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Murck H, Laughren T, Lamers F, Picard R, Walther S, Goff D, Sainati S. Taking Personalized Medicine Seriously: Biomarker Approaches in Phase IIb/III Studies in Major Depression and Schizophrenia. INNOVATIONS IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2015; 12:26S-40S. [PMID: 25977838 PMCID: PMC4571293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The success rate in the development of psychopharmacological compounds is insufficient. Two main reasons for failure have been frequently identified: 1) treating the wrong patients and 2) using the wrong dose. This is potentially based on the known heterogeneity among patients, both on a syndromal and a biological level. A focus on personalized medicine through better characterization with biomarkers has been successful in other therapeutic areas. Nevertheless, obstacles toward this goal that exist are 1) the perception of a lack of validation, 2) the perception of an expensive and complicated enterprise, and 3) the perception of regulatory hurdles. The authors tackle these concerns and focus on the utilization of biomarkers as predictive markers for treatment outcome. The authors primarily cover examples from the areas of major depression and schizophrenia. Methodologies covered include salivary and plasma collection of neuroendocrine, metabolic, and inflammatory markers, which identified subgroups of patients in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. A battery of vegetative markers, including sleep-electroencephalography parameters, heart rate variability, and bedside functional tests, can be utilized to characterize the activity of a functional system that is related to treatment refractoriness in depression (e.g., the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system). Actigraphy and skin conductance can be utilized to classify patients with schizophrenia and provide objective readouts for vegetative activation as a functional marker of target engagement. Genetic markers, related to folate metabolism, or folate itself, has prognostic value for the treatment response in patients with schizophrenia. Already, several biomarkers are routinely collected in standard clinical trials (e.g., blood pressure and plasma electrolytes), and appear to be differentiating factors for treatment outcome. Given the availability of a wide variety of markers, the further development and integration of such markers into clinical research is both required and feasible in order to meet the benefit of personalized medicine. This article is based on proceedings from the "Taking Personalized Medicine Seriously-Biomarker Approaches in Phase IIb/III Studies in Major Depression and Schizophrenia" session, which was held during the 10th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Clinical Trials Meeting (ISCTM) in Washington, DC, February 18 to 20, 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Murck
- Dr. Murck is with Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York, and Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany (Dr. Murck was with Covance Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, during the preparation of this manuscript); Dr. Laughren is with Laughren Consulting, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Dr. Lamers is with the Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center / GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Picard is with MIT Media Laboratory and Empatica, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dr. Walther is with University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Goff is with the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Dr. Sainati is with FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Laughren
- Dr. Murck is with Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York, and Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany (Dr. Murck was with Covance Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, during the preparation of this manuscript); Dr. Laughren is with Laughren Consulting, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Dr. Lamers is with the Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center / GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Picard is with MIT Media Laboratory and Empatica, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dr. Walther is with University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Goff is with the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Dr. Sainati is with FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Femke Lamers
- Dr. Murck is with Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York, and Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany (Dr. Murck was with Covance Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, during the preparation of this manuscript); Dr. Laughren is with Laughren Consulting, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Dr. Lamers is with the Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center / GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Picard is with MIT Media Laboratory and Empatica, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dr. Walther is with University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Goff is with the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Dr. Sainati is with FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosalind Picard
