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Alelú-Paz R, Carmona FJ, Sanchez-Mut JV, Cariaga-Martínez A, González-Corpas A, Ashour N, Orea MJ, Escanilla A, Monje A, Guerrero Márquez C, Saiz-Ruiz J, Esteller M, Ropero S. Epigenetics in Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study of Global DNA Methylation in Different Brain Regions Associated with Higher Cognitive Functions. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1496. [PMID: 27746755 PMCID: PMC5044511 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Attempts to discover genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders have been frustrating and often fruitless. Concern is building about the need to understand the complex ways in which nature and nurture interact to produce mental illness. We analyze the epigenome in several brain regions from schizophrenic patients with severe cognitive impairment using high-resolution (450K) DNA methylation array. We identified 139 differentially methylated CpG sites included in known and novel candidate genes sequences as well as in and intergenic sequences which functions remain unknown. We found that altered DNA methylation is not restricted to a particular region, but includes others such as CpG shelves and gene bodies, indicating the presence of different DNA methylation signatures depending on the brain area analyzed. Our findings suggest that epimutations are not relatables between different tissues or even between tissues' regions, highlighting the need to adequately study brain samples to obtain reliable data concerning the epigenetics of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alelú-Paz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y CajalMadrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Carmona
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | - José V Sanchez-Mut
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariel Cariaga-Martínez
- Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Corpas
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Nadia Ashour
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria J Orea
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Escanilla
- Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Monje
- Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jerónimo Saiz-Ruiz
- Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal Madrid, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis AvançatsBarcelona, Spain; Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine, University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Ropero
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
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Cui D, Jiang K. Research in China on the molecular genetics of schizophrenia. SHANGHAI ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY 2014; 24:187-99. [PMID: 25324626 PMCID: PMC4198854 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-0829.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex disease caused by genetic and environmental factors with a global heritability of more than 80%. By the end of the 1970s, Chinese scientists reported a heritability of schizophrenia of 82.9% in the Chinese Han population. Continuous improvements in research techniques and the recruitment of larger samples have made it possible for Chinese scientists to identify a number of candidate susceptibility genes for schizophrenia. This article reviews the results in genetic research of schizophrenia by Chinese scientists over the last five decades
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghong Cui
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaida Jiang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Debnath M, Cannon DM, Venkatasubramanian G. Variation in the major histocompatibility complex [MHC] gene family in schizophrenia: associations and functional implications. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 42:49-62. [PMID: 22813842 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Revised: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder with a complex genetic contribution. Although multiple genetic, immunological and environmental factors are known to contribute to schizophrenia susceptibility, the underlying neurobiological mechanism(s) is yet to be established. The immune system dysfunction theory of schizophrenia is experiencing a period of renewal due to a growth in evidence implicating components of the immune system in brain function and human behavior. Current evidence indicates that certain immune molecules such as Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and cytokines, the key regulators of immunity and inflammation are directly involved in the neurobiological processes related to neurodevelopment, neuronal plasticity, learning, memory and behavior. However, the strongest support in favor of the immune hypothesis has recently emerged from on-going genome wide association studies advocating MHC region variants as major determinants of one's risk for developing schizophrenia. Further identification of the interacting partners and receptors of MHC molecules in the brain and their role in down-stream signaling pathways of neurotransmission have implicated these molecules as potential schizophrenia risk factors. More recently, combined brain imaging and genetic studies have revealed a relationship between genetic variations within the MHC region and neuromorphometric changes during schizophrenia. Furthermore, MHC molecules play a significant role in the immune-infective and neurodevelopmental pathogenetic pathways, currently hypothesized to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Herein, we review the immunological, genetic and expression studies assessing the role of the MHC in conferring risk for developing schizophrenia, we summarize and discuss the possible mechanisms involved, making note of the challenges to, and future directions of, immunogenetic research in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monojit Debnath
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore-560029, India.
