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Wu D, Zhang K, Guan K, Khan FA, Pandupuspitasari NS, Negara W, Sun F, Huang C. Future in the past: paternal reprogramming of offspring phenotype and the epigenetic mechanisms. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1685-1703. [PMID: 38460001 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03713-6] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
That certain preconceptual paternal exposures reprogram the developmental phenotypic plasticity in future generation(s) has conceptualized the "paternal programming of offspring health" hypothesis. This transgenerational effect is transmitted primarily through sperm epigenetic mechanisms-DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and associated RNA modifications, and histone modifications-and potentially through non-sperm-specific mechanisms-seminal plasma and circulating factors-that create 'imprinted' memory of ancestral information. The epigenetic landscape in sperm is highly responsive to environmental cues, due to, in part, the soma-to-germline communication mediated by epididymosomes. While human epidemiological studies and experimental animal studies have provided solid evidences in support of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, how ancestral information is memorized as epigenetic codes for germline transmission is poorly understood. Particular elusive is what the downstream effector pathways that decode those epigenetic codes into persistent phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the paternal reprogramming of offspring phenotype and the possible underlying epigenetic mechanisms. Cracking these epigenetic mechanisms will lead to a better appreciation of "Paternal Origins of Health and Disease" and guide innovation of intervention algorithms to achieve 'healthier' outcomes in future generations. All this will revolutionize our understanding of human disease etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Kejia Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Kaifeng Guan
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Faheem Ahmed Khan
- Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta Pusat, 10340, Indonesia
| | | | - Windu Negara
- Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta Pusat, 10340, Indonesia
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Chunjie Huang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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2
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Senaldi L, Hassan N, Cullen S, Balaji U, Trigg N, Gu J, Finkelstein H, Phillips K, Conine C, Smith-Raska M. Khdc3 Regulates Metabolism Across Generations in a DNA-Independent Manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.27.582278. [PMID: 38464133 PMCID: PMC10925209 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.27.582278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Genetic variants can alter the profile of heritable molecules such as small RNAs in sperm and oocytes, and in this manner ancestral genetic variants can have a significant effect on offspring phenotypes even if they are not themselves inherited. Here we show that wild type female mice descended from ancestors with a mutation in the mammalian germ cell gene Khdc3 have hepatic metabolic defects that persist over multiple generations. We find that genetically wild type females descended from Khdc3 mutants have transcriptional dysregulation of critical hepatic metabolic genes, which persist over multiple generations and pass through both female and male lineages. This was associated with dysregulation of hepatically-metabolized molecules in the blood of these wild type mice with mutational ancestry. The oocytes of Khdc3-null females, as well as their wild type descendants, had dysregulation of multiple small RNAs, suggesting that these epigenetic changes in the gametes transmit the phenotype between generations. Our results demonstrate that ancestral mutation in Khdc3 can produce transgenerational inherited phenotypes, potentially indefinitely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Senaldi
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nora Hassan
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sean Cullen
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Uthra Balaji
- Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Trigg
- Departments of Genetics and Paediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jinghua Gu
- Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hailey Finkelstein
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn Phillips
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Colin Conine
- Departments of Genetics and Paediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Smith-Raska
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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3
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Zheng X, Ma W, Wang Y, Wu C, Wang J, Ma Z, Wei Y, Cui C, Zhang S, Guan W, Chen F. Heat Stress-Induced Fetal Intrauterine Growth Restriction Is Associated with Elevated LPS Levels Along the Maternal Intestine-Placenta-Fetus Axis in Pregnant Mice. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:19592-19609. [PMID: 38018895 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The exacerbation of the greenhouse effect has made heat stress (HS) an important risk factor for the occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The experiment aims to uncover the effects of maternal HS on IUGR and its mechanisms. The results showed that HS leads to decreased maternal and fetal birth weights, accompanied by increased serum oxidative stress and cortisol levels. Moreover, HS inflicted significant damage to both the intestinal and placental barriers, altering maternal gut microbiota and increasing intestinal LPS levels. As a result, LPS levels increased in maternal serum, placenta, and fetus. Furthermore, HS damaged the intestinal structure, intensifying inflammation and disrupting the redox balance. The placenta exposed to HS exhibited changes in the placental structure along with disrupted angiogenesis and decreased levels of nutritional transporters. Additionally, the leakage of LPS triggered placental JNK and ERK phosphorylation, ultimately inducing severe placental inflammation and oxidative stress. This study suggests that LPS translocation from the maternal intestine to the fetus, due to a disrupted gut microbiota balance and compromised intestinal and placental barrier integrity, may be the primary cause of HS-induced IUGR. Furthermore, increased LPS leakage leads to placental inflammation, redox imbalance, and impaired nutrient transport, further restricting fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zheng
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wen Ma
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yibo Wang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Caichi Wu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ziwei Ma
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yulong Wei
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chang Cui
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shihai Zhang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Pig Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture in Lingnan, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, China
| | - Wutai Guan
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Pig Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture in Lingnan, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, China
| | - Fang Chen
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Pig Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture in Lingnan, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, China
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4
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Tando Y, Matsui Y. Inheritance of environment-induced phenotypic changes through epigenetic mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2023; 9:dvad008. [PMID: 38094661 PMCID: PMC10719065 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic changes through various parental environmental factors alter the phenotypes of descendants in various organisms. Environmental factors, including exposure to chemicals, stress and abnormal nutrition, affect the epigenome in parental germ cells by different epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modification as well as small RNAs via metabolites. Some current remaining questions are the causal relationship between environment-induced epigenetic changes in germ cells and altered phenotypes of descendants, and the molecular basis of how the abnormal epigenetic changes escape reprogramming in germ cells. In this review, we introduce representative examples of intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance of phenotypic changes through parental environmental factors and the accompanied epigenetic and metabolic changes, with a focus on animal species. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms of epigenomic inheritance and their possible biological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Tando
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Matsui
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
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5
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Giallongo C, Dulcamare I, Giallongo S, Duminuco A, Pieragostino D, Cufaro MC, Amorini AM, Lazzarino G, Romano A, Parrinello N, Di Rosa M, Broggi G, Caltabiano R, Caraglia M, Scrima M, Pasquale LS, Tathode MS, Li Volti G, Motterlini R, Di Raimondo F, Tibullo D, Palumbo GA. MacroH2A1.1 as a crossroad between epigenetics, inflammation and metabolism of mesenchymal stromal cells in myelodysplastic syndromes. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:686. [PMID: 37852977 PMCID: PMC10584900 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Ineffective hematopoiesis is a hallmark of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Hematopoietic alterations in MDS patients strictly correlate with microenvironment dysfunctions, eventually affecting also the mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) compartment. Stromal cells are indeed epigenetically reprogrammed to cooperate with leukemic cells and propagate the disease as "tumor unit"; therefore, changes in MSC epigenetic profile might contribute to the hematopoietic perturbations typical of MDS. Here, we unveil that the histone variant macroH2A1 (mH2A1) regulates the crosstalk between epigenetics and inflammation in MDS-MSCs, potentially affecting their hematopoietic support ability. We show that the mH2A1 splicing isoform mH2A1.1 accumulates in MDS-MSCs, correlating with the expression of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), an important pro-tumor activator of MSC phenotype associated to a pro-inflammatory behavior. MH2A1.1-TLR4 axis was further investigated in HS-5 stromal cells after ectopic mH2A1.1 overexpression (mH2A1.1-OE). Proteomic data confirmed the activation of a pro-inflammatory signature associated to TLR4 and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) activation. Moreover, mH2A1.1-OE proteomic profile identified several upregulated proteins associated to DNA and histones hypermethylation, including S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, a strong inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase and of the methyl donor S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM). HPLC analysis confirmed higher SAM/SAH ratio along with a metabolic reprogramming. Interestingly, an increased LDHA nuclear localization was detected both in mH2A1.1-OE cells and MDS-MSCs, probably depending on MSC inflammatory phenotype. Finally, coculturing healthy mH2A1.1-OE MSCs with CD34+ cells, we found a significant reduction in the number of CD34+ cells, which was reflected in a decreased number of colony forming units (CFU-Cs). These results suggest a key role of mH2A1.1 in driving the crosstalk between epigenetic signaling, inflammation, and cell metabolism networks in MDS-MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Giallongo
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - I Dulcamare
- Division of Hematology, AOU Policlinico, Catania, Italy
| | - S Giallongo
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - A Duminuco
- Division of Hematology, AOU Policlinico, Catania, Italy
| | - D Pieragostino
- Department of Innovative Technologies and Medicine & Odontoiatry, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Analytical Biochemistry and Proteomics Laboratory, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - M C Cufaro
- Department of Innovative Technologies and Medicine & Odontoiatry, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Analytical Biochemistry and Proteomics Laboratory, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - A M Amorini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Lazzarino
- Departmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - A Romano
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - N Parrinello
- Division of Hematology, AOU Policlinico, Catania, Italy
| | - M Di Rosa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Broggi
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - R Caltabiano
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Caraglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - M Scrima
- Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - L S Pasquale
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - M S Tathode
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
- Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - G Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - R Motterlini
- Faculty of Health, University Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, Créteil, France
| | - F Di Raimondo
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - D Tibullo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G A Palumbo
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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6
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Senner CE, Dong Z, Prater M, Branco MR, Watson ED. One-carbon metabolism is required for epigenetic stability in the mouse placenta. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1209928. [PMID: 37440923 PMCID: PMC10333575 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1209928] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism, including the folate cycle, has a crucial role in fetal development though its molecular function is complex and unclear. The hypomorphic Mtrr gt allele is known to disrupt one-carbon metabolism, and thus methyl group availability, leading to several developmental phenotypes (e.g., neural tube closure defects, fetal growth anomalies). Remarkably, previous studies showed that some of the phenotypes were transgenerationally inherited. Here, we explored the genome-wide epigenetic impact of one-carbon metabolism in placentas associated with fetal growth phenotypes and determined whether specific DNA methylation changes were inherited. Firstly, methylome analysis of Mtrr gt/gt homozygous placentas revealed genome-wide epigenetic instability. Several differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified including at the Cxcl1 gene promoter and at the En2 gene locus, which may have phenotypic implications. Importantly, we discovered hypomethylation and ectopic expression of a subset of ERV elements throughout the genome of Mtrr gt/gt placentas with broad implications for genomic stability. Next, we determined that known spermatozoan DMRs in Mtrr gt/gt males were reprogrammed in the placenta with little evidence of direct or transgenerational germline DMR inheritance. However, some spermatozoan DMRs were associated with placental gene misexpression despite normalisation of DNA methylation, suggesting the inheritance of an alternative epigenetic mechanism. Integration of published wildtype histone ChIP-seq datasets with Mtrr gt/gt spermatozoan methylome and placental transcriptome datasets point towards H3K4me3 deposition at key loci. These data suggest that histone modifications might play a role in epigenetic inheritance in this context. Overall, this study sheds light on the mechanistic complexities of one-carbon metabolism in development and epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E. Senner
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ziqi Dong
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Malwina Prater
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel R. Branco
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erica D. Watson
