1
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Fleming TP. Preimplantation trophectoderm: A 'quick-fix' protector for embryo survival? Dev Biol 2025; 517:278-285. [PMID: 39481626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 09/23/2024] [Accepted: 10/29/2024] [Indexed: 11/02/2024]
Abstract
The trophectoderm (TE) epithelium forms the outer layer of the mammalian blastocyst and generates the blastocoel through vectorial transport. Its differentiation during cleavage, studied mainly in mouse, is integrated with blastocyst morphogenesis with key roles for cell polarisation, asymmetric cell divisions, cell signalling, regulatory transcription factors and cellular inheritance. The TE provides a physical and cellular protection to the emerging lineages of the embryo essential for the integrity of blastocyst development. Here, two examples of TE differentiation are considered in some detail where this immediate protective function for embryo survival is assessed: (i) cellular processes from TE at the polar-mural junctional zone in the early blastocyst that later form filopodia traversing the blastocoel, and (ii) the endocytic system which matures and polarises during differentiation. Understanding the broad role for TE in regulating early morphogenesis and environmental protection of the embryo, including these two examples, have clinical as well as biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom P Fleming
- School of Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
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2
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Sainty R, Silver MJ, Prentice AM, Monk D. The influence of early environment and micronutrient availability on developmental epigenetic programming: lessons from the placenta. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1212199. [PMID: 37484911 PMCID: PMC10358779 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1212199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most commonly studied epigenetic mark in humans, as it is well recognised as a stable, heritable mark that can affect genome function and influence gene expression. Somatic DNA methylation patterns that can persist throughout life are established shortly after fertilisation when the majority of epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, are erased from the pre-implantation embryo. Therefore, the period around conception is potentially critical for influencing DNA methylation, including methylation at imprinted alleles and metastable epialleles (MEs), loci where methylation varies between individuals but is correlated across tissues. Exposures before and during conception can affect pregnancy outcomes and health throughout life. Retrospective studies of the survivors of famines, such as those exposed to the Dutch Hunger Winter of 1944-45, have linked exposures around conception to later disease outcomes, some of which correlate with DNA methylation changes at certain genes. Animal models have shown more directly that DNA methylation can be affected by dietary supplements that act as cofactors in one-carbon metabolism, and in humans, methylation at birth has been associated with peri-conceptional micronutrient supplementation. However, directly showing a role of micronutrients in shaping the epigenome has proven difficult. Recently, the placenta, a tissue with a unique hypomethylated methylome, has been shown to possess great inter-individual variability, which we highlight as a promising target tissue for studying MEs and mixed environmental exposures. The placenta has a critical role shaping the health of the fetus. Placenta-associated pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, are all associated with aberrant patterns of DNA methylation and expression which are only now being linked to disease risk later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Sainty
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Matt J. Silver
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M. Prentice
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - David Monk
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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3
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Bari MW, Morishita Y, Kishigami S. Heterogeneity of nucleolar morphology in four-cell mouse embryos after IVF: association with developmental potential. Anim Sci J 2023; 94:e13907. [PMID: 38102887 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13907] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, around fertilization, the nucleolus of embryos transforms into the nucleolus precursor bodies (NPBs), which continue to mature until the blastocyst stage, leading to distinct morphological changes. In our study, we observed two types of nucleolar morphology in mouse in vitro fertilized embryos at the four-cell stage, which we refer to single nucleolus (SN) and multiple nucleoli (MN). To visualize nucleolar morphology, four-cell embryos were immunostained with anti-NOPP140 antibody. These embryos were categorized into five types based on the number of blastomeres carrying SN: SN4/MN0, SN3/MN1, SN2/MN2, SN1/MN3, and SN0/MN4, with percentages of 13, 27, 21, 23 and 9, respectively. Next, using a light microscope, we divided the four-cell in vitro fertilized embryos without fixation into two groups: those with at least two blastomeres displaying SN (SN embryos) and those without (MN embryos). Notably, significantly more SN embryos developed into blastocysts and offspring at 18.5 dpc compared with MN embryos. Furthermore, SN embryos displayed a higher NANOG-positive cell number at the blastocyst stage, significantly lower body and placental weights, resulting in a higher fetal/placental ratio. These findings suggest a close association between nucleolar state at the four-cell stage and subsequent developmental potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Wasim Bari
- Department of Integrated Applied Life Science, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Morishita
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi Kofu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kishigami
- Department of Integrated Applied Life Science, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi Kofu, Japan
- Center for advanced Assisted Reproductive Technologies, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
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4
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Maternal Undernutrition Induces Cell Signalling and Metabolic Dysfunction in Undifferentiated Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 19:767-783. [PMID: 36517693 PMCID: PMC10070223 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Peri-conceptional environment can induce permanent changes in embryo phenotype which alter development and associate with later disease susceptibility. Thus, mouse maternal low protein diet (LPD) fed exclusively during preimplantation is sufficient to lead to cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological dysfunction in adult offspring. Embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines were generated from LPD and control NPD C57BL/6 blastocysts and characterised by transcriptomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics and molecular/cellular studies to assess early potential mechanisms in dietary environmental programming. Previously, we showed these lines retain cellular and epigenetic characteristics of LPD and NPD embryos after several passages. Here, three main changes were identified in LPD ESC lines. First, their derivation capacity was reduced but pluripotency marker expression was similar to controls. Second, LPD lines had impaired Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway with altered gene expression of several regulators (e.g., Maff, Rassf1, JunD), reduced ERK1/2 signalling capacity and poorer cell survival characteristics which may contribute to reduced derivation. Third, LPD lines had impaired glucose metabolism comprising reduced upstream enzyme expression (e.g., Gpi, Mpi) and accumulation of metabolites (e.g., glucose-6-P, fructose-6-P) above the phosphofructokinase (PFK) gateway with PFK enzyme activity reduced. ESC lines may therefore permit investigation of peri-conceptional programming mechanisms with reduced need for animal experimentation.
