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Lewis J, Guilcher GMT, Greenway SC. Reviewing the impact of hydroxyurea on DNA methylation and its potential clinical implications in sickle cell disease. Eur J Haematol 2024; 113:264-272. [PMID: 38831675 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14247] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Hydroxyurea (HU) is the most common drug therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD). The clinical benefits of HU derive from its upregulation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which reduces aggregation of the mutated sickle hemoglobin protein (HbS) and reduces SCD symptoms and complications. However, some individuals do not respond to HU, or stop responding over time. Unfortunately, current understanding of the mechanism of action of HU is limited, hindering the ability of clinicians to identify those patients who will respond to HU and to optimize treatment for those receiving HU. Given that epigenetic modifications are essential to erythropoiesis and HbF expression, we hypothesize that some effects of HU may be mediated by epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation. However, few studies have investigated this possibility and the effects of HU on DNA methylation remain relatively understudied. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking HU treatment to DNA methylation changes and associated gene expression changes, with an emphasis on studies that were performed in individuals with SCD. Overall, although HU can affect DNA methylation, research on these changes and their clinical effects remains limited. Further study is likely to contribute to our understanding of hematopoiesis and benefit patients suffering from SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Lewis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gregory M T Guilcher
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steven C Greenway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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2
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Górczak K, Burzykowski T, Claesen J. A varying-coefficient model for the analysis of methylation sequencing data. Comput Biol Chem 2024; 111:108094. [PMID: 38781748 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2024.108094] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification involved in gene regulation. Advances in the next generation sequencing technology have enabled the retrieval of DNA methylation information at single-base-resolution. However, due to the sequencing process and the limited amount of isolated DNA, DNA-methylation-data are often noisy and sparse, which complicates the identification of differentially methylated regions (DMRs), especially when few replicates are available. We present a varying-coefficient model for detecting DMRs by using single-base-resolved methylation information. The model simultaneously smooths the methylation profiles and allows detection of DMRs, while accounting for additional covariates. The proposed model takes into account possible overdispersion by using a beta-binomial distribution. The overdispersion itself can be modeled as a function of the genomic region and explanatory variables. We illustrate the properties of the proposed model by applying it to two real-life case studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Górczak
- Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Belgium; Open Analytics NV, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tomasz Burzykowski
- Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Belgium; Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland; International Drug Development Institute (IDDI), Belgium
| | - Jürgen Claesen
- Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Belgium; Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, VU Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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3
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Hou A, Luo H, Liu H, Luo L, Ding P. Multi-scale DNA language model improves 6 mA binding sites prediction. Comput Biol Chem 2024; 112:108129. [PMID: 39067351 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2024.108129] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation at the N6 position of adenine (N6-methyladenine, 6 mA), which refers to the attachment of a methyl group to the N6 site of the adenine (A) of DNA, is an important epigenetic modification in prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. Accurately predicting the 6 mA binding sites can provide crucial insights into gene regulation, DNA repair, disease development and so on. Wet experiments are commonly used for analyzing 6 mA binding sites. However, they suffer from high cost and expensive time. Therefore, various deep learning methods have been widely used to predict 6 mA binding sites recently. In this study, we develop a framework based on multi-scale DNA language model named "iDNA6mA-MDL". "iDNA6mA-MDL" integrates multiple kmers and the nucleotide property and frequency method for feature embedding, which can capture a full range of DNA sequence context information. At the prediction stage, it also leverages DNABERT to compensate for the incomplete capture of global DNA information. Experiments show that our framework obtains average AUC of 0.981 on a classic 6 mA rice gene dataset, going beyond all existing advanced models under fivefold cross-validations. Moreover, "iDNA6mA-MDL" outperforms most of the popular state-of-the-art methods on another 11 6 mA datasets, demonstrating its effectiveness in 6 mA binding sites prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anlin Hou
- School of Computer Science, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Hanyu Luo
- School of Computer Science, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Huan Liu
- School of Computer Science, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Lingyun Luo
- School of Computer Science, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
| | - Pingjian Ding
- School of Computer Science, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
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4
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Adepu VK, Kumar HSS, Ravibabu K, Nagaraju R. Effect of Lead Exposure and Lifestyle Factors on Methylation Index Markers Among Pb-Exposed Workers. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04270-w. [PMID: 38935257 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04270-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and the ratio of SAM and SAH in Pb-exposed workers need to be assessed. In this study, we investigated the effects of Pb exposure on SAM, SAH, and methylation index (MI) in Pb-exposed workers with contemplation of lifestyle factors. Blood lead levels (BLLs), SAM, SAH, MI, and lifestyle factors were assessed in 338 male Pb-exposed workers. BLLs are estimated by ICP-OES method. SAM and SAH levels in serum were determined by ELISA method. The MI was calculated using SAM and SAH individual values. The lifestyle factors were collected using standard questionnaire. Levels of SAM and MI were significantly decreased with increased age, experience > 5 years, habits of tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol consumption, and BLLs 10-30, 30-50, and > 50 µg/dL. Levels of SAH were significantly increased with increased age, habits of tobacco chewing and smoking, and BLLs 10-30, 30-50, and > 50 µg/dL. The association between BLLs and methylation index markers (SAM and MI) was reported as negative and significant. The association between BLLs and SAH was noted positive and significant. The influence of BLLs and lifestyle factors on SAM was noted at 12%, SAH at 35%, and MI at 27%, respectively. The highest percentage of influence was noted in SAH, followed by MI and SAM. In the workers exposed to Pb, lifestyle factors resulted in decreased SAM and MI and increased SAH levels. Adaptation of healthy lifestyle factors, personal hygiene practices, and use of PPE were suggested to minimize the reduction of methylation index markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Kumar Adepu
- Department of Biochemistry, Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern), Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR Complex, Kannamangala Post, Poojanahalli Road Devanahalli Taluk, Bengaluru, 562110, Karnataka, India
| | - H S Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shimoga, Karnataka, 577451, India
| | - Kalahasthi Ravibabu
- Department of Biochemistry, Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern), Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR Complex, Kannamangala Post, Poojanahalli Road Devanahalli Taluk, Bengaluru, 562110, Karnataka, India.
| | - Raju Nagaraju
- Department of Biochemistry, Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern), Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR Complex, Kannamangala Post, Poojanahalli Road Devanahalli Taluk, Bengaluru, 562110, Karnataka, India
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5
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Wong EWP, Sahin M, Yang R, Lee U, Zhan YA, Misra R, Tomas F, Alomran N, Polyzos A, Lee CJ, Trieu T, Fundichely AM, Wiesner T, Rosowicz A, Cheng S, Liu C, Lallo M, Merghoub T, Hamard PJ, Koche R, Khurana E, Apostolou E, Zheng D, Chen Y, Leslie CS, Chi P. TAD hierarchy restricts poised LTR activation and loss of TAD hierarchy promotes LTR co-option in cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.31.596845. [PMID: 38895201 PMCID: PMC11185511 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.31.596845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are abundant in the human genome, and they provide the sources for genetic and functional diversity. The regulation of TEs expression and their functional consequences in physiological conditions and cancer development remain to be fully elucidated. Previous studies suggested TEs are repressed by DNA methylation and chromatin modifications. The effect of 3D chromatin topology on TE regulation remains elusive. Here, by integrating transcriptome and 3D genome architecture studies, we showed that haploinsufficient loss of NIPBL selectively activates alternative promoters at the long terminal repeats (LTRs) of the TE subclasses. This activation occurs through the reorganization of topologically associating domain (TAD) hierarchical structures and recruitment of proximal enhancers. These observations indicate that TAD hierarchy restricts transcriptional activation of LTRs that already possess open chromatin features. In cancer, perturbation of the hierarchical chromatin topology can lead to co-option of LTRs as functional alternative promoters in a context-dependent manner and drive aberrant transcriptional activation of novel oncogenes and other divergent transcripts. These data uncovered a new layer of regulatory mechanism of TE expression beyond DNA and chromatin modification in human genome. They also posit the TAD hierarchy dysregulation as a novel mechanism for alternative promoter-mediated oncogene activation and transcriptional diversity in cancer, which may be exploited therapeutically.
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Peruhova M, Banova-Chakarova S, Miteva DG, Velikova T. Genetic screening of liver cancer: State of the art. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:716-730. [PMID: 38818292 PMCID: PMC11135278 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i5.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma, remains a global health challenge with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options. Genetic factors play a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver cancer. This state-of-the-art paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of genetic screening strategies for liver cancer. We discuss the genetic underpinnings of liver cancer, emphasizing the critical role of risk-associated genetic variants, somatic mutations, and epigenetic alterations. We also explore the intricate interplay between environmental factors and genetics, highlighting how genetic screening can aid in risk stratification and early detection via using liquid biopsy, and advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies. By synthesizing the latest research findings, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art genetic screening methods for liver cancer, shedding light on their potential to revolutionize early detection, risk assessment, and targeted therapies in the fight against this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Peruhova
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Heart and Brain", Burgas 8000, Bulgaria
| | - Sonya Banova-Chakarova
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Heart and Brain", Burgas 8000, Bulgaria.