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Santilli F, Boskovic A. Mechanisms of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance: lessons from animal model organisms. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 79:102024. [PMID: 36893483 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic inheritance is a phenomenon whereby stochastic or signal-induced changes to parental germline epigenome modulate phenotypic output in one or more subsequent generations, independently of mutations in the genomic DNA. While the number of reported epigenetic inheritance phenomena across phyla is exponentially growing, much remains to be elucidated about their mechanistic underpinnings, and their significance for organismal homeostasis and adaptation. Here, we review the most recent epigenetic inheritance examples in animal models, outlining molecular details behind environmental sensing by the germline, and the functional relationships connecting epigenetic mechanisms and phenotypic traits after fertilization. We touch upon the experimental challenges associated with studying the scope of environmental input on phenotypic outcomes between generations. Finally, we discuss the implications of mechanistic findings from model organisms for the emergent examples of parental effects in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Santilli
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, Monterotondo, RM, Italy. https://twitter.com/@santilli_flavio
| | - Ana Boskovic
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
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8
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Spadafora C. The epigenetic basis of evolution. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 178:57-69. [PMID: 36720315 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of data are revealing key roles of epigenetics in evolutionary processes. The scope of this manuscript is to assemble in a coherent frame experimental evidence supporting a role of epigenetic factors and networks, active during embryogenesis, in orchestrating variation-inducing phenomena underlying evolution, seen as a global process. This process unfolds over two crucial levels: i) a flow of RNA-based information - predominantly small regulatory RNAs released from somatic cells exposed to environmental stimuli - taken up by spermatozoa and delivered to oocytes at fertilization and ii) the highly permissive and variation-prone environments offered by zygotes and totipotent early embryos. Totipotent embryos provide a variety of biological tools favouring the emergence of evolutionarily significant phenotypic novelties driven by RNA information. Under this light, neither random genomic mutations, nor the sieving role of natural selection are required, as the sperm-delivered RNA cargo conveys specific information and acts as "phenotypic-inducer" of defined environmentally acquired traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
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9
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Folate in maternal rheumatoid arthritis-filial autism spectrum disorder continuum. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 115:29-35. [PMID: 36402436 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects women three times more than men. Epidemiological studies found that the incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurological and developmental disorder, in children born to mothers suffering from RA is higher compared with the control population. Considering that the pathogenesis of ASD could be traced back to pregnancy and in uterine conditions, and the evidence of reduced folate levels in the brain of ASD-affected children, we aimed to study the role of folate, as an important nutritional factor during pregnancy, in associating maternal RA to ASD development in the offspring. Folate balance during RA could be influenced twice, initially during the immune activation associated with disease onset, and later during the treatment with anti-folate drugs, with a potential consequence of folate deficiency. Maternal folate deficiency during pregnancy could increase homocysteine levels, oxidative stress, and global DNA hypomethylation, all known risk factors in ASD pathogenesis. These effects could be intensified by genetic polymorphisms in the folate system, which were also found as genetic risk factors for both RA and ASD. The available evidence suggests that folate level as an important factor during RA, pregnancy and ASD could have pathological and therapeutical significance and should be carefully monitored and investigated in the RA-pregnancy-ASD axis.
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10
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Wang SY, Kim K, O'Brown ZK, Levan A, Dodson AE, Kennedy SG, Chernoff C, Greer EL. Hypoxia induces transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of small RNAs. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111800. [PMID: 36516753 PMCID: PMC9847139 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals sense and adapt to decreased oxygen availability, but whether and how hypoxia exposure in ancestors can elicit phenotypic consequences in normoxia-reared descendants are unclear. We show that hypoxia educes an intergenerational reduction in lipids and a transgenerational reduction in fertility in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The transmission of these epigenetic phenotypes is dependent on repressive histone-modifying enzymes and the argonaute HRDE-1. Feeding naive C. elegans small RNAs extracted from hypoxia-treated worms is sufficient to induce a fertility defect. Furthermore, the endogenous small interfering RNA F44E5.4/5 is upregulated intergenerationally in response to hypoxia, and soaking naive normoxia-reared C. elegans with F44E5.4/5 double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is sufficient to induce an intergenerational fertility defect. Finally, we demonstrate that labeled F44E5.4/5 dsRNA is itself transmitted from parents to children. Our results suggest that small RNAs respond to the environment and are sufficient to transmit non-genetic information from parents to their naive children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Yuan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Kathleen Kim
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zach Klapholz O'Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aileen Levan
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anne Elizabeth Dodson
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Scott G Kennedy
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chaim Chernoff
- Department of Pediatrics, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric Lieberman Greer
- Department of Pediatrics, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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11
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Lu YJ, Li Q, Chen LX, Tian T, Kang J, Hao YX, Zhou JS, Wang YY, Yan LY, Li R, Chang L, Qiao J. Association between maternal MTHFR C677T/A1298C combination polymorphisms and IVF/ICSI outcomes: a retrospective cohort study. Hum Reprod Open 2022; 2023:hoac055. [PMID: 36531663 PMCID: PMC9749479 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the roles of maternal 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T/A1298C combination polymorphisms on the embryological and clinical outcomes of IVF/ICSI? SUMMARY ANSWER Our study reveals for the first time that the oocyte maturation potential gradually decreases with a reduction of maternal MTHFR activity determined by combined C677T/A1298C polymorphisms, while embryo quality was worse in women with intermediate MTHFR activity. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although many previous studies have explored the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and IVF/ICSI outcomes, the results remain contradictory due to inadequate samples, no adjustment for potential confounders and/or the study of C677T and A1298C separately. Few studies have systematically investigated the exact role of MTHFR activity determined by combined C677T/A1298C polymorphisms on the embryological and clinical outcomes of IVF/ICSI. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION This is a retrospective cohort study investigating 1160 women who were referred for MTHFR genotyping and IVF/ICSI treatment at Peking University Third Hospital from May 2017 to May 2020. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS Women who were referred for MTHFR genotyping and their first IVF/ICSI treatment at our hospital were included and those undergoing preimplantation genetic testing cycles were excluded. The included women were divided into different cohorts according to their C677T, A1298C and combined C677T/A1298C genotypes. The embryological outcomes, including oocytes retrieved, metaphase II oocytes, oocyte maturation rate, normal fertilization rate and transplantable embryo rate, were evaluated by generalized linear regression models. The clinical outcomes, including biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate, were evaluated by log-binomial regression models. All outcomes were adjusted for potential confounders. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Women with the combined 677TT/1298AA genotype (hereafter abbreviated as TT/AA, as with other combined genotypes), whose enzyme activity was the lowest, had a lower oocyte maturation rate compared with those with the wild-type genotype (P = 0.007). Moreover, the oocyte maturation rate decreased linearly with the decline in MTHFR enzyme activity determined by combined C677T/A1298C genotypes (P-trend = 0.001). The combined CC/AC, CC/CC&CT/AA and CT/AC genotypes with intermediate enzyme activity were associated with a lower transplantable embryo rate (P = 0.013, 0.030 and 0.039, respectively). The differences in clinical outcomes between women with wild-type genotype and combined C677T/A1298C variant genotypes were not significant. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Our study population had comparable embryological outcomes but worse clinical outcomes than other women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment at our hospital. Therefore, the results related to the clinical outcomes should be generalized with caution. In addition, we did not detect the folate concentration of each patient during pregnancy. However, this might not have much influence on our results because almost all of our study participants took sufficient folic acid around pregnancy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS We provide a holistic view of the effect of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms on the IVF/ICSI outcomes, which can contribute to providing reasonable folic acid supplementation suggestions for women with different MTHFR genotypes, especially for those with a low oocyte maturation rate and/or low embryo quality. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31871447, and 82101677), the National Key Research and Development Program (2019YFA0801400) and the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality (7202226). The authors declare that they have no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jie Lu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Xue Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Kang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Xiu Hao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Suo Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Ying Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Chang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
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12
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Ansari S, Saini S, Jamwal S, Thakur A, Kumar A, Sehrawat P, Devi P, Malakar D. Stage specific gene expression of folate mediated one-carbon metabolism enzymes and transporters in buffalo oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. Gene Expr Patterns 2022; 46:119282. [PMID: 36244619 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2022.119282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
DNA synthesis and methylations are crucial during pre-implantation embryonic development, and are mediated by one-carbon metabolism of folates. Folates, transported into the cells via folate receptors (FOLR1 and FOLR2) and carriers (SLC19A1), are metabolized by various enzymes involved in folate-methionine cycle. However, the variations in temporal expression of folate transporters and folate-methionine cycle enzymes during pre-implantation embryo development is obscure. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the differential expression of the genes for folate transporters and folate-methionine cycle enzymes. We also examined the expression of folate transport proteins in different pre-implantation development stages. Immature buffalo oocytes were matured in maturation medium followed by in vitro fertilization and culture at standard culture conditions. The temporal pattern of gene expression in buffalo, when compared to previous studies, indicated an inter-specific variation. The transcripts of some enzymes and folate transporters were significantly upregulated after zygotic genome activation. The transcripts as well as proteins for FOLR1, FOLR2 and SLC19A1 were present in oocytes and all the pre-implantation embryo stages. FOLR1 was present in the nuclei of different stages of developing embryos but not in the metaphase (MII) oocytes. As a result, the present study advocates the existence of active folate transport in buffalo oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. The data provided by the analysis of differential gene expression of folate transporters and metabolic enzymes would likely contribute to a better understanding of the role of folates in embryo development as well as advancements in assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shama Ansari
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | | | | | | | - Amit Kumar
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | | | - Preeti Devi
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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13
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Guo QN, Wang L, Liu ZY, Wang HD, Wang L, Long JG, Liao SX. Different effects of maternal homocysteine concentration, MTHFR and MTRR genetic polymorphisms on the occurrence of fetal aneuploidy. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:1207-1215. [PMID: 36210274 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Do maternal homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations, MTHFR and MTRR genes have effects on the occurrence of fetal aneuploidy? DESIGN A total of 619 aneuploidy mothers and 192 control mothers were recruited in this study. Differences in distributions of maternal MTHFR 677C>T, MTHFR 1298A>C and MTRR 66A>G genetic polymorphisms and maternal Hcy concentrations between aneuploidy mothers and control mothers were analysed. RESULTS The maternal MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism was found to be a risk factor for the occurrence of many fetal non-mosaic aneuploidies studied here, including trisomies 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, TRA and TS. The maternal MTHFR 1298A>C polymorphism was found to be a risk factor specifically associated with the occurrence of fetal trisomy 15 and fetal TS. The maternal MTRR 66A>G polymorphism was found to be a risk factor only specifically associated with the occurrence of fetal trisomy 21. The Hcy concentrations of mothers of trisomies 22, 21, 18, 16, 15 and TS fetuses were significantly higher than the Hcy concentrations of control mothers. CONCLUSIONS Overall, data suggested an association between these maternal polymorphisms and the susceptibility of fetal non-mosaic trisomy and Turner syndrome. However, these three maternal polymorphisms had different associations with the susceptibility of different fetal aneuploidies, and the elevated maternal Hcy concentration appeared to be a likely risk factor for fetal Turner syndrome and fetal trisomies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Nan Guo
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Shanxi 710049, China; Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China; Henan Cheng-xin Institute of Forensic Clinical Judicial Authentication, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging of Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China
| | - Zheng-Yan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Xinyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinyang Henan 464000, China
| | - Hong-Dan Wang
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China; Henan Cheng-xin Institute of Forensic Clinical Judicial Authentication, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China
| | - Li Wang
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China; Henan Cheng-xin Institute of Forensic Clinical Judicial Authentication, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China
| | - Jian-Gang Long
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Shanxi 710049, China.
