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Wu C, Wang J, Luo X, Wang B, Zhang X, Song Y, Zhang K, Zhang X, Sun M. Lead exposure induced transgenerational developmental neurotoxicity by altering genome methylation in Drosophila melanogaster. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 271:115991. [PMID: 38237395 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metal toxicity is a significant global health concern, with particular attention given to lead (Pb) exposure due to its adverse effects on cognitive development, especially in children exposed to low concentrations. While Pb neurotoxicity has been extensively studied, the analysis and molecular mechanisms underlying the transgenerational effects of Pb exposure-induced neurotoxicity remain poorly understood. In this study, we utilized Drosophila, a powerful developmental animal model, to investigate this phenomenon. Our findings demonstrated that Pb exposure during the developmental stage had a profound effect on the neurodevelopment of F0 fruit flies. Specifically, we observed a loss of correlation between the terminal motor area and muscle fiber area, along with an increased frequency of the β-lobe midline crossing phenotype in mushroom bodies. Western blot analysis indicated altered expression levels of synaptic vesicle proteins, with a decrease in Synapsin (SYN) and an increase in Bruchpilot (BRP) expression, suggesting changes in synaptic vesicle release sites. These findings were corroborated by electrophysiological data, showing an increase in the amplitude of evoked excitatory junctional potential (EJP) and an increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory junctional potential (mEJP) following Pb exposure. Importantly, our results further confirmed that the developmental neurotoxicity resulting from grandparental Pb exposure exhibited a transgenerational effect. The F3 offspring displayed neurodevelopmental defects, synaptic function abnormalities, and repetitive behavior despite lacking direct Pb exposure. Our MeDIP-seq analysis further revealed significant alterations in DNA methylation levels in several neurodevelopmental associated genes (eagle, happyhour, neuroglian, bazooka, and spinophilin) in the F3 offspring exposed to Pb. These findings suggest that DNA methylation modifications may underlie the inheritance of acquired phenotypic traits resulting from environmental Pb exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Binquan Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yuanyuan Song
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Mingkuan Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
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Kohler K, Macheda T, Hobbs MM, Maisel MT, Rodriguez A, Farris L, Wessel CR, Infantino C, Niedowicz DM, Helman AM, Beckett TL, Unrine JM, Murphy MP. Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water Causes Cognitive Impairment via an Alzheimer's Disease Gene-Dependent Mechanism in Adult Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:S291-S304. [PMID: 39121129 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240640] [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] [Indexed: 08/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Exposure to lead (Pb) is a major public health problem that could occur through contaminated soil, air, food, or water, either during the course of everyday life, or while working in hazardous occupations. Although Pb has long been known as a neurodevelopmental toxicant in children, a recent and growing body of epidemiological research indicates that cumulative, low-level Pb exposure likely drives age-related neurologic dysfunction in adults. Environmental Pb exposure in adulthood has been linked to risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. Objective Although the biological mechanism underlying this link is unknown, it has been proposed that Pb exposure may increase the risk of AD via altering the expression of AD-related genes and, possibly, by activating the molecular pathways underlying AD-related pathology. Methods We investigated Pb exposure using a line of genetically modified mice with AD-causing knock-in mutations in the amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 (APPΔNL/ΔNL x PS1P264L/P264L) that had been crossed with Leprdb/db mice to impart vulnerability to vascular pathology. Results Our data show that although Pb exposure in adult mice impairs cognitive function, this effect is not related to either an increase in amyloid pathology or to changes in the expression of common AD-related genes. Pb exposure also caused a significant increase in blood pressure, a well known effect of Pb. Interestingly, although the increase in blood pressure was unrelated to genotype, only mice that carried AD-related mutations developed cognitive dysfunction, in spite of showing no significant change in cerebrovascular pathology. Conclusions These results raise the possibility that the increased risk of dementia associated with Pb exposure in adults may be tied to its subsequent interaction with either pre-existing or developing AD-related neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kohler
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Teresa Macheda
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Misty M Hobbs
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - M Tyler Maisel
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Antonela Rodriguez
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lindsey Farris
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Caitlin R Wessel
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Dana M Niedowicz
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alex M Helman
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Tina L Beckett
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jason M Unrine
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Lexington, KY, USA
- Kentucky Water Research Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - M Paul Murphy
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Kentucky Water Research Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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3
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Bjørklund G, Tippairote T, Hangan T, Chirumbolo S, Peana M. Early-Life Lead Exposure: Risks and Neurotoxic Consequences. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1620-1633. [PMID: 37031386 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230409135310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead (Pb) does not have any biological function in a human, and it is likely no safe level of Pb in the human body. The Pb exposure impacts are a global concern for their potential neurotoxic consequences. Despite decreasing both the environmental Pb levels and the average blood Pb levels in the survey populations, the lifetime redistribution from the tissues-stored Pb still poses neurotoxic risks from the low-level exposure in later life. The growing fetus and children hold their innate high-susceptible to these Pb-induced neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral effects. OBJECTIVE This article aims to evaluate cumulative studies and insights on the topic of Pb neurotoxicology while assessing the emerging trends in the field. RESULTS The Pb-induced neurochemical and neuro-immunological mechanisms are likely responsible for the high-level Pb exposure with the neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral impacts at the initial stages. Early-life Pb exposure can still produce neurodegenerative consequences in later life due to the altered epigenetic imprints and the ongoing endogenous Pb exposure. Several mechanisms contribute to the Pb-induced neurotoxic impacts, including the direct neurochemical effects, the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation through immunologic activations, and epigenetic alterations. Furthermore, the individual nutritional status, such as macro-, micro-, or antioxidant nutrients, can significantly influence the neurotoxic impacts even at low-level exposure to Pb. CONCLUSION The prevention of early-life Pb exposure is, therefore, the critical determinant for alleviating various Pb-induced neurotoxic impacts across the different age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, Mo i Rana, 8610, Norway
| | - Torsak Tippairote
- Department of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, HP Medical Center, Bangkok 10540, Thailand
| | - Tony Hangan
- Faculty of Medicine, Ovidius University of Constanta, Constanta, 900470, Romania
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy
- CONEM Scientific Secretary, Strada Le Grazie 9, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Peana
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, Sassari, 07100, Italy
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Mir FA, Amanullah A, Jain BP, Hyderi Z, Gautam A. Neuroepigenetics of ageing and neurodegeneration-associated dementia: An updated review. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102067. [PMID: 37689143 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression is tremendously altered in the brain during memory acquisition, recall, and forgetfulness. However, non-genetic factors, including environmental elements, epigenetic changes, and lifestyle, have grabbed significant attention in recent years regarding the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) and age-associated dementia. Epigenetic modifications are essential in regulating gene expression in all living organisms in a DNA sequence-independent manner. The genes implicated in ageing and NDD-related memory disorders are epigenetically regulated by processes such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation as well as messenger RNA editing machinery. The physiological and optimal state of the epigenome, especially within the CNS of humans, plays an intricate role in helping us adjust to the changing environment, and alterations in it cause many brain disorders, but the mechanisms behind it still need to be well understood. When fully understood, these epigenetic landscapes could act as vital targets for pharmacogenetic rescue strategies for treating several diseases, including neurodegeneration- and age-induced dementia. Keeping this objective in mind, this updated review summarises the epigenetic changes associated with age and neurodegeneration-associated dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayaz Ahmad Mir
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Zeeshan Hyderi
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India
| | - Akash Gautam
- Centre for Neural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.
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Wang W, Wang T, Gao Y, Liang G, Pu Y, Zhang J. Model of neural development by differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells into neural progenitor cells to study the neurodevelopmental toxicity of lead. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 179:113947. [PMID: 37467947 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposure causes immeasurable damage to multiple human systems, particularly the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to investigate the neurotoxic effects of Pb. The hiPSCs were treated with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L Pb for 7 days, whereas embryoid bodies (EBs) and NPCs were treated with 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol/L Pb for 7 days. Pb exposure disrupted the cell cycle and caused apoptosis in hiPSCs, EBs, and NPCs. Besides, Pb inhibited the differentiation of NPCs and EBs. Whole exome sequencing revealed 2509, 2413, and 1984 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) caused by Pb in hiPSCs, EBs, and NPCs, respectively. The common mutation sites in the exon region were mostly nonsynonymous mutations. We identified 18, 19, and 18 common deleterious mutations in hiPSCs, EBs, and NPCs, respectively. Additionally, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database analysis revealed 30, 20, and 13 genes related to CNS disorders in hiPSCs, EBs, and NPCs, respectively. Our findings suggest that this in vitro model may supplement animal models and be applied to the study of neurodevelopmental toxicity in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Institute for Sports and Health (JISH), Nanjing, 211100, China.