- Dr. Murck is with Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York, and Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany (Dr. Murck was with Covance Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, during the preparation of this manuscript); Dr. Laughren is with Laughren Consulting, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Dr. Lamers is with the Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center / GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Picard is with MIT Media Laboratory and Empatica, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dr. Walther is with University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Goff is with the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Dr. Sainati is with FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Dr. Murck is with Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York, and Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany (Dr. Murck was with Covance Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, during the preparation of this manuscript); Dr. Laughren is with Laughren Consulting, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Dr. Lamers is with the Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center / GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Picard is with MIT Media Laboratory and Empatica, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dr. Walther is with University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Goff is with the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Dr. Sainati is with FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Donald Goff
- Dr. Murck is with Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York, and Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany (Dr. Murck was with Covance Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, during the preparation of this manuscript); Dr. Laughren is with Laughren Consulting, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Dr. Lamers is with the Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center / GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Picard is with MIT Media Laboratory and Empatica, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dr. Walther is with University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Goff is with the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Dr. Sainati is with FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen Sainati
- Dr. Murck is with Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York, and Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany (Dr. Murck was with Covance Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, during the preparation of this manuscript); Dr. Laughren is with Laughren Consulting, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Dr. Lamers is with the Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center / GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Picard is with MIT Media Laboratory and Empatica, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dr. Walther is with University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Goff is with the Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Dr. Sainati is with FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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152
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Genome-wide methylome analyses reveal novel epigenetic regulation patterns in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:201587. [PMID: 25734057 PMCID: PMC4334857 DOI: 10.1155/2015/201587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) are complex genetic disorders. Their appearance is also likely informed by as yet only partially described epigenetic contributions. Using a sequencing-based method for genome-wide analysis, we quantitatively compared the blood DNA methylation landscapes in SZ and BP subjects to control, both in an understudied population, Hispanics along the US-Mexico border. Remarkably, we identified thousands of differentially methylated regions for SZ and BP preferentially located in promoters 3′-UTRs and 5′-UTRs of genes. Distinct patterns of aberrant methylation of promoter sequences were located surrounding transcription start sites. In these instances, aberrant methylation occurred in CpG islands (CGIs) as well as in flanking regions as well as in CGI sparse promoters. Pathway analysis of genes displaying these distinct aberrant promoter methylation patterns showed enhancement of epigenetic changes in numerous genes previously related to psychiatric disorders and neurodevelopment. Integration of gene expression data further suggests that in SZ aberrant promoter methylation is significantly associated with altered gene transcription. In particular, we found significant associations between (1) promoter CGIs hypermethylation with gene repression and (2) CGI 3′-shore hypomethylation with increased gene expression. Finally, we constructed a specific methylation analysis platform that facilitates viewing and comparing aberrant genome methylation in human neuropsychiatric disorders.
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153
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Debnath M, Venkatasubramanian G, Berk M. Fetal programming of schizophrenia: select mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 49:90-104. [PMID: 25496904 PMCID: PMC7112550 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that schizophrenia is associated with adverse intrauterine experiences. An adverse or suboptimal fetal environment can cause irreversible changes in brain that can subsequently exert long-lasting effects through resetting a diverse array of biological systems including endocrine, immune and nervous. It is evident from animal and imaging studies that subtle variations in the intrauterine environment can cause recognizable differences in brain structure and cognitive functions in the offspring. A wide variety of environmental factors may play a role in precipitating the emergent developmental dysregulation and the consequent evolution of psychiatric traits in early adulthood by inducing inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress (IO&NS) pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and epigenetic dysregulation. However, the precise mechanisms behind such relationships and the specificity of the risk factors for schizophrenia remain exploratory. Considering the paucity of knowledge on fetal programming of schizophrenia, it is timely to consolidate the recent advances in the field and put forward an integrated overview of the mechanisms associated with fetal origin of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monojit Debnath
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India.
| | - Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre and Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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154
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Prados J, Stenz L, Courtet P, Prada P, Nicastro R, Adouan W, Guillaume S, Olié E, Aubry JM, Dayer A, Perroud N. Borderline personality disorder and childhood maltreatment: a genome-wide methylation analysis. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2015; 14:177-88. [PMID: 25612291 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Early life adversity plays a critical role in the emergence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and this could occur through epigenetic programming. In this perspective, we aimed to determine whether childhood maltreatment could durably modify epigenetic processes by the means of a whole-genome methylation scan of BPD subjects. Using the Illumina Infinium® HumanMethylation450 BeadChip, global methylation status of DNA extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes was correlated to the severity of childhood maltreatment in 96 BPD subjects suffering from a high level of child adversity and 93 subjects suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) and reporting a low rate of child maltreatment. Several CpGs within or near the following genes (IL17RA, miR124-3, KCNQ2, EFNB1, OCA2, MFAP2, RPH3AL, WDR60, CST9L, EP400, A2ML1, NT5DC2, FAM163A and SPSB2) were found to be differently methylated, either in BPD compared with MDD or in relation to the severity of childhood maltreatment. A highly relevant biological result was observed for cg04927004 close to miR124-3 that was significantly associated with BPD and severity of childhood maltreatment. miR124-3 codes for a microRNA (miRNA) targeting several genes previously found to be associated with BPD such as NR3C1. Our results highlight the potentially important role played by miRNAs in the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders such as BPD and the usefulness of using methylome-wide association studies to uncover such candidate genes. Moreover, they offer new understanding of the impact of maltreatments on biological processes leading to diseases and may ultimately result in the identification of relevant biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Prados
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Switzerland
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155
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Zong X, Hu M, Li Z, Cao H, Chen X, Tang J. DNA methylation in schizophrenia: progress and challenges. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-014-0690-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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156
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Kumar G, Clark SL, McClay JL, Shabalin AA, Adkins DE, Xie L, Chan R, Nerella S, Kim Y, Sullivan PF, Hultman CM, Magnusson PK, Aberg KA, van den Oord EJCG. Refinement of schizophrenia GWAS loci using methylome-wide association data. Hum Genet 2015; 134:77-87. [PMID: 25284466 PMCID: PMC4282961 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-014-1494-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have made substantial progress in identifying disease loci. The next logical step is to design functional experiments to identify disease mechanisms. This step, however, is often hampered by the large size of loci identified in GWAS that is caused by linkage disequilibrium between SNPs. In this study, we demonstrate how integrating methylome-wide association study (MWAS) results with GWAS findings can narrow down the location for a subset of the putative casual sites. We use the disease schizophrenia as an example. To handle "data analytic" variation, we first combined our MWAS results with two GWAS meta-analyses (N = 32,143 and 21,953), that had largely overlapping samples but different data analysis pipelines, separately. Permutation tests showed significant overlapping association signals between GWAS and MWAS findings. This significant overlap justified prioritizing loci based on the concordance principle. To further ensure that the methylation signal was not driven by chance, we successfully replicated the top three methylation findings near genes SDCCAG8, CREB1 and ATXN7 in an independent sample using targeted pyrosequencing. In contrast to the SNPs in the selected region, the methylation sites were largely uncorrelated explaining why the methylation signals implicated much smaller regions (median size 78 bp). The refined loci showed considerable enrichment of genomic elements of possible functional importance and suggested specific hypotheses about schizophrenia etiology. Several hypotheses involved possible variation in transcription factor-binding efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Kumar
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Shaunna L. Clark
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Joseph L. McClay
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Andrey A. Shabalin
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Daniel E. Adkins
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Linying Xie
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Robin Chan
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Srilaxmi Nerella
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Yunjung Kim
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Patrick F. Sullivan
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christina M. Hultman
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patrik K.E. Magnusson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina A. Aberg
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Edwin JCG van den Oord
- Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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157
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Smith AK, Kilaru V, Klengel T, Mercer KB, Bradley B, Conneely KN, Ressler KJ, Binder EB. DNA extracted from saliva for methylation studies of psychiatric traits: evidence tissue specificity and relatedness to brain. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2015; 168B:36-44. [PMID: 25355443 PMCID: PMC4610814 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation has become increasingly recognized in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. Because brain tissue is not accessible in living humans, epigenetic studies are most often conducted in blood. Saliva is often collected for genotyping studies but is rarely used to examine DNA methylation because the proportion of epithelial cells and leukocytes varies extensively between individuals. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether saliva DNA is informative for studies of psychiatric disorders. DNA methylation (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) was assessed in saliva and blood samples from 64 adult African Americans. Analyses were conducted using linear regression adjusted for appropriate covariates, including estimated cellular proportions. DNA methylation from brain tissues (cerebellum, frontal cortex, entorhinal cortex, and superior temporal gyrus) was obtained from a publically available dataset. Saliva and blood methylation was clearly distinguishable though there was positive correlation overall. There was little correlation in CpG sites within relevant candidate genes. Correlated CpG sites were more likely to occur in areas of low CpG density (i.e., CpG shores and open seas). There was more variability in CpG sites from saliva than blood, which may reflect its heterogeneity. Finally, DNA methylation in saliva appeared more similar to patterns from each of the brain regions examined overall than methylation in blood. Thus, this study provides a framework for using DNA methylation from saliva and suggests that DNA methylation of saliva may offer distinct opportunities for epidemiological and longitudinal studies of psychiatric traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Correspondence to: Alicia K. Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University SOM, 101 Woodruff Circle NE; Ste 4113, Atlanta, GA 30322.