| | - Dimitrina Georgieva Miteva
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University" St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1164, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetelina Velikova
- Medical Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria
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7
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Yu X, Ren J, Long H, Zeng R, Zhang G, Bilal A, Cui Y. iDNA-OpenPrompt: OpenPrompt learning model for identifying DNA methylation. Front Genet 2024; 15:1377285. [PMID: 38689652 PMCID: PMC11058834 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1377285] [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: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic modification involving the addition of a methyl group to the DNA molecule, playing a key role in regulating gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. The main difficulty in identifying DNA methylation sites lies in the subtle and complex nature of methylation patterns, which may vary across different tissues, developmental stages, and environmental conditions. Traditional methods for methylation site identification, such as bisulfite sequencing, are typically labor-intensive, costly, and require large amounts of DNA, hindering high-throughput analysis. Moreover, these methods may not always provide the resolution needed to detect methylation at specific sites, especially in genomic regions that are rich in repetitive sequences or have low levels of methylation. Furthermore, current deep learning approaches generally lack sufficient accuracy. Methods: This study introduces the iDNA-OpenPrompt model, leveraging the novel OpenPrompt learning framework. The model combines a prompt template, prompt verbalizer, and Pre-trained Language Model (PLM) to construct the prompt-learning framework for DNA methylation sequences. Moreover, a DNA vocabulary library, BERT tokenizer, and specific label words are also introduced into the model to enable accurate identification of DNA methylation sites. Results and Discussion: An extensive analysis is conducted to evaluate the predictive, reliability, and consistency capabilities of the iDNA-OpenPrompt model. The experimental outcomes, covering 17 benchmark datasets that include various species and three DNA methylation modifications (4mC, 5hmC, 6mA), consistently indicate that our model surpasses outstanding performance and robustness approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Yu
- School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Jia Ren
- School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Haixia Long
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Rao Zeng
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhang
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Anas Bilal
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Yani Cui
- School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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8
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Shuang R, Gao T, Sun Z, Tong Y, Zhao K, Wang H. Tet1/DLL3/Notch1 signal pathway affects hippocampal neurogenesis and regulates depression-like behaviour in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 968:176417. [PMID: 38346470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176417] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation protein 1 (Tet1) is associated with the regulation of depression-like behaviour in mice. However, the mechanism by which Tet1 affects neurogenesis in mice to regulate depression-like behaviours remains unclear. In this study, the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm was constructed by overexpressing Tet1 protein in the mouse hippocampus, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU, 50 mg/kg) was injected on the seventh day to explore the mechanism of the regulation of the Tet1/Delta-like protein 3 (DLL3)/Notch1 protein pathway in mice hippocampal neurogenesis and its influence on depression-like behaviour. Following CSDS, the expression level of Tet1 decreased significantly. Moreover, due to the downregulation of Tet1 protein, the maintenance of the DNA methylation and demethylation balance was affected, resulting in a significant increase in the methylation levels of Notch1 and DLL3 and a significant decrease in the protein expression levels of DLL3, Notch1, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). At the same time, the proliferation and differentiation of neurones were affected, which was related to a significant decrease in the number of EdU+, doublecortin (DCX)+, and Ki67+ cells in the hippocampus of the CSDS model mice. When the Tet1 protein was overexpressed in the mouse hippocampus, DLL3 and Notch1 protein expression levels were upregulated, promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and alleviating depression-like behaviour in mice. These findings suggest that regulation of the hippocampal Tet1/DLL3/Notch1 protein pathway to influence neurogenesis may be a therapeutic strategy for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Shuang
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China; Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Tiantian Gao
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China
| | - Zhongwen Sun
- College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Yue Tong
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Keke Zhao
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China
| | - Hanqing Wang
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China.
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Li X, Zhu B, Lu Y, Zhao F, Liu Q, Wang J, Ye M, Chen S, Nie J, Xiong L, Zhao Y, Wu C, Zhou DX. DNA methylation remodeling and the functional implication during male gametogenesis in rice. Genome Biol 2024; 25:84. [PMID: 38566207 PMCID: PMC10985897 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03222-w] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic marks are reprogrammed during sexual reproduction. In flowering plants, DNA methylation is only partially remodeled in the gametes and the zygote. However, the timing and functional significance of the remodeling during plant gametogenesis remain obscure. RESULTS Here we show that DNA methylation remodeling starts after male meiosis in rice, with non-CG methylation, particularly at CHG sites, being first enhanced in the microspore and subsequently decreased in sperm. Functional analysis of rice CHG methyltransferase genes CMT3a and CMT3b indicates that CMT3a functions as the major CHG methyltransferase in rice meiocyte, while CMT3b is responsible for the increase of CHG methylation in microspore. The function of the two histone demethylases JMJ706 and JMJ707 that remove H3K9me2 may contribute to the decreased CHG methylation in sperm. During male gametogenesis CMT3a mainly silences TE and TE-related genes while CMT3b is required for repression of genes encoding factors involved in transcriptional and translational activities. In addition, CMT3b functions to repress zygotic gene expression in egg and participates in establishing the zygotic epigenome upon fertilization. CONCLUSION Collectively, the results indicate that DNA methylation is dynamically remodeled during male gametogenesis, distinguish the function of CMT3a and CMT3b in sex cells, and underpin the functional significance of DNA methylation remodeling during rice reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yue Lu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qian Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jiahao Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Miaomiao Ye
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Siyuan Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Junwei Nie
- Vazyme Biotech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Lizhong Xiong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Changyin Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dao-Xiu Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Institute of Plant Science Paris-Saclay (IPS2), CNRS, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405, Orsay, France.
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10
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Falckenhayn C, Bienkowska A, Söhle J, Wegner K, Raddatz G, Kristof B, Kuck D, Siegner R, Kaufmann R, Korn J, Baumann S, Lange D, Schepky A, Völzke H, Kaderali L, Winnefeld M, Lyko F, Grönniger E. Identification of dihydromyricetin as a natural DNA methylation inhibitor with rejuvenating activity in human skin. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2024; 4:1258184. [PMID: 38500495 PMCID: PMC10944877 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1258184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Changes in DNA methylation patterning have been reported to be a key hallmark of aged human skin. The altered DNA methylation patterns are correlated with deregulated gene expression and impaired tissue functionality, leading to the well-known skin aging phenotype. Searching for small molecules, which correct the aged methylation pattern therefore represents a novel and attractive strategy for the identification of anti-aging compounds. DNMT1 maintains epigenetic information by copying methylation patterns from the parental (methylated) strand to the newly synthesized strand after DNA replication. We hypothesized that a modest inhibition of this process promotes the restoration of the ground-state epigenetic pattern, thereby inducing rejuvenating effects. In this study, we screened a library of 1800 natural substances and 640 FDA-approved drugs and identified the well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule dihydromyricetin (DHM) as an inhibitor of the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1. DHM is the active ingredient of several plants with medicinal use and showed robust inhibition of DNMT1 in biochemical assays. We also analyzed the effect of DHM in cultivated keratinocytes by array-based methylation profiling and observed a moderate, but significant global hypomethylation effect upon treatment. To further characterize DHM-induced methylation changes, we used published DNA methylation clocks and newly established age predictors to demonstrate that the DHM-induced methylation change is associated with a reduction in the biological age of the cells. Further studies also revealed re-activation of age-dependently hypermethylated and silenced genes in vivo and a reduction in age-dependent epidermal thinning in a 3-dimensional skin model. Our findings thus establish DHM as an epigenetic inhibitor with rejuvenating effects for aged human skin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Bienkowska
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jörn Söhle
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Wegner
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guenter Raddatz
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Boris Kristof
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Kuck
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Siegner
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ronny Kaufmann
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Korn
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sascha Baumann
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Lange
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lars Kaderali
- Institute for Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marc Winnefeld
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Lyko
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elke Grönniger
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Li YY, Yuan MM, Li YY, Li S, Wang JD, Wang YF, Li Q, Li J, Chen RR, Peng JM, Du B. Cell-free DNA methylation reveals cell-specific tissue injury and correlates with disease severity and patient outcomes in COVID-19. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:37. [PMID: 38429730 PMCID: PMC10908074 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01645-7] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recently identified methylation patterns specific to cell type allows the tracing of cell death dynamics at the cellular level in health and diseases. This study used COVID-19 as a disease model to investigate the efficacy of cell-specific cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation markers in reflecting or predicting disease severity or outcome. METHODS Whole genome methylation sequencing of cfDNA was performed for 20 healthy individuals, 20 cases with non-hospitalized COVID-19 and 12 cases with severe COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and gene ontology pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore the locus-specific methylation difference between cohorts. The proportion of cfDNA derived from lung and immune cells to a given sample (i.e. tissue fraction) at cell-type resolution was estimated using a novel algorithm, which reflects lung injuries and immune response in COVID-19 patients and was further used to evaluate clinical severity and patient outcome. RESULTS COVID‑19 patients had globally reduced cfDNA methylation level compared with healthy controls. Compared with non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the cfDNA methylation pattern was significantly altered in severe patients with the identification of 11,156 DMRs, which were mainly enriched in pathways related to immune response. Markedly elevated levels of cfDNA derived from lung and more specifically alveolar epithelial cells, bronchial epithelial cells, and lung endothelial cells were observed in COVID-19 patients compared with healthy controls. Compared with non-hospitalized patients or healthy controls, severe COVID-19 had significantly higher cfDNA derived from B cells, T cells and granulocytes and lower cfDNA from natural killer cells. Moreover, cfDNA derived from alveolar epithelial cells had the optimal performance to differentiate COVID-19 with different severities, lung injury levels, SOFA scores and in-hospital deaths, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.958, 0.941, 0.919 and 0.955, respectively. CONCLUSION Severe COVID-19 has a distinct cfDNA methylation signature compared with non-hospitalized COVID-19 and healthy controls. Cell type-specific cfDNA methylation signature enables the tracing of COVID-19 related cell deaths in lung and immune cells at cell-type resolution, which is correlated with clinical severities and outcomes, and has extensive application prospects to evaluate tissue injuries in diseases with multi-organ dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Li
- Medical ICU, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ming-Ming Yuan
- Geneplus-Beijing, Floor 9, Building 6, Medical Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- Medical ICU, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shan Li
- Medical ICU, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jing-Dong Wang
- Geneplus-Shenzhen, Building B, First Branch, Zhongcheng Life Science Park, Zhongxing Road, Kengzi Street, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Yu-Fei Wang
- Geneplus-Shenzhen, Building B, First Branch, Zhongcheng Life Science Park, Zhongxing Road, Kengzi Street, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Qian Li
- Geneplus-Beijing, Floor 9, Building 6, Medical Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jun Li
- Geneplus-Shenzhen, Building B, First Branch, Zhongcheng Life Science Park, Zhongxing Road, Kengzi Street, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Rong-Rong Chen
- Geneplus-Beijing, Floor 9, Building 6, Medical Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jin-Min Peng
- Medical ICU, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Bin Du
- Medical ICU, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China.
