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Nishihara S, Koseki M, Tanaka K, Omatsu T, Sawabe H, Inui H, Saga A, Okada T, Higo T, Ohama T, Nishida M, Sakata Y, Watanabe M. Twin Study: The Factors Affecting the Serum LDL-C and HDL-C Levels and an RNA-Seq Analysis in Mononuclear Cells in Monozygotic Twins. J Atheroscler Thromb 2024:64882. [PMID: 38684403 DOI: 10.5551/jat.64882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM A twin study is a valuable tool for elucidating the acquired factors against lifestyle diseases such as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. We aimed 1. to investigate the factors that affect low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in monozygotic (MZ) twins, and 2. to identify genes which expression levels changed in pairs with large differences in LDL-C or HDL-C levels. METHODS The registered database at the Center for Twin Research, Osaka University, containing 263 pairs of MZ twins, was analyzed. 1. The effects of smoking, exercise, nutritional factors, and anthropometric and biochemical parameters on LDL-C or HDL-C levels were examined in MZ twins. 2. RNA sequencing in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 59 pairs was analyzed for large differences of LDL-C or HDL-C groups. RESULTS 1. The ΔLDL-C levels were significantly associated with an older age, the ΔTG levels, and ΔBMI. ΔHDL-C levels were associated with the ΔBMI, ΔTG, ΔTP, and ΔLDL-C levels. The HDL-C levels were affected by smoking and exercise habits. The intakes of cholesterol and saturated fatty acids were not associated with the LDL-C or HDL-C levels. 2. An RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to the TLR4 and IFNG pathways was suppressed in accordance with the HDL-C levels in the larger ΔHDL-C group among the 59 pairs. CONCLUSION We identified the factors affecting the LDL-C or HDL-C levels in monozygotic twins. In addition, some types of inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were suppressed in accordance with the HDL-C levels, thus suggesting the importance of weight management and exercise habits in addition to dietary instructions to control the LDL-C or HDL-C levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Nishihara
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Masahiro Koseki
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Katsunao Tanaka
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Takashi Omatsu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Hiroshi Sawabe
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Hiroyasu Inui
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Ayami Saga
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Takeshi Okada
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Tomoaki Higo
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Tohru Ohama
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Makoto Nishida
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
- Health Care Division, Health and Counseling Center, Osaka University
| | - Yasushi Sakata
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Mikio Watanabe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
- Center for Twin Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
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Taniguchi J, Masuda T, Iwatani Y, Yamamoto K, Sakai N, Okada Y, Watanabe M. Rigorous evaluation of genetic and epigenetic effects on clinical laboratory measurements using Japanese monozygotic twins. Clin Genet 2024; 105:159-172. [PMID: 37899590 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The investigation of environmental effects on clinical measurements using individual samples is challenging because their genetic and environmental factors are different. However, using monozygotic twins (MZ) makes it possible to investigate the influence of environmental factors as they have the same genetic factors within pairs because the difference in the clinical traits within the MZ mostly reflect the influence of environmental factors. We hypothesized that the within-pair differences in the traits that are strongly affected by genetic factors become larger after genetic risk score (GRS) correction. Using 278 Japanese MZ pairs, we compared the change in within-pair differences in each of the 45 normalized clinical measurements before and after GRS correction, and we also attempted to correct for the effects of genetic factors to identify Cytosine-phosphodiester-Guanine (CpG) sites in DNA sequences with epigenetic effects that are regulated by genetic factors. Five traits were classified into the high heritability group, which was strongly affected by genetic factors. CpG sites could be classified into three groups: regulated only by environmental factors, regulated by environmental factors masked by genetic factors, and regulated only by genetic factors. Our method has the potential to identify trait-related methylation sites that have not yet been discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Taniguchi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Masuda
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Iwatani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Center for Twin Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kenichi Yamamoto
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Laboratory of Statistical Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Norio Sakai
- Center for Twin Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Child Healthcare and Genetic Science Laboratory, Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yukinori Okada
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Laboratory of Statistical Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Laboratory for Systems Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikio Watanabe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Center for Twin Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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Yoshioka S, Arakawa Y, Hasegawa M, Kato S, Hashimoto H, Mori S, Ueda H, Watanabe M. Twin study: genotype-dependent epigenetic factors affecting free thyroxine levels in the normal range. Epigenomics 2024; 16:147-158. [PMID: 38264851 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0372] [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: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: To explore the clinical application of DNA methylation affecting thyroid function, we evaluated the association of DNA methylation with free thyroxine (FT4) and TSH measurements in monozygotic twins. Materials & methods: Discordant pairs for FT4 or TSH levels were examined for the relationship between the within-pair difference of each measurement and the DNA methylation levels using epigenome-wide association studies. The contribution of polymorphisms to the methylation sensitivity was also examined. Results: We found two CpG sites significantly associated with FT4 levels, and also some CpG sites showing significant differences in their methylation levels within FT4-discordant pairs depending on the polymorphism in EPHB2. Conclusion: The FT4 level may be associated with a combination of methylation and polymorphisms in the EPHB2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Yoshioka