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Torsten Klengel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Kristina B. Mercer
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Clinical psychologist, Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Elisabeth B. Binder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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158
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Abstract
In recent years good progress has been made in uncovering the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia. Even so, as a polygenic disorder, schizophrenia has a complex etiology that is far from understood. Meanwhile data are being collected enabling the study of interactions between genes and the environment. A confluence of data from genetic and environmental exposure studies points to the role of infections and immunity in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In a recent study by Børglum et al., a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the gene CTNNA3 was identified that may provide clues to gene-environment interactions. The carriers of the minor allele for the SNP had a 5 fold risk of later developing schizophrenia if their mothers were CMV positive, while the children not carrying the allele had no excess risk from maternal CMV. In the current paper we summarize recent advances to clarify possible mechanism of such interactions between the host genotype and infection in schizophrenia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Grove
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- iPSYCH, The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark
- iSEQ, Centre for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Anders D. Børglum
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- iPSYCH, The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark
- iSEQ, Centre for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Brad D. Pearce
- Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Atlanta GA, USA
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta GA, USA
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159
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Differential distribution of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-beta (ARNT or ARNT2) in mouse substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. J Chem Neuroanat 2014; 61-62:64-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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160
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Ryan J, Saffery R. Crucial timing in schizophrenia: role of DNA methylation in early neurodevelopment. Genome Biol 2014; 15:495. [PMID: 25418840 PMCID: PMC4281947 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-014-0495-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An exciting recent study examining the methylation profile of human brain tissue implicates early-life epigenetic disruption in the neurodevelopmental origin of schizophrenia. See related research, http://genomebiology.com/2014/15/10/483
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161
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Bosia M, Pigoni A, Cavallaro R. Genomics and epigenomics in novel schizophrenia drug discovery: translating animal models to clinical research and back. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2014; 10:125-39. [PMID: 25345474 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2015.976552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder that afflicts about 1% of the world's population, falling into the top 10 medical disorders causing disability. Existing therapeutic strategies have had limited success; they have poor effects on core cognitive impairment and long-term disability. They are also burdened by relevant side effects. Although new antipsychotic medications have been launched in the past decades, there has been a general lack of significant innovation over the past 60 years. This lack of significant progress in the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia is a reflection of the complexity and heterogeneity of its etiopathogenetic mechanisms. AREAS COVERED In this article, the authors briefly review genetic models of schizophrenia, focusing on examples of how new therapeutic strategies have been developed from them. They report on the evidence of epigenetic alterations in schizophrenia and their relevance to pharmacological studies. Further, they describe the implications of epigenetic mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of the disease and the effects of current antipsychotic drugs on epigenetic processes. Finally, they provide their perspective of using epigenetic drugs for treating schizophrenia. EXPERT OPINION Current genetic and epigenetic studies are finally shedding light on the biomolecular mechanisms linked to the core pathogenetic alterations in schizophrenia, rather than just their symptoms. These advancements in the understanding of the physiopathology of schizophrenia provide exciting new perspectives for treatments. Indeed, the possibility of looking directly at the biomolecular level allows us to bypass the age-old issues of animal studies pertaining to their questionable validity as behavioral models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bosia
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences , Via Stamira d'Ancona 20, 20127 Milano , Italy +390 226 433 218 ; +390 226 433 265 ;
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162