Graphical Abstract
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5
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Rodriguez-Algarra F, Seaborne RAE, Danson AF, Yildizoglu S, Yoshikawa H, Law PP, Ahmad Z, Maudsley VA, Brew A, Holmes N, Ochôa M, Hodgkinson A, Marzi SJ, Pradeepa MM, Loose M, Holland ML, Rakyan VK. Genetic variation at mouse and human ribosomal DNA influences associated epigenetic states. Genome Biol 2022; 23:54. [PMID: 35164830 PMCID: PMC8842540 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02617-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) displays substantial inter-individual genetic variation in human and mouse. A systematic analysis of how this variation impacts epigenetic states and expression of the rDNA has thus far not been performed. RESULTS Using a combination of long- and short-read sequencing, we establish that 45S rDNA units in the C57BL/6J mouse strain exist as distinct genetic haplotypes that influence the epigenetic state and transcriptional output of any given unit. DNA methylation dynamics at these haplotypes are dichotomous and life-stage specific: at one haplotype, the DNA methylation state is sensitive to the in utero environment, but refractory to post-weaning influences, whereas other haplotypes entropically gain DNA methylation during aging only. On the other hand, individual rDNA units in human show limited evidence of genetic haplotypes, and hence little discernible correlation between genetic and epigenetic states. However, in both species, adjacent units show similar epigenetic profiles, and the overall epigenetic state at rDNA is strongly positively correlated with the total rDNA copy number. Analysis of different mouse inbred strains reveals that in some strains, such as 129S1/SvImJ, the rDNA copy number is only approximately 150 copies per diploid genome and DNA methylation levels are < 5%. CONCLUSIONS Our work demonstrates that rDNA-associated genetic variation has a considerable influence on rDNA epigenetic state and consequently rRNA expression outcomes. In the future, it will be important to consider the impact of inter-individual rDNA (epi)genetic variation on mammalian phenotypes and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert A E Seaborne
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Amy F Danson
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Present Address: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Selin Yildizoglu
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Harunori Yoshikawa
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Pui Pik Law
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Zakaryya Ahmad
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Victoria A Maudsley
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ama Brew
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Nadine Holmes
- DeepSeq, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mateus Ochôa
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Alan Hodgkinson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah J Marzi
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Madapura M Pradeepa
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Loose
- DeepSeq, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michelle L Holland
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Vardhman K Rakyan
- The Blizard Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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6
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Denisenko O. Epigenetics of Ribosomal RNA Genes. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:S103-S131. [PMID: 35501990 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922140097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This review is focused on biology of genes encoding ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in mammals. rRNA is a structural component of the most abundant cellular molecule, the ribosome. There are many copies of rRNA genes per genome that are under tight transcriptional control by epigenetic mechanisms serving to meet cellular needs in protein synthesis. Curiously, only a fraction of rRNA genes is used even in the fast-growing cells, raising a question why unused copies of these genes have not been lost during evolution. Two plausible explanations are discussed. First, there is evidence that besides their direct function in production of rRNA, ribosomal RNA genes are involved in regulation of many other genes in the nucleus by forming either temporary or persistent complexes with these genes. Second, it seems that rRNA genes also play a role in the maintenance of genome stability, where lower copy number of rRNA genes destabilizes the genome. These "additional" functions of rRNA genes make them recurrent candidate drivers of chronic human diseases and aging. Experimental support for the involvement of these genes in human diseases and potential mechanisms are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Denisenko
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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7
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Bari MW, Ishiyama S, Matsumoto S, Mochizuki K, Kishigami S. From lessons on the long-term effects of the preimplantation environment on later health to a "modified ART-DOHaD" animal model. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12469. [PMID: 35781921 PMCID: PMC9243299 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12469] [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] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background At its earliest stages, mammalian embryonic development is apparently simple but vulnerable. The environment during the preimplantation period, which only lasts a couple of days, has been implicated in adult health, extending to such early stages the concept of the developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD). Methods In this review, we first provide a brief history of assisted reproductive technology (ART) focusing on in vitro culture and its outcomes during subsequent development mainly in mice and humans. Further, we introduce the "MEM mouse," a novel type 2 diabetes mouse model generated by in vitro culture of preimplantation embryos in alpha minimum essential medium (αMEM). Main findings The association between ART and its long-term effects has been carefully examined for its application in human infertility treatment. The "MEM mouse" develops steatohepatitis and kidney disease with diabetes into adulthood. Conclusion The close association between the environment of preimplantation and health in postnatal life is being clarified. The approach by which severe mouse phenotypes are successfully induced by manipulating the environment of preimplantation embryos could provide new chronic disease animal models, which we call "modified ART-DOHaD" animal models. This will also offer insights into the mechanisms underlying their long-term effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Wasim Bari
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Shiori Ishiyama
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Sachi Matsumoto
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Kazuki Mochizuki
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Satoshi Kishigami
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Center for advanced Assisted Reproductive TechnologiesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
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8
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Peral-Sanchez I, Hojeij B, Ojeda DA, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Willaime-Morawek S. Epigenetics in the Uterine Environment: How Maternal Diet and ART May Influence the Epigenome in the Offspring with Long-Term Health Consequences. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:31. [PMID: 35052371 PMCID: PMC8774448 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The societal burden of non-communicable disease is closely linked with environmental exposures and lifestyle behaviours, including the adherence to a poor maternal diet from the earliest preimplantation period of the life course onwards. Epigenetic variations caused by a compromised maternal nutritional status can affect embryonic development. This review summarises the main epigenetic modifications in mammals, especially DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNA. These epigenetic changes can compromise the health of the offspring later in life. We discuss different types of nutritional stressors in human and animal models, such as maternal undernutrition, seasonal diets, low-protein diet, high-fat diet, and synthetic folic acid supplement use, and how these nutritional exposures epigenetically affect target genes and their outcomes. In addition, we review the concept of thrifty genes during the preimplantation period, and some examples that relate to epigenetic change and diet. Finally, we discuss different examples of maternal diets, their effect on outcomes, and their relationship with assisted reproductive technology (ART), including their implications on epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Peral-Sanchez
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.A.O.); (S.W.-M.)