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12
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Zhuo L, Wang R, Fu X, Yao X. StableDNAm: towards a stable and efficient model for predicting DNA methylation based on adaptive feature correction learning. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:742. [PMID: 38053026 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09802-7] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation, instrumental in numerous life processes, underscores the paramount importance of its accurate prediction. Recent studies suggest that deep learning, due to its capacity to extract profound insights, provides a more precise DNA methylation prediction. However, issues related to the stability and generalization performance of these models persist. RESULTS In this study, we introduce an efficient and stable DNA methylation prediction model. This model incorporates a feature fusion approach, adaptive feature correction technology, and a contrastive learning strategy. The proposed model presents several advantages. First, DNA sequences are encoded at four levels to comprehensively capture intricate information across multi-scale and low-span features. Second, we design a sequence-specific feature correction module that adaptively adjusts the weights of sequence features. This improvement enhances the model's stability and scalability, or its generality. Third, our contrastive learning strategy mitigates the instability issues resulting from sparse data. To validate our model, we conducted multiple sets of experiments on commonly used datasets, demonstrating the model's robustness and stability. Simultaneously, we amalgamate various datasets into a single, unified dataset. The experimental outcomes from this combined dataset substantiate the model's robust adaptability. CONCLUSIONS Our research findings affirm that the StableDNAm model is a general, stable, and effective instrument for DNA methylation prediction. It holds substantial promise for providing invaluable assistance in future methylation-related research and analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhuo
- College of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Wenzhou University of Technology, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Wenzhou University of Technology, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Xiangzheng Fu
- College of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410000, China.
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, 999078, China.
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13
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Yan L, Geng Q, Cao Z, Liu B, Li L, Lu P, Lin L, Wei L, Tan Y, He X, Li L, Zhao N, Lu C. Insights into DNMT1 and programmed cell death in diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115753. [PMID: 37871559 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115753] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DNMT1 (DNA methyltransferase 1) is the predominant member of the DNMT family and the most abundant DNMT in various cell types. It functions as a maintenance DNMT and is involved in various diseases, including cancer and nervous system diseases. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental mechanism that regulates cell proliferation and maintains the development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. DNMT1 plays a regulatory role in various types of PCD, including apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and others. DNMT1 is closely associated with the development of various diseases by regulating key genes and pathways involved in PCD, including caspase 3/7 activities in apoptosis, Beclin 1, LC3, and some autophagy-related proteins in autophagy, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) in ferroptosis, and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1-receptor-interacting protein kinase 3-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL) in necroptosis. Our study summarizes the regulatory relationship between DNMT1 and different types of PCD in various diseases and discusses the potential of DNMT1 as a common regulatory hub in multiple types of PCD, offering a perspective for therapeutic approaches in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yan
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Geng
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwen Cao
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peipei Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lini Wei
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Tan
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan He
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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14
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Edrei Y, Levy R, Kaye D, Marom A, Radlwimmer B, Hellman A. Methylation-directed regulatory networks determine enhancing and silencing of mutation disease driver genes and explain inter-patient expression variation. Genome Biol 2023; 24:264. [PMID: 38012713 PMCID: PMC10683314 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03094-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common diseases manifest differentially between patients, but the genetic origin of this variation remains unclear. To explore possible involvement of gene transcriptional-variation, we produce a DNA methylation-oriented, driver-gene-wide dataset of regulatory elements in human glioblastomas and study their effect on inter-patient gene expression variation. RESULTS In 175 of 177 analyzed gene regulatory domains, transcriptional enhancers and silencers are intermixed. Under experimental conditions, DNA methylation induces enhancers to alter their enhancing effects or convert into silencers, while silencers are affected inversely. High-resolution mapping of the association between DNA methylation and gene expression in intact genomes reveals methylation-related regulatory units (average size = 915.1 base-pairs). Upon increased methylation of these units, their target-genes either increased or decreased in expression. Gene-enhancing and silencing units constitute cis-regulatory networks of genes. Mathematical modeling of the networks highlights indicative methylation sites, which signified the effect of key regulatory units, and add up to make the overall transcriptional effect of the network. Methylation variation in these sites effectively describe inter-patient expression variation and, compared with DNA sequence-alterations, appears as a major contributor of gene-expression variation among glioblastoma patients. CONCLUSIONS We describe complex cis-regulatory networks, which determine gene expression by summing the effects of positive and negative transcriptional inputs. In these networks, DNA methylation induces both enhancing and silencing effects, depending on the context. The revealed mechanism sheds light on the regulatory role of DNA methylation, explains inter-individual gene-expression variation, and opens the way for monitoring the driving forces behind deferential courses of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifat Edrei
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Revital Levy
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniel Kaye
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anat Marom
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Bernhard Radlwimmer
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Asaf Hellman
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel.
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15
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Hua B, Qiu J, Ye X, Kuang Y, Liu X. Epigenetic PPARγ preservation attenuates temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:111014. [PMID: 37832237 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111014] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated that PPARγ deficiency is associated with osteoarthritis in the knee joint. However, whether epigenetic PPARγ dysregulation has any effect on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is unknown. This study aims to determine the role and mechanism of epigenetic PPARγ dysregulation in TMJOA. METHODS Partial TMJ discectomy was performed to induce TMJOA in rat. Primary condylar chondrocytes were isolated, and TNF-α-induced inflammatory condition was created in vitro. The expressions of PPARγ and DNA methyltransferase were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The association of PPARγ and DNA methylation was further studied by treating chondrocytes with DNA demethylation agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5Aza) and transfecting with siRNA of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)1 and DNMT3a, and the methylation level of PPARγ promoter was evaluated by Bisulfite-sequencing PCR. The chondroprotective effects of 5Aza were explored in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS PPARγ suppression and upregulated DNMT1/DNMT3a expression exist in TMJOA cartilage in vivo and primary condylar chondrocytes under TNF-α-induced inflammatory conditions in vitro. DNMT1 and DNMT3a elevation contributes to PPARγ-promoter hypermethylation in TMJ chondrocytes under TNF-α-induced inflammation conditions. DNA demethylation intervention by 5Aza protects chondrocytes from inflammation response in vitro. Mechanistically, 5Aza reversed the hypermethylation of the PPARγ promoter and subsequently resulted in PPARγ restoration and decreased expression of cartilage-catabolic factors in chondrocytes. Rat TMJOA model revealed that 5Aza, by reversing PPARγ suppression, effectively attenuated cartilage degeneration and stabilized cartilage homeostasis by balancing anabolic factor and catabolic factor expression. CONCLUSION Epigenetic PPARγ suppression may play a causal role in TMJOA pathogenesis, which can be alleviated by DNA demethylation with 5Aza treatment. This study provides new insights into the pathogenic mechanism and therapeutic strategy of TMJOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqiang Hua
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Qiu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Ye
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Kuang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianwen Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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16
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Zhang L, Li J. Unlocking the secrets: the power of methylation-based cfDNA detection of tissue damage in organ systems. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:168. [PMID: 37858233 PMCID: PMC10588141 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01585-8] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detecting organ and tissue damage is essential for early diagnosis, treatment decisions, and monitoring disease progression. Methylation-based assays offer a promising approach, as DNA methylation patterns can change in response to tissue damage. These assays have potential applications in early detection, monitoring disease progression, evaluating treatment efficacy, and assessing organ viability for transplantation. cfDNA released into the bloodstream upon tissue or organ injury can serve as a biomarker for damage. The epigenetic state of cfDNA, including DNA methylation patterns, can provide insights into the extent of tissue and organ damage. CONTENT Firstly, this review highlights DNA methylation as an extensively studied epigenetic modification that plays a pivotal role in processes such as cell growth, differentiation, and disease development. It then presents a variety of highly precise 5-mC methylation detection techniques that serve as powerful tools for gaining profound insights into epigenetic alterations linked with tissue damage. Subsequently, the review delves into the mechanisms underlying DNA methylation changes in organ and tissue damage, encompassing inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Next, it addresses the current research status of cfDNA methylation in the detection of specific organ tissues and organ damage. Finally, it provides an overview of the multiple steps involved in identifying specific methylation markers associated with tissue and organ damage for clinical trials. This review will explore the mechanisms and current state of research on cfDNA methylation-based assay detecting organ and tissue damage, the underlying mechanisms, and potential applications in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Zhang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, No. 1 Dahua Road, Dongdan, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
- Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinming Li
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, No. 1 Dahua Road, Dongdan, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
- Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Jain SS, McNamara ME, Varghese RS, Ressom HW. Deconvolution of immune cell composition and biological age of hepatocellular carcinoma using DNA methylation. Methods 2023; 218:125-132. [PMID: 37574160 PMCID: PMC10529003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2023.08.004] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been an approved indication for the administration of immunotherapy since 2017, but biomarkers that predict therapeutic response have remained limited. Understanding and characterizing the tumor immune microenvironment enables better classification of these tumors and may reveal biomarkers that predict immunotherapeutic efficacy. In this paper, we applied a cell-type deconvolution algorithm using DNA methylation array data to investigate the composition of the tumor microenvironment in HCC. Using publicly available and in-house datasets with a total cohort size of 57 patients, each with tumor and matched normal tissue samples, we identified key differences in immune cell composition. We found that NK cell abundance was significantly decreased in HCC tumors compared to adjacent normal tissue. We also applied DNA methylation "clocks" which estimate phenotypic aging and compared these findings to expression-based determinations of cellular senescence. Senescence and epigenetic aging were significantly increased in HCC tumors, and the degree of age acceleration and senescence was strongly associated with decreased NK cell abundance. In summary, we found that NK cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment is significantly diminished, and that this loss of NK abundance is strongly associated with increased senescence and age-related phenotype. These findings point to key interactions between NK cells and the senescent tumor microenvironment and offer insights into the pathogenesis of HCC as well as potential biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidharth S Jain
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Megan E McNamara
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rency S Varghese
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Habtom W Ressom
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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18
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Manea I, Iacob R, Iacob S, Cerban R, Dima S, Oniscu G, Popescu I, Gheorghe L. Liquid biopsy for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1218705. [PMID: 37809326 PMCID: PMC10556479 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1218705] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent and lethal cancer globally. Over 90% of HCC cases arise in the context of liver cirrhosis, and the severity of the underlying liver disease or advanced tumor stage at diagnosis significantly limits treatment options. Early diagnosis is crucial, and all guidelines stress the importance of screening protocols for HCC early detection as a public health objective. As serum biomarkers are not optimal for early diagnosis, liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising tool for diagnosis, prognostication, and patients' stratification for personalized therapy in various solid tumors, including HCC. While circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are better suited for personalized therapy and prognosis, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and extracellular vesicle-based technologies show potential for early diagnosis, HCC screening, and surveillance protocols. Evaluating the added value of liquid biopsy genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for HCC screening is a key goal in translational research. Somatic mutations commonly found in HCC can be investigated in cfDNA and plasma exosomes as genetic biomarkers. Unique methylation patterns in cfDNA or cfDNA fragmentome features have been suggested as innovative tools for early HCC detection. Likewise, extracellular vesicle cargo biomarkers such as miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for early HCC detection. This review will explore recent findings on the utility of liquid biopsy for early HCC diagnosis. Combining liquid biopsy methods with traditional serological biomarkers could improve the overall diagnostic accuracy for early HCC detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Manea
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan Iacob
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Speranta Iacob
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan Cerban
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Dima
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gabriel Oniscu
- Transplant Division, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irinel Popescu
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Liliana Gheorghe
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
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de Luna FCF, Ferreira WAS, Casseb SMM, de Oliveira EHC. Anticancer Potential of Flavonoids: An Overview with an Emphasis on Tangeretin. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1229. [PMID: 37765037 PMCID: PMC10537037 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091229] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds with pharmacological activity, flavonoids have been the subject of an exponential increase in studies in the field of scientific research focused on therapeutic purposes due to their bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antibacterial, antiviral, neuroprotective, radioprotective, and antitumor activities. The biological potential of flavonoids, added to their bioavailability, cost-effectiveness, and minimal side effects, direct them as promising cytotoxic anticancer compounds in the optimization of therapies and the search for new drugs in the treatment of cancer, since some extensively antineoplastic therapeutic approaches have become less effective due to tumor resistance to drugs commonly used in chemotherapy. In this review, we emphasize the antitumor properties of tangeretin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits that has shown activity against some hallmarks of cancer in several types of cancerous cell lines, such as antiproliferative, apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, regulatory expression of tumor-suppressor genes, and epigenetic modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Canindé Ferreira de Luna
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SEAMB), Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC), BR 316, KM 7, s/n, Levilândia, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil; (W.A.S.F.); (E.H.C.d.O.)
| | - Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SEAMB), Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC), BR 316, KM 7, s/n, Levilândia, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil; (W.A.S.F.); (E.H.C.d.O.)
| | | | - Edivaldo Herculano Correa de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SEAMB), Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC), BR 316, KM 7, s/n, Levilândia, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil; (W.A.S.F.); (E.H.C.d.O.)
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Rua Augusto Correa, 01, Belém 66075-990, Brazil
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Wu T, Cai W, Chen X. Epigenetic regulation of neurotransmitter signaling in neurological disorders. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 184:106232. [PMID: 37479091 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106232] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmission signaling is a highly conserved system attributed to various regulatory events. The excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems have been extensively studied, and their role in neuronal cell proliferation, synaptogenesis and dendrite formation in the adult brain is well established. Recent research has shown that epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in mediating the expression of key genes associated with neurotransmitter pathways, including neurotransmitter receptor and transporter genes. The dysregulation of these genes has been linked to a range of neurological disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. This article focuses on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of genes associated with four major chemical carriers in the brain: dopamine (DA), Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate and serotonin. Additionally, we explore how aberrant epigenetic regulation of these genes can contribute to the pathogenesis of relevant neurological disorders. By targeting the epigenetic mechanisms that control neurotransmitter gene expression, there is a promising opportunity to advance the development of more effective treatments for neurological disorders with the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of individuals impacted by these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingyan Wu
- Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Weili Cai
- School of Medical Technology, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an 22305, China.
| | - Xi Chen
- Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China.
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Okano LM, Fonseca LMMD, Erthal ID, Malta TM. Epigenomic integrative analysis pinpoint master regulator transcription factors associated with tumorigenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue. Genet Mol Biol 2023; 46:e20220358. [PMID: 37338302 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2022-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers, which includes cancers arising in the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Epidemiological studies have revealed that several factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, exposure to environmental pollutants, viral infection, and genetic factors are risk factors for developing HNC. The squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue (SCCOT), which is significantly more aggressive than the other forms of oral squamous cell carcinoma, presents a propensity for rapid local invasion and spread, and a high recurrence rate. Dysregulation in the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells might help uncover the mechanisms of SCOOT tumorigenesis. Here, we used DNA methylation changes to identify cancer-specific enhancers that were enriched for specific transcription factor binding sites (TFBS), and potential master regulator transcription factors (MRTF) associated with SCCOT. We identified the activation of MRTFs associated with increased invasiveness, metastasis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, poor prognosis, and stemness. On the other hand, we found the downregulation of MRTFs associated with tumor suppression. The identified MRTFs should be further investigated to clarify their role in oral cancer tumorigenesis and for their potential use as biological markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Miyuki Okano
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Isabela Dias Erthal
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tathiane Maistro Malta
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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22
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Linares-Pineda TM, Gutiérrez-Repiso C, Peña-Montero N, Molina-Vega M, Rubio FL, Arana MS, Tinahones FJ, Picón-César MJ, Morcillo S. Higher β cell death in pregnant women, measured by DNA methylation patterns of cell-free DNA, compared to new-onset type 1 and type 2 diabetes subjects: a cross-sectional study. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2023; 15:115. [PMID: 37264478 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-023-01096-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder of glucose homeostasis in which β cell destruction occurs silently and is detected mainly when symptoms appear. In the last few years, it has emerged a great interest in developing markers capable of detecting pancreatic β cell death focused on improving early diagnosis and getting a better treatment response, mainly in type 1 diabetes. But other types of diabetes would also benefit from early detection of β cell death. Differentially methylated circulating DNA is being studied as minimally invasive biomarker of cell death. We aimed to explore whether the unmethylated/methylated ratio of the insulin and amylin genes might be a good biomarker of β cell death in different types of diabetes. A lower index ∆Ct indicates a higher rate of β-cell death. Plasma samples from subjects without diabetes, pregnant women, pregnant with gestational diabetes (GDM), type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes were analyzed. A qPCR reaction with specific primers for both methylated and unmethylated fragments of insulin and amylin genes were carried out. Pregnant women, GDM and non- GDM, showed a higher β-cell death for both markers (∆INS = 3.8 ± 2.1 and ∆Amylin = 8.5 ± 3.6), whereas T1D presented lower rate (∆INS = 6.2 ± 2.1 and ∆Amylin = 10.7 ± 2.9) comparable to healthy subjects. The insulin methylation index was associated with the newborn birth weight (r = 0.46; p = 0.033) and with insulin resistance (r = -0.533; p = 0.027) in the GDM group. The higher rate of β-cell death was observed in pregnant women independently of their metabolic status. These indexes could be a good indicator of β cell death in processes caused by defects on insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa María Linares-Pineda
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Carolina Gutiérrez-Repiso
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Peña-Montero
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - María Molina-Vega
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Fuensanta Lima Rubio
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - María Suárez Arana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, IBIMA, Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco J Tinahones
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina y Dermatología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - María José Picón-César
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain.
| | - Sonsoles Morcillo
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición del Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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23
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Yu X, Ren J, Cui Y, Zeng R, Long H, Ma C. DRSN4mCPred: accurately predicting sites of DNA N4-methylcytosine using deep residual shrinkage network for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in the precision medicine era. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1187430. [PMID: 37215722 PMCID: PMC10192687 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1187430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The DNA N4-methylcytosine (4mC) site levels of those suffering from digestive system cancers were higher, and the pathogenesis of digestive system cancers may also be related to the changes in DNA 4mC levels. Identifying DNA 4mC sites is a very important step in studying the analysis of biological function and cancer prediction. Extracting accurate features from DNA sequences is the key to establishing a prediction model of effective DNA 4mC sites. This study sought to develop a new predictive model, DRSN4mCPred, which aimed to improve the performance of the predicting DNA 4mC sites. Methods The model adopted multi-scale channel attention to extract features and used attention feature fusion (AFF) to fuse features. In order to capture features information more accurately and effectively, this model utilized Deep Residual Shrinkage Network with Channel-Wise thresholds (DRSN-CW) to eliminate noise-related features and achieve a more precise feature representation, thereby, distinguishing the sites in DNA with 4mC and non-4mC. Additionally, the predictive model incorporated an inverted residual block, a Multi-scale Channel Attention Module (MS-CAM), a Bi-directional Long Short Term Memory Network (Bi-LSTM), AFF, and DRSN-CW. Results and Discussion The results indicated the predictive model DRSN4mCPred had extremely good performance in predicting the DNA 4mC sites across different species. This paper will potentially provide support for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer based on artificial intelligence in the precise medical era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Yu
- School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Jia Ren
- Industrial Design School, Shandong University of ART and Design, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yani Cui
- School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Rao Zeng
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Haixia Long
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Cuihua Ma
- School of Information Science and Technology, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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24
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Besselink N, Keijer J, Vermeulen C, Boymans S, de Ridder J, van Hoeck A, Cuppen E, Kuijk E. The genome-wide mutational consequences of DNA hypomethylation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6874. [PMID: 37106015 PMCID: PMC10140063 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33932-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is important for establishing and maintaining cell identity and for genomic stability. This is achieved by regulating the accessibility of regulatory and transcriptional elements and the compaction of subtelomeric, centromeric, and other inactive genomic regions. Carcinogenesis is accompanied by a global loss in DNA methylation, which facilitates the transformation of cells. Cancer hypomethylation may also cause genomic instability, for example through interference with the protective function of telomeres and centromeres. However, understanding the role(s) of hypomethylation in tumor evolution is incomplete because the precise mutational consequences of global hypomethylation have thus far not been systematically assessed. Here we made genome-wide inventories of all possible genetic variation that accumulates in single cells upon the long-term global hypomethylation by CRISPR interference-mediated conditional knockdown of DNMT1. Depletion of DNMT1 resulted in a genomewide reduction in DNA methylation. The degree of DNA methylation loss was similar to that observed in many cancer types. Hypomethylated cells showed reduced proliferation rates, increased transcription of genes, reactivation of the inactive X-chromosome and abnormal nuclear morphologies. Prolonged hypomethylation was accompanied by increased chromosomal instability. However, there was no increase in mutational burden, enrichment for certain mutational signatures or accumulation of structural variation to the genome. In conclusion, the primary consequence of hypomethylation is genomic instability, which in cancer leads to increased tumor heterogeneity and thereby fuels cancer evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolle Besselink
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Keijer
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carlo Vermeulen
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Boymans
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen de Ridder
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arne van Hoeck
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin Cuppen
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ewart Kuijk
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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25
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Fisher IF, Shemer R, Dor Y. Epigenetic liquid biopsies: a novel putative biomarker in immunology and inflammation. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:356-364. [PMID: 37012121 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Immune and inflammatory processes occurring within tissues are often undetectable by blood cell counts, standard circulating biomarkers, or imaging, representing an unmet biomedical need. Here, we outline recent advances indicating that liquid biopsies can broadly inform human immune system dynamics. Nucleosome-size fragments of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released from dying cells into blood contain rich epigenetic information such as methylation, fragmentation, and histone mark patterns. This information allows to infer the cfDNA cell of origin, as well as pre-cell death gene expression patterns. We propose that the analysis of epigenetic features of immune cell-derived cfDNA can shed light on immune cell turnover dynamics in healthy people, and inform the study and diagnosis of cancer, local inflammation, infectious or autoimmune diseases, as well as responses to vaccination.
