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Manna I, De Benedittis S, Porro D. A Comprehensive Examination of the Role of Epigenetic Factors in Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8921. [PMID: 39201606 PMCID: PMC11355011 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
According to various research, the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is strongly influenced by genetic variations. Population, familial, and molecular studies provide strong empirical support for a polygenic pattern of inheritance, mainly due to relatively common allelic variants in the general population. The strongest MS susceptibility locus, which was unmistakably identified in tested populations, is the major histocompatibility complex on chromosome 6p21.3. However, the effect of a given predisposing variant remains modest, so there is the possibility that multiple gene-gene and/or gene-environment interactions could significantly increase the contribution of specific variants to the overall genetic risk. Furthermore, as is known, susceptibility genes can be subject to epigenetic modifications, which greatly increase the complexity of MS heritability. Investigating epigenetic and environmental factors can provide new opportunities for the molecular basis of the MS, which shows complicated pathogenesis. Although studies of epigenetic changes in MS only began in the last decade, a growing body of literature suggests that these may be involved in the development of MS. Here, we summarize recent studies regarding epigenetic changes related to MS initiation and progression. Furthermore, we discuss how current studies address important clinical questions and how future studies could be used in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Manna
- Institute of Bioimaging and Complex Biological Systems (IBSBC), National Research Council (CNR), Section of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Selene De Benedittis
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR) Cosenza, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Danilo Porro
- Institute of Bioimaging and Complex Biological Systems (IBSBC), National Research Council (CNR), Segrate, 20054 Milan, Italy
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de Fátima Dos Santos Sampaio M, de Paiva YB, Sampaio TB, Pereira MG, Coimbra NC. Therapeutic applicability of cannabidiol and other phytocannabinoids in epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease and in comorbidity with psychiatric disorders. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 134:574-601. [PMID: 38477419 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol (CBD) and other Cannabis sativa L. derivatives on diseases of the central nervous system caused by their direct or indirect interaction with endocannabinoid system-related receptors and other molecular targets, such as the 5-HT1A receptor, which is a potential pharmacological target of CBD. Interestingly, CBD binding with the 5-HT1A receptor may be suitable for the treatment of epilepsies, parkinsonian syndromes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in which the 5-HT1A serotonergic receptor plays a key role. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of cannabinoid effects on neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's diseases, and discuss their possible mechanism of action, highlighting interactions with molecular targets and the potential neuroprotective effects of phytocannabinoids. CBD has been shown to have significant therapeutic effects on epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, while nabiximols contribute to a reduction in spasticity and are a frequent option for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Although there are multiple theories on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for neurological disorders, substantially greater progress in the search for strong scientific evidence of their pharmacological effectiveness is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria de Fátima Dos Santos Sampaio
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Agropastoralism Sciences and Technology (CCTA), North Fluminense State University (UENF), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Psychobiology Division, Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yara Bezerra de Paiva
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Psychobiology Division, Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Center (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tuane Bazanella Sampaio
- Pharmacology Post-Graduation Program, Health Sciences Centre, Santa Maria Federal University, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Messias Gonzaga Pereira
- Center for Agropastoralism Sciences and Technology (CCTA), North Fluminense State University (UENF), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Psychobiology Division, Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Center (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zeydan B, Rangachari M, Kantarci OH. Editorial: Understanding sex-specific issues in MS and its animal models: natural history, management and mechanisms. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1366126. [PMID: 38322587 PMCID: PMC10844553 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1366126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Zeydan
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Women's Health Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Manu Rangachari
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Orhun H. Kantarci
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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Klose D, Needhamsen M, Ringh MV, Hagemann-Jensen M, Jagodic M, Kular L. Smoking affects epigenetic ageing of lung bronchoalveolar lavage cells in Multiple Sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 79:104991. [PMID: 37708820 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A compelling body of evidence implicates cigarette smoking and lung inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and progression. Previous studies have reported epigenetic age (DNAm age) acceleration in blood immune cells and in glial cells of people with MS (pwMS) compared to healthy controls (HC). OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine biological ageing in lung immune cells in the context of MS and smoking. METHODS We analyzed age acceleration residuals in lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells, constituted of mainly alveolar macrophages, from 17 pwMS and 22 HC in relation to smoking using eight DNA methylation-based clocks, namely AltumAge, Horvath, GrimAge, PhenoAge, Zhang, SkinBlood, Hannum, Monocyte clock as well as two RNA-based clocks, which capture different aspects of biological ageing. RESULTS After adjustment for covariates, five epigenetic clocks showed significant differences between the groups. Four of them, Horvath (Padj = 0.028), GrimAge (Padj = 4.28 × 10-7), SkinBlood (Padj = 0.001) and Zhang (Padj = 0.02), uncovered the sole effect of smoking on ageing estimates, irrespective of the clinical group. The Horvath, SkinBlood and Zhang clocks showed a negative impact of smoking while GrimAge detected smoking-associated age acceleration in BAL cells. On the contrary, the AltumAge clock revealed differences between pwMS and HC and indicated that, in the absence of smoking, BAL cells of pwMS were epigenetically 5.4 years older compared to HC (Padj = 0.028). Smoking further affected epigenetic ageing in BAL cells of pwMS specifically as non-smoking pwMS exhibited a 10.2-year AltumAge acceleration compared to pwMS smokers (Padj = 0.0049). Of note, blood-derived monocytes did not show any MS-specific or smoking-related AltumAge differences. The difference between BAL cells of pwMS smokers and non-smokers was attributable to the differential methylation of 114 AltumAge-CpGs (Padj < 0.05) affecting genes involved in innate immune processes such as cytokine production, defense response and cell motility. These changes functionally translated into transcriptional differences in BAL cells between pwMS smokers and non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS BAL cells of pwMS display inflammation-related and smoking-dependent changes associated to epigenetic ageing captured by the AltumAge clock. Future studies examining potential confounders, such as the distribution of distinct BAL myeloid cell types in pwMS compared to control individuals in relation to smoking may clarify the varying performance and DNAm age estimations among epigenetic clocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Klose
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Needhamsen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael V Ringh
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Maja Jagodic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lara Kular
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Si W, Ni Y, Jiang Q, Tan L, Sparagano O, Li R, Yang G. Nanopore sequencing identifies differentially methylated genes in the central nervous system in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 381:578134. [PMID: 37364516 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578134] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that might be triggered by aberrant epigenetic changes in the genome. DNA methylation is the most studied epigenetic mechanism that participates in MS pathogenesis. However, the overall methylation level in the CNS of MS patients remains elusive. We used direct long-read nanopore DNA sequencing and characterized the differentially methylated genes in the brain from mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. We identified 163 hypomethylated promoters and 327 hypermethylated promoters. These genomic alterations were linked to various biological processes including metabolism, immune responses, neural activities, and mitochondrial dynamics, all of which are vital for EAE development. Our results indicate a great potential of nanopore sequencing in identifying genomic DNA methylation in EAE and provide important guidance for future studies investigating the MS/EAE pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Si
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
| | - Ying Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
| | - Qianling Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
| | - Lu Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
| | - Olivier Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
| | - Runsheng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China.