| | - Batoul Hojeij
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (B.H.); (R.P.M.S.-T.)
| | - Diego A. Ojeda
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.A.O.); (S.W.-M.)
| | - Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (B.H.); (R.P.M.S.-T.)
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9
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Fleming TP, Sun C, Denisenko O, Caetano L, Aljahdali A, Gould JM, Khurana P. Environmental Exposures around Conception: Developmental Pathways Leading to Lifetime Disease Risk. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9380. [PMID: 34501969 PMCID: PMC8431664 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environment around conception can influence the developmental programme with lasting effects on gestational and postnatal phenotype and with consequences for adult health and disease risk. Peri-conception exposure comprises a crucial part of the 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' (DOHaD) concept. In this review, we consider the effects of maternal undernutrition experienced during the peri-conception period in select human models and in a mouse experimental model of protein restriction. Human datasets indicate that macronutrient deprivation around conception affect the epigenome, with enduring effects on cardiometabolic and neurological health. The mouse model, comprising maternal low protein diet exclusively during the peri-conception period, has revealed a stepwise progression in altered developmental programming following induction through maternal metabolite deficiency. This progression includes differential effects in extra-embryonic and embryonic cell lineages and tissues, leading to maladaptation in the growth trajectory and increased chronic disease comorbidities. The timeline embraces an array of mechanisms across nutrient sensing and signalling, cellular, metabolic, epigenetic and physiological processes with a coordinating role for mTORC1 signalling proposed. Early embryos appear active participants in environmental sensing to optimise the developmental programme for survival but with the trade-off of later disease. Similar adverse health outcomes may derive from other peri-conception environmental experiences, including maternal overnutrition, micronutrient availability, pollutant exposure and assisted reproductive treatments (ART) and support the need for preconception health before pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom P. Fleming
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Congshan Sun
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Oleg Denisenko
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Rm 242, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
| | - Laura Caetano
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Anan Aljahdali
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Alfaisaliah campus, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joanna M. Gould
- Clinical Neurosciences and Psychiatry, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK;
| | - Pooja Khurana
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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10
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Kint S, Van Criekinge W, Vandekerckhove L, De Vos WH, Bomsztyk K, Krause DS, Denisenko O. Single cell epigenetic visualization assay. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:e43. [PMID: 33511400 PMCID: PMC8096246 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of the epigenetic status of individual cells remains a challenge. Current sequencing approaches have limited coverage, and it is difficult to assign an epigenetic status to the transcription state of individual gene alleles in the same cell. To address these limitations, a targeted microscopy-based epigenetic visualization assay (EVA) was developed for detection and quantification of epigenetic marks at genes of interest in single cells. The assay is based on an in situ biochemical reaction between an antibody-conjugated alkaline phosphatase bound to the epigenetic mark of interest, and a 5'-phosphorylated fluorophore-labeled DNA oligo tethered to a target gene by gene-specific oligonucleotides. When the epigenetic mark is present at the gene, phosphate group removal by the phosphatase protects the oligo from λ-exonuclease activity providing a quantitative fluorescent readout. We applied EVA to measure 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and H3K9Ac levels at different genes and the HIV-1 provirus in human cell lines. To link epigenetic marks to gene transcription, EVA was combined with RNA-FISH. Higher 5mC levels at the silenced compared to transcribed XIST gene alleles in female somatic cells validated this approach and demonstrated that EVA can be used to relate epigenetic marks to the transcription status of individual gene alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Kint
- Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modeling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Criekinge
- Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modeling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Linos Vandekerckhove
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Karol Bomsztyk
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Diane S Krause
- Depts. of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology and Cell Biology; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Oleg Denisenko
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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11
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Penailillo RS, Eckert JJ, Burton MA, Burdge GC, Fleming TP, Lillycrop KA. High maternal folic acid intake around conception alters mouse blastocyst lineage allocation and expression of key developmental regulatory genes. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:261-273. [PMID: 33719134 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Folate, a cofactor for the supply of one-carbon groups, is required by epigenetic processes to regulate cell lineage determination during development. The intake of folic acid (FA), the synthetic form of folate, has increased significantly over the past decade, but the effects of high periconceptional FA intake on cell lineage determination in the early embryo remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of maternal high FA (HFA) intake on blastocyst development and expression of key regulatory genes. C57BL/6 adult female mice were fed either Control diet (1 mg FA) for 4 weeks before conception and during the preimplantation period (Con-Con); Control diet for 4 weeks preconception, followed by HFA (5 mg FA) diet during preimplantation (Con-HFA); or HFA diet for 4 weeks preconception and during preimplantation (HFA-HFA). At E3.5, blastocyst cell number, protein, and mRNA expression were measured. In HFA-HFA blastocysts, trophectoderm cell numbers and expression of CDX2, Oct-4, and Nanog were reduced compared with Con-Con blastocysts; Con-HFA blastocysts showed lower CDX2 and Oct-4 expression than Con-Con blastocysts. These findings suggest periconceptional HFA intake induces changes in key regulators of embryo morphogenesis with potential implications for subsequent development.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Penailillo
