151
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Abstract
Schizophrenia is a highly heritable psychiatric condition that displays a complex phenotype. A multitude of genetic susceptibility loci have now been identified, but these fail to explain the high heritability estimates of schizophrenia. In addition, epidemiologically relevant environmental risk factors for schizophrenia may lead to permanent changes in brain function. In conjunction with genetic liability, these environmental risk factors-likely through epigenetic mechanisms-may give rise to schizophrenia, a clinical syndrome characterized by florid psychotic symptoms and moderate to severe cognitive impairment. These pathophysiological features point to the involvement of epigenetic processes. Recently, a wave of studies examining aberrant DNA modifications in schizophrenia was published. This chapter aims to comprehensively review the current findings, from both candidate gene studies and genome-wide approaches, on DNA methylation changes in schizophrenia.
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152
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A methylome-wide mQTL analysis reveals associations of methylation sites with GAD1 and HDAC3 SNPs and a general psychiatric risk score. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1002. [PMID: 28094813 PMCID: PMC5545735 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified a number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with psychiatric diseases. Increasing body of evidence suggests a complex connection of SNPs and the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which is poorly understood. In the current study, we investigated the interplay between genetic risk variants, shifts in methylation and mRNA levels in whole blood from 223 adolescents distinguished by a risk for developing psychiatric disorders. We analyzed 37 SNPs previously associated with psychiatric diseases in relation to genome-wide DNA methylation levels using linear models, with Bonferroni correction and adjusting for cell-type composition. Associations between DNA methylation, mRNA levels and psychiatric disease risk evaluated by the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) score were identified by robust linear models, Pearson's correlations and binary regression models. We detected five SNPs (in HCRTR1, GAD1, HADC3 and FKBP5) that were associated with eight CpG sites, validating five of these SNP-CpG pairs. Three of these CpG sites, that is, cg01089319 (GAD1), cg01089249 (GAD1) and cg24137543 (DIAPH1), manifest in significant gene expression changes and overlap with active regulatory regions in chromatin states of brain tissues. Importantly, methylation levels at cg01089319 were associated with the DAWBA score in the discovery group. These results show how distinct SNPs linked with psychiatric diseases are associated with epigenetic shifts with relevance for gene expression. Our findings give a novel insight on how genetic variants may modulate risks for the development of psychiatric diseases.
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153
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McCarty R. Cross-fostering: Elucidating the effects of gene×environment interactions on phenotypic development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 73:219-254. [PMID: 28034661 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cross-fostering of litters from soon after birth until weaning is a valuable tool to study the ways in which gene×environment interactions program the development of neural, physiological and behavioral characteristics of mammalian species. In laboratory mice and rats, the primary focus of this review, cross-fostering of litters between mothers of different strains or treatment groups (intraspecific) or between mothers of different species (interspecific) has been conducted over the past 9 decades. Areas of particular interest have included maternal effects on emotionality, social preferences, responses to stressful stimulation, nutrition and growth, blood pressure regulation, and epigenetic effects on brain development and behavior. Results from these areas of research highlight the critical role of the postnatal maternal environment in programming the development of offspring phenotypic characteristics. In addition, experimental paradigms that have included cross-fostering have permitted investigators to tease apart prenatal versus postnatal effects of various treatments on offspring development and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard McCarty
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240 USA.
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154
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Bak ST, Staunstrup NH, Starnawska A, Daugaard TF, Nyengaard JR, Nyegaard M, Børglum A, Mors O, Dorph-Petersen KA, Nielsen AL. Evaluating the Feasibility of DNA Methylation Analyses Using Long-Term Archived Brain Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Samples. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 55:668-681. [PMID: 27995571 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0345-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We here characterize the usability of archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) brain tissue as a resource for genetic and DNA methylation analyses with potential relevance for brain-manifested diseases. We analyzed FFPE samples from The Brain Collection, Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Denmark (AUBC), constituting 9479 formalin-fixated brains making it one of the largest collections worldwide. DNA extracted from brain FFPE tissue blocks was interrogated for quality and usability in genetic and DNA methylation analyses by different molecular techniques. Overall, we found that DNA quality was inversely correlated with storage time and DNA quality was insufficient for Illumina methylation arrays; data from methylated DNA immunoprecipitation, clonal bisulfite sequencing, and pyrosequencing of BDNF and ST6GALNAC1 suggested that the original methylation pattern is indeed preserved. Proof-of-principle experiments predicting sex based on the methylation status of the X-inactivated SLC9A7 gene, or genotype differences of the Y and X chromosomes, showed consistency between predicted and actual sex for a subset of FFPE samples. In conclusion, even though DNA from FFPE samples is of low quality and technically challenging, it is likely that a subset of samples can provide reliable data given that the methodology used is designed for small DNA fragments. We propose that simple PCR-based quality control experiments at the genetic and DNA methylation level, carried out at the beginning of any given project, can be used to enrich for the best-performing FFPE samples. The apparent preservation of genetic and DNA methylation patterns in archival FFPE samples may bring along new perspectives for the identification of genetic and epigenetic changes associated with brain-manifested diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine T Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin building, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Nicklas H Staunstrup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin building, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Translational Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna Starnawska
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin building, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tina F Daugaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin building, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jens R Nyengaard
- Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging (CSGB), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette Nyegaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin building, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Børglum
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin building, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Department P, Department of General Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Mors
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Department P, Department of General Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karl-Anton Dorph-Petersen
- Translational Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark.,Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging (CSGB), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Anders L Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin building, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. .,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark.
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155
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McCoy CR, Jackson NL, Day J, Clinton SM. Genetic predisposition to high anxiety- and depression-like behavior coincides with diminished DNA methylation in the adult rat amygdala. Behav Brain Res 2016; 320:165-178. [PMID: 27965039 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding biological mechanisms that shape vulnerability to emotional dysfunction is critical for elucidating the neurobiology of psychiatric illnesses like anxiety and depression. To elucidate molecular and epigenetic alterations in the brain that contribute to individual differences in emotionality, our laboratory utilized a rodent model of temperamental differences. Rats bred for low response to novelty (Low Responders, LRs) are inhibited in novel situations and display high anxiety, helplessness, and diminished sociability compared to High Novelty Responder (HR) rats. Our current transcriptome profiling experiment identified widespread gene expression differences in the amygdala of adult HR/LR rats; we hypothesize that HR/LR gene expression and downstream behavioral differences stem from distinct epigenetic (specifically DNA methylation) patterning in the HR/LR brain. Although we found similar levels of DNA methyltransferase proteins in the adult HR/LR amygdala, next-generation sequencing analysis of the methylome revealed 793 differentially methylated genomic sites between the groups. Most of the differentially methylated sites were hypermethylated in HR versus LR, so we next tested the hypothesis that enhancing DNA methylation in LRs would improve their anxiety/depression-like phenotype. We found that increasing DNA methylation in LRs (via increased dietary methyl donor content) improved their anxiety-like behavior and decreased their typically high levels of Forced Swim Test (FST) immobility; however, dietary methyl donor depletion exacerbated LRs' high FST immobility. These data are generally consistent with findings in depressed patients showing that treatment with DNA methylation-promoting agents improves depressive symptoms, and highlight epigenetic mechanisms that may contribute to individual differences in risk for emotional dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea R McCoy
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Nateka L Jackson
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham AL, USA
| | - Jeremy Day
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham AL, USA
| | - Sarah M Clinton
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.
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156
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Nohesara S, Ghadirivasfi M, Barati M, Ghasemzadeh MR, Narimani S, Mousavi-Behbahani Z, Joghataei M, Soleimani M, Taban M, Mehrabi S, Thiagalingam S, Abdolmaleky HM. Methamphetamine-induced psychosis is associated with DNA hypomethylation and increased expression of AKT1 and key dopaminergic genes. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171:1180-1189. [PMID: 27753212 PMCID: PMC7115129 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine, one of the most frequently used illicit drugs worldwide, can induce psychosis in a large fraction of abusers and it is becoming a major problem for the health care institutions. There is some evidence that genetic and epigenetic factors may play roles in methamphetamine psychosis. In this study, we examined methamphetamine-induced epigenetic and expression changes of several key genes involved in psychosis. RNA and DNA extracted from the saliva samples of patients with methamphetamine dependency with and without psychosis as well as control subjects (each group 25) were analyzed for expression and promoter DNA methylation status of DRD1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, MB-COMT, GAD1, and AKT1 using qRT-PCR and q-MSP, respectively. We found statistically significant DNA hypomethylation of the promoter regions of DRD3 (P = 0.032), DRD4 (P = 0.05), MB-COMT (P = 0.009), and AKT1 (P = 0.0008) associated with increased expression of the corresponding genes in patients with methamphetamine psychosis (P = 0.022, P = 0.034, P = 0.035, P = 0.038, respectively), and to a lesser degree in some of the candidate genes in non-psychotic patients versus the control subjects. In general, methamphetamine dependency is associated with reduced DNA methylation and corresponding increase in expression of several key genes involved in the pathogenesis of psychotic disorders. While these epigenetic changes can be useful diagnostic biomarkers for psychosis in methamphetamine abusers, it is also consistent with the use of methyl rich diet for prevention or suppression of psychosis in these patients. However, this needs to be confirmed in future studies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Nohesara
- Mental Health Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ghadirivasfi
- Mental Health Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Barati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Ghasemzadeh
- Mental Health Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Narimani
- Mental Health Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Mousavi-Behbahani
- Mental Health Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadtaghi Joghataei
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoureh Soleimani
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Taban
- Mental Health Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soraya Mehrabi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sam Thiagalingam
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts,Correspondence to: Sam Thiagalingam and Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118., (S.T.); (H.M.A.)
| | - Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts,Correspondence to: Sam Thiagalingam and Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118., (S.T.); (H.M.A.)
