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Chan LE, Casiraghi E, Reese J, Harmon QE, Schaper K, Hegde H, Valentini G, Schmitt C, Motsinger-Reif A, Hall JE, Mungall CJ, Robinson PN, Haendel MA. Predicting nutrition and environmental factors associated with female reproductive disorders using a knowledge graph and random forests. Int J Med Inform 2024; 187:105461. [PMID: 38643701 PMCID: PMC11188727 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Female reproductive disorders (FRDs) are common health conditions that may present with significant symptoms. Diet and environment are potential areas for FRD interventions. We utilized a knowledge graph (KG) method to predict factors associated with common FRDs (for example, endometriosis, ovarian cyst, and uterine fibroids). MATERIALS AND METHODS We harmonized survey data from the Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS) on internal and external environmental exposures and health conditions with biomedical ontology content. We merged the harmonized data and ontologies with supplemental nutrient and agricultural chemical data to create a KG. We analyzed the KG by embedding edges and applying a random forest for edge prediction to identify variables potentially associated with FRDs. We also conducted logistic regression analysis for comparison. RESULTS Across 9765 PEGS respondents, the KG analysis resulted in 8535 significant or suggestive predicted links between FRDs and chemicals, phenotypes, and diseases. Amongst these links, 32 were exact matches when compared with the logistic regression results, including comorbidities, medications, foods, and occupational exposures. DISCUSSION Mechanistic underpinnings of predicted links documented in the literature may support some of our findings. Our KG methods are useful for predicting possible associations in large, survey-based datasets with added information on directionality and magnitude of effect from logistic regression. These results should not be construed as causal but can support hypothesis generation. CONCLUSION This investigation enabled the generation of hypotheses on a variety of potential links between FRDs and exposures. Future investigations should prospectively evaluate the variables hypothesized to impact FRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Chan
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Elena Casiraghi
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA; European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, ELLIS
| | - Justin Reese
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Quaker E Harmon
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kevin Schaper
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Harshad Hegde
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Giorgio Valentini
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, ELLIS
| | - Charles Schmitt
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Office of Data Science, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alison Motsinger-Reif
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Janet E Hall
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Clinical Research Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher J Mungall
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Peter N Robinson
- European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, ELLIS; The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Melissa A Haendel
- University of North Carolina, Dept. of Genetics, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Ajayi T, Rai P, Shi M, Gabor KA, Karmaus PWF, Meacham JM, Katen K, Madenspacher JH, Schurman SH, Fessler MB. Race-specific association of an IRGM risk allele with cytokine expression in human subjects. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12911. [PMID: 37558924 PMCID: PMC10412543 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40313-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunity-related GTPase family M (IRGM), located on human chromosome 5q33.1, encodes a protein that promotes autophagy and suppresses the innate immune response. The minor allele of rs13361189 (-4299T>C), a single nucleotide polymorphism in the IRGM promoter, has been associated with several diseases, including Crohn's disease and tuberculosis. Although patterns of linkage disequilibrium and minor allele frequency for this polymorphism differ dramatically between subjects of European and African descent, studies of rs13361189 have predominantly been conducted in Europeans and the mechanism of association is poorly understood. We recruited a cohort of 68 individuals (30 White, 34 African American, 4 other race) with varying rs13361189 genotypes and assessed a panel of immune response measures including whole blood cytokine induction following ex vivo stimulation with Toll-like Receptor ligands. Minor allele carriers were found to have increased serum immunoglobulin M, C-reactive protein, and circulating CD8+ T cells. No differences in whole blood cytokines were observed between minor allele carriers and non-carriers in the overall study population; however, minor allele status was associated with increased induction of a subset of cytokines among African American subjects, and decreased induction among White subjects. These findings underline the importance of broad racial inclusion in genetic studies of immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teminioluwa Ajayi
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D2-01, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Prashant Rai
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D2-01, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Min Shi
- Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Kristin A Gabor
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D2-01, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Peer W F Karmaus
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D2-01, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Julie M Meacham
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D2-01, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Kevin Katen
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Jennifer H Madenspacher
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D2-01, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Shepherd H Schurman
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
- Clinical Research Unit, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, 21225, USA
| | - Michael B Fessler
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D2-01, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