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - J J Eckert
- School of Human Health and Development, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - M A Burton
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - G C Burdge
- School of Human Health and Development, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - T P Fleming
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - K A Lillycrop
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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12
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Ruggeri E, Lira-Albarrán S, Grow EJ, Liu X, Harner R, Maltepe E, Ramalho-Santos M, Donjacour A, Rinaudo P. Sex-specific epigenetic profile of inner cell mass of mice conceived in vivo or by IVF. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 26:866-878. [PMID: 33010164 PMCID: PMC7821709 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The preimplantation stage of development is exquisitely sensitive to environmental stresses, and changes occurring during this developmental phase may have long-term health effects. Animal studies indicate that IVF offspring display metabolic alterations, including hypertension, glucose intolerance and cardiac hypertrophy, often in a sexual dimorphic fashion. The detailed nature of epigenetic changes following in-vitro culture is, however, unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the epigenetic (using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq)) and transcriptomic changes (using RNA-seq) occurring in the inner cell mass (ICM) of male or female mouse embryos generated in vivo or by IVF. We found that the ICM of IVF embryos, compared to the in-vivo ICM, differed in 3% of differentially methylated regions (DMRs), of which 0.1% were located on CpG islands. ATAC-seq revealed that 293 regions were more accessible and 101 were less accessible in IVF embryos, while RNA-seq revealed that 21 genes were differentially regulated in IVF embryos. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that stress signalling (STAT and NF-kB signalling), developmental processes and cardiac hypertrophy signalling showed consistent changes in WGBS and ATAC-seq platforms. In contrast, male and female embryos showed minimal changes. Male ICM had an increased number of significantly hyper-methylated DMRs, while only 27 regions showed different chromatin accessibility and only one gene was differentially expressed. In summary, this study provides the first comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility and RNA expression changes induced by IVF in male and female ICMs. This dataset can be of value to all researchers interested in the developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis and might lead to a better understanding of how early embryonic manipulation may affect adult health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ruggeri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- San Diego Zoo Global, Institute for Conservation Research, Reproductive Sciences, Escondido, CA, 92027, USA
| | - Saúl Lira-Albarrán
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Edward J Grow
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Royce Harner
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Emin Maltepe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Miguel Ramalho-Santos
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, University of Toronto, ON, M5G1X5, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Annemarie Donjacour
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Paolo Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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Periconception maternal low-protein diet adversely affects male mouse fetal bone growth and mineral density quality in late gestation. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2020; 12:384-395. [PMID: 32500846 DOI: 10.1017/s204017442000046x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Adverse programming of adult non-communicable disease can be induced by poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy and the periconception period has been identified as a vulnerable period. In the current study, we used a mouse maternal low-protein diet fed either for the duration of pregnancy (LPD) or exclusively during the preimplantation period (Emb-LPD) with control nutrition provided thereafter and postnatally to investigate effects on fetal bone development and quality. This model has been shown previously to induce cardiometabolic and neurological disease phenotypes in offspring. Micro 3D computed tomography examination at fetal stages Embryonic day E14.5 and E17.4, reflecting early and late stages of bone formation, demonstrated LPD treatment caused increased bone formation of relative high mineral density quality in males, but not females, at E14.5, disproportionate to fetal growth, with bone quality maintained at E17.5. In contrast, Emb-LPD caused a late increase in male fetal bone growth, proportionate to fetal growth, at E17.5, affecting central and peripheral skeleton and of reduced mineral density quality relative to controls. These altered dynamics in bone growth coincide with increased placental efficiency indicating compensatory responses to dietary treatments. Overall, our data show fetal bone formation and mineral quality is dependent upon maternal nutritional protein content and is sex-specific. In particular, we find the duration and timing of poor maternal diet to be critical in the outcomes with periconceptional protein restriction leading to male offspring with increased bone growth but of poor mineral density, thereby susceptible to later disease risk.
