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Dwivedi R, Kaushik M, Tripathi M, Dada R, Tiwari P. Unraveling the genetic basis of epilepsy: Recent advances and implications for diagnosis and treatment. Brain Res 2024; 1843:149120. [PMID: 39032529 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149120] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy, affecting approximately 1% of the global population, manifests as recurring seizures and is heavily influenced by genetic factors. Recent advancements in genetic technologies have revolutionized our understanding of epilepsy's genetic landscape. Key studies, such as the discovery of mutations in ion channels (e.g., SCN1A and SCN2A), neurotransmitter receptors (e.g., GABRA1), and synaptic proteins (e.g., SYNGAP1, KCNQ2), have illuminated critical pathways underlying epilepsy susceptibility and pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified specific genetic variations linked to epilepsy risk, such as variants near SCN1A and PCDH7, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and enabling personalized treatment strategies. Moreover, epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (e.g., MBD5), histone modifications (e.g., HDACs), and non-coding RNAs (e.g., miR-134), play pivotal roles in altering gene expression and synaptic plasticity, contributing to epileptogenesis. These discoveries offer promising avenues for therapeutic interventions aimed at improving outcomes for epilepsy patients. Genetic testing has become essential in clinical practice, facilitating precise diagnosis and tailored management approaches based on individual genetic profiles. Furthermore, insights into epigenetic regulation suggest novel therapeutic targets for developing more effective epilepsy treatments. In summary, this review highlights significant progress in understanding the genetic and epigenetic foundations of epilepsy. By integrating findings from key studies and specifying genes involved in epigenetic modifications, we underscore the potential for advanced therapeutic strategies in this complex neurological disorder, emphasizing the importance of personalized medicine approaches in epilepsy management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Dwivedi
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Meenakshi Kaushik
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Manjari Tripathi
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Rima Dada
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Prabhakar Tiwari
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India.
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2
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Zhao C, Jin H, Lei Y, Li Q, Zhang Y, Lu Q. The dual effects of Benzo(a)pyrene/Benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide on DNA Methylation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175042. [PMID: 39084379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the most thoroughly studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) and a widespread organic pollutant in various areas of human life. Its teratogenic, immunotoxic and carcinogenic effects on organisms are well documented and widely recognized by researchers. In the body, BaP is enzymatically converted to form a more active benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). BaP/BPDE has the potential to trigger gene mutations, influence epigenetic modifications and cause damage to cellular structures, ultimately contributing to disease onset and progression. However, there are different points of view when studying epigenetics using BaP/BPDE. On the one hand, it is claimed in cancer research that BaP/BPDE contributes to gene hypermethylation and, in particular, induces the hypermethylation of tumor's suppressor gene promoters, leading to gene silencing and subsequent cancer development. Conversely, studies in human and animal populations suggest that exposure to BaP results in genome-wide DNA hypomethylation, potentially leading to adverse outcomes in inflammatory diseases. This apparent contradiction has not been summarized in research for almost four decades. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current literature on the influence of BaP/BPDE on DNA methylation regulation. It demonstrates that BaP/BPDE exerts a dual-phase regulatory effect on methylation, which is influenced by factors such as the concentration and duration of BaP/BPDE exposure, experimental models and detection methods used in various studies. Acute/high concentration exposure to BaP/BPDE often results in global demethylation of DNA, which is associated with inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) after exposure. At certain specific gene loci (e.g., RAR-β), BPDE can form DNA adducts, recruiting DNMT3 and leading to hypermethylation at specific sites. By integrating these different mechanisms, our goal is to unravel the patterns and regulations of BaP/BPDE-induced DNA methylation changes and provide insights into future precision therapies targeting epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.
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3
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Du J, Goodisman MAD. The role of epigenetics in insects in changing environments. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:429-431. [PMID: 39023396 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Michael A D Goodisman
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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4
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Yokoi A, Asahara SI, Inoue H, Seike M, Kido N, Suzuki H, Kanno A, Kimura-Koyanagi M, Kido Y, Ogawa W. Dapagliflozin administration to a mouse model of type 2 diabetes induces DNA methylation and gene expression changes in pancreatic islets. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 725:150254. [PMID: 38901223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Decreased pancreatic β-cell volume is a serious problem in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and there is a need to establish appropriate treatments. Increasingly, sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which have a protective effect on pancreatic β-cells, are being prescribed to treat diabetes; however, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. We previously administered SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin to a mouse model of type 2 diabetes and found significant changes in gene expression in the early-treated group, which led us to hypothesize that epigenetic regulation was a possible mechanism of these changes. Therefore, we performed comprehensive DNA methylation analysis by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation using isolated pancreatic islets after dapagliflozin administration to diabetic model mice. As a result, we identified 31 genes with changes in expression due to DNA methylation changes. Upon immunostaining, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and cadherin 24 were found to be upregulated in islets in the dapagliflozin-treated group. These molecules may contribute to the maintenance of islet morphology and insulin secretory capacity, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors' protective effect on pancreatic β-cells is accompanied by DNA methylation changes, and that the effect is long-term and not temporary. In future diabetes care, SGLT2 inhibitors may be expected to have positive therapeutic effects, including pancreatic β-cell protection.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Benzhydryl Compounds/pharmacology
- Benzhydryl Compounds/therapeutic use
- DNA Methylation/drug effects
- Glucosides/pharmacology
- Glucosides/therapeutic use
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology
- Mice
- Islets of Langerhans/metabolism
- Islets of Langerhans/drug effects
- Islets of Langerhans/pathology
- Male
- Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Disease Models, Animal
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy
- Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/pathology
- Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Cadherins/metabolism
- Cadherins/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Yokoi
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Shun-Ichiro Asahara
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Inoue
- Division of Medical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism and Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 654-0142, Japan.
| | - Masako Seike
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Kido
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Hirotaka Suzuki
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Ayumi Kanno
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Maki Kimura-Koyanagi
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Yoshiaki Kido
- Division of Medical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism and Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 654-0142, Japan.
