressors, modulate the likelihood of offspring ASD. CONCLUSION Such a mitochondria-focussed integrated model of the pathophysiology of ASD has important preventative and treatment implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - George Anderson
- CRC Scotland & London, Eccleston Square, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Moonsang Seo
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna O Ojala
- Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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