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14
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Aging and Caloric Restriction Modulate the DNA Methylation Profile of the Ribosomal RNA Locus in Human and Rat Liver. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12020277. [PMID: 31973116 PMCID: PMC7070571 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing amount of evidence suggests that the downregulation of protein synthesis is an adaptive response during physiological aging, which positively contributes to longevity and can be modulated by nutritional interventions like caloric restriction (CR). The expression of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is one of the main determinants of translational rate, and epigenetic modifications finely contribute to its regulation. Previous reports suggest that hypermethylation of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus occurs with aging, although with some species- and tissue- specificity. In the present study, we experimentally measured DNA methylation of three regions (the promoter, the 5′ of the 18S and the 5′ of 28S sequences) in the rDNA locus in liver tissues from rats at two, four, 10, and 18 months. We confirm previous findings, showing age-related hypermethylation, and describe, for the first time, that this gain in methylation also occurs in human hepatocytes. Furthermore, we show that age-related hypermethylation is enhanced in livers of rat upon CR at two and 10 months, and that at two months a trend towards the reduction of rRNA expression occurs. Collectively, our results suggest that CR modulates age-related regulation of methylation at the rDNA locus, thus providing an epigenetic readout of the pro-longevity effects of CR.
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15
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Safi-Stibler S, Gabory A. Epigenetics and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: Parental environment signalling to the epigenome, critical time windows and sculpting the adult phenotype. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 97:172-180. [PMID: 31587964 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The literature about Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) studies is considerably growing. Maternal and paternal environment, during all the development of the individual from gametogenesis to weaning and beyond, as well as the psychosocial environment in childhood and teenage, can shape the adult and the elderly person's susceptibility to her/his own environment and diseases. This non-conventional, non-genetic, inheritance is underlain by several mechanisms among which epigenetics is obviously central, due to the notion of memory of early decisional events during development even when this stimulus is gone, that is implied in Waddington's developmental concept. This review first summarizes the different mechanisms by which the environment can model the epigenome: receptor signalling, energy metabolism and signal mechanotransduction from extracellular matrix to chromatin. Then an overview of the epigenetic changes in response to maternal environment during the vulnerability time windows, gametogenesis, early development, placentation and foetal growth, and postnatal period, is described, with the specific example of overnutrition and food deprivation. The implication of epigenetics in DOHaD is obvious, however the precise causal chain from early environment to the epigenome modifications to the phenotype still needs to be deciphered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Safi-Stibler
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Anne Gabory
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
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16
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Perico N, Askenazi D, Cortinovis M, Remuzzi G. Maternal and environmental risk factors for neonatal AKI and its long-term consequences. Nat Rev Nephrol 2019; 14:688-703. [PMID: 30224767 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-018-0054-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and life-threatening complication in critically ill neonates. Gestational risk factors for AKI include premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction and low birthweight, which are associated with poor nephron development and are often the consequence of pre-gestational and gestational factors, such as poor nutritional status. Our understanding of how to best optimize renal development and prevent AKI is in its infancy; however, the identification of pre-gestational and gestational factors that increase the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes and the implementation of interventions, such as improving nutritional status early in pregnancy, have the potential to optimize fetal growth and reduce the risk of preterm birth, thereby improving kidney health. The overall risk of AKI among critically ill and premature neonates is exacerbated postnatally as these infants are often exposed to dehydration, septic shock and potentially nephrotoxic medications. Strategies to improve outcomes - for example, through careful evaluation of nephrotoxic drugs - may reduce the incidence of AKI and its consequences among this population. Management strategies and updated technology that will support neonates with AKI are greatly needed. Extremely premature infants and those who survive an episode of AKI should be screened for chronic kidney disease until early adulthood. Here, we provide an overview of our current understanding of neonatal AKI, focusing on its relationship to preterm birth and growth restriction. We describe factors that prevent optimal nephrogenesis during pregnancy and provide a framework for future explorations designed to maximize outcomes in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norberto Perico
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - David Askenazi
- Pediatric and Infant Center for Acute Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Monica Cortinovis
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy. .,Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy. .,L. Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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17
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Denisenko O, Mar D, Trawczynski M, Bomsztyk K. Chromatin changes trigger laminin genes dysregulation in aging kidneys. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:1133-1145. [PMID: 29846172 PMCID: PMC5990391 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of gene expression is a hallmark of aging. We examined epigenetic mechanisms that mediate aberrant expression of laminin genes in aging rat kidneys. In old animals, no alterations were found in the levels of abundant laminin mRNAs, whereas Lama3, b3, and c2 transcripts were increased compared to young animals. Lamc2 showed the strongest changes at the mRNA and protein levels. Lamc2 upregulation was transcriptional, as indicated by the elevated RNA polymerase II density at the gene. Furthermore, aging is associated with the loss of H3K27m3 and 5mC silencing modifications at the Lamc2 gene. Western blot analysis revealed no changes in cellular levels of H3K27m3 and cognate enzyme Ezh2 in old kidneys. Thus, the decrease in H3K27m3 at Lamc2 resulted from the re-distribution of this mark among genomic sites. Studies in kidney cells in vitro showed that reducing H3K27m3 density with Ezh2 inhibitor had no effect on Lamc2 expression, suggesting that this modification plays little role in gene upregulation in aging kidney. In contrast, treatment with DNA methylation inhibitor 2'-deoxy-5-azacytidine was sufficient to upregulate Lamc2 gene. We suggest that the loss of 5mC at silenced laminin genes drives their de-repression during aging, contributing to the age-related decline in renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Denisenko
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Daniel Mar
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Karol Bomsztyk
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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18