| | - Shi-Xiu Liao
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China; Henan Cheng-xin Institute of Forensic Clinical Judicial Authentication, Zhengzhou Henan 450003, China.
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14
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Verdikt R, Armstrong AA, Allard P. Transgenerational inheritance and its modulation by environmental cues. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:31-76. [PMID: 36707214 PMCID: PMC9940302 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The epigenome plays an important role in shaping phenotypes. However, whether the environment can alter an organism's phenotype across several generations through epigenetic remodeling in the germline is still a highly debated topic. In this chapter, we briefly review the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and their connection with germline development before highlighting specific developmental windows of susceptibility to environmental cues. We further discuss the evidence of transgenerational inheritance to a range of different environmental cues, both epidemiological in humans and experimental in rodent models. Doing so, we pinpoint the current challenges in demonstrating transgenerational inheritance to environmental cues and offer insight in how recent technological advances may help deciphering the epigenetic mechanisms at play. Together, we draw a detailed picture of how our environment can influence our epigenomes, ultimately reshaping our phenotypes, in an extended theory of inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane Verdikt
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Abigail A Armstrong
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Patrick Allard
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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15
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Yu W, Yao J, Zhang Z. Simultaneous Detection of Three Genotypes of Gene Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase and Methionine Synthase Reductase Based on Multiplex Asymmetric Real-Time PCR-HRM Biosensing. Anal Chem 2022; 94:13052-13060. [PMID: 36094399 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Genotyping of folate metabolism genes is of great importance in disease diagnosis and prevention. However, most current detection methods used for folate metabolism gene genotyping are based on sequencing and chips, which suffer from a high cost and laborious and time-consuming procedures. Herein, we reported a multiplex asymmetric PCR-HRM strategy for identifying genotypes of folate metabolism genes in a single tube. The proposed multiplex PCR-HRM assay has been successfully applied to identify the genotypes of folate metabolism genes, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (C677T, A1298C) and methionine synthase reductase A66G, on 1 μL of genomic DNA (gDNA) samples directly released from blood specimens, and the genotyping results were 100% consistent with the results of sequencing. The assay allows us to accurately detect the genotypes of gDNA with the detection limit down to 1 ng, which meets the clinical requirement. What is more, the capacity of resistance to aerosol pollution of the multiplex asymmetric PCR-HRM biosensing was first addressed and has been evaluated as it can withstand contamination of roughly 12.5-25% interfering nucleic acids. Because of the advantages of multiplex detection, high accuracy, and resistance to aerosol pollution and having no open tube procedure, this approach would pave the way for establishing a fast and cost-effective platform for folate metabolism gene genotyping and other SNP genotyping in clinical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital and Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Juan Yao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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16
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Capatina N, Burton GJ, Yung HW. Elevated homocysteine activates unfolded protein responses and causes aberrant trophoblast differentiation and mouse blastocyst development. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15467. [PMID: 36117391 PMCID: PMC9483615 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia may arise from folate/vitamin B12 deficiency, genetic polymorphisms, kidney disease, or hypothyroidism. It is associated with an increased risk of early pregnancy loss and placenta-related complications of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. While the majority of studies of hyperhomocysteinemia focus on epigenetic changes secondary to metabolic disruption, the effects of homocysteine toxicity on placental development remain unexplored. Here, we investigated the influence of hyperhomocysteinemia on early blastocyst development and trophoblast differentiation. Exposure of cultured blastocysts to high homocysteine levels reduces cell number in the trophectoderm layer, most likely through increased apoptosis. Homocysteine also promotes differentiation of a trophoblast stem cell line. Both effects diminish the stem cell pool, and are mediated in an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPRER )-dependent manner. Targeted alleviation of UPRER may therefore provide a new therapeutic intervention to improve pregnancy outcome in women with hyperhomocysteinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadejda Capatina
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast ResearchUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Graham J. Burton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast ResearchUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Hong Wa Yung
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast ResearchUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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17
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Engelhardt DM, Martyr CA, Niswander L. Pathogenesis of neural tube defects: The regulation and disruption of cellular processes underlying neural tube closure. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1559. [PMID: 35504597 PMCID: PMC9605354 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube closure (NTC) is crucial for proper development of the brain and spinal cord and requires precise morphogenesis from a sheet of cells to an intact three-dimensional structure. NTC is dependent on successful regulation of hundreds of genes, a myriad of signaling pathways, concentration gradients, and is influenced by epigenetic and environmental cues. Failure of NTC is termed a neural tube defect (NTD) and is a leading class of congenital defects in the United States and worldwide. Though NTDs are all defined as incomplete closure of the neural tube, the pathogenesis of an NTD determines the type, severity, positioning, and accompanying phenotypes. In this review, we survey pathogenesis of NTDs relating to disruption of cellular processes arising from genetic mutations, altered epigenetic regulation, and environmental influences by micronutrients and maternal condition. This article is categorized under: Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Neurological Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Neurological Diseases > Stem Cells and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Engelhardt
- Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Cara A Martyr
- Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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18
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Li X, Wang M, Liu S, Chen X, Qiao Y, Yang X, Yao J, Wu S. Paternal transgenerational nutritional epigenetic effect: A new insight into nutritional manipulation to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal feeding. ANIMAL NUTRITION 2022; 11:142-151. [PMID: 36204282 PMCID: PMC9527621 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The use of antibiotics in animal feeding has been banned in many countries because of increasing concerns about the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and potential issues on food safety. Searching for antibiotic substitutes is essential. Applying transgenerational epigenetic technology to animal production could be an alternative. Some environmental changes can be transferred to memory-like responses in the offspring through epigenetic mechanisms without changing the DNA sequence. In this paper, we reviewed those nutrients and non-nutritional additives that have transgenerational epigenetic effects, including some amino acids, vitamins, and polysaccharides. The paternal transgenerational nutritional epigenetic regulation was particularly focused on mechanism of the substantial contribution of male stud animals to the animal industries. We illustrated the effects of paternal transgenerational epigenetics on the metabolism and immunity in farming animals and proposed strategies to modulate male breeding livestock or poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Stockholm 17165, Sweden
| | - Mengya Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Shimin Liu
- Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yu Qiao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Department of Animal Engineering, Yangling Vocational and Technical College, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Junhu Yao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Shengru Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Corresponding authors.