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6
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Zhang B, Zhang Y, Zuo Z, Xiong G, Luo H, Song B, Zhao L, Zhou Z, Chang X. Paraquat-induced neurogenesis abnormalities via Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 257:114939. [PMID: 37087969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenesis is a fundamental process in the development and plasticity of the nervous system, and its regulation is tightly linked to mitochondrial dynamics. Imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics can result in oxidative stress, which has been implicated in various neurological disorders. Paraquat (PQ), a commonly used agricultural chemical known to be neurotoxic, induces oxidative stress that can lead to mitochondrial fragmentation. In this study, we investigated the effects of PQ on neurogenesis in primary murine neural progenitor cells (mNPCs) isolated from neonatal C57BL/6 mice. We treated the mNPCs with 0-40 μM PQ for 24 h and observed that PQ inhibited their proliferation, migration, and differentiation into neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, PQ induced excessive mitochondrial fragmentation and upregulated the expression of Drp-1, p-Drp1, and Fis-1, while downregulating the expression of Mfn2 and Opa1. To confirm our findings, we used Mdivi-1, an inhibitor of mitochondrial fission, which reversed the adverse effects of PQ on neurogenesis, particularly differentiation into neurons and migration of mNPCs. Additionally, we found that Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, ameliorated excessive mitochondrial fragmentation caused by PQ. Our study suggests that PQ exposure impairs neurogenesis by inducing excessive mitochondrial fission and abnormal mitochondrial fragmentation via oxidative stress. These findings identify mitochondrial fission as a potential therapeutic target for PQ-induced neurotoxicity. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and neurogenesis in the context of oxidative stress-induced neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Zhang
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhenzi Zuo
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guiya Xiong
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huan Luo
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bo Song
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiuli Chang
- School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Verghese M, Wilkinson E, He Y. Role of RNA modifications in carcinogenesis and carcinogen damage response. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:24-37. [PMID: 35560957 PMCID: PMC9653521 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The field of epitranscriptomics encompasses the study of post-transcriptional RNA modifications and their regulatory enzymes. Among the numerous RNA modifications, N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) has been identified as the most common internal modification of messenger RNA (mRNA). Although m6 A modifications were first discovered in the 1970s, advances in technology have revived interest in this field, driving an abundance of research into the role of RNA modifications in various biological processes, including cancer. As analogs to epigenetic modifications, RNA modifications also play an important role in carcinogenesis by regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. A growing body of evidence suggests that carcinogens can modulate RNA modifications to alter the expression of oncogenes or tumor suppressors during cellular transformation. Additionally, the expression and activity of the enzymes that regulate RNA modifications can be dysregulated and contribute to carcinogenesis, making these enzymes promising targets of drug discovery. Here we summarize the roles of RNA modifications during carcinogenesis induced by exposure to various environmental carcinogens, with a main focus on the roles of the most widely studied m6 A mRNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Verghese
- Department of Medicine, Section of DermatologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Pritzker School of MedicineUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Emma Wilkinson
- Department of Medicine, Section of DermatologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Committee on Cancer BiologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Yu‐Ying He
- Department of Medicine, Section of DermatologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Committee on Cancer BiologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
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8
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Association between Heavy Metal Exposure and Parkinson's Disease: A Review of the Mechanisms Related to Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11122467. [PMID: 36552676 PMCID: PMC9774122 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11122467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a gradually progressing neurodegenerative condition that is marked by a loss of motor coordination along with non-motor features. Although the precise cause of PD has not been determined, the disease condition is mostly associated with the exposure to environmental toxins, such as metals, and their abnormal accumulation in the brain. Heavy metals, such as iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb), have been linked to PD and contribute to its progression. In addition, the interactions among the components of a metal mixture may result in synergistic toxicity. Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated a connection between PD and either single or mixed exposure to these heavy metals, which increase the prevalence of PD. Chronic exposure to heavy metals is related to the activation of proinflammatory cytokines resulting in neuronal loss through neuroinflammation. Similarly, metals disrupt redox homeostasis while inducing free radical production and decreasing antioxidant levels in the substantia nigra. Furthermore, these metals alter molecular processes and result in oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis, which can potentially trigger dopaminergic neurodegenerative disorders. This review focuses on the roles of Hg, Pb, Mn, Cu, and Fe in the development and progression of PD. Moreover, it explores the plausible roles of heavy metals in neurodegenerative mechanisms that facilitate the development of PD. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying metal toxicities will enable the establishment of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent or cure PD.
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9
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Bolognesi G, Bacalini MG, Pirazzini C, Garagnani P, Giuliani C. Evolutionary Implications of Environmental Toxicant Exposure. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123090. [PMID: 36551846 PMCID: PMC9775150 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Homo sapiens have been exposed to various toxins and harmful compounds that change according to various phases of human evolution. Population genetics studies showed that such exposures lead to adaptive genetic changes; while observing present exposures to different toxicants, the first molecular mechanism that confers plasticity is epigenetic remodeling and, in particular, DNA methylation variation, a molecular mechanism proposed for medium-term adaptation. A large amount of scientific literature from clinical and medical studies revealed the high impact of such exposure on human biology; thus, in this review, we examine and infer the impact that different environmental toxicants may have in shaping human evolution. We first describe how environmental toxicants shape natural human variation in terms of genetic and epigenetic diversity, and then we describe how DNA methylation may influence mutation rate and, thus, genetic variability. We describe the impact of these substances on biological fitness in terms of reproduction and survival, and in conclusion, we focus on their effect on brain evolution and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Bolognesi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology, Centre for Genome Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, via Francesco Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Bacalini
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Pirazzini
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Garagnani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Giuliani
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology, Centre for Genome Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, via Francesco Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
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10
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Liu M, Liu R, Wang R, Ba Y, Yu F, Deng Q, Huang H. Lead-induced neurodevelopmental lesion and epigenetic landscape: Implication in neurological disorders. J Appl Toxicol 2022. [PMID: 36433892 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) was implicated in multiple genotoxic, neuroepigenotoxic, and chromosomal-toxic mechanisms and interacted with varying synaptic plasticity pathways, likely underpinning previous reports of links between Pb and cognitive impairment. Epigenetic changes have emerged as a promising biomarker for neurological disorders, including cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present review, special attention is paid to neural epigenetic features and mechanisms that can alter gene expression patterns upon environmental Pb exposure in rodents, primates, and zebrafish. Epigenetic modifications have also been discussed in population studies and cell experiment. Further, we explore growing evidence of potential linkage between Pb-induced disruption of regulatory pathway and neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders both in vivo and in vitro. These findings uncover how epigenome in neurons facilitates the development and function of the brain in response to Pb insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchen Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450001, China
| | - Rundong Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450001, China
| | - Ruike Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450001, China
| | - Yue Ba
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450001, China
| | - Fangfang Yu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450001, China
| | - Qihong Deng
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450001, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, 450001, China
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11
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Ayeni EA, Aldossary AM, Ayejoto DA, Gbadegesin LA, Alshehri AA, Alfassam HA, Afewerky HK, Almughem FA, Bello SM, Tawfik EA. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implications of Environmental and Climatic Influences on Neurotransmitters and Neuronal Hormones Activities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912495. [PMID: 36231792 PMCID: PMC9564880 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative and neuronal-related diseases are major public health concerns. Human vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) increases with age. Neuronal hormones and neurotransmitters are major determinant factors regulating brain structure and functions. The implications of environmental and climatic changes emerged recently as influence factors on numerous diseases. However, the complex interaction of neurotransmitters and neuronal hormones and their depletion under environmental and climatic influences on NDDs are not well established in the literature. In this review, we aim to explore the connection between the environmental and climatic factors to NDDs and to highlight the available and potential therapeutic interventions that could use to improve the quality of life and reduce susceptibility to NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel A. Ayeni
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ahmad M. Aldossary
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel A. Ayejoto
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240003, Nigeria
| | - Lanre A. Gbadegesin
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Abdullah A. Alshehri
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haya A. Alfassam
- KACST-BWH Center of Excellence for Biomedicine, Joint Centers of Excellence Program, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Henok K. Afewerky
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
- School of Allied Health Professions, Asmara College of Health Sciences, Asmara P.O. Box 1220, Eritrea
| | - Fahad A. Almughem
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saidu M. Bello
- Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Essam A. Tawfik
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
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12