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Maternal immune activation and abnormal brain development across CNS disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2014; 10:643-60. [PMID: 25311587 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 595] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown a clear association between maternal infection and schizophrenia or autism in the progeny. Animal models have revealed maternal immune activation (mIA) to be a profound risk factor for neurochemical and behavioural abnormalities in the offspring. Microglial priming has been proposed as a major consequence of mIA, and represents a critical link in a causal chain that leads to the wide spectrum of neuronal dysfunctions and behavioural phenotypes observed in the juvenile, adult or aged offspring. Such diversity of phenotypic outcomes in the mIA model are mirrored by recent clinical evidence suggesting that infectious exposure during pregnancy is also associated with epilepsy and, to a lesser extent, cerebral palsy in children. Preclinical research also suggests that mIA might precipitate the development of Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Here, we summarize and critically review the emerging evidence that mIA is a shared environmental risk factor across CNS disorders that varies as a function of interactions between genetic and additional environmental factors. We also review ongoing clinical trials targeting immune pathways affected by mIA that may play a part in disease manifestation. In addition, future directions and outstanding questions are discussed, including potential symptomatic, disease-modifying and preventive treatment strategies.
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163
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The SHP-1 expression is associated with cytokines and psychopathological status in unmedicated first episode schizophrenia patients. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 41:251-60. [PMID: 24793756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent lines of research have boosted awareness of the immunological facets of schizophrenia. However, associations with protein tyrosine phosphatase regulators have never been reported. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression and promoter status methylation of phosphatase SHP-1, a key negative regulator of the inflammatory process, in Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Schizophrenic patients. METHODS We enrolled fifty-four (28 men and 26 women) unmedicated first episode subjects (SC) who met DSM-IV and thirty-eight (22 men and 16 women) healthy controls (HC). The SC psychopathological status was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. We evaluated SHP-1 expression by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) methods and promoter status methylation through PCR bisulfate. IKK/NFkB signaling was detected by WB, and medium and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, and TNF-α) by the ELISA method. SHP-1 was silenced by treating cells with specific siRNA. RESULTS We found a significantly lower level of SHP-1 gene expression in PBMCs from SC vs. HC, consistently with which the promoter region analyzed presented significant hypermethylation. Silencing of SHP-1 expression induced higher activation of IKK/NF-kB signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in ex vivo PBMCs from both SC and HC. Linear regression among patients generated a model in which SHP-1 expression explained 30% of the clinical negative symptom variance (adjusted R(2)=0.30, ANOVA p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings are the first to suggest that impairment of SHP-1 expression is involved in the physiopathology of schizophrenia, opening fruitful new avenues for ameliorating treatment at least of negative symptoms.
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Abstract
This review, the first of an occasional series, tries to make sense of the concepts and uses of deep sequencing of polynucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Deep sequencing, synonymous with next-generation sequencing, high-throughput sequencing and massively parallel sequencing, includes whole genome sequencing but is more often and diversely applied to specific parts of the genome captured in different ways, for example the highly expressed portion of the genome known as the exome and portions of the genome that are epigenetically marked either by DNA methylation, the binding of proteins including histones, or that are in different configurations and thus more or less accessible to enzymes that cleave DNA. Deep sequencing of RNA (RNASeq) reverse-transcribed to complementary DNA is invaluable for measuring RNA expression and detecting changes in RNA structure. Important concepts in deep sequencing include the length and depth of sequence reads, mapping and assembly of reads, sequencing error, haplotypes, and the propensity of deep sequencing, as with other types of 'big data', to generate large numbers of errors, requiring monitoring for methodologic biases and strategies for replication and validation. Deep sequencing yields a unique genetic fingerprint that can be used to identify a person, and a trove of predictors of genetic medical diseases. Deep sequencing to identify epigenetic events including changes in DNA methylation and RNA expression can reveal the history and impact of environmental exposures. Because of the power of sequencing to identify and deliver biomedically significant information about a person and their blood relatives, it creates ethical dilemmas and practical challenges in research and clinical care, for example the decision and procedures to report incidental findings that will increasingly and frequently be discovered.