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157
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Jia X, Zhang T, Li L, Fu D, Lin H, Chen G, Liu X, Guan F. Two-stage additional evidence support association of common variants in the HDAC3 with the increasing risk of schizophrenia susceptibility. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171:1105-1111. [PMID: 27573569 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with high heritability. Abnormal gene methylation was found to play a key role in the development of SCZ, suggesting that histone deacetylases (HDACs) may increase the expression of several key genes in the brain. However, recent studies evaluating the association between SCZ and genetic polymorphisms in histone deacetylase 3 (encoded by HDAC3) have shown conflicting results. In this study, we designed a two-stage case-control study to investigate the association of the HDAC3 with SCZ. Fourteen tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) entirely covering the region of HDAC3 were analyzed in the testing group of 1,421 patients and 2,823 healthy controls, and the SNP rs14251 was found to be significant (and rs2530223 to be nominally significant). The significant result of rs14251 was successfully replicated in the validation group consisting of 896 cases and 1,815 healthy controls (P = 0.009276, OR = 1.219), and also confirmed by haplotype based analyses (rs976552-rs14251, global P < 0.001). To sum up, our results provide additional evidence that HDAC3 confers the increasing risk of SCZ susceptibility in Han Chinese individuals, suggesting this gene as a potential genetic modifier for SCZ development. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Jia
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of National Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianxiao Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Lu Li
- Key Laboratory of National Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dongke Fu
- Key Laboratory of National Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Huali Lin
- Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Key Laboratory of National Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinshe Liu
- Key Laboratory of National Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fanglin Guan
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of National Ministry of Health for Forensic Sciences, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
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158
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Florio E, Keller S, Coretti L, Affinito O, Scala G, Errico F, Fico A, Boscia F, Sisalli MJ, Reccia MG, Miele G, Monticelli A, Scorziello A, Lembo F, Colucci-D'Amato L, Minchiotti G, Avvedimento VE, Usiello A, Cocozza S, Chiariotti L. Tracking the evolution of epialleles during neural differentiation and brain development: D-Aspartate oxidase as a model gene. Epigenetics 2016; 12:41-54. [PMID: 27858532 PMCID: PMC5270635 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2016.1260211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed ultra-deep methylation analysis at single molecule level of the promoter region of developmentally regulated D-Aspartate oxidase (Ddo), as a model gene, during brain development and embryonic stem cell neural differentiation. Single molecule methylation analysis enabled us to establish the effective epiallele composition within mixed or pure brain cell populations. In this framework, an epiallele is defined as a specific combination of methylated CpG within Ddo locus and can represent the epigenetic haplotype revealing a cell-to-cell methylation heterogeneity. Using this approach, we found a high degree of polymorphism of methylated alleles (epipolymorphism) evolving in a remarkably conserved fashion during brain development. The different sets of epialleles mark stage, brain areas, and cell type and unravel the possible role of specific CpGs in favoring or inhibiting local methylation. Undifferentiated embryonic stem cells showed non-organized distribution of epialleles that apparently originated by stochastic methylation events on individual CpGs. Upon neural differentiation, despite detecting no changes in average methylation, we observed that the epiallele distribution was profoundly different, gradually shifting toward organized patterns specific to the glial or neuronal cell types. Our findings provide a deep view of gene methylation heterogeneity in brain cell populations promising to furnish innovative ways to unravel mechanisms underlying methylation patterns generation and alteration in brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermanno Florio
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.,b Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Simona Keller
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.,b Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Lorena Coretti
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.,b Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Ornella Affinito
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.,b Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Giovanni Scala
- c Dipartimento di Fisica , Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare , Sezione di Napoli, Naples , Italy
| | - Francesco Errico
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.,d CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate , Naples , Italy
| | - Annalisa Fico
- e Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Francesca Boscia
- f Department of Neuroscience , Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy
| | - Maria Josè Sisalli
- f Department of Neuroscience , Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy
| | - Mafalda Giovanna Reccia
- g Department of Environmental , Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Second University of Naples , Caserta , Italy
| | - Gennaro Miele
- c Dipartimento di Fisica , Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare , Sezione di Napoli, Naples , Italy
| | - Antonella Monticelli
- b Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Antonella Scorziello
- f Department of Neuroscience , Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy
| | - Francesca Lembo
- h Dipartimento di Farmacia , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy
| | - Luca Colucci-D'Amato
- g Department of Environmental , Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Second University of Naples , Caserta , Italy
| | - Gabriella Minchiotti
- e Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Vittorio Enrico Avvedimento
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.,b Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- d CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate , Naples , Italy.,g Department of Environmental , Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Second University of Naples , Caserta , Italy
| | - Sergio Cocozza
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- a Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche , Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.,b Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Naples , Italy
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159
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Lally J, Gaughran F, Timms P, Curran SR. Treatment-resistant schizophrenia: current insights on the pharmacogenomics of antipsychotics. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2016; 9:117-129. [PMID: 27853387 PMCID: PMC5106233 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s115741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 30% of people with schizophrenia do not respond to two (or more) trials of dopaminergic antipsychotics. They are said to have treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Clozapine is still the only effective treatment for TRS, although it is underused in clinical practice. Initial use is delayed, it can be hard for patients to tolerate, and clinicians can be uncertain as to when to use it. What if, at the start of treatment, we could identify those patients likely to respond to clozapine - and those likely to suffer adverse effects? It is likely that clinicians would feel less inhibited about using it, allowing clozapine to be used earlier and more appropriately. Genetic testing holds out the tantalizing possibility of being able to do just this, and hence the vital importance of pharmacogenomic studies. These can potentially identify genetic markers for both tolerance of and vulnerability to clozapine. We aim to summarize progress so far, possible clinical applications, limitations to the evidence, and problems in applying these findings to the management of TRS. Pharmacogenomic studies of clozapine response and tolerability have produced conflicting results. These are due, at least in part, to significant differences in the patient groups studied. The use of clinical pharmacogenomic testing - to personalize clozapine treatment and identify patients at high risk of treatment failure or of adverse events - has moved closer over the last 20 years. However, to develop such testing that could be used clinically will require larger, multicenter, prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Lally
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- National Psychosis Service
| | - Fiona Gaughran
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- National Psychosis Service
| | - Philip Timms
- START Team, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- King’s College London
| | - Sarah R Curran
- King’s College London
- South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
- St George’s University of London, London, UK
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160
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Fullard JF, Halene TB, Giambartolomei C, Haroutunian V, Akbarian S, Roussos P. Understanding the genetic liability to schizophrenia through the neuroepigenome. Schizophr Res 2016; 177:115-124. [PMID: 26827128 PMCID: PMC4963306 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium-Schizophrenia Workgroup (PGC-SCZ) recently identified 108 loci associated with increased risk for schizophrenia (SCZ). The vast majority of these variants reside within non-coding sequences of the genome and are predicted to exert their effects by affecting the mechanism of action of cis regulatory elements (CREs), such as promoters and enhancers. Although a number of large-scale collaborative efforts (e.g. ENCODE) have achieved a comprehensive mapping of CREs in human cell lines or tissue homogenates, it is becoming increasingly evident that many risk-associated variants are enriched for expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTLs) and CREs in specific tissues or cells. As such, data derived from previous research endeavors may not capture fully cell-type and/or region specific changes associated with brain diseases. Coupling recent technological advances in genomics with cell-type specific methodologies, we are presented with an unprecedented opportunity to better understand the genetics of normal brain development and function and, in turn, the molecular basis of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we will outline ongoing efforts towards this goal and will discuss approaches with the potential to shed light on the mechanism(s) of action of cell-type specific cis regulatory elements and their putative roles in disease, with particular emphasis on understanding the manner in which the epigenome and CREs influence the etiology of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F. Fullard
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tobias B. Halene
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 3), James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Vahram Haroutunian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 3), James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Science and Institute for Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 3), James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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161
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The human BDNF gene: peripheral gene expression and protein levels as biomarkers for psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e958. [PMID: 27874848 PMCID: PMC5314126 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the survival and growth of neurons, and influences synaptic efficiency and plasticity. The human BDNF gene consists of 11 exons, and distinct BDNF transcripts are produced through the use of alternative promoters and splicing events. The majority of the BDNF transcripts can be detected not only in the brain but also in the blood cells, although no study has yet investigated the differential expression of BDNF transcripts at the peripheral level. This review provides a description of the human BDNF gene structure as well as a summary of clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the role of BDNF in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. We will discuss several mechanisms as possibly underlying BDNF modulation, including epigenetic mechanisms. We will also discuss the potential use of peripheral BDNF as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders, focusing on the factors that can influence BDNF gene expression and protein levels. Within this context, we have also characterized, for we believe the first time, the expression of BDNF transcripts in the blood, with the aim to provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and signaling that may regulate peripheral BDNF gene expression levels.
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162
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Morris MJ, Na ES, Autry AE, Monteggia LM. Impact of DNMT1 and DNMT3a forebrain knockout on depressive- and anxiety like behavior in mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 135:139-145. [PMID: 27545441 PMCID: PMC5050143 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation has been shown to impact certain forms of synaptic and behavioral plasticity that have been implicated in the development in psychiatric disorders. DNA methylation is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes that continue to be expressed in postmitotic neurons in the forebrain. Using a conditional forebrain knockout of DNMT1 or DNMT3a we assessed the role of these DNMTs in anxiety and depressive-like behavior in mice using an array of behavioral testing paradigms. Forebrain deletion of DNMT1 had anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties as assessed by elevated plus maze, novelty suppressed feeding, forced swim, and social interaction tests. DNMT3a knockout mice, by contrast, did not exhibit significant behavioral alterations in these tests. Given the putative role of altered DNA methylation patterns in the development of schizophrenia, we also assessed DNMT1 and DNMT3a knockout mice in a prepulse inhibition task and found an enhanced prepulse inhibition of startle in DNMT1 knockouts relative to wild type mice, with no change evident in DNMT3a knockout mice. Our data suggest that DNMT1 and DNMT3a are distinctly involved in affective behavior and that DNMT1 may ultimately represent a potential target for treatment of certain affective behavioral disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Morris
- Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9111, United States
| | - Elisa S Na
- Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9111, United States
| | - Anita E Autry
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9111, United States
| | - Lisa M Monteggia
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9111, United States.