| | - Wataru Ogawa
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
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5
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Xu S, Chen T, Yu J, Wan L, Zhang J, Chen J, Wei W, Li X. Insights into the regulatory role of epigenetics in moyamoya disease: Current advances and future prospectives. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102281. [PMID: 39188306 PMCID: PMC11345382 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a progressive steno-occlusive cerebrovascular disorder that predominantly affecting East Asian populations. The intricate interplay of distinct and overlapping mechanisms, including genetic associations such as the RNF213-p.R4810K variant, contributes to the steno-occlusive lesions and moyamoya vessels. However, genetic mutations alone do not fully elucidate the occurrence of MMD, suggesting a potential role for epigenetic factors. Accruing evidence has unveiled the regulatory role of epigenetic markers, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), in regulating pivotal cellular and molecular processes implicated in the pathogenesis of MMD by modulating endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. The profile of these epigenetic markers in cerebral vasculatures and circulation has been determined to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, in vitro studies have demonstrated the multifaceted effects of modulating specific epigenetic markers on MMD pathogenesis. These findings hold great potential for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, translational studies, and clinical applications. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the current understanding of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNAs, in the context of MMD. Furthermore, we discuss the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangxiang Xu
- Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tongyu Chen
- Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Lei Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jianjian Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jincao Chen
- Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sino-Italian Ascula Brain Science Joint Laboratory, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
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6
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Wang J, Zhou X, Han T, Zhang H. Epigenetic signatures of trophoblast lineage and their biological functions. Cells Dev 2024; 179:203934. [PMID: 38942294 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2024.203934] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Trophoblasts play a crucial role in embryo implantation and in interacting with the maternal uterus. The trophoblast lineage develops into a substantial part of the placenta, a temporary extra-embryonic organ, capable of undergoing distinctive epigenetic events during development. The critical role of trophoblast-specific epigenetic signatures in regulating placental development has become known, significantly advancing our understanding of trophoblast identity and lineage development. Scientific efforts are revealing how trophoblast-specific epigenetic signatures mediate stage-specific gene regulatory programming during the development of the trophoblast lineage. These epigenetic signatures have a significant impact on blastocyst formation, placental development, as well as the growth and survival of embryos and fetuses. In evolution, DNA hypomethylation in the trophoblast lineage is conserved, and there is a significant disparity in the control of epigenetic dynamics and the landscape of genomic imprinting. Scientists have used murine and human multipotent trophoblast cells as in vitro models to recapitulate the essential epigenetic processes of placental development. Here, we review the epigenetic signatures of the trophoblast lineage and their biological functions to enhance our understanding of placental evolution, development, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqi Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tingli Han
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China; The Center for Reproductive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China.
| | - Hua Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China.
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7
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Chen Z, Malek V, Natarajan R. Update: the role of epigenetics in the metabolic memory of diabetic complications. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2024; 327:F327-F339. [PMID: 38961840 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00115.2024] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, is associated with significantly accelerated complications, including diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which increases morbidity and mortality. Hyperglycemia and other diabetes-related environmental factors such as overnutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and hyperlipidemia can induce epigenetic changes. Working alone or with genetic factors, these epigenetic changes that occur without alterations in the underlying DNA sequence, can alter the expression of pathophysiological genes and impair functions of associated target cells/organs, leading to diabetic complications like DKD. Notably, some hyperglycemia-induced epigenetic changes persist in target cells/tissues even after glucose normalization, leading to sustained complications despite glycemic control, so-called metabolic memory. Emerging evidence from in vitro and in vivo animal models and clinical trials with subjects with diabetes identified clear associations between metabolic memory and epigenetic changes including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin structure, and noncoding RNAs at key loci. Targeting such persistent epigenetic changes and/or molecules regulated by them can serve as valuable opportunities to attenuate, or erase metabolic memory, which is crucial to prevent complication progression. Here, we review these cell/tissue-specific epigenetic changes identified to-date as related to diabetic complications, especially DKD, and the current status on targeting epigenetics to tackle metabolic memory. We also discuss limitations in current studies, including the need for more (epi)genome-wide studies, integrative analysis using multiple epigenetic marks and Omics datasets, and mechanistic evaluation of metabolic memory. Considering the tremendous technological advances in epigenomics, genetics, sequencing, and availability of genomic datasets from clinical cohorts, this field is likely to see considerable progress in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chen
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Vajir Malek
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Rama Natarajan
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
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8
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Shilpa, Thakur R, Prasad P. Epigenetic regulation of abiotic stress responses in plants. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130661. [PMID: 38885816 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130661] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Plants face a wide array of challenges in their environment, both from living organisms (biotic stresses) and non-living factors (abiotic stresses). Among the major abiotic stressors affecting crop plants, variations in temperature, water availability, salinity, and cold pose significant threats to crop yield and the quality of produce. Plants possess remarkable adaptability and resilience, and they employ a range of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms to respond and cope with abiotic stresses. A few crucial set of epigenetic mechanisms that support plants in their battle against these stresses includes DNA methylation and histone modifications. These mechanisms play a pivotal role in enabling plants to endure and thrive under challenging environmental conditions. The mechanisms of different epigenetic mechanisms in responding to the abiotic stresses vary. Each plant species and type of stress may trigger distinct epigenetic responses, highlighting the complexity of the plant's ability to adapt under stress conditions. This review focuses on the paramount importance of epigenetics in enhancing a plant's ability to survive and excel under various abiotic stresses. It highlights recent advancements in our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to abiotic stress tolerance in plants. This growing knowledge is pivotal for shaping future efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of abiotic stresses on diverse crop plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| | - Rajnikant Thakur
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Regional Station, Shimla-2, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Pramod Prasad
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Regional Station, Shimla-2, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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9
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Wang H, Fleishman JS, Cheng S, Wang W, Wu F, Wang Y, Wang Y. Epigenetic modification of ferroptosis by non-coding RNAs in cancer drug resistance. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:177. [PMID: 39192329 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02088-7] [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: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment. Ferroptosis, a unique type of regulated cell death, plays a pivotal role in inhibiting tumour growth, presenting new opportunities in treating chemotherapeutic resistance. Accumulating studies indicate that epigenetic modifications by non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) can determine cancer cell vulnerability to ferroptosis. In this review, we first summarize the role of chemotherapeutic resistance in cancer growth/development. Then, we summarize the core molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, its upstream epigenetic regulation, and its downstream effects on chemotherapeutic resistance. Finally, we review recent advances in understanding how ncRNAs regulate ferroptosis and from such modulate chemotherapeutic resistance. This review aims to enhance general understanding of the ncRNA-mediated epigenetic regulatory mechanisms which modulate ferroptosis, highlighting the ncRNA-ferroptosis axis as a key druggable target in overcoming chemotherapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongquan Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Joshua S Fleishman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Sihang Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Weixue Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Yumin Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, 100049, China.