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19
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Gualdoni GS, Pérez-Tito L, Barril C, Sobarzo C, Cebral E. Abnormal growth and morphogenesis of placenta at term is linked to adverse fetal development after perigestational alcohol consumption up to early gestation in mouse. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:611-630. [PMID: 35775613 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestation alcohol consumption produces fetal growth restriction and malformations by affecting the embryo-fetal development. Recently a relationship between abnormal placentation and fetal malformation and intrauterine growth retardation has been suggested. However, the effects of perigestational alcohol ingestion up to early pregnancy on the placenta at term and its association with fetal abnormalities are little known. METHODS In female mice, ethanol 10% in water was administered for 15 days previous and up to days 4 (D4), 8 (D8), or 10 (D10) of gestation (TF), and gestation continues without ethanol exposure. Control females (CF) received ethanol-free water. At day 18, feto-placental units and implantation sites were studied. RESULTS TF had increased resorptions and only fetuses from D8-TF and D10-TF had significantly increased weights versus CF. D4 and D10-TF-placentas had significantly reduced weights. All TF had increased junctional zone (JZ) and reduced labyrinth (Lab) areas (PAS-histology and morphometry) compared with CF. Fetuses with mainly with craniofacial abnormalities and skeletal defects (Alizarin red staining), significantly increase; while the fetal bone density (alizarin color intensity, ImageJ) was reduced in D4, D8 and D10-TF versus CF. Although all TF-placentas were histo-structural affected, TF-abnormal fetuses had the most severe placental anomalies, with junctional abundant glycogenic cells into the labyrinth, disorganized labyrinthine vascularization with signs of leukocyte infiltrates and feto-maternal blood mix. CONCLUSIONS Perigestational alcohol consumption up to early gestation induces at term fetal growth alterations, dysmorphology and defective skeleton, linked to deficient growth and abnormal morphogenesis of placenta, highlighting insight into the prenatal etiology of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Soledad Gualdoni
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leticia Pérez-Tito
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Camila Barril
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian Sobarzo
- Facultad de Medicina, CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elisa Cebral
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Linglart L, Bonnet D. Epigenetics and Congenital Heart Diseases. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9060185. [PMID: 35735814 PMCID: PMC9225036 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9060185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a frequent occurrence, with a prevalence rate of almost 1% in the general population. However, the pathophysiology of the anomalous heart development is still unclear in most patients screened. A definitive genetic origin, be it single-point mutation or larger chromosomal disruptions, only explains about 35% of identified cases. The precisely choreographed embryology of the heart relies on timed activation of developmental molecular cascades, spatially and temporally regulated through epigenetic regulation: chromatin conformation, DNA priming through methylation patterns, and spatial accessibility to transcription factors. This multi-level regulatory network is eminently susceptible to outside disruption, resulting in faulty cardiac development. Similarly, the heart is unique in its dynamic development: growth is intrinsically related to mechanical stimulation, and disruption of the intrauterine environment will have a direct impact on fetal embryology. These two converging axes offer new areas of research to characterize the cardiac epigenetic regulation and identify points of fragility in order to counteract its teratogenic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Linglart
- M3C-Necker, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Damien Bonnet
- M3C-Necker, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75015 Paris, France;
- School of Medicine, Université de Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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21
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Fishchuk L, Rossokha Z, Pokhylko V, Cherniavska Y, Popova O, Tsvirenko S, Gorovenko N. Associations of variants of folate cycle genes with features of the clinical course of severe intraventricular hemorrhages in premature infants. J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2022; 15:545-551. [PMID: 35342056 DOI: 10.3233/npm-210962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Summary data indicate that it has increased attention to the study of the role of the folate cycle and the genes encoding its key components in the complicated course of the neonatal period in premature infants. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of folate cycle gene variants with the features of the neonatal course in premature infants with severe intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH). METHODS The study included 24 preterm infants with with IVHs of 3d and 4th degree that received standard clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination. RESULTS Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly lower in patients with AA genotype according to variant A1298C of the MTHFR gene. The concentration of total protein on 6th day after birth was negatively correlated with the A66G variant of the MTRR gene. The mean concentration of ionized calcium in the first day after birth was higher in the subgroup of patients with the AA genotype (according to variant A1298C of the MTHFR gene). In the subgroup of patients requiring mechanical ventilation, the frequency of AA genotype according to variant A2756G of the MTR gene was significantly increased. The presence of respiratory disorders and oxygen dependence was negatively correlated with variant A1298C MTHFR. The day of surfactant administration was positively correlated with variant A1298C of the MTHFR gene. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that gene variants MTHFR (C677T, A1298C), MTRR (A66G), MTR (A2756G), RFC1 (G80A) may affect the neonatal course in premature infants with severe IVH.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fishchuk
- State Institution "Reference-centre for Molecular Diagnostic of Public Health Ministry of Ukraine", Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Z Rossokha
- State Institution "Reference-centre for Molecular Diagnostic of Public Health Ministry of Ukraine", Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - V Pokhylko
- Department of Pediatrics No. 1 with Propaedeutics and Neonatology, Poltava State Medical University, Poltava, Ukraine
| | - Yu Cherniavska
- Department of Pediatrics No. 1 with Propaedeutics and Neonatology, Poltava State Medical University, Poltava, Ukraine
| | - O Popova
- State Institution "Reference-centre for Molecular Diagnostic of Public Health Ministry of Ukraine", Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - S Tsvirenko
- Department of Pediatrics No. 1 with Propaedeutics and Neonatology, Poltava State Medical University, Poltava, Ukraine
| | - N Gorovenko
- Department of Medical and Laboratory Genetics, Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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22
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Sperm Histone H3 Lysine 4 tri-methylation serves as a metabolic sensor of paternal obesity and is associated with the inheritance of metabolic dysfunction. Mol Metab 2022; 59:101463. [PMID: 35183795 PMCID: PMC8931445 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Parental environmental exposures can strongly influence descendant risks for adult disease. How paternal obesity changes the sperm chromatin leading to the acquisition of metabolic disease in offspring remains controversial and ill-defined. The objective of this study was to assess (1) whether obesity induced by a high-fat diet alters sperm histone methylation; (2) whether paternal obesity can induce metabolic disturbances across generations; (3) whether there could be cumulative damage to the sperm epigenome leading to enhanced metabolic dysfunction in descendants; and (4) whether obesity-sensitive regions associate with embryonic epigenetic and transcriptomic profiles. Using a genetic mouse model of epigenetic inheritance, we investigated the role of histone H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me3) in the paternal transmission of metabolic dysfunction. This transgenic mouse overexpresses the histone demethylase enzyme KDM1A in the developing germline and has an altered sperm epigenome at the level of histone H3K4 methylation. We hypothesized that challenging transgenic sires with a high-fat diet would further erode the sperm epigenome and lead to enhanced metabolic disturbances in the next generations. Methods To assess whether paternal obesity can have inter- or transgenerational impacts, and if so to identify potential mechanisms of this non-genetic inheritance, we used wild-type C57BL/6NCrl and transgenic males with a pre-existing altered sperm epigenome. To induce obesity, sires were fed either a control or high-fat diet (10% or 60% kcal fat, respectively) for 10–12 weeks, then bred to wild-type C57BL/6NCrl females fed a regular diet. F1 and F2 descendants were characterized for metabolic phenotypes by examining the effects of paternal obesity by sex, on body weight, fat mass distribution, the liver transcriptome, intraperitoneal glucose, and insulin tolerance tests. To determine whether obesity altered the F0 sperm chromatin, native chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing targeting H3K4me3 was performed. To gain insight into mechanisms of paternal transmission, we compared our sperm H3K4me3 profiles with embryonic and placental chromatin states, histone modification, and gene expression profiles. Results Obesity-induced alterations in H3K4me3 occurred in genes implicated in metabolic, inflammatory, and developmental processes. These processes were associated with offspring metabolic dysfunction and corresponded to genes enriched for H3K4me3 in embryos and overlapped embryonic and placenta gene expression profiles. Transgenerational susceptibility to metabolic disease was only observed when obese F0 had a pre-existing modified sperm epigenome. This coincided with increased H3K4me3 alterations in sperm and more severe phenotypes affecting their offspring. Conclusions Our data suggest sperm H3K4me3 might serve as a metabolic sensor that connects paternal diet with offspring phenotypes via the placenta. This non-DNA-based knowledge of inheritance has the potential to improve our understanding of how environment shapes heritability and may lead to novel routes for the prevention of disease. This study highlights the need to further study the connection between the sperm epigenome, placental development, and children's health. Summary sentence Paternal obesity impacts sperm H3K4me3 and is associated with placenta, embryonic and metabolic outcomes in descendants. Sperm H3K4me3 serves as a metabolic sensor of HFD-induced obesity. Obesity-altered sperm H3K4me3 corresponds to embryonic transcription and chromatin profiles. HFD- and KDM1A-induced cumulative sperm epimutations enhanced F1 metabolic dysfunction. Sperm epimutations may influence placenta function inducing F1 metabolic phenotypes.
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Saini S, Sharma V, Ansari S, Kumar A, Thakur A, Malik H, Kumar S, Malakar D. Folate supplementation during oocyte maturation positively impacts the folate-methionine metabolism in pre-implantation embryos. Theriogenology 2022; 182:63-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Doan TNA, Akison LK, Bianco-Miotto T. Epigenetic Mechanisms Responsible for the Transgenerational Inheritance of Intrauterine Growth Restriction Phenotypes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:838737. [PMID: 35432208 PMCID: PMC9008301 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.838737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A poorly functioning placenta results in impaired exchanges of oxygen, nutrition, wastes and hormones between the mother and her fetus. This can lead to restriction of fetal growth. These growth restricted babies are at increased risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, later in life. Animal studies have shown that growth restricted phenotypes are sex-dependent and can be transmitted to subsequent generations through both the paternal and maternal lineages. Altered epigenetic mechanisms, specifically changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs that regulate expression of genes that are important for fetal development have been shown to be associated with the transmission pattern of growth restricted phenotypes. This review will discuss the subsequent health outcomes in the offspring after growth restriction and the transmission patterns of these diseases. Evidence of altered epigenetic mechanisms in association with fetal growth restriction will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu Ngoc Anh Doan
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lisa K. Akison
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tina Bianco-Miotto
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Tina Bianco-Miotto,
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25
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Wilkinson AL, Menelaou K, Rakoczy J, Tan XS, Watson ED. Disruption of Folate Metabolism Causes Poor Alignment and Spacing of Mouse Conceptuses for Multiple Generations. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:723978. [PMID: 34957089 PMCID: PMC8703036 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.723978] [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: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal uptake or metabolism of folate increases risk of human pregnancy complications, though the mechanism is unclear. Here, we explore how defective folate metabolism influences early development by analysing mice with the hypomorphic Mtrrgt mutation. MTRR is necessary for methyl group utilisation from folate metabolism, and the Mtrrgt allele disrupts this process. We show that the spectrum of phenotypes previously observed in Mtrrgt/gt conceptuses at embryonic day (E) 10.5 is apparent from E8.5 including developmental delay, congenital malformations, and placental phenotypes. Notably, we report misalignment of some Mtrrgt conceptuses within their implantation sites from E6.5. The degree of misorientation occurs across a continuum, with the most severe form visible upon gross dissection. Additionally, some Mtrrgt/gt conceptuses display twinning. Therefore, we implicate folate metabolism in blastocyst orientation and spacing at implantation. Skewed growth likely influences embryo development since developmental delay and heart malformations (but not defects in neural tube closure or trophoblast differentiation) associate with severe misalignment of Mtrrgt/gt conceptuses. Typically, the uterus is thought to guide conceptus orientation. To investigate a uterine effect of the Mtrrgt allele, we manipulate the maternal Mtrr genotype. Misaligned conceptuses were observed in litters of Mtrr+/+, Mtrr+/gt, and Mtrrgt/gt mothers. While progesterone and/or BMP2 signalling might be disrupted, normal decidual morphology, patterning, and blood perfusion are evident at E6.5 regardless of conceptus orientation. These observations argue against a post-implantation uterine defect as a cause of conceptus misalignment. Since litters of Mtrr+/+ mothers display conceptus misalignment, a grandparental effect is explored. Multigenerational phenotype inheritance is characteristic of the Mtrrgt model, though the mechanism remains unclear. Genetic pedigree analysis reveals that severe conceptus skewing associates with the Mtrr genotype of either maternal grandparent. Moreover, the presence of conceptus skewing after embryo transfer into a control uterus indicates that misalignment is independent of the peri- and/or post-implantation uterus and instead is likely attributed to an embryonic mechanism that is epigenetically inherited. Overall, our data indicates that abnormal folate metabolism influences conceptus orientation over multiple generations with implications for subsequent development. This study casts light on the complex role of folate metabolism during development beyond a direct maternal effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Wilkinson
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katerina Menelaou
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Rakoczy
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Xiu S Tan
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Erica D Watson
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Amino Acid Transport and Metabolism Regulate Early Embryo Development: Species Differences, Clinical Significance, and Evolutionary Implications. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113154. [PMID: 34831375 PMCID: PMC8618253 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review we discuss the beneficial effects of amino acid transport and metabolism on pre- and peri-implantation embryo development, and we consider how disturbances in these processes lead to undesirable health outcomes in adults. Proline, glutamine, glycine, and methionine transport each foster cleavage-stage development, whereas leucine uptake by blastocysts via transport system B0,+ promotes the development of trophoblast motility and the penetration of the uterine epithelium in mammalian species exhibiting invasive implantation. (Amino acid transport systems and transporters, such as B0,+, are often oddly named. The reader is urged to focus on the transporters’ functions, not their names.) B0,+ also accumulates leucine and other amino acids in oocytes of species with noninvasive implantation, thus helping them to produce proteins to support later development. This difference in the timing of the expression of system B0,+ is termed heterochrony—a process employed in evolution. Disturbances in leucine uptake via system B0,+ in blastocysts appear to alter the subsequent development of embryos, fetuses, and placentae, with undesirable consequences for offspring. These consequences may include greater adiposity, cardiovascular dysfunction, hypertension, neural abnormalities, and altered bone growth in adults. Similarly, alterations in amino acid transport and metabolism in pluripotent cells in the blastocyst inner cell mass likely lead to epigenetic DNA and histone modifications that produce unwanted transgenerational health outcomes. Such outcomes might be avoided if we learn more about the mechanisms of these effects.