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163
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Matrisciano F, Panaccione I, Grayson DR, Nicoletti F, Guidotti A. Metabotropic Glutamate 2/3 Receptors and Epigenetic Modifications in Psychotic Disorders: A Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 14:41-7. [PMID: 26813121 PMCID: PMC4787284 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666150713174242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder are chronic psychiatric disorders, both considered as “major psychosis”; they are thought to share some pathogenetic factors involving a dysfunctional gene x environment interaction. Alterations in the glutamatergic transmission have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of psychosis. Our group developed an epigenetic model of schizophrenia originated by Prenatal Restraint Stress (PRS) paradigm in mice. PRS mice developed some behavioral alterations observed in schizophrenic patients and classic animal models of schizophrenia, i.e. deficits in social interaction, locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition. They also showed specific changes in promoter DNA methylation activity of genes related to schizophrenia such as reelin, BDNF and GAD67, and altered expression and function of mGlu2/3 receptors in the frontal cortex. Interestingly, behavioral and molecular alterations were reversed by treatment with mGlu2/3 agonists. Based on these findings, we speculate that pharmacological modulation of these receptors could have a great impact on early phase treatment of psychosis together with the possibility to modulate specific epigenetic key protein involved in the development of psychosis. In this review, we will discuss in more details the specific features of the PRS mice as a suitable epigenetic model for
major psychosis. We will then focus on key proteins of chromatin remodeling machinery as potential target for new
pharmacological treatment through the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Matrisciano
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611.
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164
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Ishii K, Kubo KI, Nakajima K. Reelin and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:229. [PMID: 27803648 PMCID: PMC5067484 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper neuronal migration and laminar formation during corticogenesis is essential for normal brain function. Disruption of these developmental processes is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of some neuropsychiatric conditions. Especially, Reelin, a glycoprotein mainly secreted by the Cajal-Retzius cells and a subpopulation of GABAergic interneurons, has been shown to play a critical role, both during embryonic and postnatal periods. Indeed, animal studies have clearly revealed that Reelin is an essential molecule for proper migration of cortical neurons and finally regulates the cell positioning in the cortex during embryonic and early postnatal stages; by contrast, Reelin signaling is closely involved in synaptic function in adulthood. In humans, genetic studies have shown that the reelin gene (RELN) is associated with a number of psychiatric diseases, including Schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BP) and autistic spectrum disorder. Indeed, Reln haploinsufficiency has been shown to cause cognitive impairment in rodents, suggesting the expression level of the Reelin protein is closely related to the higher brain functions. However, the molecular abnormalities in the Reelin pathway involved in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders are not yet fully understood. In this article, we review the current progress in the understanding of the Reelin functions that could be related to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, we discuss the basis for selecting Reelin and molecules in its downstream signaling pathway as potential therapeutic targets for psychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Ishii
- Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Kubo
- Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunori Nakajima
- Department of Anatomy, Keio University School of Medicine Tokyo, Japan
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165
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Fisher HL, Murphy TM, Arseneault L, Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Viana J, Hannon E, Pidsley R, Burrage J, Dempster EL, Wong CCY, Pariante CM, Mill J. Methylomic analysis of monozygotic twins discordant for childhood psychotic symptoms. Epigenetics 2016; 10:1014-23. [PMID: 26479702 PMCID: PMC4867769 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1099797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood psychotic symptoms are associated with increased rates of schizophrenia, other psychiatric disorders, and suicide attempts in adulthood; thus, elucidating early risk indicators is crucial to target prevention efforts. There is considerable discordance for psychotic symptoms between monozygotic twins, indicating that child-specific non-genetic factors must be involved. Epigenetic processes may constitute one of these factors and have not yet been investigated in relation to childhood psychotic symptoms. Therefore, this study explored whether differences in DNA methylation at age 10 were associated with monozygotic twin discordance for psychotic symptoms at age 12. The Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study cohort of 2,232 children (1,116 twin pairs) was assessed for age-12 psychotic symptoms and 24 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for symptoms were identified for methylomic comparison. Children provided buccal samples at ages 5 and 10. DNA was bisulfite modified and DNA methylation was quantified using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 array. Differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with psychotic symptoms were subsequently tested in post-mortem prefrontal cortex tissue from adult schizophrenia patients and age-matched controls. Site-specific DNA methylation differences were observed at age 10 between monozygotic twins discordant for age-12 psychotic symptoms. Similar DMPs were not found at age 5. The top-ranked psychosis-associated DMP (cg23933044), located in the promoter of the C5ORF42 gene, was also hypomethylated in post-mortem prefrontal cortex brain tissue from schizophrenia patients compared to unaffected controls. These data tentatively suggest that epigenetic variation in peripheral tissue is associated with childhood psychotic symptoms and may indicate susceptibility to schizophrenia and other mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen L Fisher
- a MRC Social , Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Center; Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology & Neuroscience; King's College London ; London , UK
| | - Therese M Murphy
- b University of Exeter Medical School; University of Exeter ; Exeter , Devon , UK
| | - Louise Arseneault
- a MRC Social , Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Center; Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology & Neuroscience; King's College London ; London , UK
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- a MRC Social , Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Center; Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology & Neuroscience; King's College London ; London , UK.,c Department of Psychology and Neuroscience ; Duke University ; Durham , NC , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences ; Duke University Medical School ; Durham , NC , USA
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- a MRC Social , Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Center; Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology & Neuroscience; King's College London ; London , UK.,c Department of Psychology and Neuroscience ; Duke University ; Durham , NC , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences ; Duke University Medical School ; Durham , NC , USA
| | - Joana Viana
- b University of Exeter Medical School; University of Exeter ; Exeter , Devon , UK
| | - Eilis Hannon
- b University of Exeter Medical School; University of Exeter ; Exeter , Devon , UK
| | - Ruth Pidsley
- e Garvan Institute of Medical Research ; Darlinghurst , NSW , Australia
| | - Joe Burrage
- b University of Exeter Medical School; University of Exeter ; Exeter , Devon , UK
| | - Emma L Dempster
- b University of Exeter Medical School; University of Exeter ; Exeter , Devon , UK
| | - Chloe C Y Wong
- a MRC Social , Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Center; Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology & Neuroscience; King's College London ; London , UK
| | - Carmine M Pariante
- f Department of Psychological Medicine ; Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology & Neuroscience; King's College London ; London , UK
| | - Jonathan Mill
- a MRC Social , Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Center; Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology & Neuroscience; King's College London ; London , UK.,b University of Exeter Medical School; University of Exeter ; Exeter , Devon , UK
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166
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Alelú-Paz R, Carmona FJ, Sanchez-Mut JV, Cariaga-Martínez A, González-Corpas A, Ashour N, Orea MJ, Escanilla A, Monje A, Guerrero Márquez C, Saiz-Ruiz J, Esteller M, Ropero S. Epigenetics in Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study of Global DNA Methylation in Different Brain Regions Associated with Higher Cognitive Functions. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1496. [PMID: 27746755 PMCID: PMC5044511 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Attempts to discover genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders have been frustrating and often fruitless. Concern is building about the need to understand the complex ways in which nature and nurture interact to produce mental illness. We analyze the epigenome in several brain regions from schizophrenic patients with severe cognitive impairment using high-resolution (450K) DNA methylation array. We identified 139 differentially methylated CpG sites included in known and novel candidate genes sequences as well as in and intergenic sequences which functions remain unknown. We found that altered DNA methylation is not restricted to a particular region, but includes others such as CpG shelves and gene bodies, indicating the presence of different DNA methylation signatures depending on the brain area analyzed. Our findings suggest that epimutations are not relatables between different tissues or even between tissues' regions, highlighting the need to adequately study brain samples to obtain reliable data concerning the epigenetics of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alelú-Paz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y CajalMadrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Carmona
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | - José V Sanchez-Mut
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariel Cariaga-Martínez
- Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Corpas
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Nadia Ashour
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria J Orea
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Escanilla
- Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Monje
- Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jerónimo Saiz-Ruiz
- Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal Madrid, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis AvançatsBarcelona, Spain; Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine, University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Ropero
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
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167
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van de Leemput J, Hess JL, Glatt SJ, Tsuang MT. Genetics of Schizophrenia: Historical Insights and Prevailing Evidence. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2016; 96:99-141. [PMID: 27968732 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia's (SZ's) heritability and familial transmission have been known for several decades; however, despite the clear evidence for a genetic component, it has been very difficult to pinpoint specific causative genes. Even so genetic studies have taught us a lot, even in the pregenomic era, about the molecular underpinnings and disease-relevant pathways. Recurring themes emerged revealing the involvement of neurodevelopmental processes, glutamate regulation, and immune system differential activation in SZ etiology. The recent emergence of epigenetic studies aimed at shedding light on the biological mechanisms underlying SZ has provided another layer of information in the investigation of gene and environment interactions. However, this epigenetic insight also brings forth another layer of complexity to the (epi)genomic landscape such as interactions between genetic variants, epigenetic marks-including cross-talk between DNA methylation and histone modification processes-, gene expression regulation, and environmental influences. In this review, we seek to synthesize perspectives, including limitations and obstacles yet to overcome, from genetic and epigenetic literature on SZ through a qualitative review of risk factors and prevailing hypotheses. Encouraged by the findings of both genetic and epigenetic studies to date, as well as the continued development of new technologies to collect and interpret large-scale studies, we are left with a positive outlook for the future of elucidating the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying SZ and other complex neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J van de Leemput
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - J L Hess
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - S J Glatt
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - M T Tsuang
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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168
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Bakulski KM, Halladay A, Hu VW, Mill J, Fallin MD. Epigenetic Research in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: the "Tissue Issue". Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2016; 3:264-274. [PMID: 28093577 DOI: 10.1007/s40473-016-0083-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Evidence has linked neuropsychiatric disorders with epigenetic marks as either a biomarker of disease, biomarker of exposure, or mechanism of disease processes. Neuropsychiatric epidemiologic studies using either target brain tissue or surrogate blood tissue each have methodological challenges and distinct advantages. RECENT FINDINGS Brain tissue studies are challenged by small sample sizes of cases and controls, incomplete phenotyping, post-mortem timing, and cellular heterogeneity, but the use of a primary disease relevant tissue is critical. Blood-based studies have access to much larger sample sizes and more replication opportunities, as well as the potential for longitudinal measurements, both prior to onset and during the course of treatments. Yet, blood studies also are challenged by cell-type heterogeneity, and many question the validity of using peripheral tissues as a brain biomarker. Emerging evidence suggests that these limitations to blood-based epigenetic studies are surmountable, but confirmation in target tissue remains important. SUMMARY Epigenetic mechanisms have the potential to help elucidate biology connecting experiential risk factors with neuropsychiatric disease manifestation. Cross-tissue studies as well as advanced epidemiologic methods should be employed to more effectively conduct neuropsychiatric epigenetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alycia Halladay