| | - Guan Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China.
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Boziki M, Theotokis P, Kesidou E, Karafoulidou E, Konstantinou C, Michailidou I, Bahar Y, Altintas A, Grigoriadis N. Sex, aging and immunity in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: An intriguing interaction. Front Neurol 2023; 13:1104552. [PMID: 36698908 PMCID: PMC9869255 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1104552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with a profound neurodegenerative component early in the disease pathogenesis. Age is a factor with a well-described effect on the primary disease phenotype, namely, the relapsing-remitting vs. the primary progressive disease. Moreover, aging is a prominent factor contributing to the transition from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) to secondary progressive disease. However, sex also seems to, at least in part, dictate disease phenotype and evolution, as evidenced in humans and in animal models of the disease. Sex-specific gene expression profiles have recently elucidated an association with differential immunological signatures in the context of experimental disease. This review aims to summarize current knowledge stemming from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models regarding the effects of sex, either independently or as a factor combined with aging, on disease phenotype, with relevance to the immune system and the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Boziki
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Kesidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Karafoulidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrystalla Konstantinou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Iliana Michailidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ayse Altintas
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece,*Correspondence: Nikolaos Grigoriadis ✉
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Kiselev IS, Kulakova OG, Baturina OA, Kabilov MR, Boyko AN, Favorova OO. [A comparison of DNA methylation profiles of blood mononuclear cells in patients with multiple sclerosis in remission and relapse]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2023; 123:60-64. [PMID: 37560835 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202312307260] [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] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the whole-genome DNA methylation profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in remission and relapse in order to assess the contribution of this epigenetic mechanism of gene expression regulation to the activity of the pathological process. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight patients with RRMS in remission and 6 patients in relapse were included in the study. Methylation levels of DNA CpG sites in PBMCs were analyzed using Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip DNA microarrays. RESULTS Seven differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were identified, of which 3 were hypermethylated (cg02981003, cg18486102, cg19533582) and 4 were hypomethylated (cg16814680, cg1964802, cg18584440, cg08291996) during RRMS relapse. Five DMPs are located in protein-coding genes (GPR123, FAIM2, BTNL2, ZNF8, ASAP2), one in microRNA gene (MIR548N), and one in an intergenic region. For all identified DMPs, we observed a change in DNA methylation levels of more than 20% (range 20.2-57.5%). Hierarchical clustering of DNA samples on the heatmap shows their clear aggregation into separate clusters corresponding to RRMS patients in the stages of relapse and remission. CONCLUSION For the first time it was shown that during relapse and remission of RRMS there are differences in the DNA methylation profile that allow discrimination between these clinical stages. These data indicate the involvement of the epigenetic mechanism of DNA methylation in the activation of the pathological process in RRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- I S Kiselev
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - O G Kulakova
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - O A Baturina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine - Genomics Core Facility, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M R Kabilov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine - Genomics Core Facility, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A N Boyko
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - O O Favorova
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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Lorefice L, Pitzalis M, Murgia F, Fenu G, Atzori L, Cocco E. Omics approaches to understanding the efficacy and safety of disease-modifying treatments in multiple sclerosis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1076421. [PMID: 36793897 PMCID: PMC9922720 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1076421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
From the perspective of precision medicine, the challenge for the future is to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of therapeutic responses through the identification of biomarkers. In this framework, the omics sciences (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) and their combined use represent innovative approaches for the exploration of the complexity and heterogeneity of multiple sclerosis (MS). This review examines the evidence currently available on the application of omics sciences to MS, analyses the methods, their limitations, the samples used, and their characteristics, with a particular focus on biomarkers associated with the disease state, exposure to disease-modifying treatments (DMTs), and drug efficacies and safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Lorefice
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Binaghi Hospital, ASL Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- *Correspondence: Lorena Lorefice,
| | - Maristella Pitzalis
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Murgia
- Dpt of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fenu
- Department of Neurosciences, ARNAS Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luigi Atzori
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Binaghi Hospital, ASL Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cocco
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Binaghi Hospital, ASL Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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