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165
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DNA methylation biomarkers: cancer and beyond. Genes (Basel) 2014; 5:821-64. [PMID: 25229548 PMCID: PMC4198933 DOI: 10.3390/genes5030821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Revised: 08/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are naturally-occurring characteristics by which a particular pathological process or disease can be identified or monitored. They can reflect past environmental exposures, predict disease onset or course, or determine a patient's response to therapy. Epigenetic changes are such characteristics, with most epigenetic biomarkers discovered to date based on the epigenetic mark of DNA methylation. Many tissue types are suitable for the discovery of DNA methylation biomarkers including cell-based samples such as blood and tumor material and cell-free DNA samples such as plasma. DNA methylation biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic and predictive power are already in clinical trials or in a clinical setting for cancer. Outside cancer, strong evidence that complex disease originates in early life is opening up exciting new avenues for the detection of DNA methylation biomarkers for adverse early life environment and for estimation of future disease risk. However, there are a number of limitations to overcome before such biomarkers reach the clinic. Nevertheless, DNA methylation biomarkers have great potential to contribute to personalized medicine throughout life. We review the current state of play for DNA methylation biomarkers, discuss the barriers that must be crossed on the way to implementation in a clinical setting, and predict their future use for human disease.
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Ota VK, Noto C, Gadelha A, Santoro ML, Ortiz BB, Andrade EH, Tasso BC, Spindola LMN, Silva PN, Abílio VC, Smith MDAC, Sato JR, Brietzke E, Cordeiro Q, Bressan RA, Belangero SI. Evaluation of neurotransmitter receptor gene expression identifies GABA receptor changes: a follow-up study in antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis. J Psychiatr Res 2014; 56:130-6. [PMID: 24935901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A study of the gene expression levels in the blood of individuals with schizophrenia in the beginning of the disease, such as first-episode psychosis (FEP), is useful to detect gene expression changes in this disorder in response to treatment. Although a large number of genetic studies on schizophrenia have been conducted, little is known about the effects of antipsychotic treatment on gene expression. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in the gene expression in the blood of antipsychotic-naïve FEP patients before and after risperidone treatment (N = 44) and also to verify the correlation with treatment response. In addition, we determined the correlations between differentially expressed genes and clinical variables. The expression of 40 neurotransmitter and neurodevelopment-associated genes was assessed using the RT2 Profiler PCR Array. The results indicated that the GABRR2 gene was downregulated after risperidone treatment, but no genes were associated with response to treatment and clinical variables after Bonferroni correction. GABRR2 downregulation after treatment can both suggest an effect of risperidone treatment or processes related to disease progression, either not necessarily associated with the improvement of symptoms. Despite this change was observed in blood, this decrease in GABRR2 mRNA levels might be an effect of changes in GABA concentrations or other systems interplay consequently to D2 blockage induced by risperidone, for example. Thus, it is important to consider that antipsychotics or the progression of psychotic disorders might interfere with gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Kiyomi Ota
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitao da Cunha, 1° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Cristiano Noto
- LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Ary Gadelha
- LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Leite Santoro
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitao da Cunha, 1° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Bruno Bertolucci Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Elvis Henrique Andrade
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Brazilio Carvalho Tasso
- Department of Psychiatry, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Leticia Maria Nery Spindola
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitao da Cunha, 1° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Patricia Natalia Silva
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitao da Cunha, 1° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa Costhek Abílio
- LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Marília de Arruda Cardoso Smith
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitao da Cunha, 1° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - João Ricardo Sato
- LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo Andre, Brazil.