- Autism Science Foundation, New York City, New York, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Valerie W Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK; Institute for Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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169
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Walker RM, Sussmann JE, Whalley HC, Ryan NM, Porteous DJ, McIntosh AM, Evans KL. Preliminary assessment of pre-morbid DNA methylation in individuals at high genetic risk of mood disorders. Bipolar Disord 2016; 18:410-22. [PMID: 27440233 PMCID: PMC5006843 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accumulating evidence implicates altered DNA methylation in psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). It is not clear, however, whether these changes are causative or result from illness progression or treatment. To disentangle these possibilities we profiled genome-wide DNA methylation in well, unrelated individuals at high familial risk of mood disorder. DNA methylation was compared between individuals who subsequently developed BD or MDD [ill later (IL)] and those who remained well [well later (WL)]. METHODS DNA methylation profiles were obtained from whole-blood samples from 22 IL and 23 WL individuals using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Differential methylation was assessed on a single-locus and regional basis. Pathway analysis was performed to assess enrichment for particular biological processes amongst nominally significantly differentially methylated loci. RESULTS Although no locus withstood correction for multiple testing, uncorrected P-values provided suggestive evidence for altered methylation at sites within genes previously implicated in neuropsychiatric conditions, such as Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4) and Interleukin 1 Receptor Accessory Protein-Like 1 ([IL1RAPL1]; P≤3.11×10(-5) ). Pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment for several neurologically relevant pathways and functions, including Nervous System Development and Function and Behavior; these findings withstood multiple testing correction (q≤0.05). Analysis of differentially methylated regions identified several within the major histocompatibility complex (P≤.000 479), a region previously implicated in schizophrenia and BD. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide provisional evidence for the involvement of altered whole-blood DNA methylation in neurologically relevant genes in the aetiology of mood disorders. These findings are convergent with the findings of genome-wide association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie May Walker
- Medical Genetics SectionCentre for Genomic and Experimental MedicineInstitute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineThe University of EdinburghWestern General HospitalEdinburghUK
| | - Jessika Elizabeth Sussmann
- Division of PsychiatryThe University of EdinburghRoyal Edinburgh HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Heather Clare Whalley
- Division of PsychiatryThe University of EdinburghRoyal Edinburgh HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Niamh Margaret Ryan
- Medical Genetics SectionCentre for Genomic and Experimental MedicineInstitute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineThe University of EdinburghWestern General HospitalEdinburghUK
| | - David John Porteous
- Medical Genetics SectionCentre for Genomic and Experimental MedicineInstitute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineThe University of EdinburghWestern General HospitalEdinburghUK,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive EpidemiologyThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Andrew Mark McIntosh
- Division of PsychiatryThe University of EdinburghRoyal Edinburgh HospitalUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive EpidemiologyThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Kathryn Louise Evans
- Medical Genetics SectionCentre for Genomic and Experimental MedicineInstitute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineThe University of EdinburghWestern General HospitalEdinburghUK,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive EpidemiologyThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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170
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Larsen K, Momeni J, Farajzadeh L, Callesen H, Bendixen C. Molecular characterization and analysis of the porcine NURR1 gene. BIOCHIMIE OPEN 2016; 3:26-39. [PMID: 29450128 PMCID: PMC5801910 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopen.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Orphan receptor NURR1 (also termed NR4A2) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily and functions as a regulatory factor of differentiation, migration, maturation and maintenance of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. NURR1 plays an important role in nigrostriatal dopamine neuron development and is therefore implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases linked to the dopamine system of the midbrain. Here we report the isolation and characterization of porcine NURR1 cDNA. The NURR1 cDNA was RT-PCR cloned using NURR1-specific oligonucleotide primers derived from in silico sequences. The porcine NURR1 cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 598 amino acids, displaying a very high similarity with bovine, human and mouse (99%) NURR1 protein. Expression analysis revealed a differential NURR1 mRNA expression in various organs and tissues. NURR1 transcripts could be detected as early as at 60 days of embryo development in different brain tissues. A significant increase in NURR1 transcript in the cerebellum and a decrease in NURR1 transcript in the basal ganglia was observed during embryo development. The porcine NURR1 gene was mapped to chromosome 15. Two missense mutations were found in exon 3, the first coding exon of NURR1. Methylation analysis of the porcine NURR1 gene body revealed a high methylation degree in brain tissue, whereas methylation of the promoter was very low. A decrease in DNA methylation in a discrete region of the NURR1 promoter was observed in pig frontal cortex during pig embryo development. This observation correlated with an increase in NURR1 transcripts. Therefore, methylation might be a determinant of NURR1 expression at certain time points in embryo development. The porcine NURR1 gene was cloned and characterized. NURR1 transcript was detected early in pig embryo brain development. Methylation status of NURR1 may be a determinant for its expression.
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Key Words
- CNS, central nervous system
- DAN, dopaminergic neuron
- DAT, dopamin transporter
- DBD, DNA binding domain
- DNA methylation
- GAPDH, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- NTD, N-terminal domain
- NURR1
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- Parkinson's disease
- Pig
- RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
- SNP
- SNP, Single nucleotide polymorphism
- TSS, transcription start site
- Transcription factor
- UTR, untranslated region
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Affiliation(s)
- Knud Larsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Jamal Momeni
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Leila Farajzadeh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Henrik Callesen
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Christian Bendixen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
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171
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Fries GR, Li Q, McAlpin B, Rein T, Walss-Bass C, Soares JC, Quevedo J. The role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 68:474-488. [PMID: 27328785 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a multifactorial illness thought to result from an interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental stimuli. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, can modulate gene expression in response to the environment, and therefore might account for part of the heritability reported for BD. This paper aims to review evidence of the potential role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology and treatment of BD. In summary, several studies suggest that alterations in DNA methylation may play an important role in the dysregulation of gene expression in BD, and some actually suggest their potential use as biomarkers to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and assessment of response to treatment. This is also supported by reports of alterations in the levels of DNA methyltransferases in patients and in the mechanism of action of classical mood stabilizers. In this sense, targeting specific alterations in DNA methylation represents exciting new treatment possibilities for BD, and the 'plastic' characteristic of DNA methylation accounts for a promising possibility of restoring environment-induced modifications in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel R Fries
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1941 East Rd, 77054, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Qiongzhen Li
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1941 East Rd, 77054, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Blake McAlpin
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1941 East Rd, 77054, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Theo Rein
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstraße 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1941 East Rd, 77054, Houston, TX, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jair C Soares
- Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joao Quevedo
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1941 East Rd, 77054, Houston, TX, USA; Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Laboratory of Neurosciences, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
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172
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Zheleznyakova GY, Cao H, Schiöth HB. BDNF DNA methylation changes as a biomarker of psychiatric disorders: literature review and open access database analysis. Behav Brain Funct 2016; 12:17. [PMID: 27267954 PMCID: PMC4895990 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-016-0101-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in nervous system development and function and it is well established that BDNF is involved in the pathogenesis of a wide range of psychiatric disorders. Recently, numerous studies have associated the DNA methylation level of BDNF promoters with certain psychiatric phenotypes. In this review, we summarize data from current literature as well as from our own analysis with respect to the correlation of BDNF methylation changes with psychiatric disorders and address questions about whether DNA methylation related to the BDNF can be useful as biomarker for specific neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Y Zheleznyakova
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, BMC, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, CMM L8:04, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Hao Cao
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, BMC, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, BMC, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
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173
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Xu X, Ji H, Liu G, Wang Q, Liu H, Shen W, Li L, Xie X, Zhou W, Duan S. A significant association between BDNF promoter methylation and the risk of drug addiction. Gene 2016; 584:54-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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174
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Kolde R, Märtens K, Lokk K, Laur S, Vilo J. seqlm: an MDL based method for identifying differentially methylated regions in high density methylation array data. Bioinformatics 2016; 32:2604-10. [PMID: 27187204 PMCID: PMC5013909 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btw304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION One of the main goals of large scale methylation studies is to detect differentially methylated loci. One way is to approach this problem sitewise, i.e. to find differentially methylated positions (DMPs). However, it has been shown that methylation is regulated in longer genomic regions. So it is more desirable to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) instead of DMPs. The new high coverage arrays, like Illuminas 450k platform, make it possible at a reasonable cost. Few tools exist for DMR identification from this type of data, but there is no standard approach. RESULTS We propose a novel method for DMR identification that detects the region boundaries according to the minimum description length (MDL) principle, essentially solving the problem of model selection. The significance of the regions is established using linear mixed models. Using both simulated and large publicly available methylation datasets, we compare seqlm performance to alternative approaches. We demonstrate that it is both more sensitive and specific than competing methods. This is achieved with minimal parameter tuning and, surprisingly, quickest running time of all the tried methods. Finally, we show that the regional differential methylation patterns identified on sparse array data are confirmed by higher resolution sequencing approaches. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The methods have been implemented in R package seqlm that is available through Github: https://github.com/raivokolde/seqlm CONTACT rkolde@gmail.com SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raivo Kolde
- Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, 50409 Tartu, Estonia Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kaspar Märtens
- Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kaie Lokk
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sven Laur
- Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jaak Vilo
- Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
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175
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Cariaga-Martinez A, Saiz-Ruiz J, Alelú-Paz R. From Linkage Studies to Epigenetics: What We Know and What We Need to Know in the Neurobiology of Schizophrenia. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:202. [PMID: 27242407 PMCID: PMC4862989 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms that lacks a unifying neuropathology. In the present paper, we will review the current understanding of molecular dysregulation in schizophrenia, including genetic and epigenetic studies. In relation to the latter, basic research suggests that normal cognition is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms and its dysfunction occurs upon epigenetic misregulation, providing new insights into missing heritability of complex psychiatric diseases, referring to the discrepancy between epidemiological heritability and the proportion of phenotypic variation explained by DNA sequence difference. In schizophrenia the absence of consistently replicated genetic effects together with evidence for lasting changes in gene expression after environmental exposures suggest a role of epigenetic mechanisms. In this review we will focus on epigenetic modifications as a key mechanism through which environmental factors interact with individual's genetic constitution to affect risk of psychotic conditions throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Cariaga-Martinez
- Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, Alcalá University Madrid, Spain
| | - Jerónimo Saiz-Ruiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, IRYCISMadrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM)Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Alelú-Paz
- Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, Alcalá UniversityMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, IRYCISMadrid, Spain
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176
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Abstract
With the impressive advancement in high-throughput 'omics' technologies over the past two decades, epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as the regulatory interface between the genome and environmental factors. These mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modifications, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling and RNA-based mechanisms. Their highly interdependent and coordinated action modulates the chromatin structure controlling access of the transcription machinery and thereby regulating expression of target genes. Given the rather limited proliferative capability of human cardiomyocytes, epigenetic regulation appears to play a particularly important role in the myocardium. The highly dynamic nature of the epigenome allows the heart to adapt to environmental challenges and to respond quickly and properly to cardiac stress. It is now becoming evident that histone-modifying and chromatin-remodeling enzymes as well as numerous non-coding RNAs play critical roles in cardiac development and function, while their dysregulation contributes to the onset and development of pathological cardiac remodeling culminating in HF. This review focuses on up-to-date knowledge about the epigenetic mechanisms and highlights their emerging role in the healthy and failing heart. Uncovering the determinants of epigenetic regulation holds great promise to accelerate the development of successful new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in human cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Marín-García
- The Molecular Cardiology and Neuromuscular Institute, 75 Raritan Ave., Highland Park, NJ, 08904, USA,
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177
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Montano C, Taub MA, Jaffe A, Briem E, Feinberg JI, Trygvadottir R, Idrizi A, Runarsson A, Berndsen B, Gur RC, Moore TM, Perry RT, Fugman D, Sabunciyan S, Yolken RH, Hyde TM, Kleinman JE, Sobell JL, Pato CN, Pato MT, Go RC, Nimgaonkar V, Weinberger DR, Braff D, Gur RE, Fallin MD, Feinberg AP. Association of DNA Methylation Differences With Schizophrenia in an Epigenome-Wide Association Study. JAMA Psychiatry 2016; 73:506-14. [PMID: 27074206 PMCID: PMC6353566 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE DNA methylation may play an important role in schizophrenia (SZ), either directly as a mechanism of pathogenesis or as a biomarker of risk. OBJECTIVE To scan genome-wide DNA methylation data to identify differentially methylated CpGs between SZ cases and controls. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Epigenome-wide association study begun in 2008 using DNA methylation levels of 456 513 CpG loci measured on the Infinium HumanMethylation450 array (Illumina) in a consortium of case-control studies for initial discovery and in an independent replication set. Primary analyses used general linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, batch, and cell type heterogeneity. The discovery set contained 689 SZ cases and 645 controls (n = 1334), from 3 multisite consortia: the Consortium on the Genetics of Endophenotypes in Schizophrenia, the Project among African-Americans To Explore Risks for Schizophrenia, and the Multiplex Multigenerational Family Study of Schizophrenia. The replication set contained 247 SZ cases and 250 controls (n = 497) from the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Identification of differentially methylated positions across the genome in SZ cases compared with controls. RESULTS Of the 689 case participants in the discovery set, 477 (69%) were men and 258 (37%) were non-African American; of the 645 controls, 273 (42%) were men and 419 (65%) were non-African American. In our replication set, cases/controls were 76% male and 100% non-African American. We identified SZ-associated methylation differences at 923 CpGs in the discovery set (false discovery rate, <0.2). Of these, 625 showed changes in the same direction including 172 with P < .05 in the replication set. Some replicated differentially methylated positions are located in a top-ranked SZ region from genome-wide association study analyses. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This analysis identified 172 replicated new associations with SZ after careful correction for cell type heterogeneity and other potential confounders. The overlap with previous genome-wide association study data can provide potential insights into the functional relevance of genetic signals for SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Montano
- Medical Scientist Training Program and Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Margaret A. Taub
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew Jaffe
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eirikur Briem
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jason I. Feinberg
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rakel Trygvadottir
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Adrian Idrizi
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arni Runarsson
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Birna Berndsen
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ruben C. Gur
- Neuropsychiatry Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tyler M. Moore
- Neuropsychiatry Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rodney T. Perry
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Doug Fugman
- Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Sarven Sabunciyan
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert H. Yolken
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Thomas M. Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joel E. Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Janet L. Sobell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Carlos N. Pato
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Michele T. Pato
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Rodney C. Go
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | | | - Daniel R. Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David Braff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla,VISN22, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | - Raquel E. Gur
- Neuropsychiatry Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margaret Daniele Fallin
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew P. Feinberg
- Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland,Departments of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland
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178
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Abstract
This article highlights the defining principles, progress, and future directions in epigenetics research in relation to this Special Issue. Exciting studies in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry have provided new insights into the epigenetic factors (e.g., DNA methylation) that are responsive to environmental input and serve as biological pathways in behavioral development. Here we highlight the experimental evidence, mainly from animal models, that factors such as psychosocial stress and environmental adversity can become encoded within epigenetic factors with functional consequences for brain plasticity and behavior. We also highlight evidence that epigenetic marking of genes in one generation can have consequences for future generations (i.e., inherited), and work with humans linking epigenetics, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric disorder. Though epigenetics has offered more of a beginning than an answer to the centuries-old nature-nurture debate, continued research is certain to yield substantial information regarding biological determinants of central nervous system changes and behavior with relevance for the study of developmental psychopathology.
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179
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Wu G, Liu X, Liu S, Shu J, Sun Z, Luo B. Epstein-Barr Virus EBNA-2 Polymorphic Patterns in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Southern China. Intervirology 2016; 58:386-92. [PMID: 27070148 DOI: 10.1159/000444920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to characterize the specific Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) polymorphisms from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and healthy donors in Southern China, and to explore the relationship between EBV genotypes and NPC. METHODS The EBNA-2 gene of 32 EBV-positive NPCs and 39 EBV-positive throat washing (TW) samples from healthy individuals from Southern China was analyzed using PCR and sequencing. RESULTS We found E2-A to be the predominant subtype in Southern China. The distribution of EBNA-2 subtypes between NPCs and TWs was significantly different (p < 0.01) and the E2-A subtype was overly represented in NPCs. CONCLUSIONS E2-A is the predominant subtype in Southern China, and the distribution of EBNA-2 subtypes between NPCs and TWs is significantly different. In Southern China, the E2-A subtype is significantly more frequent in NPCs than TWs, and is also more common than in Northern China. This suggests that the E2-A subtype may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NPC and that EBNA-2 gene variations are tumor-specific polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guocai Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, PR China
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180
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Guidotti A, Grayson DR, Caruncho HJ. Epigenetic RELN Dysfunction in Schizophrenia and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:89. [PMID: 27092053 PMCID: PMC4820443 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
REELIN (RELN) is a large (420 kDa) glycoprotein that in adulthood is mostly synthesized in GABAergic neurons of corticolimbic structures. Upon secretion in the extracellular matrix (ECM), RELN binds to VLDL, APOE2, and α3β2 Integrin receptors located on dendritic shafts and spines of postsynaptic pyramidal neurons. Reduced levels of RELN expression in the adult brain induce cognitive impairment and dendritic spine density deficits. RELN supplementation recovers these deficits suggesting a trophic action for RELN in synaptic plasticity. We and others have shown that altered RELN expression in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BP) disorder patients is difficult to reconcile with classical Mendelian genetic disorders and it is instead plausible to associate these disorders with altered epigenetic homeostasis. Support for the contribution of altered epigenetic mechanisms in the down-regulation of RELN expression in corticolimbic structures of psychotic patients includes the concomitant increase of DNA-methyltransferases and the increased levels of the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). It is hypothesized that these conditions lead to RELN promoter hypermethylation and a reduction in RELN protein amounts in psychotic patients. The decreased synthesis and release of RELN from GABAergic corticolimbic neurons could serve as a model to elucidate the epigenetic pathophysiological mechanisms acting at pyramidal neuron dendrites that regulate synaptic plasticity and cognition in psychotic and non-psychotic subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Guidotti
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dennis R Grayson
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hector J Caruncho
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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181
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Association of DNA methylation and monoamine oxidase A gene expression in the brains of different dog breeds. Gene 2016; 580:177-182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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182
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Lim JH, Kim SY, Han JY, Kim MY, Park SY, Ryu HM. Comprehensive investigation of DNA methylation and gene expression in trisomy 21 placenta. Placenta 2016; 42:17-24. [PMID: 27238709 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trisomy 21 (T21) is the most common aneuploidy affecting humans and is caused by an extra copy of all or part of chromosome 21 (chr21). DNA methylation is an epigenetic event that plays an important role in human diseases via regulation of gene expression. However, the integrative association between DNA methylation and gene expression in T21 fetal placenta has yet to be determined. METHODS We profiled expression of 207 genes on chr21 and their DNA methylation patterns in placenta samples from normal and DS fetuses using microarray analysis and predicted the functions of differentially expressed genes using bioinformatics tools. RESULTS We found 47 genes with significantly increased expression in the T21 placenta compared to the normal placenta. Hypomethylation of the 47 genes was observed in the T21 placenta. Most of hypomethylated DNA positions were intragenic regions, i.e. regions inside a gene. Moreover, gene expression and hypomethylated DNA position showed significantly positive associations. By analyzing the properties of the gene-disease network, we found that increased genes in the T21 placenta were significantly associated with T21 and T21 complications such as mental retardation, neurobehavioral manifestations, and congenital abnormalities. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively survey the association between gene expression and DNA methylation in chr21 of the T21 fetal placenta. Our findings provide a broad overview of the relationships between gene expression and DNA methylation in the placentas of fetuses with T21 and could contribute to future research efforts concerning genes involvement in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyae Lim
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Shin Young Kim
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Yeol Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Dankook University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Moon Young Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Dankook University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - So Yeon Park
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Hyun Mee Ryu
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Dankook University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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183