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Chan LE, Casiraghi E, Putman T, Reese J, Harmon QE, Schaper K, Hedge H, Valentini G, Schmitt C, Motsinger-Reif A, Hall JE, Mungall CJ, Robinson PN, Haendel MA. Predicting nutrition and environmental factors associated with female reproductive disorders using a knowledge graph and random forests. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.07.14.23292679. [PMID: 37502882 PMCID: PMC10371183 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.14.23292679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Objective Female reproductive disorders (FRDs) are common health conditions that may present with significant symptoms. Diet and environment are potential areas for FRD interventions. We utilized a knowledge graph (KG) method to predict factors associated with common FRDs (e.g., endometriosis, ovarian cyst, and uterine fibroids). Materials and Methods We harmonized survey data from the Personalized Environment and Genes Study on internal and external environmental exposures and health conditions with biomedical ontology content. We merged the harmonized data and ontologies with supplemental nutrient and agricultural chemical data to create a KG. We analyzed the KG by embedding edges and applying a random forest for edge prediction to identify variables potentially associated with FRDs. We also conducted logistic regression analysis for comparison. Results Across 9765 PEGS respondents, the KG analysis resulted in 8535 significant predicted links between FRDs and chemicals, phenotypes, and diseases. Amongst these links, 32 were exact matches when compared with the logistic regression results, including comorbidities, medications, foods, and occupational exposures. Discussion Mechanistic underpinnings of predicted links documented in the literature may support some of our findings. Our KG methods are useful for predicting possible associations in large, survey-based datasets with added information on directionality and magnitude of effect from logistic regression. These results should not be construed as causal, but can support hypothesis generation. Conclusion This investigation enabled the generation of hypotheses on a variety of potential links between FRDs and exposures. Future investigations should prospectively evaluate the variables hypothesized to impact FRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Chan
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Elena Casiraghi
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Tim Putman
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Justin Reese
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Quaker E Harmon
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kevin Schaper
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Harshad Hedge
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Giorgio Valentini
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Charles Schmitt
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Office of Data Science, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alison Motsinger-Reif
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Janet E Hall
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Clinical Research Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher J Mungall
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Peter N Robinson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, CT, USA
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Ayala-Ramirez M, MacNell N, McNamee LE, McGrath JA, Akhtari FS, Curry MD, Dunnon AK, Fessler MB, Garantziotis S, Parks CG, Fargo DC, Schmitt CP, Motsinger-Reif AA, Hall JE, Miller FW, Schurman SH. Association of distance to swine concentrated animal feeding operations with immune-mediated diseases: An exploratory gene-environment study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107687. [PMID: 36527873 PMCID: PMC10962257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are a source of environmental pollution and have been associated with a variety of health outcomes. Immune-mediated diseases (IMD) are characterized by dysregulation of the normal immune response and, while they may be affected by gene and environmental factors, their association with living in proximity to a CAFO is unknown. OBJECTIVES We explored gene, environment, and gene-environment (GxE) relationships between IMD, CAFOs, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of prototypical xenobiotic response genes AHR, ARNT, and AHRR and prototypical immune response gene PTPN22. METHODS The exposure analysis cohort consisted of 6,464 participants who completed the Personalized Environment and Genes Study Health and Exposure Survey and a subset of 1,541 participants who were genotyped. We assessed the association between participants' residential proximity to a CAFO in gene, environment, and GxE models. We recombined individual associations in a transethnic model using METAL meta-analysis. RESULTS In White participants, ARNT SNP rs11204735 was associated with autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ARNT SNP rs1889740 was associated with RA. In a transethnic genetic analysis, ARNT SNPs rs11204735 and rs1889740 and PTPN22 SNP rs2476601 were associated with autoimmune diseases and RA. In participants living closer than one mile to a CAFO, the log-distance to a CAFO was associated with autoimmune diseases and RA. In a GxE interaction model, White participants with ARNT SNPs rs11204735 and rs1889740 living closer than eight miles to a CAFO had increased odds of RA and autoimmune diseases, respectively. The transethnic model revealed similar GxE interactions. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest increased risk of autoimmune diseases and RA in those living in proximity to a CAFO and a potential role of the AHR-ARNT pathway in conferring risk. We also report the first association of ARNT SNPs rs11204735 and rs1889740 with RA. Our findings, if confirmed, could allow for novel genetically-targeted or other preventive approaches for certain IMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Ayala-Ramirez
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Nathaniel MacNell
- Social and Scientific Systems, 505 Emperor Blvd Suite 400, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Lucy E McNamee
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - John A McGrath
- Social and Scientific Systems, 505 Emperor Blvd Suite 400, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Farida S Akhtari
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Matthew D Curry
- Social and Scientific Systems, 505 Emperor Blvd Suite 400, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Askia K Dunnon