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27
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Guéant JL, Guéant-Rodriguez RM, Kosgei VJ, Coelho D. Causes and consequences of impaired methionine synthase activity in acquired and inherited disorders of vitamin B 12 metabolism. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 57:133-155. [PMID: 34608838 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1979459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Methyl-Cobalamin (Cbl) derives from dietary vitamin B12 and acts as a cofactor of methionine synthase (MS) in mammals. MS encoded by MTR catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine to generate methionine and tetrahydrofolate, which fuel methionine and cytoplasmic folate cycles, respectively. Methionine is the precursor of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), the universal methyl donor of transmethylation reactions. Impaired MS activity results from inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption of B12 and inborn errors of Cbl metabolism (IECM). The mechanisms at the origin of the high variability of clinical presentation of impaired MS activity are classically considered as the consequence of the disruption of the folate cycle and related synthesis of purines and pyrimidines and the decreased synthesis of endogenous methionine and SAM. For one decade, data on cellular and animal models of B12 deficiency and IECM have highlighted other key pathomechanisms, including altered interactome of MS with methionine synthase reductase, MMACHC, and MMADHC, endoplasmic reticulum stress, altered cell signaling, and genomic/epigenomic dysregulations. Decreased MS activity increases catalytic protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and produces imbalanced phosphorylation/methylation of nucleocytoplasmic RNA binding proteins, including ELAVL1/HuR protein, with subsequent nuclear sequestration of mRNAs and dramatic alteration of gene expression, including SIRT1. Decreased SAM and SIRT1 activity induce ER stress through impaired SIRT1-deacetylation of HSF1 and hypomethylation/hyperacetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC1α), which deactivate nuclear receptors and lead to impaired energy metabolism and neuroplasticity. The reversibility of these pathomechanisms by SIRT1 agonists opens promising perspectives in the treatment of IECM outcomes resistant to conventional supplementation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Louis Guéant
- UMR Inserm 1256 N-GERE (Nutrition, Génetique et Exposition aux Risques Environmentaux), Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Departments of Digestive Diseases and Molecular Medicine and National Center of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, University Hospital Center, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Rosa-Maria Guéant-Rodriguez
- UMR Inserm 1256 N-GERE (Nutrition, Génetique et Exposition aux Risques Environmentaux), Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Departments of Digestive Diseases and Molecular Medicine and National Center of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, University Hospital Center, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Viola J Kosgei
- UMR Inserm 1256 N-GERE (Nutrition, Génetique et Exposition aux Risques Environmentaux), Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - David Coelho
- UMR Inserm 1256 N-GERE (Nutrition, Génetique et Exposition aux Risques Environmentaux), Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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Abstract
More than a century ago, August Weissman defined a distinction between the germline (responsible for propagating heritable information from generation to generation) and the perishable soma. A central motivation for this distinction was to argue against the inheritance of acquired characters, as the germline was partly defined by its protection from external conditions. However, recent decades have seen an explosion of studies documenting the intergenerational and transgenerational effects of environmental conditions, forcing a re-evaluation of how external signals are sensed by, or communicated to, the germline epigenome. Here, motivated by the centrality of small RNAs in paradigms of epigenetic inheritance, we review across species the myriad examples of intercellular RNA trafficking from nurse cells or somatic tissues to developing gametes.
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29
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Burton NO, Greer EL. Multigenerational epigenetic inheritance: Transmitting information across generations. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 127:121-132. [PMID: 34426067 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Inherited epigenetic information has been observed to regulate a variety of complex organismal phenotypes across diverse taxa of life. This continually expanding body of literature suggests that epigenetic inheritance plays a significant, and potentially fundamental, role in inheritance. Despite the important role these types of effects play in biology, the molecular mediators of this non-genetic transmission of information are just now beginning to be deciphered. Here we provide an intellectual framework for interpreting these findings and how they can interact with each other. We also define the different types of mechanisms that have been found to mediate epigenetic inheritance and to regulate whether epigenetic information persists for one or many generations. The field of epigenetic inheritance is entering an exciting phase, in which we are beginning to understand the mechanisms by which non-genetic information is transmitted to, and deciphered by, subsequent generations to maintain essential environmental information without permanently altering the genetic code. A more complete understanding of how and when epigenetic inheritance occurs will advance our understanding of numerous different aspects of biology ranging from how organisms cope with changing environments to human pathologies influenced by a parent's environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas O Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
| | - Eric L Greer
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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30
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Gerra MC, Dallabona C, Arendt-Nielsen L. Epigenetic Alterations in Prescription Opioid Misuse: New Strategies for Precision Pain Management. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081226. [PMID: 34440400 PMCID: PMC8392465 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prescription opioids are used for some chronic pain conditions. However, generally, long-term therapy has unwanted side effects which may trigger addiction, overdose, and eventually cause deaths. Opioid addiction and chronic pain conditions have both been associated with evidence of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Despite intense research interest, many questions about the contribution of epigenetic changes to this typology of addiction vulnerability and development remain unanswered. The aim of this review was to summarize the epigenetic modifications detected in specific tissues or brain areas and associated with opioid prescription and misuse in patients who have initiated prescribed opioid management for chronic non-cancer pain. The review considers the effects of opioid exposure on the epigenome in central and peripheral tissues in animal models and human subjects and highlights the mechanisms in which opioid epigenetics may be involved. This will improve our current understanding, provide the basis for targeted, personalized pain management, and thus balance opioid risks and benefits in managing chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristina Dallabona
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43123 Parma, Italy;
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
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Bertozzi TM, Becker JL, Blake GET, Bansal A, Nguyen DK, Fernandez-Twinn DS, Ozanne SE, Bartolomei MS, Simmons RA, Watson ED, Ferguson-Smith AC. Variably methylated retrotransposons are refractory to a range of environmental perturbations. Nat Genet 2021; 53:1233-1242. [PMID: 34326545 PMCID: PMC7611517 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The agouti viable yellow (Avy) allele is an insertional mutation in the mouse genome caused by a variably methylated intracisternal A particle (VM-IAP) retrotransposon. Avy expressivity is sensitive to a range of early-life chemical exposures and nutritional interventions, suggesting that environmental perturbations can have long-lasting effects on the methylome. However, the extent to which VM-IAP elements are environmentally labile with phenotypic implications is unknown. Using a recently identified repertoire of VM-IAPs, we assessed the epigenetic effects of different environmental contexts. A longitudinal aging analysis indicated that VM-IAPs are stable across the murine lifespan, with only small increases in DNA methylation detected for a subset of loci. No significant effects were observed after maternal exposure to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A, an obesogenic diet or methyl donor supplementation. A genetic mouse model of abnormal folate metabolism exhibited shifted VM-IAP methylation levels and altered VM-IAP-associated gene expression, yet these effects are likely largely driven by differential targeting by polymorphic KRAB zinc finger proteins. We conclude that epigenetic variability at retrotransposons is not predictive of environmental susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georgina E T Blake
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amita Bansal
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Australian National University Medical School, John Curtin School of Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Duy K Nguyen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Denise S Fernandez-Twinn
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Simmons
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erica D Watson
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Cullen SM, Hassan N, Smith-Raska M. Effects of non-inherited ancestral genotypes on offspring phenotypes. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:747-760. [PMID: 34159361 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that environmental exposures can modify the profile of heritable factors in an individual's germ cells, ultimately affecting the inheritance of phenotypes in descendants. Similar to exposures, an ancestor's genotype can also affect the inheritance of phenotypes across generations, sometimes in offspring who do not inherit the genetic aberration. This can occur via a variety of prenatal, in utero, or postnatal mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the evidence for this process in mammals, with a focus on examples that are potentially mediated through the germline, while also considering alternate routes of inheritance. Non-inherited ancestral genotypes may influence descendant's disease risk to a much greater extent than currently appreciated, and focused evaluation of this phenomenon may reveal novel mechanisms of inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Cullen
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69th Street, Room 1252D, New York, NY 10021
| | - Nora Hassan
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69th Street, Room 1252D, New York, NY 10021
| | - Matthew Smith-Raska
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69th Street, Room 1252D, New York, NY 10021
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Defective folate metabolism causes germline epigenetic instability and distinguishes Hira as a phenotype inheritance biomarker. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3714. [PMID: 34140513 PMCID: PMC8211854 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24036-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanism behind transgenerational epigenetic inheritance is unclear, particularly through the maternal grandparental line. We previously showed that disruption of folate metabolism in mice by the Mtrr hypomorphic mutation results in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of congenital malformations. Either maternal grandparent can initiate this phenomenon, which persists for at least four wildtype generations. Here, we use genome-wide approaches to reveal genetic stability in the Mtrr model and genome-wide differential DNA methylation in the germline of Mtrr mutant maternal grandfathers. We observe that, while epigenetic reprogramming occurs, wildtype grandprogeny and great grandprogeny exhibit transcriptional changes that correlate with germline methylation defects. One region encompasses the Hira gene, which is misexpressed in embryos for at least three wildtype generations in a manner that distinguishes Hira transcript expression as a biomarker of maternal phenotypic inheritance.