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Walton E, Hass J, Liu J, Roffman JL, Bernardoni F, Roessner V, Kirsch M, Schackert G, Calhoun V, Ehrlich S. Correspondence of DNA Methylation Between Blood and Brain Tissue and Its Application to Schizophrenia Research. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42:406-14. [PMID: 26056378 PMCID: PMC4753587 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Given the difficulty of procuring human brain tissue, a key question in molecular psychiatry concerns the extent to which epigenetic signatures measured in more accessible tissues such as blood can serve as a surrogate marker for the brain. Here, we aimed (1) to investigate the blood-brain correspondence of DNA methylation using a within-subject design and (2) to identify changes in DNA methylation of brain-related biological pathways in schizophrenia.We obtained paired blood and temporal lobe biopsy samples simultaneously from 12 epilepsy patients during neurosurgical treatment. Using the Infinium 450K methylation array we calculated similarity of blood and brain DNA methylation for each individual separately. We applied our findings by performing gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) of peripheral blood DNA methylation data (Infinium 27K) of 111 schizophrenia patients and 122 healthy controls and included only Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) sites that were significantly correlated across tissues.Only 7.9% of CpG sites showed a statistically significant, large correlation between blood and brain tissue, a proportion that although small was significantly greater than predicted by chance. GSEA analysis of schizophrenia data revealed altered methylation profiles in pathways related to precursor metabolites and signaling peptides.Our findings indicate that most DNA methylation markers in peripheral blood do not reliably predict brain DNA methylation status. However, a subset of peripheral data may proxy methylation status of brain tissue. Restricting the analysis to these markers can identify meaningful epigenetic differences in schizophrenia and potentially other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Walton
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany;,Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Johanna Hass
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany;,Institute of Tropical Medicine, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jingyu Liu
- The Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Joshua L. Roffman
- MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA;,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Fabio Bernardoni
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Kirsch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany;,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), DFG Research Center and Cluster of Excellence at the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gabriele Schackert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vince Calhoun
- The Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM;,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany; MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA;
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184
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Ursini G, Cavalleri T, Fazio L, Angrisano T, Iacovelli L, Porcelli A, Maddalena G, Punzi G, Mancini M, Gelao B, Romano R, Masellis R, Calabrese F, Rampino A, Taurisano P, Di Giorgio A, Keller S, Tarantini L, Sinibaldi L, Quarto T, Popolizio T, Caforio G, Blasi G, Riva MA, De Blasi A, Chiariotti L, Bollati V, Bertolino A. BDNF rs6265 methylation and genotype interact on risk for schizophrenia. Epigenetics 2016; 11:11-23. [PMID: 26889735 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1117736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms can mediate gene-environment interactions relevant for complex disorders. The BDNF gene is crucial for development and brain plasticity, is sensitive to environmental stressors, such as hypoxia, and harbors the functional SNP rs6265 (Val(66)Met), which creates or abolishes a CpG dinucleotide for DNA methylation. We found that methylation at the BDNF rs6265 Val allele in peripheral blood of healthy subjects is associated with hypoxia-related early life events (hOCs) and intermediate phenotypes for schizophrenia in a distinctive manner, depending on rs6265 genotype: in ValVal individuals increased methylation is associated with exposure to hOCs and impaired working memory (WM) accuracy, while the opposite is true for ValMet subjects. Also, rs6265 methylation and hOCs interact in modulating WM-related prefrontal activity, another intermediate phenotype for schizophrenia, with an analogous opposite direction in the 2 genotypes. Consistently, rs6265 methylation has a different association with schizophrenia risk in ValVals and ValMets. The relationships of methylation with BDNF levels and of genotype with BHLHB2 binding likely contribute to these opposite effects of methylation. We conclude that BDNF rs6265 methylation interacts with genotype to bridge early environmental exposures to adult phenotypes, relevant for schizophrenia. The study of epigenetic changes in regions containing genetic variation relevant for human diseases may have beneficial implications for the understanding of how genes are actually translated into phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Ursini
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy.,b Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University Medical Campus , Baltimore , MD , US
| | - Tommaso Cavalleri
- c Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy.,d Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation , Milan , Italy
| | - Leonardo Fazio
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Tiziana Angrisano
- e Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, CNR, and Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples
| | - Luisa Iacovelli
- f Department of Physiology and Pharmacology 'V. Erspamer', University of Rome 'Sapienza' , Rome , Italy
| | - Annamaria Porcelli
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Maddalena
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Giovanna Punzi
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy.,b Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University Medical Campus , Baltimore , MD , US
| | - Marina Mancini
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Barbara Gelao
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Raffaella Romano
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Rita Masellis
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- g Center of Neuropharmacology; Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari; Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Antonio Rampino
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Paolo Taurisano
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Annabella Di Giorgio
- h Department of Neuroradiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - Simona Keller
- e Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, CNR, and Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples
| | - Letizia Tarantini
- c Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy.,d Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation , Milan , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Sinibaldi
- i Mendel Laboratory, Istituto di Ricoveroe Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - Tiziana Quarto
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy.,j Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Teresa Popolizio
- h Department of Neuroradiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - Grazia Caforio
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Blasi
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy
| | - Marco A Riva
- g Center of Neuropharmacology; Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari; Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Antonio De Blasi
- k Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome 'Sapienza' , Rome , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- e Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, IEOS, CNR, and Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II' , Naples
| | - Valentina Bollati
- c Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy.,d Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation , Milan , Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolino
- a Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro' , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Neuroradiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
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185
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Çöpoğlu ÜS, Igci M, Bozgeyik E, Kokaçya MH, İğci YZ, Dokuyucu R, Ari M, Savaş HA. DNA Methylation of BDNF Gene in Schizophrenia. Med Sci Monit 2016; 22:397-402. [PMID: 26851233 PMCID: PMC4749043 DOI: 10.12659/msm.895896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although genetic factors are risk factors for schizophrenia, some environmental factors are thought to be required for the manifestation of disease. Epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene functions without causing a change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity. It has been suggested that BDNF may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. It is established that methylation status of the BDNF gene is associated with fear learning, memory, and stressful social interactions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the DNA methylation status of BDNF gene in patients with schizophrenia. Material/Methods The study included 49 patients (33 male and 16 female) with schizophrenia and 65 unrelated healthy controls (46 male and 19 female). Determination of methylation pattern of CpG islands was based on the principle that bisulfite treatment of DNA results in conversion of unmethylated cytosine residues into uracil, whereas methylated cytosine residues remain unmodified. Methylation-specific PCR was performed with primers specific for either methylated or unmethylated DNA. Results There was no significant difference in methylated or un-methylated status for BDNF promoters between schizophrenia patients and controls. The mean duration of illness was significantly lower in the hemi-methylated group compared to the non-methylated group for BDNF gene CpG island-1 in schizophrenia patients. Conclusions Although there were no differences in BDNF gene methylation status between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, there was an association between duration of illness and DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ümit Sertan Çöpoğlu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Mehri Igci
- Department Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Esra Bozgeyik
- Department Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - M Hanifi Kokaçya
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ziya İğci
- Department Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Recep Dokuyucu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Ari
- Department of Physiology, Mustafa Kemal University, School of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Haluk A Savaş
- Department Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
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186
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Zanardini R, Ciani M, Benussi L, Ghidoni R. Molecular Pathways Bridging Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration and Psychiatric Disorders. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:10. [PMID: 26869919 PMCID: PMC4740789 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The overlap of symptoms between neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases has been reported. Neuropsychiatric alterations are commonly observed in dementia, especially in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), which is the most common clinical FTD subtype. At the same time, psychiatric disorders, like schizophrenia (SCZ), can display symptoms of dementia, including features of frontal dysfunction with relative sparing of memory. In the present review, we discuss common molecular features in these pathologies with a special focus on FTD. Molecules like Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and progranulin are linked to the pathophysiology of both neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. In these brain-associated illnesses, the presence of disease-associated variants in BDNF and progranulin (GRN) genes cause a reduction of circulating proteins levels, through alterations in proteins expression or secretion. For these reasons, we believe that prevention and therapy of psychiatric and neurological disorders could be achieved enhancing both BDNF and progranulin levels thanks to drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Zanardini
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio, Fatebenefratelli Brescia, Italy
| | - Miriam Ciani
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio, Fatebenefratelli Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio, Fatebenefratelli Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Ghidoni
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio, Fatebenefratelli Brescia, Italy
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187
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Houtepen LC, van Bergen AH, Vinkers CH, Boks MPM. DNA methylation signatures of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics in bipolar disorder. Epigenomics 2016; 8:197-208. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: In view of the potential effects of psychiatric drugs on DNA methylation, we investigated whether medication use in bipolar disorder is associated with DNA methylation signatures. Experimental procedures: Blood-based DNA methylation patterns of six frequently used psychotropic drugs (lithium, quetiapine, olanzapine, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and valproic acid) were examined in 172 bipolar disorder patients. After adjustment for cell type composition, we investigated gene networks, principal components, hypothesis-driven genes and epigenome-wide individual loci. Results: Valproic acid and quetiapine were significantly associated with altered methylation signatures after adjustment for drug-related changes on celltype composition. Conclusion: Psychiatric drugs influence DNA methylation patterns over and above cell type composition in bipolar disorder. Drug-related changes in DNA methylation are therefore not only an important confounder in psychiatric epigenetics but may also inform on the biological mechanisms underlying drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte C Houtepen
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annet H van Bergen
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marco PM Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
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188