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Michael B Fessler
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop D2-01, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Stavros Garantziotis
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, BG 109 RM 109 MSC CU-01, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Christine G Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop A3-05, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - David C Fargo
- Office of Scientific Computing, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop B3-01, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Charles P Schmitt
- Office of Data Science, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Drop K2-02, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Alison A Motsinger-Reif
- PEGS Co-PI, Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, RTP 101, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Janet E Hall
- PEGS Co-PI, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, BG 101 RM A222 MSC A2-03. 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Frederick W Miller
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, RTP 101 David P. Rall Building, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Shepherd H Schurman
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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Schupmann W, Miner SA, Sullivan HK, Glover JR, Hall JE, Schurman SH, Berkman BE. Exploring the motivations of research participants who chose not to learn medically actionable secondary genetic findings about themselves. Genet Med 2021; 23:2281-2288. [PMID: 34326490 PMCID: PMC8633056 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-021-01271-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Proposals to return medically actionable secondary genetic findings (SFs) in the clinical and research settings have generated controversy regarding whether to solicit individuals' preferences about their "right not to know" genetic information. This study contributes to the debate by surveying research participants who have actively decided whether to accept or refuse SFs. METHODS Participants were drawn from a large National Institutes of Health (NIH) environmental health study. Participants who had accepted SFs (n = 148) or refused SFs (n = 83) were given more detailed information about the types of SFs researchers could return and were given an opportunity to revise their original decision. RESULTS Forty-one of 83 initial refusers (49.4%) opted to receive SFs following the informational intervention. Nearly 75% of these "reversible refusers" thought they had originally accepted SFs. The 50.6% of initial refusers who continued to refuse ("persistent refusers") demonstrated high levels of understanding of which SFs would be returned postintervention. The most prominent reason for refusing was concern about becoming worried or sad (43.8%). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the need for a more robust informed consent process when soliciting research participants' preferences about receiving SFs. We also suggest that our data support implementing a default practice of returning SFs without actively soliciting preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Will Schupmann
- National Institutes of Health, Department of Bioethics, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Skye A Miner
- National Institutes of Health, Department of Bioethics, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Haley K Sullivan
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Janet E Hall
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Clinical Research Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shepherd H Schurman
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Clinical Research Branch, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin E Berkman
- National Institutes of Health, Department of Bioethics; National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Schurman SH, O'Hanlon TP, McGrath JA, Gruzdev A, Bektas A, Xu H, Garantziotis S, Zeldin DC, Miller FW. Transethnic associations among immune-mediated diseases and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the aryl hydrocarbon response gene ARNT and the PTPN22 immune regulatory gene. J Autoimmun 2019; 107:102363. [PMID: 31759816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because immune responses are sensitive to environmental changes that drive selection of genetic variants, we hypothesized that polymorphisms of some xenobiotic response and immune response genes may be associated with specific types of immune-mediated diseases (IMD), while others may be associated with IMD as a larger category regardless of specific phenotype or ethnicity. OBJECTIVE To examine transethnic gene-IMD associations for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies of prototypic xenobiotic response genes-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT), AHR repressor (AHRR) - and a prototypic immune response gene, protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22), in subjects from the Environmental Polymorphisms Registry (EPR). METHODS Subjects (n = 3731) were genotyped for 14 SNPs associated with functional variants of the AHR, ARNT, AHRR, and PTPN22 genes, and their frequencies were compared among African Americans (n = 1562), Caucasians (n = 1838), and Hispanics (n = 331) with previously reported data. Of those genotyped, 2015 EPR subjects completed a Health and Exposure survey. SNPs were assessed via PLINK for associations with IMD, which included those with autoimmune diseases, allergic disorders, asthma, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Transethnic meta-analyses were performed using METAL and MANTRA approaches. RESULTS ARNT SNP rs11204735 was significantly associated with autoimmune disease by transethnic meta-analyses using METAL (odds ratio, OR [95% confidence interval] = 1.29 [1.08-1.55]) and MANTRA (ORs ranged from 1.29 to 1.30), whereas ARNT SNP rs1889740 showed a significant association with autoimmune disease by METAL (OR = 1.25 [1.06-1.47]). For Caucasian females, PTPN22 SNP rs2476601 was significantly associated with autoimmune disease by allelic association tests (OR = 1.99, [1.30-3.04]). In Caucasians and Caucasian males, PTPN22 SNP rs3811021 was significantly associated with IMD (OR = 1.39 [1.12-1.72] and 1.50 [1.12-2.02], respectively) and allergic disease (OR = 1.39 [1.12-1.71], and 1.62 [1.19-2.20], respectively). In the transethnic meta-analysis, PTPN22 SNP rs3811021 was significantly implicated in IMD by METAL (OR = 1.31 [1.10-1.56]), and both METAL and MANTRA suggested that rs3811021 was associated with IMD and allergic disease in males across all three ethnic groups (IMD METAL OR = 1.50 [1.15-1.95]; IMD MANTRA ORs ranged from 1.47 to 1.50; allergic disease METAL OR = 1.58 [1.20-2.08]; allergic disease MANTRA ORs ranged from 1.55 to 1.59). CONCLUSIONS Some xenobiotic and immune response gene polymorphisms were shown here, for the first time, to have associations across a broad spectrum of IMD and ethnicities. Our findings also suggest a role for ARNT in the development of autoimmune diseases, implicating environmental factors metabolized by this pathway in pathogenesis. Further studies are needed to confirm these data, assess the implications of these findings, define gene-environment interactions, and explore the mechanisms leading to these increasingly prevalent disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shepherd H Schurman