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Interaction between Metformin, Folate and Vitamin B 12 and the Potential Impact on Fetal Growth and Long-Term Metabolic Health in Diabetic Pregnancies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115759. [PMID: 34071182 PMCID: PMC8198407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin is the first-line treatment for many people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to maintain glycaemic control. Recent evidence suggests metformin can cross the placenta during pregnancy, thereby exposing the fetus to high concentrations of metformin and potentially restricting placental and fetal growth. Offspring exposed to metformin during gestation are at increased risk of being born small for gestational age (SGA) and show signs of ‘catch up’ growth and obesity during childhood which increases their risk of future cardiometabolic diseases. The mechanisms by which metformin impacts on the fetal growth and long-term health of the offspring remain to be established. Metformin is associated with maternal vitamin B12 deficiency and antifolate like activity. Vitamin B12 and folate balance is vital for one carbon metabolism, which is essential for DNA methylation and purine/pyrimidine synthesis of nucleic acids. Folate:vitamin B12 imbalance induced by metformin may lead to genomic instability and aberrant gene expression, thus promoting fetal programming. Mitochondrial aerobic respiration may also be affected, thereby inhibiting placental and fetal growth, and suppressing mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity for cellular nutrient transport. Vitamin supplementation, before or during metformin treatment in pregnancy, could be a promising strategy to improve maternal vitamin B12 and folate levels and reduce the incidence of SGA births and childhood obesity. Heterogeneous diagnostic and screening criteria for GDM and the transient nature of nutrient biomarkers have led to inconsistencies in clinical study designs to investigate the effects of metformin on folate:vitamin B12 balance and child development. As rates of diabetes in pregnancy continue to escalate, more women are likely to be prescribed metformin; thus, it is of paramount importance to improve our understanding of metformin’s transgenerational effects to develop prophylactic strategies for the prevention of adverse fetal outcomes.
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Costa Dos Santos G, Renovato-Martins M, de Brito NM. The remodel of the "central dogma": a metabolomics interaction perspective. Metabolomics 2021; 17:48. [PMID: 33969452 PMCID: PMC8106972 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-021-01800-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 1957, Francis Crick drew a linear diagram on a blackboard. This diagram is often called the "central dogma." Subsequently, the relationships between different steps of the "central dogma" have been shown to be considerably complex, mostly because of the emerging world of small molecules. It is noteworthy that metabolites can be generated from the diet through gut microbiome metabolism, serve as substrates for epigenetic modifications, destabilize DNA quadruplexes, and follow Lamarckian inheritance. Small molecules were once considered the missing link in the "central dogma"; however, recently they have acquired a central role, and their general perception as downstream products has become reductionist. Metabolomics is a large-scale analysis of metabolites, and this emerging field has been shown to be the closest omics associated with the phenotype and concomitantly, the basis for all omics. AIM OF REVIEW Herein, we propose a broad updated perspective for the flux of information diagram centered in metabolomics, including the influence of other factors, such as epigenomics, diet, nutrition, and the gut- microbiome. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW Metabolites are the beginning and the end of the flux of information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilson Costa Dos Santos
- Laboratory of NMR Metabolomics, IBRAG, Department of Genetics, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20551-030, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Renovato-Martins
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, IB, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, 24210-200, Brazil
| | - Natália Mesquita de Brito
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, IBRAG, Department of Cell Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20551-030, Brazil.
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Liu CT, Karasik D, Xu H, Zhou Y, Broe K, Cupples LA, Cpgm de Groot L, Ham A, Hannan MT, Hsu YH, Jacques P, McLean RR, Paul L, Selhub J, Trajanoska K, van der Velde N, van Schoor N, Kiel DP. Genetic variants modify the associations of concentrations of methylmalonic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and folate with bone mineral density. Am J Clin Nutr 2021; 114:578-587. [PMID: 33964857 PMCID: PMC8326042 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated plasma homocysteine has been found to be associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, especially hip and vertebral fractures. The plasma concentration of homocysteine is dependent on the activities of several B vitamin-dependent enzymes, such as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). OBJECTIVES We investigated whether genetic variants in some of the genes involved in 1 carbon metabolism modify the association of B vitamin-related measures with bone mineral density (BMD) and strength. METHODS We measured several B vitamins and biomarkers in participants of the Framingham Offspring Study, and performed analyses of methylmalonic acid (MMA) continuously and <210 nmol/L; pyridoxal-5'-phosphate; vitamin B-12 continuously and ≥258 pmol/L; and folate. The outcomes of interest included areal and volumetric BMD, measured by DXA and quantitative computed tomography (QCT), respectively. We evaluated associations between the bone measures and interactions of single nucleotide polymorphism with a B vitamin or biomarker in Framingham participants (n = 4310 for DXA and n = 3127 for QCT). For analysis of DXA, we validated the association results in the B-PROOF cohort (n = 1072). Bonferroni-corrected locus-wide significant thresholds were defined to account for multiple testing. RESULTS The interactions between rs2274976 and vitamin B-12 and rs34671784 and MMA <210 nmol/L were associated with lumbar spine BMD, and the interaction between rs6586281 and vitamin B-12 ≥258 pmol/L was associated with femoral neck BMD. For QCT-derived traits, 62 interactions between genetic variants and B vitamins and biomarkers were identified. CONCLUSIONS Some genetic variants in the 1-carbon methylation pathway modify the association of B vitamin and biomarker concentrations with bone density and strength. These interactions require further replication and functional validation for a mechanistic understanding of the role of the 1-carbon metabolism pathway on BMD and risks of fracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ti Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Karasik
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel,Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hanfei Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yanhua Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry Broe
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L Adrienne Cupples
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Annelies Ham
- Erasmus MC Department of Internal Medicine Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marian T Hannan
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yi-Hsiang Hsu
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul Jacques
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, USA,Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, USA
| | - Robert R McLean
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA,Corrona, LLC, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Ligi Paul
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, USA,Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, USA
| | - Jacob Selhub
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, USA,Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, USA
| | - Katerina Trajanoska
- Erasmus MC Department of Internal Medicine Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie van der Velde
- Erasmus MC Department of Internal Medicine Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands,Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natasja van Schoor
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Douglas P Kiel
- Address correspondence to C-TL (e-mail: ) or DPK (e-mail: )
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Dreumont N, Mimoun K, Pourié C, Quadros EV, Alberto JM, Umoret R, Helle D, Robert A, Daval JL, Guéant JL, Pourié G. Glucocorticoid Receptor Activation Restores Learning Memory by Modulating Hippocampal Plasticity in a Mouse Model of Brain Vitamin B 12 Deficiency. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:1024-1035. [PMID: 33078371 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02163-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cobalamin (Cbl, vitamin B12) deficiency or inborn errors of Cbl metabolism can produce neurologic disorders resistant to therapies, including cognitive dysfunction, mild mental retardation, memory impairment, and confusion. We used Cd320 KO mouse as a model for studying the pathological mechanisms of these disorders. Cd320 encodes the receptor (TCblR) needed for the cellular uptake of Cbl in the brain. The Cd320-/- mouse model presented an impaired learning memory that could be alleviated by a moderate stress, which produced also a greater increase of plasma corticosterone, compared to wild type animals. The present study investigated such a putative rescue mechanism in Cbl-deficient mice. At the molecular level in the brain of Cd320-/- mouse, the decreased methylation status led to a downregulation of glucocorticoid nuclear receptor (GR)/PPAR-gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) pathway. This was evidenced by the decreased expression of GR, decreased methylation of GR and PGC1α, and decreased dimerization and interaction of GR with PGC1α. This led to altered synaptic activity evidenced by decreased interaction between the NMDA glutamatergic receptor and the PSD95 post-synaptic protein and a lower expression of Egr-1 and synapsin 1, in Cd320-/- mice compared to the wild type animals. Intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone rescued these molecular changes and normalized the learning memory tests. Our study suggests adaptive influences of moderate stress on loss of memory and cognition due to brain Cbl deficiency. The GR pathway could be a potential target for innovative therapy of cognitive manifestations in patients with poor response to conventional Cbl treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Dreumont
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Khalid Mimoun
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Carine Pourié
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Edward V Quadros
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | | | - Rémy Umoret
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Déborah Helle
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Aurélie Robert
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Jean-Luc Daval
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Grégory Pourié
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM U1256, NGERE, F-54000, Nancy, France.
- NGERE, INSERM U1256, Faculté de Médecine, 9 avenue de la forêt de Haye, BP 50184, 54505, Vandoeuvre Les Nancy CEDEX, France.