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10
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Shoombuatong W, Meewan I, Mookdarsanit L, Schaduangrat N. Stack-HDAC3i: A high-precision identification of HDAC3 inhibitors by exploiting a stacked ensemble-learning framework. Methods 2024; 230:S1046-2023(24)00184-1. [PMID: 39191338 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.08.003] [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: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics involves reversible modifications in gene expression without altering the genetic code itself. Among these modifications, histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a key role by removing acetyl groups from lysine residues on histones. Overexpression of HDACs is linked to the proliferation and survival of tumor cells. To combat this, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are commonly used in cancer treatments. However, pan-HDAC inhibition can lead to numerous side effects. Therefore, isoform-selective HDAC inhibitors, such as HDAC3i, could be advantageous for treating various medical conditions while minimizing off-target effects. To date, computational approaches that use only the SMILES notation without any experimental evidence have become increasingly popular and necessary for the initial discovery of novel potential therapeutic drugs. In this study, we develop an innovative and high-precision stacked-ensemble framework, called Stack-HDAC3i, which can directly identify HDAC3i using only the SMILES notation. Using an up-to-date benchmark dataset, we first employed both molecular descriptors and Mol2Vec embeddings to generate feature representations that cover multi-view information embedded in HDAC3i, such as structural and contextual information. Subsequently, these feature representations were used to train baseline models using nine popular ML algorithms. Finally, the probabilistic features derived from the selected baseline models were fused to construct the final stacked model. Both cross-validation and independent tests showed that Stack-HDAC3i is a high-accuracy prediction model with great generalization ability for identifying HDAC3i. Furthermore, in the independent test, Stack-HDAC3i achieved an accuracy of 0.926 and Matthew's correlation coefficient of 0.850, which are 0.44-6.11% and 0.83-11.90% higher than its constituent baseline models, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Ittipat Meewan
- Center for Advanced Therapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Lawankorn Mookdarsanit
- Business Information System, Faculty of Management Science, Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
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11
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Xu M, Zhang Q, Shi H, Wu Z, Zhou W, Lin F, Kou Y, Tao Z. A repressive H3K36me2 reader mediates Polycomb silencing. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7287. [PMID: 39179589 PMCID: PMC11343894 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51789-6] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In animals, evolutionarily conserved Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) catalyzes histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and PRC1 functions in recruitment and transcriptional repression. However, the mechanisms underlying H3K27me3-mediated stable transcriptional silencing are largely unknown, as PRC1 subunits are poorly characterized in fungi. Here, we report that in the filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, the N-terminal chromodomain and C-terminal MRG domain of Eaf3 play key roles in facultative heterochromatin formation and transcriptional silencing. Eaf3 physically interacts with Ash1, Eed, and Sin3, encoding an H3K36 methyltransferase, the core subunit of PRC2, and a histone deacetylation co-suppressor, respectively. Eaf3 co-localizes with a set of repressive Ash1-H3K36me2 and H3K27me3 loci and mediates their transcriptional silencing. Furthermore, Eaf3 acts as a histone reader for the repressive H3K36me2 and H3K27me3 marks. Eaf3-occupied regions are associated with increased nucleosome occupancy, contributing to transcriptional silencing in M. oryzae. Together, these findings reveal that Eaf3 is a repressive H3K36me2 reader and plays a vital role in Polycomb gene silencing and the formation of facultative heterochromatin in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huanbin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fucheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Zeng Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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12
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Alfardan AS, Nadeem A, Ahmad SF, Al-Harbi NO, Alqinyah M, Attia SM, El-Sherbeeny AM, Al-Harbi MM, Al-Shabanah OA, Ibrahim KE, Alhazzani K, Alanazi AZ. DNMT inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine mitigates di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced aggravation of psoriasiform inflammation in mice via reduction in global DNA methylation in dermal and peripheral compartments. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 137:112503. [PMID: 38906008 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112503] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Psoriasis is classified as an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal immune response leading to the development of chronic dermal inflammation. Most individuals have a genetic vulnerability that may be further influenced by epigenetic changes occurring due to multiple variables such as pollutant exposure. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation possess a dynamic nature, enabling cellular differentiation and adaptation by controlling gene expression. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and psoriatic inflammation are known to cause modification of DNA methylation via DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). However, it is not known whether DEHP, a ubiquitous plasticizer affects psoriatic inflammation via DNMT modulation. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of DNMT inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AZA) on DEHP-induced changes in the expression of DNMT1, global DNA methylation, and anti-/inflammatory parameters (p-STAT3, IL-17A, IL-6, iNOS, IL-10, Foxp3, Nrf2, HO-1) in the skin and the peripheral adaptive/ myeloid immune cells (CD4+ T cells/CD11b+ cells) in imiquimod (IMQ) model of psoriasiform inflammation. Further, psoriasis-associated clinical/histopathological features (ear thickness, ear weight, ear PASI score, MPO activity, and H&E staining of the ear and the back skin) were also analyzed in IMQ model. Our data show that IMQ-treated mice with DEHP exposure had increased DNMT1 expression and DNA methylation which was associated with elevated inflammatory (p-STAT3, IL-17A, IL-6, iNOS) and downregulated anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10, Foxp3, Nrf2, HO-1) in the peripheral immune cells (CD4+ T cells/CD11b+ cells) and the skin as compared to IMQ-treated mice. Treatment with DNMT1 inhibitor caused reduction in inflammatory and elevation in anti-inflammatory parameters with significant improvement in clinical/histopathological symptoms in both IMQ-treated and DEHP-exposed IMQ-treated mice. In conclusion, our study shows strong evidence indicating that DNMT1 plays an important role in DEHP-induced exacerbation of psoriasiform inflammation in mice through hypermethylation of DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali S Alfardan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Nadeem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sheikh F Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naif O Al-Harbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Alqinyah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabry M Attia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M El-Sherbeeny
- Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad M Al-Harbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Othman A Al-Shabanah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid E Ibrahim
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Alhazzani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Z Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Farooqi IS, Xu Y. Translational potential of mouse models of human metabolic disease. Cell 2024; 187:4129-4143. [PMID: 39067442 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Obesity causes significant morbidity and mortality globally. Research in the last three decades has delivered a step-change in our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that regulate energy homeostasis, building on foundational discoveries in mouse models of metabolic disease. However, not all findings made in rodents have translated to humans, hampering drug discovery in this field. Here, we review how studies in mice and humans have informed our current framework for understanding energy homeostasis, discuss their challenges and limitations, and offer a perspective on how human studies may play an increasingly important role in the discovery of disease mechanisms and identification of therapeutic targets in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Sadaf Farooqi
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Yong Xu
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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14
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Bickel B, Giraud AL, Zuberbühler K, van Schaik CP. Language follows a distinct mode of extra-genomic evolution. Phys Life Rev 2024; 50:211-225. [PMID: 39153248 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2024.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
As one of the most specific, yet most diverse of human behaviors, language is shaped by both genomic and extra-genomic evolution. Sharing methods and models between these modes of evolution has significantly advanced our understanding of language and inspired generalized theories of its evolution. Progress is hampered, however, by the fact that the extra-genomic evolution of languages, i.e. linguistic evolution, maps only partially to other forms of evolution. Contrasting it with the biological evolution of eukaryotes and the cultural evolution of technology as the best understood models, we show that linguistic evolution is special by yielding a stationary dynamic rather than stable solutions, and that this dynamic allows the use of language change for social differentiation while maintaining its global adaptiveness. Linguistic evolution furthermore differs from technological evolution by requiring vertical transmission, allowing the reconstruction of phylogenies; and it differs from eukaryotic biological evolution by foregoing a genotype vs phenotype distinction, allowing deliberate and biased change. Recognising these differences will improve our empirical tools and open new avenues for analyzing how linguistic, cultural, and biological evolution interacted with each other when language emerged in the hominin lineage. Importantly, our framework will help to cope with unprecedented scientific and ethical challenges that presently arise from how rapid cultural evolution impacts language, most urgently from interventional clinical tools for language disorders, potential epigenetic effects of technology on language, artificial intelligence and linguistic communicators, and global losses of linguistic diversity and identity. Beyond language, the distinctions made here allow identifying variation in other forms of biological and cultural evolution, developing new perspectives for empirical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balthasar Bickel
- Department of Comparative Language Science, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anne-Lise Giraud
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Institut de l'Audition, Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, France
| | - Klaus Zuberbühler
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland; School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Carel P van Schaik