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, USA; Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Terrance P O'Hanlon
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, USA; Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | | | - Artiom Gruzdev
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Arsun Bektas
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Hong Xu
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Stavros Garantziotis
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, USA; Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Darryl C Zeldin
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Frederick W Miller
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, USA; Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Ajayi TA, Innes CL, Grimm SA, Rai P, Finethy R, Coers J, Wang X, Bell DA, McGrath JA, Schurman SH, Fessler MB. Crohn's disease IRGM risk alleles are associated with altered gene expression in human tissues. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2019; 316:G95-G105. [PMID: 30335469 PMCID: PMC6383377 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00196.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder. Genetic association studies have implicated dysregulated autophagy in CD. Among risk loci identified are a promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)( rs13361189 ) and two intragenic SNPs ( rs9637876 , rs10065172 ) in immunity-related GTPase family M ( IRGM) a gene that encodes a protein of the autophagy initiation complex. All three SNPs have been proposed to modify IRGM expression, but reports have been divergent and largely derived from cell lines. Here, analyzing RNA-Sequencing data of human tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project, we found that rs13361189 minor allele carriers had reduced IRGM expression in whole blood and terminal ileum, and upregulation in ileum of ZNF300P1, a locus adjacent to IRGM on chromosome 5q33.1 that encodes a long noncoding RNA. Whole blood and ileum from minor allele carriers had altered expression of multiple additional genes that have previously been linked to colitis and/or autophagy. Notable among these was an increase in ileum of LTF (lactoferrin), an established fecal inflammatory biomarker of CD, and in whole blood of TNF, a key cytokine in CD pathogenesis. Last, we confirmed that risk alleles at all three loci associated with increased risk for CD but not ulcerative colitis in a case-control study. Taken together, our findings suggest that genetically encoded IRGM deficiency may predispose to CD through dysregulation of inflammatory gene networks. Gene expression profiling of disease target tissues in genetically susceptible populations is a promising strategy for revealing new leads for the study of molecular pathogenesis and, potentially, for precision medicine. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Single nucleotide polymorphisms in immunity-related GTPase family M ( IRGM), a gene that encodes an autophagy initiation protein, have been linked epidemiologically to increased risk for Crohn's disease (CD). Here, we show for the first time that subjects with risk alleles at two such loci, rs13361189 and rs10065172 , have reduced IRGM expression in whole blood and terminal ileum, as well as dysregulated expression of a wide array of additional genes that regulate inflammation and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teminioluwa A Ajayi
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cynthia L Innes
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Sara A Grimm
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Prashant Rai
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Ryan Finethy
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jörn Coers
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Xuting Wang
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Douglas A Bell
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | | | - Shepherd H Schurman
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Michael B Fessler
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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McMahon C, Denaxas S. A novel metadata management model to capture consent for record linkage in longitudinal research studies. Inform Health Soc Care 2017; 44:176-188. [PMID: 29106808 PMCID: PMC6484449 DOI: 10.1080/17538157.2017.1364251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Informed consent is an important feature of longitudinal research studies as it enables the linking of the baseline participant information with administrative data. The lack of standardized models to capture consent elements can lead to substantial challenges. A structured approach to capturing consent-related metadata can address these. Objectives: a) Explore the state-of-the-art for recording consent; b) Identify key elements of consent required for record linkage; and c) Create and evaluate a novel metadata management model to capture consent-related metadata. Methods: The main methodological components of our work were: a) a systematic literature review and qualitative analysis of consent forms; b) the development and evaluation of a novel metadata model. Discussion: We qualitatively analyzed 61 manuscripts and 30 consent forms. We extracted data elements related to obtaining consent for linkage. We created a novel metadata management model for consent and evaluated it by comparison with the existing standards and by iteratively applying it to case studies. Conclusion: The developed model can facilitate the standardized recording of consent for linkage in longitudinal research studies and enable the linkage of external participant data. Furthermore, it can provide a structured way of recording consent-related metadata and facilitate the harmonization and streamlining of processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana McMahon