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38
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Lismer A, Dumeaux V, Lafleur C, Lambrot R, Brind'Amour J, Lorincz MC, Kimmins S. Histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation in sperm is transmitted to the embryo and associated with diet-induced phenotypes in the offspring. Dev Cell 2021; 56:671-686.e6. [PMID: 33596408 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A father's lifestyle impacts offspring health; yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We hypothesized that a diet that changes methyl donor availability will alter the sperm and embryo epigenomes to impact embryonic gene expression and development. Here, we demonstrate that a folate-deficient (FD) diet alters histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in sperm at developmental genes and putative enhancers. A subset of H3K4me3 alterations in sperm are retained in the pre-implantation embryo and associated with deregulated embryonic gene expression. Using a genetic mouse model in which sires have pre-existing altered H3K4me2/3 in sperm, we show that a FD diet exacerbates alterations in sperm H3K4me3 and embryonic gene expression, leading to an increase in developmental defect severity. These findings imply that paternal H3K4me3 is transmitted to the embryo and influences gene expression and development. It further suggests that epigenetic errors can accumulate in sperm to worsen offspring developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Lismer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Vanessa Dumeaux
- PERFORM Center, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Christine Lafleur
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Romain Lambrot
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Julie Brind'Amour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Matthew C Lorincz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
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39
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Li H, Long C, Xiang J, Liang P, Li X, Zuo Y. Dppa2/4 as a trigger of signaling pathways to promote zygote genome activation by binding to CG-rich region. Brief Bioinform 2020; 22:6034044. [PMID: 33316032 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental pluripotency-associated 2 (Dppa2) and developmental pluripotency-associated 4 (Dppa4) as positive drivers were helpful for transcriptional regulation of zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Here, we systematically assessed the cooperative interplay of Dppa2 and Dppa4 in regulating cell pluripotency and found that simultaneous overexpression of Dppa2/4 can make induced pluripotent stem cells closer to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Compared with other pluripotency transcription factors, Dppa2/4 can regulate majorities of signaling pathways by binding on CG-rich region of proximal promoter (0-500 bp), of which 85% and 77% signaling pathways were significantly activated by Dppa2 and Dppa4, respectively. Notably, Dppa2/4 also can dramatically trigger the decisive signaling pathways for facilitating ZGA, including Hippo, MAPK and TGF-beta signaling pathways and so on. At last, we found alkaline phosphatase, placental-like 2 (Alppl2) was completely silenced when Dppa2 and 4 single- or double-knockout in ESC, which is consistent with Dux. Moreover, Alppl2 was significantly activated in mouse 2-cell embryos and 4-8 cells stage of human embryos, further predicted that Alppl2 was directly regulated by Dppa2/4 as a ZGA candidate driver to facilitate pre-embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanshuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Chunshen Long
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Jinzhu Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Pengfei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Xueling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Yongchun Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
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Lee LY, Pandey AK, Maron BA, Loscalzo J. Network medicine in Cardiovascular Research. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 117:2186-2202. [PMID: 33165538 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to generate multi-omics data coupled with deeply characterizing the clinical phenotype of individual patients promises to improve understanding of complex cardiovascular pathobiology. There remains an important disconnection between the magnitude and granularity of these data and our ability to improve phenotype-genotype correlations for complex cardiovascular diseases. This shortcoming may be due to limitations associated with traditional reductionist analytical methods, which tend to emphasize a single molecular event in the pathogenesis of diseases more aptly characterized by crosstalk between overlapping molecular pathways. Network medicine is a rapidly growing discipline that considers diseases as the consequences of perturbed interactions between multiple interconnected biological components. This powerful integrative approach has enabled a number of important discoveries in complex disease mechanisms. In this review, we introduce the basic concepts of network medicine and highlight specific examples by which this approach has accelerated cardiovascular research. We also review how network medicine is well-positioned to promote rational drug design for patients with cardiovascular diseases, with particular emphasis on advancing precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel Y Lee
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Arvind K Pandey
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bradley A Maron
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Loscalzo
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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41
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Zhang Y, Zhan W, Du Q, Wu L, Ding H, Liu F, Yin A. Variants c.677 C>T, c.1298 A>C in MTHFR, and c.66 A>G in MTRR Affect the Occurrence of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Chinese Women. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2020; 24:717-722. [PMID: 33121283 PMCID: PMC7698989 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2020.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Although genetic variants of key enzymes in the folic acid-methionine metabolic circulation, including methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) were thought to be related to the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), the results of recent studies have been inconsistent. Therefore, the present retrospective case-control study was designed to explore whether the variants c.66A>G in MTRR and c.677C>T and c.1298A>C in MTHFR are associated with the susceptibility of RPL in Southeast Chinese women. Materials and Methods: In total, samples from 237 RPL patients and 618 healthy controls were collected and genotyped by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The frequencies of the variants were calculated and compared between the two groups. The relative risk of the various genotypes was further determined by calculating the odds ratio (OR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between the variants MTHFR c.677C>T, MTHFR c.1298A>C, MTRR c.66A>G, and RPL susceptibility (MTHFR c.677C>T, OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58-0.95, p = 0.02; MTHFR c.1298A>C, OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.09-1.77, p = 0.008; MTRR c.66A>G, OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.10-1.73, p = 0.006). Further analysis of the genotypic distributions of the three variants between the two groups showed that the MTHFR c.677C>T heterozygote was associated with lower RPL risk, while the MTHFR c.1298A>C variant and MTRR c.66A>G heterozygote were correlated with higher RPL risk (dominant model, MTHFR c.677C>T, OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52-0.95, p = 0.02; MTHFR c.1298A>C, OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.03-1.88, p = 0.032; MTRR c.66A>G, OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.20-2.19, p = 0.002). Conclusion: MTHFR c.677C>T and c.1298A>C and MTRR c.66A>G were associated with RPL in Southeast Chinese women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Maternal and Children Metabolic-Genetic Disease Key Laboratory of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wenli Zhan
- Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Qianyi Du
- Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Li Wu
- Health Care Institute, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hongke Ding
- Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Maternal and Children Metabolic-Genetic Disease Key Laboratory of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Fenghua Liu
- Reproductive Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Aihua Yin
- Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Maternal and Children Metabolic-Genetic Disease Key Laboratory of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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Effect of Maternal Folate Deficiency on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance, and Serum Parameters of Broiler Offspring. J Poult Sci 2020; 57:270-276. [PMID: 33132726 PMCID: PMC7596035 DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.0190125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of maternal folate deficiency on the production performance and serum parameters of broiler offspring. The 120 healthy female broilers (30-week-old) were randomly allotted into two groups. The groups were either fed a basal diet supplemented with 2.0 mg/kg folate (NF) or basal diet (FD). The experiment lasted 12 weeks, and 120 fertilized eggs were collected from each group for hatching. In total, 80 chicks were selected from each group and fed under the same conditions. No significant difference was observed in the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed to gain ratio of 21- and 42-day-old broilers between NF and FD groups (P>0.05). Moreover, slaughter performance of 21- and 42-day-old broiler offspring were not affected by the maternal FD. The subcutaneous fat thickness at the age of 21 days increased significantly by maternal FD (P<0.01); however, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 42 days of age (P>0.05). Similarly, no significant differences were detected in the intermuscular fat width, lipid percentage in the liver, breast muscle, and thigh muscle between the NF and FD groups at 21- and 42-days of age (P>0.05). Serum concentrations of MTHFR, DHFR, LEP, IGF2, LPL and HCY in the 21-day-old broilers were not affected by maternal FD (P>0.05), but those of HSL at 21 days of age was enhanced by maternal FD (P<0.05). These findings indicated that maternal folate deficiency had no influence on production performance, slaughter performance, most fat traits of 21- and 42-day-old broiler offspring, and serum parameters of 21-day-old broiler offspring except HSL.
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43
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Garland MA, Sun B, Zhang S, Reynolds K, Ji Y, Zhou CJ. Role of epigenetics and miRNAs in orofacial clefts. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:1635-1659. [PMID: 32926553 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Orofacial clefts (OFCs) have multiple etiologies and likely result from an interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Within the last decade, studies have implicated specific epigenetic modifications and noncoding RNAs as additional facets of OFC etiology. Altered gene expression through DNA methylation and histone modification offer novel insights into how specific genes contribute to distinct OFC subtypes. Epigenetics research has also provided further evidence that cleft lip only (CLO) is a cleft subtype with distinct etiology. Polymorphisms or misexpression of genes encoding microRNAs, as well as their targets, contribute to OFC risk. The ability to experimentally manipulate epigenetic changes and noncoding RNAs in animal models, such as zebrafish, Xenopus, mice, and rats, has offered novel insights into the mechanisms of various OFC subtypes. Although much remains to be understood, recent advancements in our understanding of OFC etiology may advise future strategies of research and preventive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Garland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Yu Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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44
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Blake GET, Hall J, Petkovic GE, Watson ED. Analysis of spermatogenesis and fertility in adult mice with a hypomorphic mutation in the Mtrr gene. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1730-1741. [PMID: 31537252 DOI: 10.1071/rd19064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research has focussed on the significance of folate metabolism in male fertility. Knocking down the mouse gene Mtrr impedes the progression of folate and methionine metabolism and results in hyperhomocysteinaemia, dysregulation of DNA methylation and developmental phenotypes (e.g. neural tube, heart and placenta defects). The Mtrrgt mouse line is a model of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI), the hypothesised cause of which is the inheritance of a yet-to-be determined epigenetic factor via the germline. We investigated Mtrrgt/gt testes and sperm function compared with control C57Bl/6J testes to explore potential defects that might confound our understanding of TEI in the Mtrrgt model. Histological analysis revealed that adult Mtrrgt/gt testes are more spherical in shape than C57Bl/6J testes, though serum testosterone levels were normal and spermatogenesis progressed in a typical manner. Spermatozoa collected from the cauda epididymis showed normal morphology, counts, and viability in Mtrrgt/gt males. Correspondingly, Mtrrgt spermatozoa contributed to normal pregnancy rates. Similar parameters were assessed in Mtrr+/+ and Mtrr+/gt males, which were normal compared with controls. Overall, our data showed that the Mtrrgt allele is unlikely to alter spermatogenesis or male fertility. Therefore, it is improbable that these factors confound the mechanistic study of TEI in Mtrrgt mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina E T Blake
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK; and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Jessica Hall
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Grace E Petkovic
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Erica D Watson
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK; and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK; and Corresponding author.