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26
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Shi D, Huang Y, Bai C. Studies of the Mechanism of Nucleosome Dynamics: A Review on Multifactorial Regulation from Computational and Experimental Cases. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15071763. [PMID: 37050377 PMCID: PMC10096840 DOI: 10.3390/polym15071763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleosome, which organizes the long coil of genomic DNA in a highly condensed, polymeric way, is thought to be the basic unit of chromosomal structure. As the most important protein–DNA complex, its structural and dynamic features have been successively revealed in recent years. However, its regulatory mechanism, which is modulated by multiple factors, still requires systemic discussion. This study summarizes the regulatory factors of the nucleosome’s dynamic features from the perspective of histone modification, DNA methylation, and the nucleosome-interacting factors (transcription factors and nucleosome-remodeling proteins and cations) and focuses on the research exploring the molecular mechanism through both computational and experimental approaches. The regulatory factors that affect the dynamic features of nucleosomes are also discussed in detail, such as unwrapping, wrapping, sliding, and stacking. Due to the complexity of the high-order topological structures of nucleosomes and the comprehensive effects of regulatory factors, the research on the functional modulation mechanism of nucleosomes has encountered great challenges. The integration of computational and experimental approaches, the construction of physical modes for nucleosomes, and the application of deep learning techniques will provide promising opportunities for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danfeng Shi
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518172, China
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yuxin Huang
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Chen Bai
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518172, China
- Chenzhu (MoMeD) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310005, China
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27
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Abstract
Ageing is inherent to all human beings, yet why we age remains a hotly contested topic. Most mechanistic explanations of ageing posit that ageing is caused by the accumulation of one or more forms of molecular damage. Here, I propose that we age not because of inevitable damage to the hardware but rather because of intrinsic design flaws in the software, defined as the DNA code that orchestrates how a single cell develops into an adult organism. As the developmental software runs, its sequence of events is reflected in shifting cellular epigenetic states. Overall, I suggest that to understand ageing we need to decode our software and the flow of epigenetic information throughout the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedro de Magalhães
- Genomics of Ageing and Rejuvenation Lab, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2WB, UK.
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28
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Wang X, Wong CC, Chen H, Fu K, Shi L, Su H, Guo S, Gou H, Hu X, Zhang L, Ji J, Yu J. The N 6-methyladenine DNA demethylase ALKBH1 promotes gastric carcinogenesis by disrupting NRF1 binding capacity. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112279. [PMID: 36989111 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) is an epigenetic modification that regulates various biological processes. Here, we show that gastric cancer (GC) cells and tumors display a marked reduction in 6mA levels compared with normal gastric tissues and cells. 6mA is abundant in the surrounding transcription start sites and occurs at consensus motifs. Among the 6mA regulators, ALKBH1, a demethylase, is significantly overexpressed in GC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, high ALKBH1 expression is associated with poor survival of patients with GC. ALKBH1 knockout in mice impairs chemically induced gastric carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, ALKBH1 mediates DNA 6mA demethylation to repress gene expression. In particular, the 6mA sites are enriched in NRF1 binding sequences and targeted for demethylation by ALKBH1. ALKBH1-induced 6mA demethylation inhibits NRF1-driven transcription of downstream targets, including multiple genes involved in the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Accordingly, ALKBH1 suppresses AMPK signaling, causing a metabolic shift toward the Warburg effect, which facilitates tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Wang
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Chi Chun Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huarong Chen
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kaili Fu
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lingxue Shi
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hao Su
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shang Guo
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hongyan Gou
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoxu Hu
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lianhai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jiafu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China.
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Gim JA. Integrative Approaches of DNA Methylation Patterns According to Age, Sex and Longitudinal Changes. Curr Genomics 2023; 23:385-399. [PMID: 37920553 PMCID: PMC10173416 DOI: 10.2174/1389202924666221207100513] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In humans, age-related DNA methylation has been studied in blood, tissues, buccal swabs, and fibroblasts, and changes in DNA methylation patterns according to age and sex have been detected. To date, approximately 137,000 samples have been analyzed from 14,000 studies, and the information has been uploaded to the NCBI GEO database. Methods A correlation between age and methylation level and longitudinal changes in methylation levels was revealed in both sexes. Here, 20 public datasets derived from whole blood were analyzed using the Illumina BeadChip. Batch effects with respect to the time differences were correlated. The overall change in the pattern was provided as the inverse of the coefficient of variation (COV). Results Of the 20 datasets, nine were from a longitudinal study. All data had age and sex as common variables. Comprehensive details of age-, sex-, and longitudinal change-based DNA methylation levels in the whole blood sample were elucidated in this study. ELOVL2 and FHL2 showed the maximum correlation between age and DNA methylation. The methylation patterns of genes related to mental health differed according to age. Age-correlated genes have been associated with malformations (anteverted nostril, craniofacial abnormalities, and depressed nasal bridge) and drug addiction (drug habituation and smoking). Conclusion Based on 20 public DNA methylation datasets, methylation levels according to age and longitudinal changes by sex were identified and visualized using an integrated approach. The results highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying the association of sex and biological age with changes in DNA methylation, and the importance of optimal genomic information management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-An Gim
- Medical Science Research Center, College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
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30
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The methylome and cell-free DNA: current applications in medicine and pediatric disease. Pediatr Res 2023:10.1038/s41390-022-02448-3. [PMID: 36646885 PMCID: PMC9842217 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02448-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that contributes to cell regulation and development, and different methylation patterns allow for the identification of cell and tissue type. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is composed of small circulating fragments of DNA found in plasma and urine. Total cfDNA levels correlate with the presence of inflammation and tissue injury in a variety of disease states. Unfortunately, the utility of cfDNA is limited by its lack of tissue or cell-type specificity. However, methylome analysis of cfDNA allows the identification of the tissue or cell type from which cfDNA originated. Thus, methylation patterns in cfDNA from tissues isolated from direct study may provide windows into health and disease states, thereby serving as a "liquid biopsy". This review will discuss methylation and its role in establishing cellular identity, cfDNA as a biomarker and its pathophysiologic role in the inflammatory process, and the ways cfDNA and methylomics can be jointly applied in medicine. IMPACT: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is increasingly being used as a noninvasive diagnostic and disease-monitoring tool in pediatric medicine. However, the lack of specificity of cfDNA limits its utility. Identification of cell type-specific methylation signatures can help overcome the limited specificity of cfDNA. As knowledge of the cfDNA methylome improves, cfDNA will be more broadly applied in medicine, such that clinicians will need to understand the methods and applications of its use.
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31
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Esteban-Cantos A, Rodríguez-Centeno J, Silla JC, Barruz P, Sánchez-Cabo F, Saiz-Medrano G, Nevado J, Mena-Garay B, Jiménez-González M, de Miguel R, Bernardino JI, Montejano R, Cadiñanos J, Marcelo C, Gutiérrez-García L, Martínez-Martín P, Wallet C, Raffi F, Rodés B, Arribas JR. Effect of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy initiation on genome-wide DNA methylation patterns. EBioMedicine 2023; 88:104434. [PMID: 36640455 PMCID: PMC9842861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous epigenome-wide association studies have shown that HIV infection can disrupt the host DNA methylation landscape. However, it remains unclear how antiretroviral therapy (ART) affects the HIV-induced epigenetic modifications. METHODS 184 individuals with HIV from the NEAT001/ANRS143 clinical trial (with pre-ART and post-ART samples [96 weeks of follow-up]) and 44 age-and-sex matched individuals without HIV were included. We compared genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in whole blood between groups adjusting for age, sex, batch effects, and DNA methylation-based estimates of leucocyte composition. FINDINGS We identified 430 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) between HIV+ pre-ART individuals and HIV-uninfected controls. In participants with HIV, ART initiation modified the DNA methylation levels at 845 CpG positions and restored 49.3% of the changes found between HIV+ pre-ART and HIV-uninfected individuals. We only found 15 DMPs when comparing DNA methylation profiles between HIV+ post-ART individuals and participants without HIV. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of DMPs associated with untreated HIV infection revealed an enrichment in biological processes regulating the immune system and antiviral responses. In participants with untreated HIV infection, DNA methylation levels at top HIV-related DMPs were associated with CD4/CD8 ratios and viral loads. Changes in DNA methylation levels after ART initiation were weakly correlated with changes in CD4+ cell counts and the CD4/CD8 ratio. INTERPRETATION Control of HIV viraemia after 96 weeks of ART initiation partly restores the host DNA methylation changes that occurred before antiretroviral treatment of HIV infection. FUNDING NEAT-ID Foundation and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, co-funded by European Union.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Esteban-Cantos
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Centeno
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan C Silla
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Barruz
- Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fátima Sánchez-Cabo
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel Saiz-Medrano
- HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Nevado
- Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Mena-Garay
- HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jiménez-González
- HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Miguel
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose I Bernardino
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Montejano
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julen Cadiñanos
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Marcelo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Gutiérrez-García
- HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Martínez-Martín
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cédrick Wallet
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - François Raffi
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes and CIC 1413 INSERM, Nantes, France
| | - Berta Rodés
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.
| | - José R Arribas
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.