- a University College London, Institute of Health Informatics , London , United Kingdom.,b Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research , London , United Kingdom
| | - Spiros Denaxas
- a University College London, Institute of Health Informatics , London , United Kingdom.,b Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research , London , United Kingdom
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9
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Jewell CM, Katen KS, Barber LM, Cannon C, Garantziotis S, Cidlowski JA. Healthy glucocorticoid receptor N363S carriers dysregulate gene expression associated with metabolic syndrome. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2016; 311:E741-E748. [PMID: 27600822 PMCID: PMC5241554 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00105.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) N363S has been reported to be associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to determine how the N363S SNP modifies glucocorticoid receptor signaling in a healthy population of individuals prior to the onset of disease. We examined the function of the N363S SNP in a cohort of subjects from the general population of North Carolina. Eighteen N363S heterozygous carriers and 36 noncarrier, control subjects were examined for clinical and biochemical parameters followed by a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test to evaluate glucocorticoid responsiveness. Serum insulin measurements revealed that N363S carriers have higher levels of insulin, although not statistically significant, compared with controls. Glucocorticoid receptor protein levels evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from each clinical subject showed no difference between N363S and control. However, investigation of gene expression profiles in macrophages isolated from controls and N363S carriers using microarray, quantitative RT-PCR, and NanoString analyses revealed that the N363S SNP had an altered profile compared with control. These changes in gene expression occurred in both the absence and the presence of glucocorticoids. Thus, our observed difference in gene regulation between normal N363S SNP carriers and noncarrier controls may underlie the emergence of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease associated with the N363S polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Jewell
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and
| | - Kevin S Katen
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and
| | | | | | - Stavros Garantziotis
- Clinical Research Unit, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and
| | - John A Cidlowski
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and
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10
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Beskow LM, Fullerton SM, Namey EE, Nelson DK, Davis AM, Wilfond BS. Recommendations for ethical approaches to genotype-driven research recruitment. Hum Genet 2012; 131:1423-31. [PMID: 22622788 PMCID: PMC3686635 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-012-1177-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recruiting research participants based on genetic information generated about them in a prior study is a potentially powerful way to study the functional significance of human genetic variation. However, it also presents significant ethical challenges that, to date, have received only minimal consideration. We convened a multi-disciplinary workshop to discuss key issues relevant to the conduct and oversight of genotype-driven recruitment and to translate those considerations into practical policy recommendations. Workshop participants were invited from around the US, and included genomic researchers and study coordinators, research participants, clinicians, bioethics scholars, experts in human research protections, and government representatives. Discussion was directed by experienced facilitators and informed by empirical data collected in a national survey of IRB chairs and in-depth interviews with research participants in studies where genotype-driven recontact occurred. A high degree of consensus was attained on the resulting seven recommendations, which cover informed consent disclosures and choices, the process for how and by whom participants are recontacted, the disclosure of individual genetic research results, and the importance of tailoring approaches based on specific contextual factors. These recommendations are intended to represent a balanced approach-protecting research participants, yet avoiding overly restrictive policies that hinder advancement on important scientific questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Beskow
- Duke Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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11
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Am I a control?: Genotype-driven research recruitment and self-understandings of study participants. Genet Med 2012; 14:983-9. [PMID: 22935717 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2012.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Genotype-driven research recruitment complicates traditional study roles and may leave those recruited worried about unwelcome surprises from their DNA. This study investigated the ways that individuals experience genotype-driven recruitment, and conceptualize their roles as research participants. METHODS Individual interviews were conducted with the participants of a genotype-driven study on cystic fibrosis. The eligibility criteria included the presence of one of two genetic variants. We interviewed 24 of these participants: 9 had cystic fibrosis and 15 had been selected from a biobank as "healthy volunteers." RESULTS Participants with cystic fibrosis expressed no concerns about the eligibility criteria and saw themselves as part of a close-knit research community. However, biobank participants were unsure about why they had been selected and how they should think about themselves relative to the study. They sometimes reacted with anxiety to genetic information that they perceived to connect them with cystic fibrosis. CONCLUSION Being recruited for a study on the basis of one's genotype may raise uncertainties about the meaning and implications of the genotypic information. People without the disease under study may require especially clear and detailed explanations of what researchers already know about their genetic makeup, in terms of future risk for themselves or their children.