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Walker RM, Christoforou AN, McCartney DL, Morris SW, Kennedy NA, Morten P, Anderson SM, Torrance HS, Macdonald A, Sussmann JE, Whalley HC, Blackwood DHR, McIntosh AM, Porteous DJ, Evans KL. DNA methylation in a Scottish family multiply affected by bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Clin Epigenetics 2016; 8:5. [PMID: 26798408 PMCID: PMC4721115 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0171-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe, familial psychiatric condition. Progress in understanding the aetiology of BD has been hampered by substantial phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. We sought to mitigate these confounders by studying a multi-generational family multiply affected by BD and major depressive disorder (MDD), who carry an illness-linked haplotype on chromosome 4p. Within a family, aetiological heterogeneity is likely to be reduced, thus conferring greater power to detect illness-related changes. As accumulating evidence suggests that altered DNA methylation confers risk for BD and MDD, we compared genome-wide methylation between (i) affected carriers of the linked haplotype (ALH) and married-in controls (MIs), (ii) well unaffected haplotype carriers (ULH) and MI, (iii) ALH and ULH and (iv) all haplotype carriers (LH) and MI. RESULTS Nominally significant differences in DNA methylation were observed in all comparisons, with differences withstanding correction for multiple testing when the ALH or LH group was compared to the MIs. In both comparisons, we observed increased methylation at a locus in FANCI, which was accompanied by increased FANCI expression in the ALH group. FANCI is part of the Fanconi anaemia complementation (FANC) gene family, which are mutated in Fanconi anaemia and participate in DNA repair. Interestingly, several FANC genes have been implicated in psychiatric disorders. Regional analyses of methylation differences identified loci implicated in psychiatric illness by genome-wide association studies, including CACNB2 and the major histocompatibility complex. Gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment for methylation differences in neurologically relevant genes. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight altered DNA methylation as a potential mechanism by which the linked haplotype might confer risk for mood disorders. Differences in the phenotypic outcome of haplotype carriers might, in part, arise from additional changes in DNA methylation that converge on neurologically important pathways. Further work is required to investigate the underlying mechanisms and functional consequences of the observed differences in methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie May Walker
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Andrea Nikie Christoforou
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Daniel L. McCartney
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Stewart W. Morris
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Nicholas A. Kennedy
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Peter Morten
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Susan Maguire Anderson
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Helen Scott Torrance
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
| | - Alix Macdonald
- />Division of Psychiatry, The University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Heather Clare Whalley
- />Division of Psychiatry, The University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Douglas H. R. Blackwood
- />Division of Psychiatry, The University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew Mark McIntosh
- />Division of Psychiatry, The University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
- />Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, The University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ UK
| | - David John Porteous
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
- />Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, The University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ UK
| | - Kathryn Louise Evans
- />Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU UK
- />Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, The University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ UK
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189
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Dong E, Tueting P, Matrisciano F, Grayson DR, Guidotti A. Behavioral and molecular neuroepigenetic alterations in prenatally stressed mice: relevance for the study of chromatin remodeling properties of antipsychotic drugs. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e711. [PMID: 26756904 PMCID: PMC5068871 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently reported that mice born from dams stressed during pregnancy (PRS mice), in adulthood, have behavioral deficits reminiscent of behaviors observed in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BP) disorder patients. Furthermore, we have shown that the frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampus of adult PRS mice, like that of postmortem chronic SZ patients, are characterized by increases in DNA-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), ten-eleven methylcytosine dioxygenase 1 (TET1) and exhibit an enrichment of 5-methylcytosine (5MC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5HMC) at neocortical GABAergic and glutamatergic gene promoters. Here, we show that the behavioral deficits and the increased 5MC and 5HMC at glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (Gad1), reelin (Reln) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) promoters and the reduced expression of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and proteins corresponding to these genes in FC of adult PRS mice is reversed by treatment with clozapine (5 mg kg(-1) twice a day for 5 days) but not by haloperidol (1 mg kg(-1) twice a day for 5 days). Interestingly, clozapine had no effect on either the behavior, promoter methylation or the expression of these mRNAs and proteins when administered to offspring of nonstressed pregnant mice. Clozapine, but not haloperidol, reduced the elevated levels of DNMT1 and TET1, as well as the elevated levels of DNMT1 binding to Gad1, Reln and Bdnf promoters in PRS mice suggesting that clozapine, unlike haloperidol, may limit DNA methylation by interfering with DNA methylation dynamics. We conclude that the PRS mouse model may be useful preclinically in screening for the potential efficacy of antipsychotic drugs acting on altered epigenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, PRS mice may be invaluable for understanding the etiopathogenesis of SZ and BP disorder and for predicting treatment responses at early stages of the illness allowing for early detection and remedial intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Dong
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - P Tueting
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - F Matrisciano
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - D R Grayson
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - A Guidotti
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA,The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St. M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. E-mail:
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191
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Pal M, Ebrahimi S, Oh G, Khare T, Zhang A, Kaminsky ZA, Wang SC, Petronis A. High Precision DNA Modification Analysis of HCG9 in Major Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42:170-7. [PMID: 26078387 PMCID: PMC4681545 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
New epigenetic technologies may uncover etiopathogenic mechanisms of major psychosis. In this study, we applied padlock probe-based ultra-deep bisulfite sequencing for fine mapping of modified cytosines of the HLA complex group 9 (nonprotein coding) gene in the postmortem brains of individuals affected with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and unaffected controls. Significant differences between patients and controls were detected in both CpG and CpH modifications. In addition, we identified epigenetic age effects, DNA modification differences between sense and anti-sense strands, and demonstrated how DNA modification data can be used in clustering of patient populations. Our findings revealed new epigenetic complexities but also highlighted the potential of DNA modification approaches in the search of heterogeneous causes of major psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal Pal
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Sasha Ebrahimi
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Gabriel Oh
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Tarang Khare
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Zachary A. Kaminsky
- The Mood Disorders Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Sun-Chong Wang
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada;,Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Chungli City 32001, Taiwan
| | - Arturas Petronis
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada;
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192
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Song B, Zhang Y, Liu J, Feng X, Zhou T, Shao L. Unraveling the neurotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: focusing on molecular mechanisms. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 7:645-54. [PMID: 27335754 PMCID: PMC4901937 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.7.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) possess unique characteristics and are widely used in many fields. Numerous in vivo studies, exposing experimental animals to these NPs through systematic administration, have suggested that TiO2 NPs can accumulate in the brain and induce brain dysfunction. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs remain unclear. However, we have concluded from previous studies that these mechanisms mainly consist of oxidative stress (OS), apoptosis, inflammatory response, genotoxicity, and direct impairment of cell components. Meanwhile, other factors such as disturbed distributions of trace elements, disrupted signaling pathways, dysregulated neurotransmitters and synaptic plasticity have also been shown to contribute to neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs. Recently, studies on autophagy and DNA methylation have shed some light on possible mechanisms of nanotoxicity. Therefore, we offer a new perspective that autophagy and DNA methylation could contribute to neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs. Undoubtedly, more studies are needed to test this idea in the future. In short, to fully understand the health threats posed by TiO2 NPs and to improve the bio-safety of TiO2 NPs-based products, the neurotoxicity of TiO2 NPs must be investigated comprehensively through studying every possible molecular mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Song
- Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang 550002, China
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Longquan Shao
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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193
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Guintivano J, Kaminsky ZA. Role of epigenetic factors in the development of mental illness throughout life. Neurosci Res 2016; 102:56-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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194
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Abdolmaleky HM, Pajouhanfar S, Faghankhani M, Joghataei MT, Mostafavi A, Thiagalingam S. Antipsychotic drugs attenuate aberrant DNA methylation of DTNBP1 (dysbindin) promoter in saliva and post-mortem brain of patients with schizophrenia and Psychotic bipolar disorder. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2015; 168:687-96. [PMID: 26285059 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Due to the lack of genetic association between individual genes and schizophrenia (SCZ) pathogenesis, the current consensus is to consider both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Here, we report the examination of DNA methylation status of DTNBP1 promoter region, one of the most credible candidate genes affected in SCZ, assayed in saliva and post-mortem brain samples. The Illumina DNA methylation profiling and bisulfite sequencing of representative samples were used to identify methylation status of the DTNBP1 promoter region. Quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMSP) was employed to assess methylation of DTNBP1 promoter CpGs flanking a SP1 binding site in the saliva of SCZ patients, their first-degree relatives and control subjects (30, 15, and 30/group, respectively) as well as in post-mortem brains of patients with SCZ and bipolar disorder (BD) versus controls (35/group). qRT-PCR was used to assess DTNBP1 expression. We found DNA hypermethylation of DTNBP1 promoter in the saliva of SCZ patients (∼12.5%, P = 0.036), particularly in drug-naïve patients (∼20%, P = 0.011), and a trend toward hypermethylation in their first-degree relatives (P = 0.085) versus controls. Analysis of post-mortem brain samples revealed an inverse correlation between DTNBP1 methylation and expression, and normalization of this epigenetic change by classic antipsychotic drugs. Additionally, BD patients with psychotic depression exhibited higher degree of methylation versus other BD patients (∼80%, P = 0.025). DTNBP1 promoter DNA methylation may become a key element in a panel of biomarkers for diagnosis, prevention, or therapy in SCZ and at risk individuals pending confirmatory studies with larger sample sizes to attain a higher degree of significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid M Abdolmaleky
- Departments of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics Section), Genetics & Genomics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Mental Health Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Pajouhanfar
- Mental Health Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Taghi Joghataei
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ashraf Mostafavi
- Arian Salamat Counselling and Nursing Services Centre, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sam Thiagalingam
- Departments of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics Section), Genetics & Genomics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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195
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O'Shea KS, McInnis MG. Neurodevelopmental origins of bipolar disorder: iPSC models. Mol Cell Neurosci 2015; 73:63-83. [PMID: 26608002 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BP) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by pathological fluctuations in mood from mania to depression. Adoption, twin and family studies have consistently identified a significant hereditary component to BP, yet there is no clear genetic event or consistent neuropathology. BP has been suggested to have a developmental origin, although this hypothesis has been difficult to test since there are no viable neurons or glial cells to analyze, and research has relied largely on postmortem brain, behavioral and imaging studies, or has examined proxy tissues including saliva, olfactory epithelium and blood cells. Neurodevelopmental factors, particularly pathways related to nervous system development, cell migration, extracellular matrix, H3K4 methylation, and calcium signaling have been identified in large gene expression and GWAS studies as altered in BP. Recent advances in stem cell biology, particularly the ability to reprogram adult somatic tissues to a pluripotent state, now make it possible to interrogate these pathways in viable cell models. A number of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from BP patient and healthy control (C) individuals have been derived in several laboratories, and their ability to form cortical neurons examined. Early studies suggest differences in activity, calcium signaling, blocks to neuronal differentiation, and changes in neuronal, and possibly glial, lineage specification. Initial observations suggest that differentiation of BP patient-derived neurons to dorsal telencephalic derivatives may be impaired, possibly due to alterations in WNT, Hedgehog or Nodal pathway signaling. These investigations strongly support a developmental contribution to BP and identify novel pathways, mechanisms and opportunities for improved treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sue O'Shea
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, 3051 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher PL, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5765, United States.