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Wang T, Meng Y, Tu Y, Zhang G, Wang K, Gong S, Zhang Y, Wang T, Li A, Christiani DC, Au W, Xia ZL. Associations between DNA methylation and genotoxicity among lead-exposed workers in China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120528. [PMID: 36341824 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that lead (Pb) exposure caused genotoxicity, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. A mechanism may be via DNA methylation which is one of the most widely studied epigenetic regulations for cellular activities. Whether this is involved in Pb-induced genotoxicity has rarely been studied. Our study aimed to examine whether DNA methylation was associated with Pb exposure and genotoxicity, and to explore its potential mediating roles. A total of 250 Pb-exposed workers were enrolled. Blood lead levels (BLLs) and genotoxic biomarkers (Micronuclei and Comet) were analyzed. Methylation levels at CpG sites of LINE1 and Alu and promoter region of P53, BRCA1, TRIM36 and OGG1 were measured by pyrosequencing. Generalized linear model (GLM) combined with restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to analyze relationships between Pb exposure, DNA methylation and genotoxicity. Mediation effect was used to explore mediating roles of DNA methylation. The distribution of BLLs was right-skewed and showed wide ranges from 23.7 to 636.2 μg/L with median (P25, P75) being 218.4 (106.1, 313.9) μg/L among all workers. Micronuclei frequencies showed Poisson distribution [1.94 ± 1.88‰] and Comet tail intensity showed normal distribution [1.69 ± 0.93%]. GLM combined with RCS showed that Alu methylation was negatively associated with BLLs, while P53 and OGG1 methylation were positively associated with BLLs. Micronuclei were negatively associated with Alu and TRIM36 methylation but positively with P53 methylation. Comet was positively associated with P53 and BRCA1 methylation. Mediation effect showed that Alu methylation mediated 7% effects on association between Pb exposure and micronuclei, whereas, P53 methylation mediated 14% and BRCA1 mediated 9% effects on association between Pb exposure and Comet. Our data show that Pb exposure induced changes of global and gene-specific DNA methylation which mediated Pb-induced genotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuanwei Wang
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu Meng
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuting Tu
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kan Wang
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shiyang Gong
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yunxia Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tongshuai Wang
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Anqi Li
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - David C Christiani
- Environmental Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William Au
- University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu Mures, Romania, and University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Zhao-Lin Xia
- Department of Occupational Health & Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China.
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Zhou Z, Xu X, Liu Y, Liu Q, Zhang W, Wang K, Wang J, Yin Y. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2695:213-225. [PMID: 37450121 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3346-5_14] [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: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most deadly neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Due to the significant tumor heterogeneity of HCC, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or liver biopsy has not yet met the clinical needs in terms of early diagnosis or determining prognosis. In recent years, liquid biopsy techniques that analyze tumor by-products released into the circulation have shown great potential. Its ability to monitor tumors in real time and respond to their global characteristics is expected to improve the management of HCC patients clinically. This review discusses some of the findings of a liquid biopsy in terms of diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyu Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoliang Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiaoyu Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yin Yin
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Yamazaki T, Hatano Y, Kobayashi N, Yamagata K. Targeted DNA Methylation in Mouse Early Embryos. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2577:243-254. [PMID: 36173578 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2724-2_17] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In germ cell lines, including early preimplantation embryos, centromeres and pericentromeres are known to show a marked hypomethylation pattern compared to somatic cells. Elucidation of the biological function of this region-specific DNA hypomethylation state, region-specific epigenomic manipulation is essential as an analytical method. We have applied genome editing to show that region-specific DNA methylation can be effectively introduced by a fusion protein, TALE, which recognizes pericentromeres, and SssI, a bacterial CpG methyltransferase. This makes it possible to increase the DNA methylation state of the pericentromeres, which is normally about 20%, to about 60-75%, enabling comparative analysis of the developmental processes of normal embryos with hypomethylated pericentromeres and embryos that have been epigenetically edited to be hypermethylated. In this chapter, we describe a method for introducing DNA methylation into pericentromeres of early mouse embryos by expressing TALE-SssI fusion protein and a method for detecting DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiga Yamazaki
- Division of Biomedical Research, Kitasato University Medical Center, Kitasato University, Kitamoto, Saitama, Japan.
| | - Yu Hatano
- Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Kinokawa, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Noritada Kobayashi
- Division of Biomedical Research, Kitasato University Medical Center, Kitasato University, Kitamoto, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kazuo Yamagata
- Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Kinokawa, Wakayama, Japan.
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Epigenetics in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 197:211-239. [PMID: 37019593 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, alcohol abuse and its detrimental effects on developing offspring are major public health, economic and social challenges. The prominent characteristic attributes of alcohol (ethanol) abuse during pregnancy in humans are neurobehavioral impairments in offspring due to damage to the central nervous system (CNS), causing structural and behavioral impairments that are together named fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Development-specific alcohol exposure paradigms were established to recapitulate the human FASD phenotypes and establish the underlying mechanisms. These animal studies have offered some critical molecular and cellular underpinnings likely to account for the neurobehavioral impairments associated with prenatal ethanol exposure. Although the pathogenesis of FASD remains unclear, emerging literature proposes that the various genomic and epigenetic components that cause the imbalance in gene expression can significantly contribute to the development of this disease. These studies acknowledged numerous immediate and enduring epigenetic modifications, such as methylation of DNA, post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone proteins, and regulatory networks related to RNA, using many molecular approaches. Methylated DNA profiles, PTMs of histone proteins, and RNA-regulated expression of genes are essential for synaptic and cognitive behavior. Thus, offering a solution to many neuronal and behavioral impairments reported in FASD. In the current chapter, we review the recent advances in different epigenetic modifications that cause the pathogenesis of FASD. The information discussed can help better explain the pathogenesis of FASD and thereby might provide a basis for finding novel therapeutic targets and innovative treatment strategies.
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Feng Y, Zhou YH, Zhao J, Su XL, Chen NX, Zhao YQ, Ye Q, Hu J, Ou-Yang ZY, Zhong MM, Yang YF, Han PJ, Guo Y, Feng YZ. Prognostic biomarker GSTK1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with immune infiltration and DNA methylation. Front Genet 2023; 14:1041042. [PMID: 36936420 PMCID: PMC10020208 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1041042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Glutathione S-transferase kappa 1 (GSTK1) is critical in sarcoma and breast cancer (BRCA) development. However, the clinical significance of GSTK1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remains unclear. This study is the first investigation into the role of GSTK1 in HNSC. Methods: All original data were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and verified by R Base Package 4.2.0. The expression of GSTK1 in various cancers was explored with TIMER and TCGA databases. Prognostic value of GSTK1 was analyzed via survival module of Kaplan-Meier plotter and Human Protein Atlas database and Cox regression analysis. The association between GSTK1 and clinical features was evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test and logistic regression analysis. The relationship between GSTK1 and immune infiltration and methylation level was further explored. The expression of GSTK1 and its correlation with immune cell infiltration was verified by Immunohistochemical staining (IHC). Results: GSTK1 was lower in HNSC, BRCA, Lung squamous cell carcinoma, and Thyroid carcinoma than in para-carcinoma. Low GSTK1 expression was associated with worse overall survival in Bladder urothelial carcinoma, Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma, BRCA, and HNSC. However, only in BRCA and HNSC, GSTK1 expression in tumors was lower than that in normal tissues. Cox regression analyses confirmed that GSKT1 was an independent prognostic factor of overall survival in HNSC patients. The decrease in GSTK1 expression in HNSC was significantly correlated with high T stage and smoker history. IHC showed that the expression level of GSTK1 in HNSC was lower than that in para-carcinoma. In addition, GSEA showed that three pathways related to immune infiltration were positively correlated, while two pathways related to DNA methylation were negatively correlated with expression of GSTK1. Further analysis showed that GSTK1 was moderately positively correlated with the infiltration level of T cells and Cytotoxic cells, which was further confirmed by IHC. The methylation level of GSTK1 was associated with prognosis in patients with HNSC. Conclusion: Low GSTK1 expression may be a potential molecular marker for poor prognosis in HNSC and provide new insight for the development of diagnostic marker or therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Feng
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ying-Hui Zhou
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Metabolic Bone Diseases, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Su
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ning-Xin Chen
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Zhao
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qin Ye
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ze-Yue Ou-Yang
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Meng-Mei Zhong
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yi-Fan Yang
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng-Ju Han
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yue Guo
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Yue Guo, ; Yun-Zhi Feng,
| | - Yun-Zhi Feng
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Yue Guo, ; Yun-Zhi Feng,
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37
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Younger DS. Childhood muscular dystrophies. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 195:461-496. [PMID: 37562882 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98818-6.00024-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Infancy- and childhood-onset muscular dystrophies are associated with a characteristic distribution and progression of motor dysfunction. The underlying causes of progressive childhood muscular dystrophies are heterogeneous involving diverse genetic pathways and genes that encode proteins of the plasma membrane, extracellular matrix, sarcomere, and nuclear membrane components. The prototypical clinicopathological features in an affected child may be adequate to fully distinguish it from other likely diagnoses based on four common features: (1) weakness and wasting of pelvic-femoral and scapular muscles with involvement of heart muscle; (2) elevation of serum muscle enzymes in particular serum creatine kinase; (3) necrosis and regeneration of myofibers; and (4) molecular neurogenetic assessment particularly utilizing next-generation sequencing of the genome of the likeliest candidates genes in an index case or family proband. A number of different animal models of therapeutic strategies have been developed for gene transfer therapy, but so far these techniques have not yet entered clinical practice. Treatment remains for the most part symptomatic with the goal of ameliorating locomotor and cardiorespiratory manifestations of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Younger
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Neuroscience, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Neurology, White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY, United States.