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Lee M, Lee H, Warren JR, Herd P. Effect of childhood proximity to lead mining on late life cognition. SSM Popul Health 2022; 17:101037. [PMID: 35146115 PMCID: PMC8818565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lead exposure negatively affects cognitive functioning among children. However, there is limited evidence about whether exposure to lead in early life impairs later life cognitive functioning. METHODS Participants in the prospective Wisconsin Longitudinal Study cohort (N = 8583) were linked to the 1940 Census, which was taken when they were young children. We estimated the effect of living near a lead mine in childhood on late life memory/attention and language/executive function in 2004 (mean age 64) and 2011 (mean age 71). RESULTS Lead-exposed children had significantly steeper memory/attention decline between 2004 and 2011 and worse language/executive function at baseline in late life. These long-term effects of lead were not mediated through adolescent IQ or late life SES and health factors. DISCUSSION Proximity to lead mining in childhood had long-term effects on late life memory/attention decline and language/executive function, reflecting a possible latent influence of lead exposure. More research is needed to understand behavioral and biological pathways underlying this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lee
- Minnesota Population Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Corresponding author. 50 Willey Hall, 225 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Haena Lee
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John Robert Warren
- Minnesota Population Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Pamela Herd
- McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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13
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Tasin FR, Ahmed A, Halder D, Mandal C. On-going consequences of in utero exposure of Pb: An epigenetic perspective. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 42:1553-1569. [PMID: 35023172 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications by toxic heavy metals are one of the intensively investigated fields of modern genomic research. Among a diverse group of heavy metals, lead (Pb) is an extensively distributed toxicant causing an immense number of abnormalities in the developing fetus via a wide variety of epigenetic changes. As a divalent cation, Pb can readily cross the placental membrane and the fetal blood brain barrier leading to far-reaching alterations in DNA methylation patterns, histone protein modifications and micro-RNA expression. Over recent years, several human cohorts and animal model studies have documented hyper- and hypo-methylation of developmental genes along with altered DNA methyl-transferase expression by in utero Pb exposure in a dose-, duration- and sex-dependent manner. Modifications in the expression of specific histone acetyltransferase enzymes along with histone acetylation and methylation levels have been reported in rodent and murine models. Apart from these, down-regulation and up-regulation of certain microRNAs crucial for fetal development have been shown to be associated with in utero Pb exposure in human placenta samples. All these modifications in the developing fetus during the prenatal and perinatal stages reportedly caused severe abnormalities in early or adult age, such as - impaired growth, obesity, autism, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, risks of cancer development and Alzheimer's disease. In this review, currently available information on Pb-mediated alterations in the fetal epigenome is summarized. Further research on Pb-induced epigenome modification will help to understand the mechanisms in detail and will enable us to formulate safety guidelines for pregnant women and developing children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahim Rejanur Tasin
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Asif Ahmed
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Debasish Halder
- Rare Disease research center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanchal Mandal
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
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14
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Yamazaki J, Toyomaki H, Nakayama SMM, Yabe J, Muzandu K, Jelinek J, Yokoyama S, Ikenaka Y, Takiguchi M, Ishizuka M. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of dogs with high lead exposure living near a lead mining area in Kabwe, Zambia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 286:117229. [PMID: 33975213 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that has been proven to be toxic to both animals and humans. Genom-wide DNA methylation in domestic dogs exposed to high levels of Pb in Kabwe, Zambia was analyzed in this study. Using next-generation sequencing on samples from 20 domestic dogs (mean blood Pb concentration: 43.6 μg/dL and 7.2 μg/dL in the high and low exposure groups), a digital restriction enzyme analysis of methylation was performed to identify the genomic locations of differentially methylated CpG sites. A validation study on an additional 20 dogs followed (blood Pb concentration: 4.9-29.7 μg/dL). The cluster analysis resolved two broad clusters indicating high and low Pb exposure. The study identified 827 (1.2%) CpG sites with differences in methylation (101 CpG sites were hypermethylated in the low exposure group and 726 were hypermethylated in the high exposure group). The sites corresponded to 26 genes with differentially methylated CpG sites at their promoter regions, including the NGF gene. The methylation of four CpG sites was validated using bisulfite pyrosequencing. The results indicate that aberrant hypermethylation is prevalent in dogs exposed to Pb. The altered DNA methylation of the genes identified in this study contributes to a greater understanding of the epigenetic changes caused by Pb exposure and highlights novel biomarker discoveries across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Yamazaki
- Translational Research Unit, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan; One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Haruya Toyomaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Shouta M M Nakayama
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - John Yabe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia; Dept of Pathobiology, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Kaampwe Muzandu
- School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Shoko Yokoyama
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Ikenaka
- Translational Research Unit, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan; Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan; One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Japan; Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Mayumi Ishizuka
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
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15
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Shiek SS, Mani MS, Kabekkodu SP, Dsouza HS. Health repercussions of environmental exposure to lead: Methylation perspective. Toxicology 2021; 461:152927. [PMID: 34492314 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposure has been a major public health concern for a long time now due to its permanent adverse effects on the human body. The process of lead toxicity has still not been fully understood, but recent advances in Omics technology have enabled researchers to evaluate lead-mediated alterations at the epigenome-wide level. DNA methylation is one of the widely studied and well-understood epigenetic modifications. Pb has demonstrated its ability to induce not just acute deleterious health consequences but also alters the epi-genome such that the disease manifestation happens much later in life as supported by Barkers Hypothesis of the developmental origin of health and diseases. Furthermore, these alterations are passed on to the next generation. Based on previous in-vivo, in-vitro, and human studies, this review provides an insight into the role of Pb in the development of several human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadiya Sadiq Shiek
- Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Monica Shirley Mani
- Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
| | - Herman S Dsouza
- Department of Radiation Biology and Toxicology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
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16
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Rygiel CA, Dolinoy DC, Bakulski KM, Aung MT, Perng W, Jones TR, Solano-González M, Hu H, Tellez-Rojo MM, Schnaas L, Marcela E, Peterson KE, Goodrich JM. DNA methylation at birth potentially mediates the association between prenatal lead (Pb) exposure and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2021; 7:dvab005. [PMID: 34141453 PMCID: PMC8206046 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Early-life lead (Pb) exposure has been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Recent evidence has indicated a critical role of DNA methylation (DNAm) in cognition, and Pb exposure has also been shown to alter DNAm. However, it is unknown whether DNAm is part of the mechanism of Pb neurotoxicity. This longitudinal study investigated the associations between trimester-specific (T1, T2, and T3) maternal blood Pb concentrations, gene-specific DNAm in umbilical cord blood, and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 and 24 months of age (mental development index, psychomotor development index, and behavioral rating scale of orientation/engagement and emotional regulation) among 85 mother-infant pairs from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) study. In the mediation analysis for this pilot study, P < 0.1 was considered significant. DNAm at a locus in CCSER1 (probe ID cg02901723) mediated the association between T2 Pb on 24-month orientation/engagement [indirect effect estimate 4.44, 95% confidence interval (-0.09, 10.68), P = 0.06] and emotional regulation [3.62 (-0.05, 8.69), P = 0.05]. Cg18515027 (GCNT1) DNAm mediated the association of T1 Pb [-4.94 (-10.6, -0.77), P = 0.01] and T2 Pb [-3.52 (-8.09, -0.36), P = 0.02] with 24-month EMOCI, but there was a positive indirect effect estimate between T2 Pb and 24-month psychomotor development index [1.25 (-0.11, 3.32), P = 0.09]. The indirect effect was significant for cg19703494 (TRAPPC6A) DNAm in the association between T2 Pb and 24-month mental development index [1.54 (0, 3.87), P = 0.05]. There was also an indirect effect of cg23280166 (VPS11) DNAm on T3 Pb and 24-month EMOCI [2.43 (-0.16, 6.38), P = 0.08]. These associations provide preliminary evidence for gene-specific DNAm as mediators between prenatal Pb and adverse cognitive outcomes in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Rygiel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Max T Aung
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 490 Illinois Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Wei Perng
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and the Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Center, 12474 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Tamara R Jones
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Maritsa Solano-González
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Howard Hu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto St., Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Martha M Tellez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Lourdes Schnaas
- National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Calle Montes Urales 800, Lomas - Virreyes, Lomas de Chapultepec IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Erika Marcela
- National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Calle Montes Urales 800, Lomas - Virreyes, Lomas de Chapultepec IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Park J, Kim J, Kim E, Kim WJ, Won S. Prenatal lead exposure and cord blood DNA methylation in the Korean Exposome Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110767. [PMID: 33515580 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal lead exposure has been reported to affect infant growth and nervous system development, as well as to influence DNA methylation. We conducted an epigenome-wide association study to identify associations between prenatal lead exposure and cord blood DNA methylation in Korean infants. METHODS Cord blood samples were assayed with the Illumina HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip kits, and maternal blood lead levels during early and late pregnancy, as well as cord blood lead level, were measured. The association between CpG methylation and lead level was analyzed using the limma package, with adjusting for infant sex, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, and estimated leukocyte composition. RESULTS Among 364 blood samples (182 males and 182 females), those for which maternal and cord blood lead concentrations during early and later pregnancy was known were used for analysis. Maternal lead concentration in blood during early pregnancy was significantly associated with the methylation status of specific positions. After data stratification by infant sex, we found that, in males, the level of maternal blood lead was associated with 18 CpG sites during early pregnancy, and with one CpG site near the NBAS gene, during late pregnancy. In female samples, there was no significant association between DNA methylation and lead concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal lead exposure was associated with altered, gender-specific patterns of DNA methylation in Korean infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehyun Park
- Interdisciplinary Program of Bioinformatics, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeeyoung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Esther Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Woo Jin Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea.