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45
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Asai S, Sanges R, Lauritano C, Lindeque PK, Esposito F, Ianora A, Carotenuto Y. De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Gene Expression Profiling of the Copepod Calanus helgolandicus Feeding on the PUA-Producing Diatom Skeletonema marinoi. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18080392. [PMID: 32727111 PMCID: PMC7460014 DOI: 10.3390/md18080392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diatoms are the dominant component of the marine phytoplankton. Several diatoms produce secondary metabolites, namely oxylipins, with teratogenic effects on their main predators, crustacean copepods. Our study reports the de novo assembled transcriptome of the calanoid copepod Calanus helgolandicus feeding on the oxylipin-producing diatom Skeletonema marinoi. Differential expression analysis was also performed between copepod females exposed to the diatom and the control flagellate Prorocentrum minimum, which does not produce oxylipins. Our results showed that transcripts involved in carbohydrate, amino acid, folate and methionine metabolism, embryogenesis, and response to stimulus were differentially expressed in the two conditions. Expression of 27 selected genes belonging to these functional categories was also analyzed by RT-qPCR in C. helgolandicus females exposed to a mixed solution of the oxylipins heptadienal and octadienal at the concentration of 10 µM, 15 µM, and 20 µM. The results confirmed differential expression analysis, with up-regulation of genes involved in stress response and down-regulation of genes associated with folate and methionine metabolism, embryogenesis, and signaling. Overall, we offer new insights on the mechanism of action of oxylipins on maternally-induced embryo abnormality. Our results may also help identify biomarker genes associated with diatom-related reproductive failure in the natural copepod population at sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Asai
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (S.A.); (R.S.)
| | - Remo Sanges
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (S.A.); (R.S.)
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauritano
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (C.L.); (F.E.); (A.I.)
| | | | - Francesco Esposito
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (C.L.); (F.E.); (A.I.)
| | - Adrianna Ianora
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (C.L.); (F.E.); (A.I.)
| | - Ylenia Carotenuto
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (S.A.); (R.S.)
- Correspondence:
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46
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The Case for Bringing Birthweight to Adult Cardiovascular Medicine. Am J Cardiol 2020; 127:191-192. [PMID: 32402484 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2020.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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47
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King SE, Skinner MK. Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance of Obesity Susceptibility. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2020; 31:478-494. [PMID: 32521235 PMCID: PMC8260009 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity and associated diseases has reached pandemic levels. Obesity is often associated with overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle, but clearly other factors also increase the susceptibility of metabolic disease states. Ancestral and direct exposures to environmental toxicants and altered nutrition have been shown to increase susceptibility for obesity and metabolic dysregulation. Environmental insults can reprogram the epigenome of the germline (sperm and eggs), which transmits the susceptibility for disease to future generations through epigenetic transgenerational inheritance. In this review, we discuss current evidence and molecular mechanisms for epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of obesity susceptibility. Understanding ancestral environmental insults and epigenetic transgenerational impacts on future generations will be critical to fully understand the etiology of obesity and to develop preventative therapy options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E King
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA.
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48
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Sowton AP, Padmanabhan N, Tunster SJ, McNally BD, Murgia A, Yusuf A, Griffin JL, Murray AJ, Watson ED. Mtrr hypomorphic mutation alters liver morphology, metabolism and fuel storage in mice. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2020; 23:100580. [PMID: 32257815 PMCID: PMC7109458 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2020.100580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with dietary folate deficiency and mutations in genes required for one‑carbon metabolism. However, the mechanism through which this occurs is unclear. To improve our understanding of this link, we investigated liver morphology, metabolism and fuel storage in adult mice with a hypomorphic mutation in the gene methionine synthase reductase (Mtrr gt ). MTRR enzyme is a key regulator of the methionine and folate cycles. The Mtrr gt mutation in mice was previously shown to disrupt one‑carbon metabolism and cause a wide-spectrum of developmental phenotypes and late adult-onset macrocytic anaemia. Here, we showed that livers of Mtrr gt/gt female mice were enlarged compared to control C57Bl/6J livers. Histological analysis of these livers revealed eosinophilic hepatocytes with decreased glycogen content, which was associated with down-regulation of genes involved in glycogen synthesis (e.g., Ugp2 and Gsk3a genes). While female Mtrr gt/gt livers showed evidence of reduced β-oxidation of fatty acids, there were no other associated changes in the lipidome in female or male Mtrr gt/gt livers compared with controls. Defects in glycogen storage and lipid metabolism often associate with disruption of mitochondrial electron transfer system activity. However, defects in mitochondrial function were not detected in Mtrr gt/gt livers as determined by high-resolution respirometry analysis. Overall, we demonstrated that adult Mtrr gt/gt female mice showed abnormal liver morphology that differed from the NAFLD phenotype and that was accompanied by subtle changes in their hepatic metabolism and fuel storage.
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Key Words
- 5-methyl-THF, 5-methyltetrahydofolate
- Agl, amylo-alpha-1,6-glucosidase,4-alpha-glucanotransferase gene
- BCA, bicinchoninic acid
- Bhmt, betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase gene
- CE, cholesteryl-ester
- Cebpa, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), alpha gene
- Cer, ceramide
- DAG, diacylglycerol
- Ddit3, DNA damage inducible transcript 3 gene
- ETS, electron transport system
- FCCP, p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazine
- FFA, free fatty acid
- G6pc, glucose 6-phophastase gene
- Gbe1, glycogen branching enzyme 1 gene
- Glycogen
- Gsk3, glycogen synthase kinase gene
- Gyg, glycogenin gene
- Gys2, glycogen synthase 2 gene
- HOAD, 3-hydoxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase
- Hepatic fuel storage
- Isca1, iron‑sulfur cluster assembly 1 gene
- JO2, oxygen flux
- LC-MS, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
- LPC, lysophosphatidylcholine
- Lipidomics
- Liver metabolism
- Mitochondrial function
- Mthfr, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene
- Mtr, methionine synthase gene (also MS)
- Mtrr, methionine synthase reductase gene (also MSR)
- Myc, myelocytomatosis oncogene
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Ndufs, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit (ETS complex I) gene
- OXPHOS, oxidative phosphorylation
- One‑carbon metabolism
- PA, phosphatidic acid
- PAS, periodic acid Schiff
- PC, phosphatidylcholine
- PE, phosphatidylethanolamine
- PG, phosphatidylglycerol
- PI, phosphatidylinositol
- PIP, phosphatidylinositol phosphate(s)
- PL, phospholipid
- PS, phosphatidylserine
- RIPA, Radioimmunoprecipitation assay
- SAH, S-adenosylhomocysteine
- SAM, S-adenosylmethionine
- SM, sphingomyelin
- TAG, triacylglycerol
- Ugp2, UDP-glucose pyrophophorylase 2 gene
- gt, gene-trap
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice P. Sowton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Nisha Padmanabhan
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Simon J. Tunster
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Ben D. McNally
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Antonio Murgia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Aisha Yusuf
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Julian L. Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
- Section of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andrew J. Murray
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Erica D. Watson
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
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Costa-Lima MA, Barboza HN, Aprigio J, de Melo Moura C, Quirico-Santos TF, Ribeiro MG, Amorim MR. Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) del19bp Polymorphism and Down Syndrome Offspring. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:1410-1414. [PMID: 32445071 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01561-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common form of mental disability of genetic etiology. Nondisjunction of chromosome 21 is the leading cause of the syndrome. In general, free trisomy 21 cases originate from missegregation in maternal meiosis. Several reports have suggested an association between genetic variants in genes encoding folate metabolizing enzymes and the predisposition to chromosome missegregation. We have conducted a case-control study of 109 DS case mothers (MDS) and 248 control mothers (CM) to assess the association between DHFR del19bp polymorphism and an increased risk of bearing a DS child. Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal cells, and molecular analysis of DHFR del19pb polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both MDS and CM allelic and genotypic distributions were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of DHFR del19pb-mutated allele was 0.54 in MDS and 0.46 in CM. Overall analysis showed that the mutant allele was borderline associated with DS risk (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.00-1.89; P = 0.05) and a weak positive association for del/del and/or wt/del genotypes of DHFR del19pb polymorphism compared to homozygous wt/wt genotype was identified (OR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.01-3.03; P = 0.05). When we have analyzed data stratified by age, there is an increased risk of bearing a DS child associated with the polymorphic allele (OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.03-2.16; P = 0.03), suggesting that DHFR del 19-bp polymorphism could be an independent risk factor for DS in women aged < 40 years old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Aguiar Costa-Lima
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, PHLC sala 205, Maracanã, CEP, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20550-900, Brazil
| | - Hazel Nunes Barboza
- Laboratório de Genética Humana, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus do Valonguinho, CEP, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Joissy Aprigio
- Laboratório de Genética Humana, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus do Valonguinho, CEP, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Cláudia de Melo Moura
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, PHLC sala 205, Maracanã, CEP, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20550-900, Brazil
| | - Thereza Fonseca Quirico-Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n, Centro, CEP, Niterói, RJ, 24020-140, Brazil
| | - Márcia Gonçalves Ribeiro
- Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Bruno Lobo 50, Cidade Universitária - Ilha do Fundão, CEP, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-912, Brazil
| | - Márcia Rodrigues Amorim
- Laboratório de Genética Humana, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus do Valonguinho, CEP, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil.
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50
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Yin X, Gao R, Geng Y, Chen X, Liu X, Mu X, Ding Y, Wang Y, He J. Autophagy regulates abnormal placentation induced by folate deficiency in mice. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:305-319. [PMID: 30976800 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate deficiency has been linked to a wide range of pregnancy disorders. Most research about folate-deficiency has focused on the embryo itself, little attention has been paid to possible effects on the placenta. According to our results, the morphology of the placenta, endocrine function, and the expression of genes involved in placental differentiation were all abnormal in folate-deficient mice on days 10, 12, and 14 of pregnancy. Similar results were found in human placenta explants cultured in folate-deficient medium. Autophagy is an inducible catabolic process activated by external nutrients starvation. Here we explored further, whether autophagy was involved in the abnormal placentation caused by folate-deficiency. The aberrant number of autophagosomes measured by transmission electron microscopy and the deviant expression of autophagy-related markers showed a disordered autophagy in placentas under conditions of folate-deficiency in vivo and in vitro dual-fluorescence mRFP-eGFP-LC3 analysis indicated enhanced autophagy was detected in HTR8/SVneo cells incubated in folate-deficient medium. Importantly, the placentation impairment in mice and human placenta explants could be recovered by inhibiting placental autophagy using 3-MA. In addition, the apoptosis and invasive capability of HTR8/SVneo cells were obviously suppressed by folate deficiency but notably elevated by 3-MA. These data suggest that folate deficiency can impair placentation and autophagy is a key factor in this. However, the signal pathway by which folate deficiency causes aberrant autophagy needs to be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yin
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Rufei Gao
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yanqing Geng
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xinyi Mu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yingxiong Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Junlin He
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management and Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
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