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Science, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
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15
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Li JA, He Y, Yang B, Mokrani A, Li Y, Tan C, Li Q, Liu S. Whole-genome DNA methylation profiling revealed epigenetic regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway involved in response to Vibrio alginolyticus infection in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:109705. [PMID: 38885801 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation, an essential epigenetic alteration, is tightly linked to a variety of biological processes, such as immune response. To identify the epigenetic regulatory mechanism in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was conducted on C. gigas at 0 h, 6 h, and 48 h after infection with Vibrio alginolyticus. At 6 h and 48 h, a total of 11,502 and 14,196 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified (p<0.05, FDR<0.001) compared to 0 h, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were significantly enriched in various biological pathways including immunity, cytoskeleton, epigenetic modification, and metabolic processes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that transcription machinery (ko03021) is one of the most important pathways. Integrated transcriptome and methylome analyses allowed the identification of 167 and 379 DMG-related DEGs at 6 h and 48 h, respectively. These genes were significantly enriched in immune-related pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway (ko04064) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway (ko04668). Interestingly, it's observed that the NF-κB pathway could be activated jointly by TNF Receptor Associated Factor 2 (TRAF2) and Baculoviral IAP Repeat Containing 3 (BIRC3, the homolog of human BIRC2) which were regulated by DNA methylation in response to the challenge posed by V. alginolyticus infection. Through this study, we provided insightful information about the epigenetic regulation of immunity-related genes in the C. gigas, which will be valuable for the understanding of the innate immune system modulation and defense mechanism against bacterial infection in invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-An Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yameng He
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ben Yang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ahmed Mokrani
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yin Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Chao Tan
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan National Laboratory, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Shikai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan National Laboratory, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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16
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Long M, Zhou Y, Guo D, Zhu Q, Liang H, Ji X, Chen N, Song H. Unzippable Siamese Nanoparticles for Programmed Two-Stage Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2402456. [PMID: 38810924 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202402456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs) can destruct cancer cells and initiate both innate and adaptive immunity, yet they have achieved very limited success in solid tumors so far, partly attributing to their concurrent induction of the myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) population. Here, dissociable Siamese nanoparticles (SIANPs) are developed for tumor cell-targeted delivery of epi-drug CM-272 and MDSC-targeted delivery of small molecule inhibitor Ibrutinib. The SIANPs are assembled via interparticle DNA annealing and detached via tumor microenvironment-triggered strand separation. Such binary regulation induces endogenous retrovirus expression and immunogenic cell death in tumor cells while restraining the immunosuppressive effects of MDSCs, and synergistically promotes dendritic cell maturation and CD8+ T cell activation for tumor inhibition. Significantly, immune microenvironment remodeling via SIANPs further overcomes tumor resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. This study represents a two-pronged approach for orchestrating immune responses, and paves a new way for employing epi-drugs in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Long
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yanfeng Zhou
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Daoxia Guo
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qingyun Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, and Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Biomimetic Catalysis, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Huan Liang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Ji
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Nan Chen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, and Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Biomimetic Catalysis, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Haiyun Song
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
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17
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Al-Ruwishan A, Amer B, Salem A, Abdi A, Chimpandu N, Esa A, Melemenis A, Saleem MZ, Mathew R, Gamallat Y. Advancements in Understanding the Hide-and-Seek Strategy of Hibernating Breast Cancer Cells and Their Implications in Oncology from a Broader Perspective: A Comprehensive Overview. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:8340-8367. [PMID: 39194709 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46080492] [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: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advancements in technology, breast cancer still poses a significant threat, often resulting in fatal consequences. While early detection and treatments have shown some promise, many breast cancer patients continue to struggle with the persistent fear of the disease returning. This fear is valid, as breast cancer cells can lay dormant for years before remerging, evading traditional treatments like a game of hide and seek. The biology of these dormant breast cancer cells presents a crucial yet poorly understood challenge in clinical settings. In this review, we aim to explore the mysterious world of dormant breast cancer cells and their significant impact on patient outcomes and prognosis. We shed light on the elusive role of the G9a enzyme and many other epigenetic factors in breast cancer recurrence, highlighting its potential as a target for eliminating dormant cancer cells and preventing disease relapse. Through this comprehensive review, we not only emphasise the urgency of unravelling the dynamics of dormant breast cancer cells to improve patient outcomes and advance personalised oncology but also provide a guide for fellow researchers. By clearly outlining the clinical and research gaps surrounding dormant breast cancer cells from a molecular perspective, we aim to inspire further exploration of this critical area, ultimately leading to improved patient care and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiman Al-Ruwishan
- Space for Research Initiative, Research Horizons, London NW10 2PU, UK
| | - Bushra Amer
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ahmed Salem
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Ahmed Abdi
- Independent Researcher, Uxbridge UB9 6JH, UK
| | | | | | | | - Muhammad Zubair Saleem
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Roselit Mathew
- Department of Oncology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Yaser Gamallat
- Department of Oncology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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18
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Huang Z, Tang Y, Zhang J, Huang J, Cheng R, Guo Y, Kleer CG, Wang Y, Xue L. Hypoxia makes EZH2 inhibitor not easy-advances of crosstalk between HIF and EZH2. LIFE METABOLISM 2024; 3:loae017. [PMID: 38911968 PMCID: PMC11192520 DOI: 10.1093/lifemeta/loae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Histone methylation plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase that regulates chromatin structure and gene expression. EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2is) have been shown to be effective in treating hematologic malignancies, while their effectiveness in solid tumors remains limited. One of the major challenges in the treatment of solid tumors is their hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) is a key hypoxia responder that interacts with EZH2 to promote tumor progression. Here we discuss the implications of the relationship between EZH2 and hypoxia for expanding the application of EZH2is in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanya Huang
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuanjun Tang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jianlin Zhang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yunyun Guo
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Celina G. Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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19
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Valenzuela-Muñoz V, Wanamaker S, Núñez-Acuña G, Roberts S, Garcia A, Valdés JA, Valenzuela-Miranda D, Gallardo-Escárate C. Environmental influence on the Atlantic salmon transcriptome and methylome during sea lice infestations. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:109692. [PMID: 38876411 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The fish's immune response is affected by different factors, including a wide range of environmental conditions that can also disrupt or promote changes in the host-pathogen interactions. How environmental conditions modulate the salmon genome during parasitism is poorly understood here. This study aimed to explore the environmental influence on the Salmo salar transcriptome and methylome infected with the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi. Atlantic salmon were experimentally infected with lice at two temperatures (8 and 16 °C) and salinity conditions (32 and 26PSU). Fish tissues were collected from the infected Atlantic salmon for reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. The parasitic load was highly divergent in the evaluated environmental conditions, where the lowest lice abundance was observed in fish infected at 8 °C/26PSU. Notably, transcriptome profile differences were statistically associated with the number of alternative splicing events in fish exposed to low temperature/salinity conditions. Furthermore, the temperature significantly affected the methylation level, where high values of differential methylation regions were observed at 16 °C. Also, the association between expression levels of spliced transcripts and their methylation levels was determined, revealing significant correlations with Ferroptosis and TLR KEEG pathways. This study supports the relevance of the environmental conditions during host-parasite interactions in marine ecosystems. The discovery of alternative splicing transcripts associated with DMRs is also discussed as a novel player in fish biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Valenzuela-Muñoz
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile; Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Universidad Sam Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | | | - Gustavo Núñez-Acuña
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Steven Roberts
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Ana Garcia
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Juan Antonio Valdés
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370035, Chile
| | - Diego Valenzuela-Miranda
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Cristian Gallardo-Escárate
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Laboratory of Biotechnology and Aquatic Genomics, Department of Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile.