| | - Sungho Won
- Interdisciplinary Program of Bioinformatics, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Public Health Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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18
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Yan R, Chen XL, Xu YM, Lau ATY. Epimutational effects of electronic cigarettes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:17044-17067. [PMID: 33655478 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), since they do not require tobacco combustion, have traditionally been considered less harmful than conventional cigarettes (c-cigarettes). In recent years, however, researchers have found many toxic compounds in the aerosols of e-cigarettes, and numerous studies have shown that e-cigarettes can adversely affect the human epigenome. In this review, we provide an update on recent findings regarding epigenetic outcomes of e-cigarette aerosols. Moreover, we discussed the effects of several typical e-cigarette ingredients (nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds, carbonyl compounds, and toxic metals) on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA expression. These epigenetic effects could explain some of the diseases caused by e-cigarettes. It also reminds the public that like c-cigarettes, inhaling e-cigarette aerosols could also be accompanied with potential epigenotoxicity on the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yan
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu-Li Chen
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Ming Xu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China.
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Andy T Y Lau
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China.
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Clark I, Vissel B. Broader Insights into Understanding Tumor Necrosis Factor and Neurodegenerative Disease Pathogenesis Infer New Therapeutic Approaches. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:931-948. [PMID: 33459706 PMCID: PMC7990436 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), with its now appreciated key roles in neurophysiology as well as neuropathophysiology, are sufficiently well-documented to be useful tools for enquiry into the natural history of neurodegenerative diseases. We review the broader literature on TNF to rationalize why abruptly-acquired neurodegenerative states do not exhibit the remorseless clinical progression seen in those states with gradual onsets. We propose that the three typically non-worsening neurodegenerative syndromes, post-stroke, post-traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post cardiac arrest, usually become and remain static because of excess cerebral TNF induced by the initial dramatic peak keeping microglia chronically activated through an autocrine loop of microglial activation through excess cerebral TNF. The existence of this autocrine loop rationalizes post-damage repair with perispinal etanercept and proposes a treatment for cerebral aspects of COVID-19 chronicity. Another insufficiently considered aspect of cerebral proinflammatory cytokines is the fitness of the endogenous cerebral anti-TNF system provided by norepinephrine (NE), generated and distributed throughout the brain from the locus coeruleus (LC). We propose that an intact LC, and therefore an intact NE-mediated endogenous anti-cerebral TNF system, plus the DAMP (damage or danger-associated molecular pattern) input having diminished, is what allows post-stroke, post-TBI, and post cardiac arrest patients a strong long-term survival advantage over Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease sufferers. In contrast, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease patients remorselessly worsen, being handicapped by sustained, accumulating, DAMP and PAMP (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) input, as well as loss of the LC-origin, NE-mediated, endogenous anti-cerebral TNF system. Adrenergic receptor agonists may counter this.
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Affiliation(s)
- I.A. Clark
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - B. Vissel
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract
Aging is an inevitable biological phenomenon displayed by single cells and organs to entire organismal systems. Aging as a biological process is characterized as a progressive decline in intrinsic biological function. Understanding the causative mechanisms of aging has always captured the imagination of researchers since time immemorial. Although both biological and chronological aging are well defined and studied in terms of genetic, epigenetic, and lifestyle predispositions, the hallmarks of aging in terms of small molecules (i.e., endogenous metabolites to chemical exposures) are limited to obscure. On top of the endogenous metabolites leading to the onset and progression of healthy aging, human beings are constantly exposed to a natural and anthropogenic "chemical" environment round the clock, from conception till death, affecting one's physiology, health and well-being, and disease predisposition. The research community has started gaining sizeable insights into deciphering the aging factors such as immunosenescence, nutrition, frailty, inflamm-aging, and diseases till date, without much input from their interaction with exogenous chemical exposures. The "exposome" around us, mostly, accelerates the process of aging by affecting the internal biological pathways and signaling mechanisms that result in the deterioration of human health. However, the entirety of exposome on human aging is far from established. This review intends to catalog the known and established associations of the exposome from past studies focusing on aging in humans and other model organisms. Further discussed are the current technologies and informatics tools that enable the study of aging exposotypes, and thus, provide a window of opportunities and challenges to study the "aging exposome" in granular details.
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21
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Lin CY, Lee HL, Hwang YT, Huang PC, Wang C, Sung FC, Wu C, Su TC. Urinary heavy metals, DNA methylation, and subclinical atherosclerosis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 204:111039. [PMID: 32738627 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lead (Pb) or cadmium (Cd) exposure has been linked to atherosclerosis. Co-exposure of these two heavy metals often occurs in humans. Recent evidence has indicated a crucial role of DNA methylation in atherosclerosis, while Pb or Cd exposure has also been shown to alter DNA methylation. However, it is still unknown whether DNA methylation plays a role in the pathological mechanism of these two heavy metals in atherosclerosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We enrolled 738 participants (12-30 years) to investigate the association among concentrations of urine Pb or Cd, the 5mdC/dG value (a global DNA methylation marker) and the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). When each heavy metal was modeled separately, the results showed urine Pb and Cd concentrations were positively associated with the 5mdC/dG value and CIMT, respectively. When the two heavy metals were analyzed in the same model, urinary Pb concentrations were positively associated with the 5mdC/dG value and CIMT, while urinary Cd concentrations were only positively associated with the CIMT. When Pb and Cd are simultaneously considered in the same logistic regression model, the odds ratios (OR) of thicker CIMT (greater than 75th percentile) with one unit increase in ln-Pb level was 1.67 (95% C.I. = 1.17-2.46, P = 0.005) when levels of 5mdC/dG were above 50th percentile, which is higher than 5mdC/dG bellow the 50th percentile (OR = 1.50 (95% C.I. = 0.96-2.35), P = 0.076). In structural equation model (SEM), Pb or Cd levels are directly associated with CIMT. Moreover, Pb or Cd had an indirect association with CIMT through the 5mdC/dG. When we considered Pb and Cd together, Pb levels had a direct association with CIMT and an indirect association with CIMT through the 5mdC/dG value, while Cd only had a direct association with CIMT. CONCLUSIONS Our findings imply that Pb and Cd exposure might be associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, and global DNA methylation might mediate Pb-associated subclinical atherosclerosis in this young population. Future effort is necessary to elucidate the causal relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, 237, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242, Taiwan; Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ling Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Hwang
- Department of Statistics, National Taipei University, New Taipei City, 237, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chin Huang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 350, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Chikang Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Fung-Chang Sung
- Department of Health Services Administration, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Charlene Wu
- Global Health Program, National Taiwan University, College of Public Health, 10055, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chen Su
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
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22
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Neonatal Lead (Pb) Exposure and DNA Methylation Profiles in Dried Bloodspots. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17186775. [PMID: 32957503 PMCID: PMC7559513 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposure remains a major concern in the United States (US) and around the world, even following the removal of Pb from gasoline and other products. Environmental Pb exposures from aging infrastructure and housing stock are of particular concern to pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable populations. Exposures during sensitive periods of development are known to influence epigenetic modifications which are thought to be one mechanism of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm. To gain insights into early life Pb exposure-induced health risks, we leveraged neonatal dried bloodspots in a cohort of children from Michigan, US to examine associations between blood Pb levels and concomitant DNA methylation profiles (n = 96). DNA methylation analysis was conducted via the Infinium MethylationEPIC array and Pb levels were assessed via high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). While at-birth Pb exposure levels were relatively low (average 0.78 µg/dL, maximum of 5.27 ug/dL), we identified associations between DNA methylation and Pb at 33 CpG sites, with the majority (82%) exhibiting reduced methylation with increasing Pb exposure (q < 0.2). Biological pathways related to development and neurological function were enriched amongst top differentially methylated genes by p-value. In addition to increases/decreases in methylation, we also demonstrate that Pb exposure is related to increased variability in DNA methylation at 16 CpG sites. More work is needed to assess the accuracy and precision of metals assessment using bloodspots, but this study highlights the utility of this unique resource to enhance environmental epigenetics research around the world.