| | - Elisa Brietzke
- LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Quirino Cordeiro
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Affonseca Bressan
- LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Sintia Iole Belangero
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, Edifício Leitao da Cunha, 1° andar, CEP 04023-900, São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC - Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 3° andar fundos, CEP 05039-032, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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167
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Aberg KA, van den Oord EJCG. Could monitoring methylation markers aid the management of schizophrenia? Biomark Med 2014; 8:607-11. [PMID: 25123026 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.14.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina A Aberg
- Center for Biomarker Research & Personalized Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA 23298, USA
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168
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Kinoshita M, Numata S, Tajima A, Ohi K, Hashimoto R, Shimodera S, Imoto I, Takeda M, Ohmori T. Aberrant DNA methylation of blood in schizophrenia by adjusting for estimated cellular proportions. Neuromolecular Med 2014; 16:697-703. [PMID: 25052007 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-014-8319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation, which is the transference of a methyl group to the 5'-carbon position of the cytosine in a CpG dinucleotide, is one of the major mechanisms of epigenetic modifications. A number of studies have demonstrated altered DNA methylation of peripheral blood cells in schizophrenia (SCZ) in previous studies. However, most of these studies have been limited to the analysis of the CpG sites in CpG islands in gene promoter regions, and cell-type proportions of peripheral leukocytes, which may be one of the potential confounding factors for DNA methylation, have not been adjusted in these studies. In this study, we performed a genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of the peripheral leukocytes from patients with SCZ and from non-psychiatric controls (N = 105; 63 SCZ and 42 control subjects) using a quantitative high-resolution DNA methylation microarray which covered across the whole gene region (485,764 CpG dinucleotides). In the DNA methylation data analysis, we first estimated the cell-type proportions of each sample with a published algorithm. Next, we performed a surrogate variable analysis to identify potential confounding factors in our microarray data. Finally, we conducted a multiple linear regression analysis in consideration of these factors, including estimated cell-type proportions, and identified aberrant DNA methylation in SCZ at 2,552 CpG loci at a 5% false discovery rate correction. Our results suggest that altered DNA methylation may be involved in the pathophysiology of SCZ, and cell heterogeneity adjustments may be necessary for DNA methylation analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Kinoshita
- Department of Psychiatry, Course of Integrated Brain Sciences, Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-8-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan,
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169
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Frydecka D, Karpiński P, Misiak B. Unravelling immune alterations in schizophrenia: can DNA methylation provide clues? Epigenomics 2014; 6:245-7. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.14.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Frydecka
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 10 Pasteur Street, 50–367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Karpiński
- Department of Genetics, Wroclaw Medical University, 10 Pasteur Street, 50–367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 10 Pasteur Street, 50–367 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Genetics, Wroclaw Medical University, 10 Pasteur Street, 50–367 Wroclaw, Poland
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170
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Pishva E, Kenis G, van den Hove D, Lesch KP, Boks MPM, van Os J, Rutten BPF. The epigenome and postnatal environmental influences in psychotic disorders. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2014; 49:337-48. [PMID: 24549836 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-014-0831-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar spectrum disorders are the product of both heritable and non-heritable factors, the impact of which converges at different biological levels. Recent evidence from molecular approaches has provided new insights about how environmental exposures cause persistent alterations in the regulation of gene expression, particularly by so-called epigenetic mechanisms. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of findings of epigenetic studies in psychotic disorders, summarizing findings of human and animal studies on epigenetic alterations due to postnatal environmental exposures associated with psychotic disorders. METHODS Electronic and manual literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PSYCHINFO, using a range of search terms around epigenetics, DNA methylation, histone modifications, psychoses, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and environmental risks associated with psychotic disorders as observed in human and experimental animal studies, complemented by review articles and cross-references. RESULTS Despite several promising findings of differential epigenetic profiles in individuals with psychotic disorders in the studies published to date, the knowledge of the role of epigenetic processes in psychotic disorder remains very limited, and should be interpreted cautiously given various challenges in this rapidly evolving field of research. CONCLUSIONS Integration of epigenetic findings into biopsychosocial models of the etiology of psychotic disorders eventually may yield important insights into the biological underpinnings of the onset and course of psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Pishva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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171