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38
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Jain SS, Barefoot ME, Varghese RS, Ressom HW. Cell-type Deconvolution and Age Estimation Using DNA Methylation Reveals NK Cell Deficiency in the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Microenvironment. PROCEEDINGS. IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOINFORMATICS AND BIOMEDICINE 2022; 2022:444-449. [PMID: 37663782 PMCID: PMC10473873 DOI: 10.1109/bibm55620.2022.9995041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been an approved indication for the administration of immunotherapy since 2017, but biomarkers that predict therapeutic response have remained limited. Understanding and characterizing the tumor immune microenvironment enables better classification of these tumors and may reveal biomarkers that predict immunotherapeutic efficacy. In this paper, we applied a cell-type deconvolution algorithm using DNA methylation array data to investigate the composition of the tumor microenvironment in HCC. Using two publicly available datasets with a total cohort size of 57 patients, each with tumor and matched normal tissue samples, we identified key differences in immune cell composition. We found that NK cell abundance was significantly decreased in HCC tumors compared to adjacent normal tissue. We also applied DNA methylation "clocks" which estimate phenotypic aging and compared these findings to expression-based determinations of cellular senescence. Senescence and epigenetic aging was significantly increased in HCC tumors, and the degree of age acceleration and senescence was strongly associated with decreased NK cell abundance. In summary, we found that NK cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment is significantly diminished, and that this loss of NK abundance is strongly associated with increased senescence and age-related phenotype. These findings point to key interactions between NK cells and the senescent tumor microenvironment and offer insights into the pathogenesis of HCC as well as potential biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidharth S Jain
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Megan E Barefoot
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rency S Varghese
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Habtom W Ressom
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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39
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Zhou J, Wang X, Wei Z, Meng J, Huang D. 4acCPred: Weakly supervised prediction of N4-acetyldeoxycytosine DNA modification from sequences. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 30:337-345. [DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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40
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Cui YH, Wilkinson E, Peterson J, He YY. ALKBH4 Stabilization Is Required for Arsenic-Induced 6mA DNA Methylation Inhibition, Keratinocyte Malignant Transformation, and Tumorigenicity. WATER 2022; 14:3595. [PMID: 37207134 PMCID: PMC10194016 DOI: 10.3390/w14223595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic arsenic is one of the well-known human skin carcinogens. However, the molecular mechanism by which arsenic promotes carcinogenesis remains unclear. Previous studies have established that epigenetic changes, including changes in DNA methylation, are among the critical mechanisms that drive carcinogenesis. N6-methyladenine (6mA) methylation on DNA is a widespread epigenetic modification that was initially found on bacterial and phage DNA. Only recently has 6mA been identified in mammalian genomes. However, the function of 6mA in gene expression and cancer development is not well understood. Here, we show that chronic low doses of arsenic induce malignant transformation and tumorigenesis in keratinocytes and lead to the upregulation of ALKBH4 and downregulation of 6mA on DNA. We found that reduced 6mA levels in response to low levels of arsenic were mediated by the upregulation of the 6mA DNA demethylase ALKBH4. Moreover, we found that arsenic increased ALKBH4 protein levels and that ALKBH4 deletion impaired arsenic-induced tumorigenicity in vitro and in mice. Mechanistically, we found that arsenic promoted ALKBH4 protein stability through reduced autophagy. Together, our findings reveal that the DNA 6mA demethylaseALKBH4 promotes arsenic tumorigenicity and establishes ALKBH4 as a promising target for arsenic-induced tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hong Cui
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Emma Wilkinson
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jack Peterson
- The College, Biological Science Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yu-Ying He
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Jin J, Yu Y, Wang R, Zeng X, Pang C, Jiang Y, Li Z, Dai Y, Su R, Zou Q, Nakai K, Wei L. iDNA-ABF: multi-scale deep biological language learning model for the interpretable prediction of DNA methylations. Genome Biol 2022; 23:219. [PMID: 36253864 PMCID: PMC9575223 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02780-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we propose iDNA-ABF, a multi-scale deep biological language learning model that enables the interpretable prediction of DNA methylations based on genomic sequences only. Benchmarking comparisons show that our iDNA-ABF outperforms state-of-the-art methods for different methylation predictions. Importantly, we show the power of deep language learning in capturing both sequential and functional semantics information from background genomes. Moreover, by integrating the interpretable analysis mechanism, we well explain what the model learns, helping us build the mapping from the discovery of important sequential determinants to the in-depth analysis of their biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junru Jin
- School of Software, Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China.,Joint SDU-NTU Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR), Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Yingying Yu
- School of Software, Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China.,Joint SDU-NTU Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR), Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Ruheng Wang
- School of Software, Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China.,Joint SDU-NTU Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR), Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Xin Zeng
- Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8563, Japan
| | - Chao Pang
- School of Software, Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China.,Joint SDU-NTU Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR), Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- School of Software, Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China.,Joint SDU-NTU Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR), Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Zhongshen Li
- School of Software, Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China.,Joint SDU-NTU Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR), Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Yutong Dai
- Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8563, Japan
| | - Ran Su
- College of Intelligence and Computing, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Quan Zou
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Kenta Nakai
- Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan. .,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, 277-8563, Japan.
| | - Leyi Wei
- School of Software, Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China. .,Joint SDU-NTU Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR), Shandong University, Jinan, 250101, China.
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42
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Lewis J, Greenway SC, Khan F, Singh G, Bhatia M, Guilcher GMT. Assessment of donor cell engraftment after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease: A review of current and future methods. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:1359-1371. [PMID: 35583381 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only established curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), a debilitating red blood cell (RBC) disorder with significant prevalence worldwide. Accurate assessment of RBC engraftment following HSCT is essential to evaluate the status of the graft and can enable early intervention to treat or prevent graft rejection. Currently, chimerism measurement is performed on whole blood samples, which mainly reflect white blood cell (WBC) chimerism. This approach has limitations in assessing engraftment in patients with SCD because RBCs engraft non-linearly with WBCs. Direct measures of RBC chimerism exist but are not routinely used. In this review, we critically examine the current methodologies for assessing donor engraftment; highlight the limitations of these different methods, and present emerging and novel technologies with the potential to improve clinical monitoring of RBC engraftment post-HSCT for SCD. Promising alternative methodologies include RBC-specific flow cytometry, RBC-specific RNA analysis, and quantification of plasma cell-free DNA derived specifically from nucleated RBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Lewis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steven C Greenway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Faisal Khan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gurpreet Singh
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Monica Bhatia
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gregory M T Guilcher
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A forms interaction networks with the CpG site and flanking sequence elements for efficient methylation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102462. [PMID: 36067881 PMCID: PMC9530848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific DNA methylation at CpG and non-CpG sites is essential for chromatin regulation. The DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A interacts with target sites surrounded by variable DNA sequences with its TRD and RD loops, but the functional necessity of these interactions is unclear. We investigated CpG and non-CpG methylation in a randomized sequence context using WT DNMT3A and several DNMT3A variants containing mutations at DNA-interacting residues. Our data revealed that the flanking sequence of target sites between the −2 and up to the +8 position modulates methylation rates >100-fold. Non-CpG methylation flanking preferences were even stronger and favor C(+1). R836 and N838 in concert mediate recognition of the CpG guanine. R836 changes its conformation in a flanking sequence-dependent manner and either contacts the CpG guanine or the +1/+2 flank, thereby coupling the interaction with both sequence elements. R836 suppresses activity at CNT sites but supports methylation of CAC substrates, the preferred target for non-CpG methylation of DNMT3A in cells. N838 helps to balance this effect and prevent the preference for C(+1) from becoming too strong. Surprisingly, we found L883 reduces DNMT3A activity despite being highly conserved in evolution. However, mutations at L883 disrupt the DNMT3A-specific DNA interactions of the RD loop, leading to altered flanking sequence preferences. Similar effects occur after the R882H mutation in cancer cells. Our data reveal that DNMT3A forms flexible and interdependent interaction networks with the CpG guanine and flanking residues that ensure recognition of the CpG and efficient methylation of the cytosine in contexts of variable flanking sequences.