| | - Melvin G McInnis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5765, United States
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196
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Jaffe AE, Gao Y, Deep-Soboslay A, Tao R, Hyde TM, Weinberger DR, Kleinman JE. Mapping DNA methylation across development, genotype and schizophrenia in the human frontal cortex. Nat Neurosci 2015; 19:40-7. [PMID: 26619358 PMCID: PMC4783176 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) is important in brain development and is potentially important in schizophrenia. We characterized DNAm in prefrontal cortex from 335 non-psychiatric controls across the lifespan and 191 patients with schizophrenia and identified widespread changes in the transition from prenatal to postnatal life. These DNAm changes manifest in the transcriptome, correlate strongly with a shifting cellular landscape and overlap regions of genetic risk for schizophrenia. A quarter of published genome-wide association studies (GWAS)-suggestive loci (4,208 of 15,930, P < 10(-100)) manifest as significant methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs), including 59.6% of GWAS-positive schizophrenia loci. We identified 2,104 CpGs that differ between schizophrenia patients and controls that were enriched for genes related to development and neurodifferentiation. The schizophrenia-associated CpGs strongly correlate with changes related to the prenatal-postnatal transition and show slight enrichment for GWAS risk loci while not corresponding to CpGs differentiating adolescence from later adult life. These data implicate an epigenetic component to the developmental origins of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Jaffe
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amy Deep-Soboslay
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ran Tao
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and the Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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197
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Grayson DR, Guidotti A. Merging data from genetic and epigenetic approaches to better understand autistic spectrum disorder. Epigenomics 2015; 8:85-104. [PMID: 26551091 PMCID: PMC4864049 DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a wide range of cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. Genetic research has identified large numbers of genes that contribute to ASD phenotypes. There is compelling evidence that environmental factors contribute to ASD through influences that differentially impact the brain through epigenetic mechanisms. Both genetic mutations and epigenetic influences alter gene expression in different cell types of the brain. Mutations impact the expression of large numbers of genes and also have downstream consequences depending on specific pathways associated with the mutation. Environmental factors impact the expression of sets of genes by altering methylation/hydroxymethylation patterns, local histone modification patterns and chromatin remodeling. Herein, we discuss recent developments in the research of ASD with a focus on epigenetic pathways as a complement to current genetic screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Grayson
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Alessandro Guidotti
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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198
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Pidsley R, Viana J, Hannon E, Spiers H, Troakes C, Al-Saraj S, Mechawar N, Turecki G, Schalkwyk LC, Bray NJ, Mill J. Methylomic profiling of human brain tissue supports a neurodevelopmental origin for schizophrenia. Genome Biol 2015; 15:483. [PMID: 25347937 PMCID: PMC4262979 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-014-0483-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder that is hypothesized to result from disturbances ine arly brain development. There is mounting evidence to support a role for developmentally regulated epigenetic variation in the molecular etiology of the disorder. Here, we describe a systematic study of schizophrenia-associated methylomic variation in the adult brain and its relationship to changes in DNA methylation across human fetal brain development. RESULTS We profile methylomic variation in matched prefrontal cortex and cerebellum brain tissue from schizophrenia patients and controls, identifying disease-associated differential DNA methylation at multiple loci,particularly in the prefrontal cortex, and confirming these differences in an independent set of adult brain samples.Our data reveal discrete modules of co-methylated loci associated with schizophrenia that are enriched for genes involved in neurodevelopmental processes and include loci implicated by genetic studies of the disorder. Methylomic data from human fetal cortex samples, spanning 23 to 184 days post-conception, indicates that schizophrenia-associated differentially methylated positions are significantly enriched for loci at which DNA methylation is dynamically altered during human fetal brain development. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the hypothesis that schizophrenia has an important early neurodevelopmental component, and suggest that epigenetic mechanisms may mediate these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Pidsley
- Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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199
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Zhao H, Xu J, Pang L, Zhang Y, Fan H, Liu L, Liu T, Yu F, Zhang G, Lan Y, Bai J, Li X, Xiao Y. Genome-wide DNA methylome reveals the dysfunction of intronic microRNAs in major psychosis. BMC Med Genomics 2015; 8:62. [PMID: 26462620 PMCID: PMC4604612 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-015-0139-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation is thought to be extensively involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including major psychosis. However, most studies focus on DNA methylation alteration at promoters of protein-coding genes, despite the poor correlation between DNA methylation and gene expression. METHODS We analyzed differentially methylated regions and differentially expressed genes in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and normal subjects. Gene expression and DNA methylation were analyzed with RNA-seq and MeDIP-seq of post-mortem brain tissue (brain region BA9) cohort in five schizophrenia, seven bipolar disorder cases and six controls, respectively. RESULTS Here, we performed a large-scale integrative analysis using MeDIP-seq, coupled with RNA-seq, on brain samples from major psychotic and normal subjects and observed obvious discrepancy between DNA methylation and gene expression. We found that differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were distributed across different types of genomic elements, especially introns. These intronic DMRs were significantly enriched for diverse regulatory elements, such as enhancers and binding sites of certain transcriptional factors (e.g., Pol3). Notably, we found that parts of intronic DMRs overlapped with some intragenic miRNAs, such as hsa-mir-7-3. These intronic DMR-related miRNAs were found to target many differentially expressed genes. Moreover, functional analysis demonstrated that differential target genes of intronic DMR-related miRNAs were sufficient to capture many important biological processes in major psychosis, such as neurogenesis, suggesting that miRNAs may function as important linkers mediating the relationships between DNA methylation alteration and gene expression changes. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our study indicated that DNA methylation alteration could induce expression changes indirectly by affecting miRNAs and the exploration of DMR-related miRNAs and their targets enhanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying major psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Zhao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Jinyuan Xu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Lin Pang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Yunpeng Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Huihui Fan
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Ling Liu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Tingting Liu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Fulong Yu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Guanxiong Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Yujia Lan
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Jing Bai
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Xia Li
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Yun Xiao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. .,Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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200
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Nestler EJ, Peña CJ, Kundakovic M, Mitchell A, Akbarian S. Epigenetic Basis of Mental Illness. Neuroscientist 2015; 22:447-63. [PMID: 26450593 DOI: 10.1177/1073858415608147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are complex multifactorial illnesses involving chronic alterations in neural circuit structure and function as well as likely abnormalities in glial cells. While genetic factors are important in the etiology of most mental disorders, the relatively high rates of discordance among identical twins, particularly for depression and other stress-related syndromes, clearly indicate the importance of additional mechanisms. Environmental factors such as stress are known to play a role in the onset of these illnesses. Exposure to such environmental insults induces stable changes in gene expression, neural circuit function, and ultimately behavior, and these maladaptations appear distinct between developmental versus adult exposures. Increasing evidence indicates that these sustained abnormalities are maintained by epigenetic modifications in specific brain regions. Indeed, transcriptional dysregulation and the aberrant epigenetic regulation that underlies this dysregulation is a unifying theme in psychiatric disorders. Here, we provide a progress report of epigenetic studies of the three major psychiatric syndromes, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. We review the literature derived from animal models of these disorders as well as from studies of postmortem brain tissue from human patients. While epigenetic studies of mental illness remain at early stages, understanding how environmental factors recruit the epigenetic machinery within specific brain regions to cause lasting changes in disease susceptibility and pathophysiology is revealing new insight into the etiology and treatment of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Nestler
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, The Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine J Peña
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, The Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marija Kundakovic
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, The Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda Mitchell
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, The Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, The Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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