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20
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Tahiri I, Llana SR, Fos-Domènech J, Milà-Guash M, Toledo M, Haddad-Tóvolli R, Claret M, Obri A. Paternal obesity induces changes in sperm chromatin accessibility and has a mild effect on offspring metabolic health. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34043. [PMID: 39100496 PMCID: PMC11296027 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34043] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing global burden of metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their etiology, which not only encompasses genetic and environmental factors but also parental influence. Recent evidence has unveiled paternal obesity as a contributing factor to offspring's metabolic health via sperm epigenetic modifications. In this study, we investigated the impact of a Western diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6 male mice on sperm chromatin accessibility and the subsequent metabolic health of their progeny. Utilizing Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with sequencing, we discovered 450 regions with differential accessibility in sperm from obese fathers, implicating key developmental and metabolic pathways. Contrary to expectations, these epigenetic alterations in sperm were not predictive of long-term metabolic disorders in offspring, who exhibited only mild transient metabolic changes early in life. Both male and female F1 progeny showed no enduring predisposition to obesity or diabetes. These results underscore the biological resilience of offspring to paternal epigenetic inheritance, suggesting a complex interplay between inherited epigenetic modifications and the offspring's own developmental compensatory mechanisms. This study calls for further research into the biological processes that confer this resilience, which could inform interventional strategies to combat the heritability of metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iasim Tahiri
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio R. Llana
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Júlia Fos-Domènech
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Milà-Guash
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Toledo
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberta Haddad-Tóvolli
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Claret
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnaud Obri
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Schwaiger M, Mohn F, Bühler M, Kaaij LJT. guidedNOMe-seq quantifies chromatin states at single allele resolution for hundreds of custom regions in parallel. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:732. [PMID: 39075377 PMCID: PMC11288131 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10625-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction of next generation sequencing technologies, the field of epigenomics has evolved rapidly. However, most commonly used assays are enrichment-based methods and thus only semi-quantitative. Nucleosome occupancy and methylome sequencing (NOMe-seq) allows for quantitative inference of chromatin states with single locus resolution, but this requires high sequencing depth and is therefore prohibitively expensive to routinely apply to organisms with large genomes. To overcome this limitation, we introduce guidedNOMe-seq, where we combine NOMe profiling with large scale sgRNA synthesis and Cas9-mediated region-of-interest (ROI) liberation. To facilitate quantitative comparisons between multiple samples, we additionally develop an R package to standardize differential analysis of any type of NOMe-seq data. We extensively benchmark guidedNOMe-seq in a proof-of-concept study, dissecting the interplay of ChAHP and CTCF on chromatin. In summary we present a cost-effective, scalable, and customizable target enrichment extension to the existing NOMe-seq protocol allowing genome-scale quantification of nucleosome occupancy and transcription factor binding at single allele resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Schwaiger
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Mohn
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bühler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, 4003, Switzerland
| | - Lucas J T Kaaij
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands.
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22
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Shim HS, Iaconelli J, Shang X, Li J, Lan ZD, Jiang S, Nutsch K, Beyer BA, Lairson LL, Boutin AT, Bollong MJ, Schultz PG, DePinho RA. TERT activation targets DNA methylation and multiple aging hallmarks. Cell 2024; 187:4030-4042.e13. [PMID: 38908367 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.048] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Insufficient telomerase activity, stemming from low telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene transcription, contributes to telomere dysfunction and aging pathologies. Besides its traditional function in telomere synthesis, TERT acts as a transcriptional co-regulator of genes pivotal in aging and age-associated diseases. Here, we report the identification of a TERT activator compound (TAC) that upregulates TERT transcription via the MEK/ERK/AP-1 cascade. In primary human cells and naturally aged mice, TAC-induced elevation of TERT levels promotes telomere synthesis, blunts tissue aging hallmarks with reduced cellular senescence and inflammatory cytokines, and silences p16INK4a expression via upregulation of DNMT3B-mediated promoter hypermethylation. In the brain, TAC alleviates neuroinflammation, increases neurotrophic factors, stimulates adult neurogenesis, and preserves cognitive function without evident toxicity, including cancer risk. Together, these findings underscore TERT's critical role in aging processes and provide preclinical proof of concept for physiological TERT activation as a strategy to mitigate multiple aging hallmarks and associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Seok Shim
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jonathan Iaconelli
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Xiaoying Shang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jiexi Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zheng D Lan
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kayla Nutsch
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Brittney A Beyer
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Luke L Lairson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Adam T Boutin
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael J Bollong
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Peter G Schultz
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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23
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Bontempo P, Capasso L, De Masi L, Nebbioso A, Rigano D. Therapeutic Potential of Natural Compounds Acting through Epigenetic Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Diseases: Current Findings and Future Directions. Nutrients 2024; 16:2399. [PMID: 39125279 PMCID: PMC11314203 DOI: 10.3390/nu16152399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality. These diseases have a multifaceted nature being influenced by a multitude of biochemical, genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Epigenetic modifications have a crucial role in the onset and progression of CVD. Epigenetics, which regulates gene activity without altering the DNA's primary structure, can modulate cardiovascular homeostasis through DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation. The effects of environmental stimuli on CVD are mediated by epigenetic changes, which can be reversible and, hence, are susceptible to pharmacological interventions. This represents an opportunity to prevent diseases by targeting harmful epigenetic modifications. Factors such as high-fat diets or nutrient deficiencies can influence epigenetic enzymes, affecting fetal growth, metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that plant-derived bioactive compounds can modulate epigenetic regulators and inflammatory responses, contributing to the cardioprotective effects of diets. Understanding these nutriepigenetic effects and their reversibility is crucial for developing effective interventions to combat CVD. This review delves into the general mechanisms of epigenetics, its regulatory roles in CVD, and the potential of epigenetics as a CVD therapeutic strategy. It also examines the role of epigenetic natural compounds (ENCs) in CVD and their potential as intervention tools for prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Bontempo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (L.C.); (A.N.)