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Skinner M, Lumey L, Fleming TP, Sapienza C, Hoyo C, Aronica L, Thompson J, Nichol PF. RW-2018-Research Workshop: The Effect of Nutrition on Epigenetic Status, Growth, and Health. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2019; 43:627-637. [PMID: 30997688 PMCID: PMC6625918 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.1536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The goal of the 2018 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) Research Workshop was to explore the influence of nutrition and dietary exposure to xenobiotics on the epigenome during critical periods in development and how these exposures influence both disease incidence and severity transgenerationally. A growing compendium of research indicates that the incidence and severity of common and costly human diseases may be influenced by dietary exposures and deficiencies that modify the epigenome. The greatest periods of vulnerability to these exposures are the periconception period and early childhood. Xenobiotics in the food chain, protein malnutrition, and methyl donor deficiencies could have a profound bearing on the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and mental illness over multiple generations. The financial impact and the life burden of these diseases are enormous. These and other aspects of nutrition, epigenetics, and health are explored in this research workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University Pullman WA
| | - L.H. Lumey
- Department of Epidemiology Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Tom P. Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Carmen Sapienza
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Lewis Katz School of Medicine Temple University Philadelphia, PA
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, Director, Epidemiology and Environmental Epigenomics Laboratory, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Lucia Aronica
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Peter F. Nichol
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
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19
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Velazquez MA, Fleming TP, Watkins AJ. Periconceptional environment and the developmental origins of disease. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T33-T49. [PMID: 30707679 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The concept emerging from Professor David Barker’s seminal research on the developmental origins of later-life disease has progressed in many directions since it was first published. One critical question being when during gestation might environment alter the developmental programme with such enduring consequences. Here, we review the growing consensus from clinical and animal research that the period around conception, embracing gamete maturation and early embryogenesis might be the most vulnerable period. We focus on four types of environmental exposure shown to modify periconceptional reproduction and offspring development and health: maternal overnutrition and obesity; maternal undernutrition; paternal diet and health; and assisted reproductive technology. These conditions may act through diverse epigenetic, cellular and physiological mechanisms to alter gene expression and cellular signalling and function in the conceptus affecting offspring growth and metabolism leading to increased risk for cardiometabolic and neurological disease in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Velazquez
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Tom P Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Adam J Watkins
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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20
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Deciphering the Role of the Non-Coding Genome in Regulating Gene-Diet Interactions. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10121831. [PMID: 30486341 PMCID: PMC6316136 DOI: 10.3390/nu10121831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein encoding genes constitute a small fraction of mammalian genomes. In addition to the protein coding genes, there are other functional units within the genome that are transcribed, but not translated into protein, the so called non-coding RNAs. There are many types of non-coding RNAs that have been identified and shown to have important roles in regulating gene expression either at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. A number of recent studies have highlighted that dietary manipulation in mammals can influence the expression or function of a number of classes of non-coding RNAs that contribute to the protein translation machinery. The identification of protein translation as a common target for nutritional regulation underscores the need to investigate how this may mechanistically contribute to phenotypes and diseases that are modified by nutritional intervention. Finally, we describe the state of the art and the application of emerging ‘-omics’ technologies to address the regulation of protein translation in response to diet.
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21
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Sato A. Chaperones, Canalization, and Evolution of Animal Forms. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3029. [PMID: 30287767 PMCID: PMC6213012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over half a century ago, British developmental biologist Conrad Hal Waddington proposed the idea of canalization, that is, homeostasis in development. Since the breakthrough that was made by Rutherford and Lindquist (1998), who proposed a role of Hsp90 in developmental buffering, chaperones have gained much attention in the study of canalization. However, recent studies have revealed that a number of other molecules are also potentially involved in canalization. Here, I introduce the emerging role of DnaJ chaperones in canalization. I also discuss how the expression levels of such buffering molecules can be altered, thereby altering organismal development. Since developmental robustness is maternally inherited in various organisms, I propose that dynamic bet hedging, an increase in within-clutch variation in offspring phenotypes that is caused by unpredictable environmental challenges to the mothers, plays a key role in altering the expression levels of buffering molecules. Investigating dynamic bet hedging at the molecular level and how it impacts upon morphological phenotypes will help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of canalization and evolutionary processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Sato
- Department of Biology, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan.
- Marine Biological Association of the UK, The Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK.
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22
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Sinclair KD. When maternal periconceptional diet affects neurological development, it's time to think. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:7852-7854. [PMID: 29976838 PMCID: PMC6077727 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1809471115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Sinclair
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
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23
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Mouse maternal protein restriction during preimplantation alone permanently alters brain neuron proportion and adult short-term memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E7398-E7407. [PMID: 29941596 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721876115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal protein malnutrition throughout pregnancy and lactation compromises brain development in late gestation and after birth, affecting structural, biochemical, and pathway dynamics with lasting consequences for motor and cognitive function. However, the importance of nutrition during the preimplantation period for brain development is unknown. We have previously shown that maternal low-protein diet (LPD) confined to the preimplantation period (Emb-LPD) in mice, with normal nutrition thereafter, is sufficient to induce cardiometabolic and locomotory behavioral abnormalities in adult offspring. Here, using a range of in vivo and in vitro techniques, we report that Emb-LPD and sustained LPD reduce neural stem cell (NSC) and progenitor cell numbers at E12.5, E14.5, and E17.5 through suppressed proliferation rates in both ganglionic eminences and cortex of the fetal brain. Moreover, Emb-LPD causes remaining NSCs to up-regulate the neuronal differentiation rate beyond control levels, whereas in LPD, apoptosis increases to possibly temper neuron formation. Furthermore, Emb-LPD adult offspring maintain the increase in neuron proportion in the cortex, display increased cortex thickness, and exhibit short-term memory deficit analyzed by the novel-object recognition assay. Last, we identify altered expression of fragile X family genes as a potential molecular mechanism for adverse programming of brain development. Collectively, these data demonstrate that poor maternal nutrition from conception is sufficient to cause abnormal brain development and adult memory loss.