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Tseng PT, Lin PY, Lee Y, Hung CF, Lung FW, Chen CS, Chong MY. Age-associated decrease in global DNA methylation in patients with major depression. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2014; 10:2105-14. [PMID: 25419133 PMCID: PMC4235206 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s71997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence has supported a role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. The purpose of the current study is to examine 5-methylcytosine (5-mc) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmc) levels in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) at different disease states. METHODS Forty-nine patients with MDD and 25 healthy control subjects were included. The severity in the disease was assessed by using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression (HAM-D) (HAM-D ≥19 for severe MDD and HAM-D ≤7 for remitted MDD). The 5-mc and 5-hmc levels in leukocyte DNA were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based method. RESULTS We found a significant decrease in 5-hmc and trends of decreasing 5-mc levels in patients with severe MDD compared to healthy controls (P=0.059 for 5-mc and P=0.013 for 5-hmc). The decrease in the level exists only in the older age group (P=0.035 for 5-mc and P=0.002 for 5-hmc) but not in the younger age group (P=0.077 for 5-mc and P=0.620 for 5-hmc). In addition, the 5-mc level was found to be inversely correlated with disease severity (P=0.011). CONCLUSION Our results support a decrease in global DNA methylation associated with age in patients with severe depression. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of the methylation level as a disease marker of depression and whether antidepressant treatment changes the methylation profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Tao Tseng
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Department of Psychiatry, Tsyr-Huey Mental Hospital, Kaohsiung Jen-Ai's Home, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Yen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Center for Translational Research in Biomedical Sciences, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Fa Hung
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - For-Wey Lung
- Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan ; Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Sheng Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mian-Yoon Chong
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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172
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Mostafavi Abdolmaleky H. Horizons of psychiatric genetics and epigenetics: where are we and where are we heading? IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES 2014; 8:1-10. [PMID: 25780369 PMCID: PMC4359719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Today multinational studies using genome-wide association scan (GWAS) for >1000,000 polymorphisms on >100,000 cases with major psychiatric diseases versus controls, combined with next-generation sequencing have found ~100 genetic polymorphisms associated with schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BD), autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. However, the effect size of each genetic mutation has been generally low (<1%), and altogether could portray a tiny fraction of these mental diseases. Furthermore, none of these polymorphisms was specific to disease phenotypes indicating that they are simply genetic risk factors rather than causal mutations. The lack of identification of the major gene(s) in huge genetic studies increased the tendency for reexamining the roles of environmental factors in psychiatric and other complex diseases. However, this time at cellular/molecular levels mediated by epigenetic mechanisms that are heritable, but reversible while interacting with the environment. Now, gene-specific or whole-genome epigenetic analyses have introduced hundreds of aberrant epigenetic marks in the blood or brain of individuals with psychiatric diseases that include aberrations in DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNA expression. Interestingly, most of the current psychiatric drugs such as valproate, lithium, antidepressants, antipsychotics and even electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) modulate epigenetic codes. The existing data indicate that, the impacts of environment/nurture, including the uterine milieu and early-life events might be more significant than genetic/nature in most psychiatric diseases. The lack of significant results in large-scale genetic studies led to revise the bolded roles of genetics and now we are at the turning point of genomics for reconsidering environmental factors that through epigenetic mechanisms may impact the brain development/functions causing disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky
- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Research Associate, Department of Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA,Corresponding author: Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky, Shariati St., Phoenix Street, No. 2, Unit 15, Tehran, Iarn. Tel: +98 2122860861 ,
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