| | - Lucia Capasso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (L.C.); (A.N.)
| | - Luigi De Masi
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (L.C.); (A.N.)
| | - Daniela Rigano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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24
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Pérez RF, Tezanos P, Peñarroya A, González-Ramón A, Urdinguio RG, Gancedo-Verdejo J, Tejedor JR, Santamarina-Ojeda P, Alba-Linares JJ, Sainz-Ledo L, Roberti A, López V, Mangas C, Moro M, Cintado Reyes E, Muela Martínez P, Rodríguez-Santamaría M, Ortea I, Iglesias-Rey R, Castilla-Silgado J, Tomás-Zapico C, Iglesias-Gutiérrez E, Fernández-García B, Sanchez-Mut JV, Trejo JL, Fernández AF, Fraga MF. A multiomic atlas of the aging hippocampus reveals molecular changes in response to environmental enrichment. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5829. [PMID: 39013876 PMCID: PMC11252340 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49608-z] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging involves the deterioration of organismal function, leading to the emergence of multiple pathologies. Environmental stimuli, including lifestyle, can influence the trajectory of this process and may be used as tools in the pursuit of healthy aging. To evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in this context, we have generated bulk tissue and single cell multi-omic maps of the male mouse dorsal hippocampus in young and old animals exposed to environmental stimulation in the form of enriched environments. We present a molecular atlas of the aging process, highlighting two distinct axes, related to inflammation and to the dysregulation of mRNA metabolism, at the functional RNA and protein level. Additionally, we report the alteration of heterochromatin domains, including the loss of bivalent chromatin and the uncovering of a heterochromatin-switch phenomenon whereby constitutive heterochromatin loss is partially mitigated through gains in facultative heterochromatin. Notably, we observed the multi-omic reversal of a great number of aging-associated alterations in the context of environmental enrichment, which was particularly linked to glial and oligodendrocyte pathways. In conclusion, our work describes the epigenomic landscape of environmental stimulation in the context of aging and reveals how lifestyle intervention can lead to the multi-layered reversal of aging-associated decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl F Pérez
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Tezanos
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Programa de Doctorado en Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Instituto Cajal, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Peñarroya
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alejandro González-Ramón
- Laboratory of Functional Epi-Genomics of Aging and Alzheimer's disease, Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rocío G Urdinguio
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Gancedo-Verdejo
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Ramón Tejedor
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Santamarina-Ojeda
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Alba-Linares
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lidia Sainz-Ledo
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Annalisa Roberti
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Virginia López
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Mangas
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - María Moro
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Cintado Reyes
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Programa de Doctorado en Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Instituto Cajal, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Muela Martínez
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Programa de Doctorado en Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Instituto Cajal, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Rodríguez-Santamaría
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Bioterio y unidad de imagen preclínica, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ortea
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Proteomics Unit, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ramón Iglesias-Rey
- Neuroimaging and Biotechnology Laboratory (NOBEL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan Castilla-Silgado
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Cristina Tomás-Zapico
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eduardo Iglesias-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Benjamín Fernández-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jose Vicente Sanchez-Mut
- Laboratory of Functional Epi-Genomics of Aging and Alzheimer's disease, Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - José Luis Trejo
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín F Fernández
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Área de Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
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25
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Li L, Jiang M, Wang W, Cao X, Ma Q, Han J, Liu Z, Huang Y, Chen Y. DNA demethylase TET2-mediated reduction of HADHB expression contributes to cadmium-induced malignant progression of colorectal cancer. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 280:116579. [PMID: 38865940 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to the cadmium (Cd) has been shown to be a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, but the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that chronic Cd (3 μM) exposure promoted the proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion of CRC cells in vitro, as well as lung metastasis in vivo. RNA-seq and TCGA-COAD datasets revealed that decreased hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex subunit beta (HADHB) expression may be a crucial factor in Cd-induced CRC progression. Further analysis using qRT-PCR and tissue microarrays from CRC patients showed that HADHB expression was significantly reduced in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and low HADHB expression was associated with adverse clinical features and poor overall survival, either directly or through TNM stage. Furthermore, HADHB was found to play an important role in the Cd-induced malignant metastatic phenotype of CRC cells and lung metastasis in mice. Mechanistically, we discovered that chronic Cd exposure resulted in hypermethylation of the HADHB promoter region via inhibition of DNA demethylase tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), which then led to decreased HADHB expression and activation of the FAK signaling pathway, and ultimately contributed to CRC progression. In conclusion, this study provided a new potential insight and evaluable biomarker for Cd exposure-induced CRC progression and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Li
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Yixing People's Hospital, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, China
| | - Xingyue Cao
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Qun Ma
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Jingyi Han
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Zixuan Liu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Yefei Huang
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Yansu Chen
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
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Choza JI, Virani M, Kuhn NC, Adams M, Kochmanski J, Bernstein AI. Parkinson's disease-associated shifts between DNA methylation and DNA hydroxymethylation in human brain in PD-related genes, including PARK19 (DNAJC6) and PTPRN2 (IA-2β). RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4572401. [PMID: 39070644 PMCID: PMC11275970 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572401/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Background The majority of Parkinson's disease (PD) cases are due to a complex interaction between aging, genetics, and environmental factors; epigenetic mechanisms are thought to act as important mediators of these risk factors. While multiple studies to date have explored the role of DNA modifications in PD, few focus on 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Because 5hmC occurs at its highest levels in the brain and is thought to be particularly important in the central nervous system, particularly in the response to neurotoxicants, it is important to explore the potential role of 5hmC in PD. This study expands on our previously published epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) performed on DNA isolated from neuron-enriched nuclei from human postmortem parietal cortex from the Banner Sun Health Research Institute Brain Bank. The study aimed to identify paired changes in 5hmC and 5mC in PD in enriched neuronal nuclei isolated from PD post-mortem parietal cortex and age- and sex-matched controls. We performed oxidative bisulfite (oxBS) conversion and paired it with our previously published bisulfite (BS)-based EWAS on the same samples to identify cytosines with significant shifts between these two related epigenetic marks. Interaction differentially modified cytosines (iDMCs) were identified using our recently published mixed-effects model for co-analyzing βmC and βhmC data. Results We identified 1,030 iDMCs with paired changes in 5mC and 5hmC (FDR < 0.05) that map to 695 genes, including PARK19 (DNAJC6), a familial PD gene, and PTPRN2 (IA-2), which has been previously implicated in PD in both epigenetic and mechanistic studies. The majority of iDMC-containing genes have not previously been implicated in PD and were not identified in our previous BS-based EWAS. Conclusions These data potentially link epigenetic regulation of the PARK19 and PTPRN2 loci in the pathogenesis of idiopathic PD. In addition, iDMC-containing genes have known functions in synaptic formation and function, cell cycle and senescence, neuroinflammation, and epigenetic regulation. These data suggest that there are significant shifts between 5mC and 5hmC associated with PD in genes relevant to PD pathogenesis that are not captured by analyzing BS-based data alone or by analyzing each mark as a distinct dataset.