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Rygiel CA, Dolinoy DC, Perng W, Jones TR, Solano M, Hu H, Téllez-Rojo MM, Peterson KE, Goodrich JM. Trimester-Specific Associations of Prenatal Lead Exposure With Infant Cord Blood DNA Methylation at Birth. Epigenet Insights 2020; 13:2516865720938669. [PMID: 32734142 PMCID: PMC7372614 DOI: 10.1177/2516865720938669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational exposure to lead (Pb) adversely impacts offspring health through multiple mechanisms, one of which is the alteration of the epigenome including DNA methylation. This study aims to identify differentially methylated CpG sites associated with trimester-specific maternal Pb exposure in umbilical cord blood (UCB) leukocytes. Eighty-nine mother-child dyads from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) longitudinal birth cohorts with available UCB samples were selected for DNA methylation analysis via the Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip, which quantifies methylation at >850 000 CpG sites. Maternal blood lead levels (BLLs) during each trimester (T1: 6.56 ± 5.35 µg/dL; T2: 5.93 ± 5.00 µg/dL; T3: 6.09 ± 4.51 µg/dL), bone Pb (patella: 11.8 ± 9.25 µg/g; tibia: 11.8 ± 6.73 µg/g), a measure of cumulative Pb exposure, and UCB Pb (4.86 ± 3.74 µg/dL) were measured. After quality control screening, data from 786 024 CpG sites were used to identify differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) by Pb biomarkers using separate linear regression models, controlling for sex and estimated UCB cell-type proportions. We identified 3 DMPs associated with maternal T1 BLL, 2 with T3 BLL, and 2 with tibia bone Pb. We identified one DMR within PDGFRL associated with T1 BLL, one located at chr6:30095136-30095295 with T3 BLL, and one within TRHR with tibia bone Pb (adjusted P-value < .05). Pathway analysis identified 15 overrepresented gene pathways for differential methylation that overlapped among all 3 trimesters with the largest overlap between T1 and T2 (adjusted P-value < .05). Pathways of interest include nodal signaling pathway and neurological system processes. These data provide evidence for differential methylation by prenatal Pb exposure that may be trimester-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Rygiel
- Department of Environmental Health
Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health
Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences,
University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wei Perng
- Department of Epidemiology, University
of Colorado School of Public Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Tamara R Jones
- Department of Environmental Health
Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Howard Hu
- Department of Environmental and
Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health,
Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Environmental Health
Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences,
University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health
Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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24
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Lee J, Freeman JL. Exposure to the Heavy-Metal Lead Induces DNA Copy Number Alterations in Zebrafish Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:2047-2053. [PMID: 32567310 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
DNA copy number variants are associated with the development of complex neurological diseases and disorders including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Exposure to multiple environmental chemicals including various heavy metals is suggested as a risk factor in these neurological diseases and disorders, but few studies have addressed if heavy-metal exposure can result in de novo DNA copy number changes as a genetic mechanism contributing to these disease outcomes. In this study to further investigate the relationship between heavy-metal exposure and de novo copy number alterations (CNAs), zebrafish fibroblast cells were exposed to the neurotoxicant lead (Pb). A crystal violet assay was first used to determine exposure concentrations with >80% cell confluency. Then a zebrafish-specific array comparative genomic hybridization platform was used to detect CNAs following a 72 h Pb exposure (0.24, 2.4, or 24 μM). The Pb exposure resulted in 72 CNA amplifications ranging in size from 5 to 329 kb. No deletions were detected. CNAs resulted in 15 CNA regions (CNARs), leaving 7 singlet CNAs. Two of the singlets were within high repeat genomic locations. The number of CNAs tended to increase in a concentration-dependent manner. Several CNARs encompassed genes previously reported to have altered expression with Pb exposure, suggesting a mechanistic link. In addition, almost all genes are associated within a molecular network with amyloid precursor protein, a key molecular target associated with the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Overall, these findings show that Pb exposure results in de novo CNAs that could serve as a mechanism driving adverse health outcomes associated with Pb toxicity including neurological disease pathogenesis for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyoung Lee
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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25
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Wang T, Zhang J, Xu Y. Epigenetic Basis of Lead-Induced Neurological Disorders. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134878. [PMID: 32645824 PMCID: PMC7370007 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Environmental lead (Pb) exposure is closely associated with pathogenesis of a range of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. Epigenetic machinery modulates neural development and activities, while faulty epigenetic regulation contributes to the diverse forms of CNS (central nervous system) abnormalities and diseases. As a potent epigenetic modifier, lead is thought to cause neurological disorders through modulating epigenetic mechanisms. Specifically, increasing evidence linked aberrant DNA methylations, histone modifications as well as ncRNAs (non-coding RNAs) with AD cases, among which circRNA (circular RNA) stands out as a new and promising field for association studies. In 23-year-old primates with developmental lead treatment, Zawia group discovered a variety of epigenetic changes relating to AD pathogenesis. This is a direct evidence implicating epigenetic basis in lead-induced AD animals with an entire lifespan. Additionally, some epigenetic molecules associated with AD etiology were also known to respond to chronic lead exposure in comparable disease models, indicating potentially interlaced mechanisms with respect to the studied neurotoxic and pathological events. Of note, epigenetic molecules acted via globally or selectively influencing the expression of disease-related genes. Compared to AD, the association of lead exposure with other neurological disorders were primarily supported by epidemiological survey, with fewer reports connecting epigenetic regulators with lead-induced pathogenesis. Some pharmaceuticals, such as HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors and DNA methylation inhibitors, were developed to deal with CNS disease by targeting epigenetic components. Still, understandings are insufficient regarding the cause–consequence relations of epigenetic factors and neurological illness. Therefore, clear evidence should be provided in future investigations to address detailed roles of novel epigenetic factors in lead-induced neurological disorders, and efforts of developing specific epigenetic therapeutics should be appraised.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yi Xu
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-183-2613-5046
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26
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Masoud AM, Bihaqi SW, Alansi B, Dash M, Subaiea GM, Renehan WE, Zawia NH. Altered microRNA, mRNA, and Protein Expression of Neurodegeneration-Related Biomarkers and Their Transcriptional and Epigenetic Modifiers in a Human Tau Transgenic Mouse Model in Response to Developmental Lead Exposure. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 63:273-282. [PMID: 29614648 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid deposits originating from the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) and aggregates of the microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT) are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animal studies have demonstrated a link between early life exposure to lead (Pb) and latent overexpression of the AβPP and MAPT genes and their products via epigenetic reprogramming. The present study monitored APP gene and epigenetic mediators and transcription factors known to regulate it. Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to study the mRNA, miRNA, and proteins levels of AβPP, specificity protein 1 (SP1; a transcriptional regulator of amyloid and tau pathway), and epigenetic intermediates namely: DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1, DNMT3a and Methyl- CpG protein binding 2 (MeCP2) in the cerebral cortex of transgenic mice (Knock-in for human MAPT). These transgenic mice were developmentally exposed to Pb and the impact on mRNA, miRNA, and protein levels was scrutinized on postnatal days (PND) 20 and 50. The data revealed a consistent inverse relationship between miRNA and protein levels for SP1 and AβPP both in the basal and exposed conditions, which may influence the levels of their corresponding proteins. On the other hand, the relationship between miRNA and protein levels was not correlative for DNMT1 and DNMT3a. MeCP2 miRNA protein levels corresponded only following environmental exposure. These results suggest that developmental exposure to Pb and subsequent AβPP protein levels may be controlled through transcriptional regulators and epigenetic mechanisms that mainly involve miRNA regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar M Masoud