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12
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Beskow LM, Namey EE, Cadigan RJ, Brazg T, Crouch J, Henderson GE, Michie M, Nelson DK, Tabor HK, Wilfond BS. Research participants' perspectives on genotype-driven research recruitment. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2012; 6:3-20. [PMID: 22228056 DOI: 10.1525/jer.2011.6.4.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Genotype-driven recruitment is a potentially powerful approach for studying human genetic variation but presents ethical challenges. We conducted in-depth interviews with research participants in six studies where such recruitment occurred. Nearly all responded favorably to the acceptability of recontact for research recruitment, and genotype-driven recruitment was viewed as a positive sign of scientific advancement. Reactions to questions about the disclosure of individual genetic research results varied. Common themes included explaining the purpose of recontact, informing decisions about further participation, reciprocity, "information is valuable," and the possibility of benefit, as well as concerns about undue distress and misunderstanding. Our findings suggest contact about additional research may be least concerning if it involves a known element (e.g., trusted researchers). Also, for genotype-driven recruitment, it may be appropriate to set a lower bar for disclosure of individual results than the clinical utility threshold recommended more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Beskow
- Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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13
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Cadigan RJ, Michie M, Henderson G, Davis AM, Beskow LM. The meaning of genetic research results: reflections from individuals with and without a known genetic disorder. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2011; 6:30-40. [PMID: 22228058 PMCID: PMC3386306 DOI: 10.1525/jer.2011.6.4.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the debate about whether to return individual genetic results to research participants, consideration of the nature of results has taken precedence over contextual factors associated with different study designs and populations. We conducted in-depth interviews with 24 individuals who participated in a genotype-driven study of cystic fibrosis: 9 of the individuals had cystic fibrosis, 15 had participated as healthy volunteers, and all had gene variants of interest to the researchers. These interviews revealed that the two groups had different ideas about the meaningfulness of genetic results. Our findings point to the importance of understanding research context, such as participants' relationship with the researcher and whether they have the disease condition under study, when considering whether to return individual results.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jean Cadigan
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7240, USA.
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Chulada PC, Vainorius E, Garantziotis S, Burch LH, Blackshear PJ, Zeldin DC. The Environmental Polymorphism Registry: a unique resource that facilitates translational research of environmental disease. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2011; 119:1523-1527. [PMID: 21659040 PMCID: PMC3226495 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1003348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dissecting complex disease has become more feasible because of the availability of large-scale DNA resources and advances in high-throughput genomic technology. Although these tools help scientists identify potential susceptibility loci, subjects with relevant genotypes are needed for clinical phenotyping and toxicity studies. OBJECTIVE We have developed a resource of subjects and their DNA to use for translational research of environmental disease. METHODS More than 15,000 individuals of diverse sex, age, race, and ethnicity were recruited from North Carolina. DNA was isolated from their blood and coded with personal identification numbers linked to their identities. This linked resource of subjects and their DNA-the Environmental Polymorphism Registry (EPR)-allows scientists to screen for individuals with genotypes of interest and invite them to participate in follow-up studies. DISCUSSION The EPR is a phenotype-by-genotype resource designed to facilitate translational studies of environmental disease. Based on their genotypes, subjects are invited to participate at all levels of research, from basic laboratory ex vivo cell phenotyping experiments that require viable tissue to in vivo observational studies and clinical trials. Here we report on progress of the EPR since 2008. We also describe a major effort at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to investigate susceptibility loci in 87 environmental response genes and gene × environment interactions using EPR resources. CONCLUSION The EPR is a unique and novel resource and is ideal for genotype-driven translational research of environmental disease. We expect that it will serve as a model for future resources. Such tools help scientists attain their ultimate goals: to identify at-risk populations and develop strategies for preventing and treating human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia C Chulada
- Clinical Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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