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Liu J, Lu F. Beyond simple tails: poly(A) tail-mediated RNA epigenetic regulation. Trends Biochem Sci 2024:S0968-0004(24)00161-0. [PMID: 39004583 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.06.013] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The poly(A) tail is an essential structural component of mRNA required for the latter's stability and translation. Recent technologies have enabled transcriptome-wide profiling of the length and composition of poly(A) tails, shedding light on their overlooked regulatory capacities. Notably, poly(A) tails contain not only adenine but also uracil, cytosine, and guanine residues. These findings strongly suggest that poly(A) tails could encode a wealth of regulatory information, similar to known reversible RNA chemical modifications. This review aims to succinctly summarize our current knowledge on the composition, dynamics, and regulatory functions of RNA poly(A) tails. Given their capacity to carry rich regulatory information beyond the genetic code, we propose the concept of 'poly(A) tail epigenetic information' as a new layer of RNA epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Falong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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28
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Bloskie T, Taiwo OO, Storey KB. Reversible Histone Modifications Contribute to the Frozen and Thawed Recovery States of Wood Frog Brains. Biomolecules 2024; 14:839. [PMID: 39062553 PMCID: PMC11275241 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070839] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation, notably histone post-translational modification (PTM), has emerged as a major transcriptional control of gene expression during cellular stress adaptation. In the present study, we use an acid extraction method to isolate total histone protein and investigate dynamic changes in 23 well-characterized histone methylations/acetylations in the brains of wood frogs subject to 24-h freezing and subsequent 8-h thawed recovery conditions. Our results identify four histone PTMs (H2BK5ac, H3K14ac, H3K4me3, H3K9me2) and three histone proteins (H1.0, H2B, H4) that were significantly (p < 0.05) responsive to freeze-thaw in freeze-tolerant R. sylvatica brains. Two other permissive modifications (H3R8me2a, H3K9ac) also trended downwards following freezing stress. Together, these data are strongly supportive of the proposed global transcriptional states of hypometabolic freeze tolerance and rebounded thawed recovery. Our findings shed light on the intricate interplay between epigenetic regulation, gene transcription and energy metabolism in wood frogs' adaptive response to freezing stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kenneth B. Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; (T.B.); (O.O.T.)
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29
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Motsinger-Reif AA, Reif DM, Akhtari FS, House JS, Campbell CR, Messier KP, Fargo DC, Bowen TA, Nadadur SS, Schmitt CP, Pettibone KG, Balshaw DM, Lawler CP, Newton SA, Collman GW, Miller AK, Merrick BA, Cui Y, Anchang B, Harmon QE, McAllister KA, Woychik R. Gene-environment interactions within a precision environmental health framework. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100591. [PMID: 38925123 PMCID: PMC11293590 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in disease etiology and the role of gene-environment interactions (GEIs) across human development stages is important. We review the state of GEI research, including challenges in measuring environmental factors and advantages of GEI analysis in understanding disease mechanisms. We discuss the evolution of GEI studies from candidate gene-environment studies to genome-wide interaction studies (GWISs) and the role of multi-omics in mediating GEI effects. We review advancements in GEI analysis methods and the importance of large-scale datasets. We also address the translation of GEI findings into precision environmental health (PEH), showcasing real-world applications in healthcare and disease prevention. Additionally, we highlight societal considerations in GEI research, including environmental justice, the return of results to participants, and data privacy. Overall, we underscore the significance of GEI for disease prediction and prevention and advocate for integrating the exposome into PEH omics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A Motsinger-Reif
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - David M Reif
- Predictive Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Farida S Akhtari
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John S House
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - C Ryan Campbell
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kyle P Messier
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA; Predictive Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David C Fargo
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tiffany A Bowen
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Srikanth S Nadadur
- Exposure, Response, and Technology Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles P Schmitt
- Office of the Scientific Director, Office of Data Science, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kristianna G Pettibone
- Program Analysis Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David M Balshaw
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA; Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cindy P Lawler
- Genes, Environment, and Health Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shelia A Newton
- Office of Scientific Coordination, Planning and Evaluation, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gwen W Collman
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA; Office of Scientific Coordination, Planning and Evaluation, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aubrey K Miller
- Office of Scientific Coordination, Planning and Evaluation, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - B Alex Merrick
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yuxia Cui
- Exposure, Response, and Technology Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Benedict Anchang
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Quaker E Harmon
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly A McAllister
- Genes, Environment, and Health Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rick Woychik
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
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Ejikeme C, Safdar Z. Exploring the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1402639. [PMID: 39050536 PMCID: PMC11267418 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1402639] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex cardiopulmonary disorder impacting the lung vasculature, resulting in increased pulmonary vascular resistance that leads to right ventricular dysfunction. Pulmonary hypertension comprises of 5 groups (PH group 1 to 5) where group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), results from alterations that directly affect the pulmonary arteries. Although PAH has a complex pathophysiology that is not completely understood, it is known to be a multifactorial disease that results from a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors, leading to a varied range of symptoms in PAH patients. PAH does not have a cure, its incidence and prevalence continue to increase every year, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality rates. In this review, we discuss the different pathologic mechanisms with a focus on epigenetic modifications and their roles in the development and progression of PAH. These modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA dysregulation. Understanding these epigenetic modifications will improve our understanding of PAH and unveil novel therapeutic targets, thus steering research toward innovative treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeenat Safdar
- Department of Pulmonary-Critical Care Medicine, Houston Methodist Lung Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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31
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Zetzsche J, Fallet M. To live or let die? Epigenetic adaptations to climate change-a review. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2024; 10:dvae009. [PMID: 39139701 PMCID: PMC11321362 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities are responsible for a wide array of environmental disturbances that threaten biodiversity. Climate change, encompassing temperature increases, ocean acidification, increased salinity, droughts, and floods caused by frequent extreme weather events, represents one of the most significant environmental alterations. These drastic challenges pose ecological constraints, with over a million species expected to disappear in the coming years. Therefore, organisms must adapt or face potential extinctions. Adaptations can occur not only through genetic changes but also through non-genetic mechanisms, which often confer faster acclimatization and wider variability ranges than their genetic counterparts. Among these non-genetic mechanisms are epigenetics defined as the study of molecules and mechanisms that can perpetuate alternative gene activity states in the context of the same DNA sequence. Epigenetics has received increased attention in the past decades, as epigenetic mechanisms are sensitive to a wide array of environmental cues, and epimutations spread faster through populations than genetic mutations. Epimutations can be neutral, deleterious, or adaptative and can be transmitted to subsequent generations, making them crucial factors in both long- and short-term responses to environmental fluctuations, such as climate change. In this review, we compile existing evidence of epigenetic involvement in acclimatization and adaptation to climate change and discuss derived perspectives and remaining challenges in the field of environmental epigenetics. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Zetzsche