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Xin R, Shen B, Jiang YJ, Liu JB, Li S, Hou LK, Wu W, Jia CY, Wu CY, Fu D, Ma YS, Jiang GX. Comprehensive analysis to identify a novel PTEN-associated ceRNA regulatory network as a prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:923026. [PMID: 36091160 PMCID: PMC9449356 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.923026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most prevalent forms of lung cancer. Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is one of the most frequently deleted tumour suppressor genes in LUAD. The present study aimed to identify a novel PTEN-associated-ceRNA regulatory network and identify potential prognostic markers associated with LUAD. Transcriptome sequencing profiles of 533 patients with LUAD were obtained from TCGA database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in LUAD samples with PTEN high- (PTENhigh) and low- (PTENlow) expression. Eventually, an important PTEN-related marker was identified, namely, the LINC00460/miR-150-3p axis. Furthermore, the predicted target genes (EME1/HNRNPAB/PLAUR/SEMA3A) were closely related to overall survival and prognosis. The LINC00460/miR-150-3p axis was identified as a clinical prognostic factor through Cox regression analysis. Methylation analyses suggested that abnormal regulation of the predicted target genes might be caused by hypomethylation. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis showed that the LINC00460/miR-150-3p axis could alter the levels of immune infiltration in the tumour immune microenvironment, and promote the clinical progression of LUAD. To specifically induce PTEN deletion in the lungs, we constructed an STP mouse model (SFTPC-rtTA/tetO-cre/Ptenflox/+). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis were used to detect predicted target genes. Therefore, we revealed that the PTEN-related LINC00460/miR-150-3p axis based on ceRNA mechanism plays an important role in the development of LUAD and provides a new direction and theoretical basis for its targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Biao Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ying-Jie Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Navy Military Medical University Affiliated Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-Bin Liu
- Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sha Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Kun Hou
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-You Jia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Yan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Da Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Geng-Xi Jiang, ; Yu-Shui Ma, ; Da Fu,
| | - Yu-Shui Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Geng-Xi Jiang, ; Yu-Shui Ma, ; Da Fu,
| | - Geng-Xi Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Navy Military Medical University Affiliated Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Geng-Xi Jiang, ; Yu-Shui Ma, ; Da Fu,
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Liu Y, Chen C, Wang X, Sun Y, Zhang J, Chen J, Shi Y. An Epigenetic Role of Mitochondria in Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162518. [PMID: 36010594 PMCID: PMC9406960 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are not only the main energy supplier but are also the cell metabolic center regulating multiple key metaborates that play pivotal roles in epigenetics regulation. These metabolites include acetyl-CoA, α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), NAD+, and O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), which are the main substrates for DNA methylation and histone post-translation modifications, essential for gene transcriptional regulation and cell fate determination. Tumorigenesis is attributed to many factors, including gene mutations and tumor microenvironment. Mitochondria and epigenetics play essential roles in tumor initiation, evolution, metastasis, and recurrence. Targeting mitochondrial metabolism and epigenetics are promising therapeutic strategies for tumor treatment. In this review, we summarize the roles of mitochondria in key metabolites required for epigenetics modification and in cell fate regulation and discuss the current strategy in cancer therapies via targeting epigenetic modifiers and related enzymes in metabolic regulation. This review is an important contribution to the understanding of the current metabolic-epigenetic-tumorigenesis concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu’e Liu
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xinye Wang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yihong Sun
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Juxiang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China
- Correspondence: (J.C.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yufeng Shi
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Correspondence: (J.C.); (Y.S.)
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Stepanov AI, Besedovskaia ZV, Moshareva MA, Lukyanov KA, Putlyaeva LV. Studying Chromatin Epigenetics with Fluorescence Microscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168988. [PMID: 36012253 PMCID: PMC9409072 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications of histones (methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, etc.) are of great importance in determining the functional state of chromatin. Changes in epigenome underlay all basic biological processes, such as cell division, differentiation, aging, and cancerous transformation. Post-translational histone modifications are mainly studied by immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq). It enables an accurate profiling of target modifications along the genome, but suffers from the high cost of analysis and the inability to work with living cells. Fluorescence microscopy represents an attractive complementary approach to characterize epigenetics. It can be applied to both live and fixed cells, easily compatible with high-throughput screening, and provide access to rich spatial information down to the single cell level. In this review, we discuss various fluorescent probes for histone modification detection. Various types of live-cell imaging epigenetic sensors suitable for conventional as well as super-resolution fluorescence microscopy are described. We also focus on problems and future perspectives in the development of fluorescent probes for epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afanasii I. Stepanov
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Bolshoi Blvd. 30, Bld. 1, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zlata V. Besedovskaia
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Bolshoi Blvd. 30, Bld. 1, 121205 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A. Moshareva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklay St. 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin A. Lukyanov
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Bolshoi Blvd. 30, Bld. 1, 121205 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (K.A.L.); (L.V.P.)
| | - Lidia V. Putlyaeva
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Bolshoi Blvd. 30, Bld. 1, 121205 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (K.A.L.); (L.V.P.)
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Berry EM. Food Security and Nutrition as the Neglected Missing Links in Cultural Evolution: The Role of the Sociotype. Rambam Maimonides Med J 2022; 13:RMMJ.10477. [PMID: 35921489 PMCID: PMC9345770 DOI: 10.5041/rmmj.10477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Food security and nutrition were major drivers of cultural evolution by enabling sociotypic development and communal living after the Neolithic agricultural revolution some 12,000 years ago. The sociotype unites concepts from the sciences and the humanities; in concert with the genotype it determines an individual's phenotype (observable traits and behavior), and together they advance societal culture. As such, the sociotype relates to an individual's dynamic interactions with the surrounding social environment throughout life and comprises three domains: the Individual, Relationships, and Context. Nutrition affects each domain, respectively, by ensuring the following dimensions of food security: utilization (metabolic fuel and health); accessibility (physical and economic); and availability (the right to nutritious food for all citizens). The sociotype is influenced by multiple factors, including diet-gene interactions, allostasis, microbiota, oxytocin, and culturally through mate selection, family bonds, social communication, political ideologies, and values. Food security, sociotypes, and culture form a complex adaptive system to enable coping with the circumstances of life in health and disease, to achieve sustainable development, and to eradicate hunger. The current geopolitical unrest highlights the absolutely critical role of this system for global security, yet many challenges remain in implementing this paradigm for society. Therefore, sustainable food security must be considered a fundamental human right and responsibility for safeguarding the survival and progress of the sociotypes of humankind (Homo culturus) worldwide.
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Hao JS, Xing JF, Hu X, Wang ZY, Tang MQ, Liao L. Distribution Pattern of N6-Methyladenine DNA Modification in the Seashore Paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum) Genome. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:922152. [PMID: 35873961 PMCID: PMC9302377 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.922152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenine (6mA) DNA modification has been detected in several eukaryotic organisms, in some of them, it plays important role in the regulation process of stress-resistance response. However, the genome-wide distribution patterns and potential functions of 6mA DNA modification in halophyte Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the 6mA landscape in the P. vaginatum genome by adopting single molecule real-time sequencing technology and found that 6mA modification sites were broadly distributed across the P. vaginatum genome. We demonstrated distinct 6mA methylation levels and 6mA distribution patterns in different types of transcription genes, which hinted at different epigenetic rules. Furthermore, the moderate 6mA density genes in P. vaginatum functionally correlated with stress resistance, which also maintained a higher transcriptional level. On the other hand, a specific 6mA distribution pattern in the gene body and near TSS was observed in gene groups with higher RNA expression, which maybe implied some kind of regularity between 6mA site distribution and the protein coding genes transcription was possible. Our study provides new insights into the association between 6mA methylation and gene expression, which may also contribute to key agronomic traits in P. vaginatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Shan Hao
- College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Jinhua Polytechnic, Jinhua, China
| | - Jian-Feng Xing
- College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xu Hu
- College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Min-Qiang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Li Liao
- College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Pancreatoblastomas and mixed and pure acinar cell carcinomas share epigenetic signatures distinct from other neoplasms of the pancreas. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:956-961. [PMID: 34969956 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00989-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic neoplasms are heterogenous and have traditionally been classified by assessing their lines of cellular differentiation using histopathologic methods, particularly morphologic and immunohistochemical evaluation. These methods frequently identify overlapping differentiation along ductal, acinar, and neuroendocrine lines, raising diagnostic challenges as well as questions regarding the relationship of these neoplasms. Neoplasms with acinar differentiation, in particular, frequently show more than one line of differentiation based on immunolabeling. Genome methylation signatures, in contrast, are better conserved within cellular lineages, and are increasingly used to support the classification of neoplasms. We characterized the epigenetic relationships between pancreatoblastomas, acinar cell carcinomas (including mixed variants), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas using a genome-wide array platform. Using unsupervised learning approaches, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, ductal adenocarcinomas, and normal pancreatic tissue samples all localized to distinct clusters based on their methylation profiles, whereas all neoplasms with acinar differentiation occupied a broad overlapping region located between the predominantly acinar normal pancreatic tissue and ductal adenocarcinoma clusters. Our data provide evidence to suggest that acinar cell carcinomas and pancreatoblastomas are similar at the epigenetic level. These findings are consistent with genomic and clinical observations that mixed acinar neoplasms are closely related to pure acinar cell carcinomas rather than to neuroendocrine tumors or ductal adenocarcinomas.
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50
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Weyrich A, Guerrero-Altamirano TP, Yasar S, Czirják GÁ, Wachter B, Fickel J. First Steps towards the Development of Epigenetic Biomarkers in Female Cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus). LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12060920. [PMID: 35743950 PMCID: PMC9225391 DOI: 10.3390/life12060920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Free-ranging cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are generally healthy, whereas cheetahs under human care, such as those in zoological gardens, suffer from ill-defined infectious and degenerative pathologies. These differences are only partially explained by husbandry management programs because both groups share low genetic diversity. However, mounting evidence suggests that physiological differences between populations in different environments can be tracked down to differences in epigenetic signatures. Here, we identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between free-ranging cheetahs and conspecifics in zoological gardens and prospect putative links to pathways relevant to immunity, energy balance and homeostasis. Comparing epigenomic DNA methylation profiles obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from eight free-ranging female cheetahs from Namibia and seven female cheetahs living in zoological gardens within Europe, we identified DMRs of which 22 were hypermethylated and 23 hypomethylated. Hypermethylated regions in cheetahs under human care were located in the promoter region of a gene involved in host-pathogen interactions (KLC1) and in an intron of a transcription factor relevant for the development of pancreatic β-cells, liver, and kidney (GLIS3). The most canonical mechanism of DNA methylation in promoter regions is assumed to repress gene transcription. Taken together, this could indicate that hypermethylation at the promoter region of KLC1 is involved in the reduced immunity in cheetahs under human care. This approach can be generalized to characterize DNA methylation profiles in larger cheetah populations under human care with a more granular longitudinal data collection, which, in the future, could be used to monitor the early onset of pathologies, and ultimately translate into the development of biomarkers with prophylactic and/or therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Weyrich
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.G.-A.); (S.Y.)
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (B.W.); (J.F.)
| | - Tania P. Guerrero-Altamirano
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.G.-A.); (S.Y.)
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Selma Yasar
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.G.-A.); (S.Y.)
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Gábor Á. Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Bettina Wachter
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (B.W.); (J.F.)
| | - Jörns Fickel
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.G.-A.); (S.Y.)
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (B.W.); (J.F.)
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