- Biochemical Technology Program, Faculty of Applied Science, Thamar University, Thamar, Yemen
| | - Syed W Bihaqi
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Bothaina Alansi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Miriam Dash
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Gehad M Subaiea
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - William E Renehan
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Nasser H Zawia
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA.,Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA.,George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
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27
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Khalid M, Abdollahi M. Epigenetic modifications associated with pathophysiological effects of lead exposure. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, ENVIRONMENTAL CARCINOGENESIS & ECOTOXICOLOGY REVIEWS 2019; 37:235-287. [PMID: 31402779 DOI: 10.1080/10590501.2019.1640581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposure during different stages of development has demonstrated dose, duration, sex, and tissue-specific pathophysiological outcomes due to altered epigenetic regulation via (a) DNA methylation, (b) histone modifications, (c) miRNAs, and (d) chromatin accessibility. Pb-induced alteration of epigenetic regulation causes neurotoxic and extra-neurotoxic pathophysiological outcomes. Neurotoxic effects of Pb include dysfunction of memory and learning, behavioral disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, aging, Alzheimer's disease, tauopathy, and neurodegeneration. Extra-neurotoxic effects of Pb include altered body weight, metabolic disorder, cardiovascular disorders, hematopoietic disorder, and reproductive impairment. Pb exposure either early in life or at any stage of development results in undesirable pathophysiological outcomes that tends to sustain and maintain for a lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Khalid
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Millions of Americans now entering midlife and old age were exposed to high levels of lead, a neurotoxin, as children. Evidence from animal-model and human observational studies suggest that childhood lead exposure may raise the risk of adult neurodegenerative disease, particularly dementia, through a variety of possible mechanisms including epigenetic modification, delayed cardiovascular and kidney disease, direct degenerative CNS injury from lead remobilized from bone, and lowered neural and cognitive reserve. Within the next ten years, the generation of children with the highest historical lead exposures, those born in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, will begin to enter the age at which dementia symptoms tend to emerge. Many will also enter the age in which lead stored in the skeleton may be remobilized at greater rates, particularly for women entering menopause and men and women experiencing osteoporosis. Should childhood lead exposure prove pro-degenerative, the next twenty years will provide the last opportunities for possible early intervention to forestall greater degenerative disease burden across the aging lead-exposed population. More evidence is needed now to characterize the nature and magnitude of the degenerative risks facing adults exposed to lead as children and to identify interventions to limit long-term harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Reuben
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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29
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Bihaqi SW. Early life exposure to lead (Pb) and changes in DNA methylation: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2019; 34:187-195. [DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2018-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Recent advances in neuroepigenetics have revealed its essential role in governing body function and disease. Epigenetics regulates an array of mechanisms that are susceptible to undergoing alteration by intracellular or extracellular factors. DNA methylation, one of the most extensively studied epigenetic markers is involved in the regulation of gene expression and also plays a vital role in neuronal development. The epigenome is most vulnerable during early the embryonic stage and perturbation in DNA methylation during this period can result in a latent outcome which can persist during the entire lifespan. Accumulating evidence suggests that environmental insults during the developmental phase can impart changes in the DNA methylation landscape. Based on reports on human subjects and animal models this review will explore the evidence on how developmental exposure of the known environmental pollutant, lead (Pb), can induce changes in the DNA methylation of genes which later can induce development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Waseem Bihaqi
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience , University of Rhode Island , Avedisian Hall, Lab: 390, 7 Greenhouse Road , Kingston, RI 02881 , USA
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30
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Clark IA, Vissel B. Neurodegenerative disease treatments by direct TNF reduction, SB623 cells, maraviroc and irisin and MCC950, from an inflammatory perspective – a Commentary. Expert Rev Neurother 2019; 19:535-543. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1618710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I A Clark
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - B Vissel
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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31
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Dou JF, Farooqui Z, Faulk CD, Barks AK, Jones T, Dolinoy DC, Bakulski KM. Perinatal Lead (Pb) Exposure and Cortical Neuron-Specific DNA Methylation in Male Mice. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10040274. [PMID: 30987383 PMCID: PMC6523909 DOI: 10.3390/genes10040274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
: Lead (Pb) exposure is associated with a wide range of neurological deficits. Environmental exposures may impact epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, and can affect neurodevelopmental outcomes over the life-course. Mating mice were obtained from a genetically invariant C57BL/6J background agouti viable yellow Avy strain. Virgin dams (a/a) were randomly assigned 0 ppm (control), 2.1 ppm (low), or 32 ppm (high) Pb-acetate water two weeks prior to mating with male mice (Avy/a), and this continued through weaning. At age 10 months, cortex neuronal nuclei were separated with NeuN⁺ antibodies in male mice to investigate neuron-specific genome-wide promoter DNA methylation using the Roche NimbleGen Mouse 3x720K CpG Island Promoter Array in nine pooled samples (three per dose). Several probes reached p-value < 10-5 , all of which were hypomethylated: 12 for high Pb (minimum false discovery rate (FDR) = 0.16, largest intensity ratio difference = -2.1) and 7 for low Pb (minimum FDR = 0.56, largest intensity ratio difference = -2.2). Consistent with previous results in bulk tissue, we observed a weak association between early-life exposure to Pb and DNA hypomethylation, with some affected genes related to neurodevelopment or cognitive function. Although these analyses were limited to males, data indicate that non-dividing cells such as neurons can be carriers of long-term epigenetic changes induced in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Dou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Zishaan Farooqui
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Christopher D Faulk
- Department of Animal Science, College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
| | - Amanda K Barks
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
| | - Tamara Jones
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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32
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Wang Y, Hu Y, Wu Z, Su Y, Ba Y, Zhang H, Li X, Cheng X, Li W, Huang H. Latent role of in vitro Pb exposure in blocking Aβ clearance and triggering epigenetic modifications. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 66:14-23. [PMID: 30593950 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Both β-amyloid (Aβ) catabolism and epigenetic regulation play critical roles in the onset of neurodegeneration. The latter also contribute to Pb neurotoxicity. The present study explored the role of epigenetic modifiers and Aβ degradation enzymes in Pb-induced latent effects on Aβ overproduction in vitro. Our results indicated that in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to Pb, the expression of NEP and IDE remained declined during the recovery period, accompanied with abnormal increase of Aβ1-42 and amyloid oligomer. A disruption of selective global post-translational histone modifiers including the decrease of H3K9ac and H4K12ac and the induction of H3K9me2 and H3K27me2 dose dependently was also showed in recovery cells. Moreover, histone deacetylase inhibitor VPA could attenuate latent Aβ accumulation and HDAC activity induced by Pb, which might be by regulating the expression of NEP and IDE epigenetically. Overall, our results suggest sustained reduction of NEP and IDE expression in response to Pb sensitizes recovery SH-SY5Y cells to Aβ accumulation; however, administration of VPA is demonstrated to be beneficial in modulating Aβ clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Wang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yazhen Hu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Zuntao Wu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yanbin Su
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yue Ba
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Huizhen Zhang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Xing Li
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Xuemin Cheng
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Wenjie Li
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Hui Huang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China.