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24
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Fleming TP, Watkins AJ, Velazquez MA, Mathers JC, Prentice AM, Stephenson J, Barker M, Saffery R, Yajnik CS, Eckert JJ, Hanson MA, Forrester T, Gluckman PD, Godfrey KM. Origins of lifetime health around the time of conception: causes and consequences. Lancet 2018; 391:1842-1852. [PMID: 29673874 PMCID: PMC5975952 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30312-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 651] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Parental environmental factors, including diet, body composition, metabolism, and stress, affect the health and chronic disease risk of people throughout their lives, as captured in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease concept. Research across the epidemiological, clinical, and basic science fields has identified the period around conception as being crucial for the processes mediating parental influences on the health of the next generation. During this time, from the maturation of gametes through to early embryonic development, parental lifestyle can adversely influence long-term risks of offspring cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neurological morbidities, often termed developmental programming. We review periconceptional induction of disease risk from four broad exposures: maternal overnutrition and obesity; maternal undernutrition; related paternal factors; and the use of assisted reproductive treatment. Studies in both humans and animal models have demonstrated the underlying biological mechanisms, including epigenetic, cellular, physiological, and metabolic processes. We also present a meta-analysis of mouse paternal and maternal protein undernutrition that suggests distinct parental periconceptional contributions to postnatal outcomes. We propose that the evidence for periconceptional effects on lifetime health is now so compelling that it calls for new guidance on parental preparation for pregnancy, beginning before conception, to protect the health of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom P Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Adam J Watkins
- School of Medicine, Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Miguel A Velazquez
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - John C Mathers
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine and Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Andrew M Prentice
- MRC Unit, The Gambia and MRC International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Judith Stephenson
- UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mary Barker
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton & University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Richard Saffery
- Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Judith J Eckert
- Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mark A Hanson
- Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton & University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Terrence Forrester
- University of the West Indies Solutions for Developing Countries, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
| | - Peter D Gluckman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton & University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
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25
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Danson AF, Marzi SJ, Lowe R, Holland ML, Rakyan VK. Early life diet conditions the molecular response to post-weaning protein restriction in the mouse. BMC Biol 2018; 16:51. [PMID: 29720174 PMCID: PMC5930764 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0516-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental influences fluctuate throughout the life course of an organism. It is therefore important to understand how the timing of exposure impacts molecular responses. Herein, we examine the responses of two key molecular markers of dietary stress, namely variant-specific methylation at ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and small RNA distribution, including tRNA fragments, in a mouse model of protein restriction (PR) with exposure at pre- and/or post-weaning. RESULTS We first confirm that pre-weaning PR exposure modulates the methylation state of rDNA in a genotype-dependent manner, whereas post-weaning PR exposure has no such effect. Conversely, post-weaning PR induces a shift in small RNA distribution, but there is no effect in the pre-weaning PR model. Intriguingly, mice exposed to PR throughout their lives show neither of these two dietary stress markers, similar to controls. CONCLUSIONS The results show that the timing of the insult affects the nature of the molecular response but also, critically, that 'matching' diet exposure either side of weaning eliminates the stress response at the level of rDNA methylation and small RNA in sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy F Danson
- The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Sarah J Marzi
- The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Robert Lowe
- The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Michelle L Holland
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guys Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Vardhman K Rakyan
- The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK.
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Sharpe RM. Programmed for sex: Nutrition–reproduction relationships from an inter-generational perspective. Reproduction 2018; 155:S1-S16. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Reproduction is our biological reason for being. Our physiology has been shaped via countless millennia of evolution with this one purpose in mind, so that at birth we are ‘programmed for sex’, although this will not kick-start functionally until puberty. Our development from an early embryo is focused on making us fit to reproduce and is intimately connected to nutrition and energy stores. Fluctuations in food supply has probably been a key evolutionary shaper of the reproductive process, and this review hypothesizes that we have developed rapid, non-genomic adaptive mechanisms to such fluctuations to better fit offspring to their perceived (nutritional) environment, thus giving them a reproductive advantage. There is abundant evidence for this notion from ‘fetal programming’ studies and from experimental ‘inter-generational’ studies involving manipulation of parental (especially paternal) diet and then examining metabolic changes in resulting offspring. It is argued that the epigenetic reprogramming of germ cells that occurs during fetal life, after fertilisation and during gametogenesis provides opportunities for sensing of the (nutritional) environment so as to affect adaptive epigenetic changes to alter offspring metabolic function. In this regard, there may be adverse effects of a modern Western diet, perhaps because it is deficient in plant-derived factors that are proven to be capable of altering the epigenome, folate being a prime example; we have evolved in tune with such factors. Therefore, parental and even grandparental diets may have consequences for health of future generations, but how important this might be and the precise epigenetic mechanisms involved are unknown.