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuya Arakawa
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Center for Twin Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mika Hasegawa
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shiho Kato
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hinako Hashimoto
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Saho Mori
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Ueda
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mikio Watanabe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory & Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Center for Twin Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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Hasegawa M, Taniguchi J, Ueda H, Watanabe M. Twin Study: Genetic and Epigenetic Factors Affecting Circulating Adiponectin Levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 108:144-154. [PMID: 36082629 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Clarification of the association among phenotypes, genetic, and environmental factors with clinical laboratory traits can reveal the cause of diseases and assist in developing methods for the prediction and prevention of diseases. It is difficult to investigate the environmental effect on phenotypes using individual samples because their genetic and environmental factors differ, but we can easily investigate the influence of environmental factors using monozygotic (MZ) twins because they have the same genetic factors. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the methylation level of CpG sites as an environmental factor affecting adiponectin levels on the basis of the same genetic background using MZ twins and to identify the epigenetic factors related to adiponectin levels and the genetic factors associated with sensitivity to acquired changes in adiponectin. METHODS Using 2 groups built from each twin of 232 MZ twin pairs, we performed a replicated epigenome-wide association study to clarify the epigenetic factors affecting adiponectin levels adjusted by genetic risk score. Moreover, we divided twin pairs into concordant and discordant for adiponectin levels. We conducted a genome-wide association study to identify a genetic background specific for discordance. RESULTS Methylation levels at 38 CpG sites were reproducibly associated with adjusted adiponectin levels, and some of these CpG sites were in genes related to adiponectin, including CDH13. Some genes related to adiponectin or insulin resistance were found to be genetic factors specific for discordance. CONCLUSION We clarified specific epigenetic factors affecting adiponectin levels and genetic factors associated with sensitivity to acquired changes in adiponectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Hasegawa
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jumpei Taniguchi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Ueda
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mikio Watanabe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Center for Twin Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Saeki S, Szabo H, Tomizawa R, Tarnoki AD, Tarnoki DL, Watanabe Y, Honda C. Lobular Difference in Heritability of Brain Atrophy among Elderly Japanese: A Twin Study. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58091250. [PMID: 36143927 PMCID: PMC9505910 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58091250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Brain atrophy is related to cognitive decline. However, the heritability of brain atrophy has not been fully investigated in the Eastern Asian population. Materials and Methods: Brain imaging of 74 Japanese twins registered in the Osaka University Twin Registry was conducted with voxel-based morphometry SPM12 and was processed by individual voxel-based morphometry adjusting covariates (iVAC) toolbox. The atrophy of the measured lobes was obtained by comparing the focal volume to the average of healthy subjects. Classical twin analysis was used to measure the heritability of its z-scores. Results: The heritability of brain atrophy ranged from 0.23 to 0.97, depending upon the lobes. When adjusted to age, high heritability was reported in the frontal, frontal-temporal, and parietal lobes, but the heritability in other lobes was lower than 0.70. Conclusions: This study revealed a relatively lower heritability in brain atrophy compared to other ethnicities. This result suggests a significant environmental impact on the susceptibility of brain atrophy the Japanese. Therefore, environmental factors may have more influence on the Japanese than in other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soichiro Saeki
- Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
- Department of Global and Innovative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-3202-7181
| | - Helga Szabo
- Medical Imaging Centre, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rie Tomizawa
- Center for Twin Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- School of Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | - Adam D. Tarnoki
- Medical Imaging Centre, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Hungary
- Center for Twin Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - David L. Tarnoki
- Medical Imaging Centre, Semmelweis University, 1082 Budapest, Hungary
- Center for Twin Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Watanabe
- Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | | | - Chika Honda
- Center for Twin Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
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India's Opportunities and Challenges in Establishing a Twin Registry: An Unexplored Human Resource for the World's Second-Most Populous Nation. Twin Res Hum Genet 2022; 25:156-164. [PMID: 35786423 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2022.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Nature and nurture have always been a prerogative of evolutionary biologists. The environment's role in shaping an organism's phenotype has always intrigued us. Since the inception of humankind, twinning has existed with an unsettled parley on the contribution of nature (i.e. genetics) versus nurture (i.e. environment), which can influence the phenotypes. The study of twins measures the genetic contribution and that of the environmental influence for a particular trait, acting as a catalyst, fine-tuning the phenotypic trajectories. This is further evident because a number of human diseases show a spectrum of clinical manifestations with the same underlying molecular aberration. As of now, there is no definite way to conclude just from the genomic data the severity of a disease or even to predict who will get affected. This greatly justifies initiating a twin registry for a country as diverse and populated as India. There is an unmet need to set up a nationwide database to carefully curate the information on twins, serving as a valuable biorepository to study their overall susceptibility to disease. Establishing a twin registry is of paramount importance to harness the wealth of human information related to the biomedical, anthropological, cultural, social and economic significance.