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Clark IA, Vissel B. Therapeutic implications of how TNF links apolipoprotein E, phosphorylated tau, α-synuclein, amyloid-β and insulin resistance in neurodegenerative diseases. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:3859-3875. [PMID: 30097997 PMCID: PMC6151331 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
While cytokines such as TNF have long been recognized as essential to normal cerebral physiology, the implications of their chronic excessive production within the brain are now also increasingly appreciated. Syndromes as diverse as malaria and lead poisoning, as well as non‐infectious neurodegenerative diseases, illustrate this. These cytokines also orchestrate changes in tau, α‐synuclein, amyloid‐β levels and degree of insulin resistance in most neurodegenerative states. New data on the effects of salbutamol, an indirect anti‐TNF agent, on α‐synuclein and Parkinson's disease, APOE4 and tau add considerably to the rationale of the anti‐TNF approach to understanding, and treating, these diseases. Therapeutic advances being tested, and arguably useful for a number of the neurodegenerative diseases, include a reduction of excess cerebral TNF, whether directly, with a specific anti‐TNF biological agent such as etanercept via Batson's plexus, or indirectly via surgically implanting stem cells. Inhaled salbutamol also warrants investigating further across the neurodegenerative disease spectrum. It is now timely to integrate this range of new information across the neurodegenerative disease spectrum, rather than keep seeing it through the lens of individual disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Clark
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - B Vissel
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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34
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Joensuu M, Lanoue V, Hotulainen P. Dendritic spine actin cytoskeleton in autism spectrum disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:362-381. [PMID: 28870634 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spines are small actin-rich protrusions from neuronal dendrites that form the postsynaptic part of most excitatory synapses. Changes in the shape and size of dendritic spines correlate with the functional changes in excitatory synapses and are heavily dependent on the remodeling of the underlying actin cytoskeleton. Recent evidence implicates synapses at dendritic spines as important substrates of pathogenesis in neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although synaptic perturbations are not the only alterations relevant for these diseases, understanding the molecular underpinnings of the spine and synapse pathology may provide insight into their etiologies and could reveal new drug targets. In this review, we will discuss recent findings of defective actin regulation in dendritic spines associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Joensuu
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Vanessa Lanoue
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Pirta Hotulainen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
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35
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Eid A, Bihaqi SW, Hemme C, Gaspar JM, Hart RP, Zawia NH. Histone acetylation maps in aged mice developmentally exposed to lead: epigenetic drift and Alzheimer-related genes. Epigenomics 2018; 10:573-583. [PMID: 29722544 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Early life exposure to lead (Pb) has been shown to increase late life biomarkers involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Here, we tested the hypothesis that latent over expression of AD-related genes may be regulated through histone activation pathways. METHODS Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing was used to map the histone activation mark (H3K9Ac) to the mouse genome in developmentally Pb exposed mice on postnatal days 20, 270 and 700. RESULTS Exposure to Pb resulted in a global downregulation of H3K9Ac across the lifespan; except in genes associated with the Alzheimer pathway. DISCUSSION Early life exposure to Pb results in an epigenetic drift in H3K9Ac consistent with latent global gene repression. Alzheimer-related genes do not follow this trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aseel Eid
- Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.,George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Syed Waseem Bihaqi
- George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Christopher Hemme
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - John M Gaspar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Ronald P Hart
- Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Nasser H Zawia
- Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.,Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.,George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
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36
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Lee J, Horzmann KA, Freeman JL. An embryonic 100 μg/L lead exposure results in sex-specific expression changes in genes associated with the neurological system in female or cancer in male adult zebrafish brains. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 65:60-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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37
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Mitra P, Sharma S, Purohit P, Sharma P. Clinical and molecular aspects of lead toxicity: An update. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2017; 54:506-528. [DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2017.1408562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Prasenjit Mitra
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Shailja Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Purvi Purohit
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Praveen Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
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38
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Jiang P, Hou Z, Bolin JM, Thomson JA, Stewart R. RNA-Seq of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Exposed to Lead (Pb) Reveals Transcriptome Dynamics, Splicing Alterations and Disease Risk Associations. Toxicol Sci 2017; 159:251-265. [PMID: 28903495 PMCID: PMC6372217 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a well-known toxicant, especially for the developing nervous system, albeit the mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we use time series RNA-seq to conduct a genome-wide survey of the transcriptome response of human embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells to lead treatment. Using a dynamic time warping algorithm coupled with statistical tests, we find that lead can either accelerate or decelerate the expression of specific genes during the time series. We further show that lead disrupts a neuron- and brain-specific splicing factor NOVA1 regulated splicing network. Using lead induced transcriptome change signatures, we predict several known and novel disease risks under lead exposure. The findings in this study will allow a better understanding of the mechanism of lead toxicity, facilitate the development of diagnostic biomarkers and treatment for lead exposure, and comprise a highly valuable resource for environmental toxicology. Our study also demonstrates that a human (embryonic stem) cell-derived system can be used for studying the mechanism of toxicants, which can be useful for drug or compound toxicity screens and safety assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Jiang
- Regenerative Biology Laboratory, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin 53707
| | - Zhonggang Hou
- Regenerative Biology Laboratory, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin 53707
| | - Jennifer M. Bolin
- Regenerative Biology Laboratory, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin 53707
| | - James A. Thomson
- Regenerative Biology Laboratory, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin 53707
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106
| | - Ron Stewart
- Regenerative Biology Laboratory, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin 53707
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser H Zawia
- Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.,Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.,George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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40
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Kochmanski J, Montrose L, Goodrich JM, Dolinoy DC. Environmental Deflection: The Impact of Toxicant Exposures on the Aging Epigenome. Toxicol Sci 2017; 156:325-335. [PMID: 28087834 PMCID: PMC6256948 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic drift and age-related methylation have both been used in the literature to describe changes in DNA methylation that occurs with aging. However, ambiguity remains regarding the exact definition of both of these terms, and neither of these fields of study explicitly considers the impact of environmental factors on the aging epigenome. Recent twin studies have demonstrated longitudinal, pair-specific discordance in DNA methylation patterns, suggesting an effect of the environment on age-related methylation and/or epigenetic drift. Supporting this idea, other new reports have shown clear environment- and toxicant-mediated shifts away from the baseline rates of age-related methylation and epigenetic drift within an organism, a process we now term "environmental deflection." By defining and delineating environmental deflection, this contemporary review aims to highlight the effects of specific toxicological factors on the rate of DNA methylation changes that occur over the life course. In an effort to inform future epigenetics-based toxicology studies, a field of research now classified as toxicoepigenetics, we provide clear definitions and examples of "epigenetic drift" and "age-related methylation," summarize the recent evidence for environmental deflection of the aging epigenome, and discuss the potential functional effects of environmental deflection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dana C. Dolinoy
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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41
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Engstrom AK, Snyder JM, Maeda N, Xia Z. Gene-environment interaction between lead and Apolipoprotein E4 causes cognitive behavior deficits in mice. Mol Neurodegener 2017; 12:14. [PMID: 28173832 PMCID: PMC5297175 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-017-0155-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. Environmental factors and gene-environment interactions (GXE) may increase AD risk, accelerate cognitive decline, and impair learning and memory. However, there is currently little direct evidence supporting this hypothesis. Methods In this study, we assessed for a GXE between lead and ApoE4 on cognitive behavior using transgenic knock-in (KI) mice that express the human Apolipoprotein E4 allele (ApoE4-KI) or Apolipoprotein E3 allele (ApoE3-KI). We exposed 8-week-old male and female ApoE3-KI and ApoE4-KI mice to 0.2% lead acetate via drinking water for 12 weeks and assessed for cognitive behavior deficits during and after the lead exposure. In addition, we exposed a second (cellular) cohort of animals to lead and assessed for changes in adult hippocampal neurogenesis as a potential underlying mechanism for lead-induced learning and memory deficits. Results In the behavior cohort, we found that lead reduced contextual fear memory in all animals; however, this decrease was greatest and statistically significant only in lead-treated ApoE4-KI females. Similarly, only lead-treated ApoE4-KI females exhibited a significant decrease in spontaneous alternation in the T-maze. Furthermore, all lead-treated animals developed persistent spatial working memory deficits in the novel object location test, and this deficit manifested earlier in ApoE4-KI mice, with female ApoE4-KI mice exhibiting the earliest deficit onset. In the cellular cohort, we observed that the maturation, differentiation, and dendritic development of adult-born neurons in the hippocampus was selectively impaired in lead-treated female ApoE4-KI mice. Conclusions These data suggest that GXE between ApoE4 and lead exposure may contribute to cognitive impairment and that impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis may contribute to these deficits in cognitive behavior. Together, these data suggest a role for GXE and sex differences in AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Engstrom
- Toxicology Program, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357234, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jessica M Snyder
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nobuyo Maeda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Zhengui Xia