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Skjærven KH, Jakt LM, Fernandes JMO, Dahl JA, Adam AC, Klughammer J, Bock C, Espe M. Parental micronutrient deficiency distorts liver DNA methylation and expression of lipid genes associated with a fatty-liver-like phenotype in offspring. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3055. [PMID: 29445184 PMCID: PMC5812986 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21211-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Micronutrient status of parents can affect long term health of their progeny. Around 2 billion humans are affected by chronic micronutrient deficiency. In this study we use zebrafish as a model system to examine morphological, molecular and epigenetic changes in mature offspring of parents that experienced a one-carbon (1-C) micronutrient deficiency. Zebrafish were fed a diet sufficient, or marginally deficient in 1-C nutrients (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, methionine, choline), and then mated. Offspring livers underwent histological examination, RNA sequencing and genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. Parental 1-C micronutrient deficiency resulted in increased lipid inclusion and we identified 686 differentially expressed genes in offspring liver, the majority of which were downregulated. Downregulated genes were enriched for functional categories related to sterol, steroid and lipid biosynthesis, as well as mitochondrial protein synthesis. Differential DNA methylation was found at 2869 CpG sites, enriched in promoter regions and permutation analyses confirmed the association with parental feed. Our data indicate that parental 1-C nutrient status can persist as locus specific DNA methylation marks in descendants and suggest an effect on lipid utilization and mitochondrial protein translation in F1 livers. This points toward parental micronutrients status as an important factor for offspring health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Martin Jakt
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | | | - John Arne Dahl
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Johanna Klughammer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marit Espe
- Institute of Marine Research, IMR, Bergen, Norway
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Velazquez MA, Sheth B, Smith SJ, Eckert JJ, Osmond C, Fleming TP. Insulin and branched-chain amino acid depletion during mouse preimplantation embryo culture programmes body weight gain and raised blood pressure during early postnatal life. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:590-600. [PMID: 29196239 PMCID: PMC5764225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mouse maternal low protein diet exclusively during preimplantation development (Emb-LPD) is sufficient to programme altered growth and cardiovascular dysfunction in offspring. Here, we use an in vitro model comprising preimplantation culture in medium depleted in insulin and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), two proposed embryo programming inductive factors from Emb-LPD studies, to examine the consequences for blastocyst organisation and, after embryo transfer (ET), postnatal disease origin. Two-cell embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage in defined KSOM medium supplemented with four combinations of insulin and BCAA concentrations. Control medium contained serum insulin and uterine luminal fluid amino acid concentrations (including BCAA) found in control mothers from the maternal diet model (N-insulin + N-bcaa). Experimental medium (three groups) contained 50% reduction in insulin and/or BCAA (L-insulin + N-bcaa, N-insulin + L-bcaa, and L-insulin + N-bcaa). Lineage-specific cell numbers of resultant blastocysts were not affected by treatment. Following ET, a combined depletion of insulin and BCAA during embryo culture induced a non sex-specific increase in birth weight and weight gain during early postnatal life. Furthermore, male offspring displayed relative hypertension and female offspring reduced heart/body weight, both characteristics of Emb-LPD offspring. Combined depletion of metabolites also resulted in a strong positive correlation between body weight and glucose metabolism that was absent in the control group. Our results support the notion that composition of preimplantation culture medium can programme development and associate with disease origin affecting postnatal growth and cardiovascular phenotypes and implicate two important nutritional mediators in the inductive mechanism. Our data also have implications for human assisted reproductive treatment (ART) practice. Chronic disease may derive from maternal undernutrition during pregnancy, including the periconceptional period. Mouse embryos cultured in medium low in insulin and select amino acids gave rise to offspring with disease symptoms. We propose these metabolite deficiencies around conception induce adverse programming of the early embryo leading to increased disease risk in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Velazquez
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Bhavwanti Sheth
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Stephanie J Smith
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Judith J Eckert
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Clive Osmond
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Tom P Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
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Fenech M. Vitamins Associated with Brain Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer Disease: Biomarkers, Epidemiological and Experimental Evidence, Plausible Mechanisms, and Knowledge Gaps. Adv Nutr 2017; 8:958-970. [PMID: 29141977 PMCID: PMC5682999 DOI: 10.3945/an.117.015610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The key to preventing brain aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer disease (AD) via vitamin intake is first to understand molecular mechanisms, then to deduce relevant biomarkers, and subsequently to test the level of evidence for the impact of vitamins in the relevant pathways and their modulation of dementia risk. This narrative review infers information on mechanisms from gene and metabolic defects associated with MCI and AD, and assesses the role of vitamins using recent results from animal and human studies. Current evidence suggests that all known vitamins and some "quasi-vitamins" are involved as cofactors or influence ≥1 of the 6 key sets of pathways or pathologies associated with MCI or AD, relating to 1) 1-carbon metabolism, 2) DNA damage and repair, 3) mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism, 4) lipid and phospholipid metabolism and myelination, 5) neurotransmitter synthesis and synaptogenesis, and 6) amyloidosis and Tau protein phosphorylation. The contemporary level of evidence for each of the vitamins varies considerably, but it is notable that B vitamins are involved as cofactors in all of the core pathways or pathologies and, together with vitamins C and E, are consistently associated with a protective role against dementia. Outcomes from recent studies indicate that the efficacy and safety of supplementation with vitamins to prevent MCI and the early stages of AD will most likely depend on 1) which pathways are defective, 2) which vitamins are deficient and could correct the relevant metabolic defects, and 3) the modulating impact of nutrient-nutrient and nutrient-genotype interaction. More focus on a precision nutrition approach is required to realize the full potential of vitamin therapy in preventing dementia and to avoid causing harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fenech
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Genome Health and Personalised Nutrition, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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30
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The Role of Maternal Nutrition During the Periconceptional Period and Its Effect on Offspring Phenotype. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1014:87-105. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-62414-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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