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Bridging gaps between images and data: a systematic update on imaging biobanks. Eur Radiol 2022; 32:3173-3186. [PMID: 35001159 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-08431-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The systematic collection of medical images combined with imaging biomarkers and patient non-imaging data is the core concept of imaging biobanks, a key element for fuelling the development of modern precision medicine. Our purpose is to review the existing image repositories fulfilling the criteria for imaging biobanks. METHODS Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for articles published in English from January 2010 to July 2021 using a combination of the terms: "imaging" AND "biobanks" and "imaging" AND "repository". Moreover, the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) database ( https://cordis.europa.eu/projects ) was searched using the terms: "imaging" AND "biobanks", also including collections, projects, project deliverables, project publications and programmes. RESULTS Of 9272 articles retrieved, only 54 related to biobanks containing imaging data were finally selected, of which 33 were disease-oriented (61.1%) and 21 population-based (38.9%). Most imaging biobanks were European (26/54, 48.1%), followed by American biobanks (20/54, 37.0%). Among disease-oriented biobanks, the majority were focused on neurodegenerative (9/33, 27.3%) and oncological diseases (9/33, 27.3%). The number of patients enrolled ranged from 240 to 3,370,929, and the imaging modality most frequently involved was MRI (40/54, 74.1%), followed by CT (20/54, 37.0%), PET (13/54, 24.1%), and ultrasound (12/54, 22.2%). Most biobanks (38/54, 70.4%) were accessible under request. CONCLUSIONS Imaging biobanks can serve as a platform for collecting, sharing and analysing medical images integrated with imaging biomarkers, biological and clinical data. A relatively small proportion of current biobanks also contain images and can thus be classified as imaging biobanks. KEY POINTS • Imaging biobanks are a powerful tool for large-scale collection and processing of medical images integrated with imaging biomarkers and patient non-imaging data. • Most imaging biobanks retrieved were European, disease-oriented and accessible under user request. • While many biobanks have been developed so far, only a relatively small proportion of them are imaging biobanks.
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Abtahi H, Gholamzadeh M, Shahmoradi L, Shariat M. An information-based framework for development national twin registry: Scoping review and focus group discussion. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 36:1423-1444. [PMID: 34519094 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Registries in various clinical domains have been established in the last decades. The specific genetic structure of twins has enabled researchers to find answers to the role of genetics and the environment in medical sciences. Thus, twin registries were developed across the world to support twin studies. Our main objective was to devise a conceptual model for developing the national twin registry to ensure the success of this registry. METHODS In this descriptive and qualitative study, the combination of literature review and focus group discussions was applied to achieve suitable models for developing a national twin registry based on lessons learned from founded registries. The qualitative synthesis and reporting results were conducted based on the COREQ checklist. RESULTS According to a systematic literature review, the characteristics and employed strategies employed by established twin registries were recognized. Moreover, based on our objectives, suitable models for registry development were defined. The source of information, the different levels of data, and the information flow were determined based on this model. CONCLUSION Suggesting a conceptual framework for twin registry development at the national level based on the experiences of other countries could contribute to a greater understanding of twin registry implementation efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Abtahi
- Associate Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, Thoracic Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marsa Gholamzadeh
- Ph.D. Student in Medical Informatics, Health Information Management Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Shahmoradi
- Associate Professor of Health Information Management, Health Information Management Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mamak Shariat
- Family Health Research Institute, Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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