- Toxicology Program, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357234, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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42
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Sun H, Wang N, Nie X, Zhao L, Li Q, Cang Z, Chen C, Lu M, Cheng J, Zhai H, Xia F, Ye L, Lu Y. Lead Exposure Induces Weight Gain in Adult Rats, Accompanied by DNA Hypermethylation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169958. [PMID: 28107465 PMCID: PMC5249225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Previous studies have revealed the association of lead (Pb) exposure with obesity. DNA methylation alteration has been suggested to be one of the regulatory mechanisms of obesity. We aimed to explore whether Pb exposure is related with weight gain and DNA methylation alteration. Methods Male adult 8 week Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: the normal chow diet (NCD); the NCD+0.05%Pb; the NCD+0.15%Pb; the NCD+0.45%Pb and the high fat diet. Rats were exposed to different dosages of Pb through drinking water for 21 weeks. Body weight, fasted blood glucose level, fasted insulin level, homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and lipid profile were detected. Intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was constructed to evaluate the glucose tolerance. Lipid accumulation of liver was detected and liver DNA underwent whole genome bisulfite sequencing. Results The NCD+0.05%Pb group had significantly greater weight, HOMA-IR and triglycerides, and lower glucose intolerance than the NCD group (P <0.05). This group also showed hepatic lipid accumulation. These metabolic changes were not observed in the other two Pb dosage groups. Furthermore, DNA hypermethylation extended along pathways related to glucose and lipid metabolism in NCD+0.05%Pb group. Conclusion Pb exposure resulted in dose-specific weight gain in adult Wistar rats, accompanied by alteration of DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Sun
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningjian Wang
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomin Nie
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Li
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Cang
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chi Chen
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Lu
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hualing Zhai
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangzhen Xia
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Ye
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (YL); (LY)
| | - Yingli Lu
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (YL); (LY)
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43
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44
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Sanchez OF, Lee J, Yu King Hing N, Kim SE, Freeman JL, Yuan C. Lead (Pb) exposure reduces global DNA methylation level by non-competitive inhibition and alteration of dnmt expression. Metallomics 2017; 9:149-160. [DOI: 10.1039/c6mt00198j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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45
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Eid A, Zawia N. Consequences of lead exposure, and it’s emerging role as an epigenetic modifier in the aging brain. Neurotoxicology 2016; 56:254-261. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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46
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Athanasopoulos D, Karagiannis G, Tsolaki M. Recent Findings in Alzheimer Disease and Nutrition Focusing on Epigenetics. Adv Nutr 2016; 7:917-27. [PMID: 27633107 PMCID: PMC5015036 DOI: 10.3945/an.116.012229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease with no effective cure so far. The current review focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms of AD and how nutrition can influence the course of this disease through regulation of gene expression, according to the latest scientific findings. The search strategy was the use of scientific databases such as PubMed and Scopus in order to find relative research or review articles published in the years 2012-2015. By showing the latest data of various nutritional compounds, this study aims to stimulate the scientific community to recognize the value of nutrition in this subject. Epigenetics is becoming a very attractive subject for researchers because it can shed light on unknown aspects of complex diseases like AD. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs are the principal epigenetic mechanisms involved in AD pathophysiology. Nutrition is an environmental factor that is related to AD through epigenetic pathways. Vitamin B-12, for instance, can alter the one-carbon metabolism and thus interfere in the DNA methylation process. The research results might seem ambiguous about the clinical role of nutrition, but there is strengthening evidence that proper nutrition can not only change epigenetic biomarker levels but also prevent the development of late-onset AD and attenuate cognition deficit. Nutrition might grow to become a preventive and even therapeutic alternative against AD, especially if combined with other antidementia interventions, brain exercise, physical training, etc. Epigenetic biomarkers can be a very helpful tool to help researchers find the exact nutrients needed to create specific remedies, and perhaps the same biomarkers can be used even in patient screening in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Magda Tsolaki
- Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; and Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki, Greece
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47
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Gulson B, Taylor A, Eisman J. Bone remodeling during pregnancy and post-partum assessed by metal lead levels and isotopic concentrations. Bone 2016; 89:40-51. [PMID: 27233973 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bone remodeling is normally evaluated using bone turnover markers/indices as indicators of bone resorption and formation. However, during pregnancy and post-partum, there have been inconsistent results between and within biomarkers for bone formation and resorption. These differences may relate to pregnancy-related changes in metabolism and/or hemodilution altering measured marker levels. An alternative approach to evaluating bone remodeling is to use the metal lead (Pb) concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions in blood. These measurements can also provide information on the amount of Pb that is mobilized from the maternal skeleton. Despite some similarities with accepted bone turnover markers, the Pb data demonstrate increased bone resorption throughout pregnancy that further continues post-partum independent of length of breast-feeding, dietary intake and resumption of menses. Furthermore the isotopic measurements are not affected by hemodilution. These data confirm calcium balance studies that indicate increased bone resorption throughout pregnancy and lactation. They also indicate potentially major public health implications of the transfer of maternal Pb burden to the fetus and new born.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Gulson
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Energy Flagship, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Alan Taylor
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia.
| | - John Eisman
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, School of Medicine Sydney, University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of New South Wales, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, School of Medicine Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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48
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Keil KP, Lein PJ. DNA methylation: a mechanism linking environmental chemical exposures to risk of autism spectrum disorders? ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvv012. [PMID: 27158529 PMCID: PMC4856164 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvv012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
There is now compelling evidence that gene by environment interactions are important in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the mechanisms by which environmental factors interact with genetic susceptibilities to confer individual risk for ASD remain a significant knowledge gap in the field. The epigenome, and in particular DNA methylation, is a critical gene expression regulatory mechanism in normal and pathogenic brain development. DNA methylation can be influenced by environmental factors such as diet, hormones, stress, drugs, or exposure to environmental chemicals, suggesting that environmental factors may contribute to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes of relevance to ASD via effects on DNA methylation in the developing brain. In this review, we describe epidemiological and experimental evidence implicating altered DNA methylation as a potential mechanism by which environmental chemicals confer risk for ASD, using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, and bisphenol A (BPA) as examples. Understanding how environmental chemical exposures influence DNA methylation and how these epigenetic changes modulate the risk and/or severity of ASD will not only provide mechanistic insight regarding gene-environment interactions of relevance to ASD but may also suggest potential intervention strategies for these and potentially other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly P. Keil
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- *Correspondence address. Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Tel:
(530) 752-1970
; Fax:
(530) 752-7690
; E-mail:
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49
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Lee J, Freeman JL. Embryonic exposure to 10 μg L−1lead results in female-specific expression changes in genes associated with nervous system development and function and Alzheimer's disease in aged adult zebrafish brain. Metallomics 2016; 8:589-96. [PMID: 26776728 DOI: 10.1039/c5mt00267b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic exposure to Pb at levels as low as 10 μg L−1disturb global gene expression patterns in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyoung Lee
- School of Health Sciences
- Purdue University
- West Lafayette, USA
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50
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Tshala-Katumbay D, Mwanza JC, Rohlman DS, Maestre G, Oriá RB. A global perspective on the influence of environmental exposures on the nervous system. Nature 2015; 527:S187-92. [PMID: 26580326 PMCID: PMC4772865 DOI: 10.1038/nature16034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Economic transitions in the era of globalization warrant a fresh look at the neurological risks associated with environmental change. These are driven by industrial expansion, transfer and mobility of goods, climate change and population growth. In these contexts, risk of infectious and non-infectious diseases are shared across geographical boundaries. In low- and middle-income countries, the risk of environmentally mediated brain disease is augmented several fold by lack of infrastructure, poor health and safety regulations, and limited measures for environmental protection. Neurological disorders may occur as a result of direct exposure to chemical and/or non-chemical stressors, including but not limited to, ultrafine particulate matters. Individual susceptibilities to exposure-related diseases are modified by genetic, epigenetic and metagenomic factors. The existence of several uniquely exposed populations, including those in the areas surrounding the Niger Delta or north western Amazon oil operations; those working in poorly regulated environments, such as artisanal mining industries; or those, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, relying on cassava as a staple food, offers invaluable opportunities to advance the current understanding of brain responses to environmental challenges. Increased awareness of the brain disorders that are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and investments in capacity for further environmental health-related research are positive steps towards improving human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desire Tshala-Katumbay
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health &Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.,National Institute of Biomedical Research, 1197 Kinshasa I, Congo.,Department of Neurology, University of Kinshasa, 825 Kinshasa XI, Congo
| | - Jean-Claude Mwanza
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Diane S Rohlman
- Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa 52242, USA.,Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA
| | - Gladys Maestre
- G. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60020, Brazil
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