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Elmer BM, McAllister AK. Major histocompatibility complex class I proteins in brain development and plasticity. Trends Neurosci 2012; 35:660-70. [PMID: 22939644 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Proper development of the central nervous system (CNS) requires the establishment of appropriate connections between neurons. Recent work suggests that this process is controlled by a balance between synaptogenic molecules and proteins that negatively regulate synapse formation and plasticity. Surprisingly, many of these newly identified synapse-limiting molecules are classic 'immune' proteins. In particular, major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) molecules regulate neurite outgrowth, the establishment and function of cortical connections, activity-dependent refinement in the visual system, and long-term and homeostatic plasticity. This review summarizes our current understanding of MHCI expression and function in the CNS, as well as the potential mechanisms used by MHCI to regulate brain development and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford M Elmer
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Singh B, Bera NK, Nayak CR, Chaudhuri TK. Immunomodulation in schizophrenia: A study among the Indian schizophrenia patients of Siliguri, West Bengal. Asian J Psychiatr 2011; 4:277-83. [PMID: 23051162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2011.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Revised: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 08/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Authors investigated the circumstantial evidence for autoimmunity in schizophrenia patients of Siliguri by considering the immune parameters like HLA Class I genes, IL-2 and IL6 and T cell subsets. Low resolution PCR-SSP method was applied for typing the HLA genes. Serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were measured by ELISA method. The CD4+ and CD8+ subset count were done using flow cytometry. A significant increase in HLA A*03 gene was observed in patients along with the significant decrease of HLA-A*31 and HLA-B*51. Both IL-2 and IL-6 were found to have decreased levels in the patients. Although the mean percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was higher in patients but not significantly higher than controls. These cumulative preliminary findings are suggestive of alterations in the immune system of schizophrenia patients of this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bisu Singh
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Siliguri 734 430, West Bengal, India
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Singh B, Bera NK, De S, Nayak C, Chaudhuri TK. Study of HLA Class I gene in Indian schizophrenic patients of Siliguri, West Bengal. Psychiatry Res 2011; 189:215-9. [PMID: 21459456 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2010] [Revised: 03/10/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The authors studied the prevalence of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I gene in 136 (85 male, 51 female) India-born schizophrenia patients residing in and around the Siliguri subdivision of West Bengal by the PCR-SSP method. The control group consisted of 150 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals from the same ethnic group as the patients. Increased frequency of HLA A*03 as well as decreased frequencies of HLA A*31 and HLA B*51, was noted. The study suggests the possible existence of a susceptibility locus for schizophrenia within the HLA region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bisu Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal, India
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Zhou DX, Zhang J, Wang HX, Wang XF, Tian Z, Zhao WB, Han SP, Zhang J, Huo YW, Tian H. Association study of HLA-B alleles with idiopathic male infertility in Han population of China. J Assist Reprod Genet 2011; 28:979-85. [PMID: 21870185 PMCID: PMC3220441 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-011-9622-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the distributions of HLA-B alleles and estimate their associations with idiopathic male infertility in Chinese Han population. METHODS Polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method was used for DNA typing at HLA-B locus in 109 patients with idiopathic male infertility and 152 healthy controls in male Han population of Shaanxi Province, situated in northwestern China. RESULTS In total, we detected 45 HLA-B alleles in idiopathic infertile patients, 48 HLA-B alleles in control subjects. However, no significant differences of these allelic frequencies were found between the infertile patients and the controls. CONCLUSION HLA-B gene was unlikely a major risk factor of idiopathic male infertility in this sample population. As different populations have different HLA polymorphisms, investigation of the relationship of other HLA genes and idiopathic male infertility with larger sample size, is warranted in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dang-Xia Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Zhou DX, Huang XC, Wang XF, Zhang J, Wang H, Tian Z. Association study of human leucocyte antigen-A gene with idiopathic male infertility in Han population of China. Andrologia 2011; 44 Suppl 1:213-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01166.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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