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 70182, Sweden
| | - Manon Fallet
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 70182, Sweden
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32
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Xie NB, Wang M, Ji TT, Guo X, Gang FY, Hao Y, Zeng L, Wang YF, Feng YQ, Yuan BF. Simultaneous detection of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine at specific genomic loci by engineered deaminase-assisted sequencing. Chem Sci 2024; 15:10073-10083. [PMID: 38966352 PMCID: PMC11220598 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00930d] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytosine modifications, particularly 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), play crucial roles in numerous biological processes. Current analytical methods are often constrained to the separate detection of either 5mC or 5hmC, or the combination of both modifications. The ability to simultaneously detect C, 5mC, and 5hmC at the same genomic locations with precise stoichiometry is highly desirable. Herein, we introduce a method termed engineered deaminase-assisted sequencing (EDA-seq) for the simultaneous quantification of C, 5mC, and 5hmC at the same genomic sites. EDA-seq utilizes a specially engineered protein, derived from human APOBEC3A (A3A), known as eA3A-M5. eA3A-M5 exhibits distinct deamination capabilities for C, 5mC, and 5hmC. In EDA-seq, C undergoes complete deamination and is sequenced as T. 5mC is partially deaminated resulting in a mixed readout of T and C, and 5hmC remains undeaminated and is read as C. Consequently, the proportion of T readouts (P T) reflects the collective occurrences of C and 5mC, regulated by the deamination rate of 5mC (R 5mC). By determining R 5mC and P T values, we can deduce the precise levels of C, 5mC, and 5hmC at particular genomic locations. We successfully used EDA-seq to simultaneously measure C, 5mC, and 5hmC at specific loci within human lung cancer tissue and their normal counterpart. The results from EDA-seq demonstrated a strong concordance with those obtained from the combined application of BS-seq and ACE-seq methods. EDA-seq eliminates the need for bisulfite treatment, DNA oxidation or glycosylation and uniquely enables simultaneous quantification of C, 5mC and 5hmC at the same genomic locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neng-Bin Xie
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan 430071 China
- Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan 430060 China
- Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Wuhan 430071 China
| | - Min Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
- College of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Chemistry, Weifang University Weifang 261061 China
| | - Tong-Tong Ji
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Xia Guo
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Fang-Yin Gang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan 430071 China
| | - Ying Hao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Li Zeng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Ya-Fen Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan 430071 China
| | - Yu-Qi Feng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan 430071 China
| | - Bi-Feng Yuan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan 430071 China
- Research Center of Public Health, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan 430060 China
- Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Wuhan 430071 China
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
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33
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Totoń-Żurańska J, Mikolajczyk TP, Saju B, Guzik TJ. Vascular remodelling in cardiovascular diseases: hypertension, oxidation, and inflammation. Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:817-850. [PMID: 38920058 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220797] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Optimal vascular structure and function are essential for maintaining the physiological functions of the cardiovascular system. Vascular remodelling involves changes in vessel structure, including its size, shape, cellular and molecular composition. These changes result from multiple risk factors and may be compensatory adaptations to sustain blood vessel function. They occur in diverse cardiovascular pathologies, from hypertension to heart failure and atherosclerosis. Dynamic changes in the endothelium, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, pericytes or other vascular wall cells underlie remodelling. In addition, immune cells, including macrophages and lymphocytes, may infiltrate vessels and initiate inflammatory signalling. They contribute to a dynamic interplay between cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, inflammation, and extracellular matrix reorganisation, all critical mechanisms of vascular remodelling. Molecular pathways underlying these processes include growth factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor), inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α), reactive oxygen species, and signalling pathways, such as Rho/ROCK, MAPK, and TGF-β/Smad, related to nitric oxide and superoxide biology. MicroRNAs and long noncoding RNAs are crucial epigenetic regulators of gene expression in vascular remodelling. We evaluate these pathways for potential therapeutic targeting from a clinical translational perspective. In summary, vascular remodelling, a coordinated modification of vascular structure and function, is crucial in cardiovascular disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Totoń-Żurańska
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tomasz P Mikolajczyk
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Blessy Saju
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K
| | - Tomasz J Guzik
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K
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Liu J, Sun Q, Liu D, Liang H, Chen Y, Ye F, Zhang Q. Epigenome-850K-wide profiling reveals peripheral blood differential methylation in term low birth weight. Epigenomics 2024; 16:821-833. [PMID: 38957889 DOI: 10.1080/17501911.2024.2358744] [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: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: We investigate the genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns of term low birth weight (TLBW) neonates.Methods: In the discovery phase, we assayed 32 samples (TLBW/control:16/16) using the EPIC 850k BeadChip Array. Targeted pyrosequencing of in 60 samples (TLBW/control:28/32) using targeted pyrosequencing during the replication phase.Results: The 850K array identified TLBW-associated 144 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and 149 DMRs. Nearly 77% DMPs exhibited hypomethylation, located in the opensea and gene body regions. The most significantly enriched pathway in KEGG is sphingolipid metabolism (hsa00600), and the genes GALC and SGMS1 related to this pathway both show hypomethylation.Conclusion: Our analysis provides evidence of genome-wide DNAm alterations in TLBW. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the functional significance of these DNAm changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Die Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haixiao Liang
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanmei Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Ye
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Weissman JD, Kotekar A, Barbash Z, Mu J, Singer DS. CCAAT Promoter element regulates transgenerational expression of the MHC class I gene. Chromosoma 2024; 133:203-216. [PMID: 38922437 PMCID: PMC11266202 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-024-00820-2] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Transgenerational gene expression depends on both underlying DNA sequences and epigenetic modifications. The latter, which can result in transmission of variegated gene expression patterns across multiple generations without DNA alterations, has been termed epigenetic inheritance and has been documented in plants, worms, flies and mammals. Whereas transcription factors binding to cognate DNA sequence elements regulate gene expression, the molecular basis for epigenetic inheritance has been linked to histone and DNA modifications and non-coding RNA. Here we report that mutation of the CCAAT box promoter element abrogates NF-Y binding and disrupts the stable transgenerational expression of an MHC class I transgene. Transgenic mice with a mutated CCAAT box in the MHC class I transgene display variegated expression of the transgene among littermates and progeny in multiple independently derived transgenic lines. After 4 generations, CCAAT mutant transgenic lines derived from a single founder stably displayed distinct patterns of expression. Histone modifications and RNA polymerase II binding correlate with expression of CCAAT mutant transgenic lines, whereas DNA methylation and nucleosome occupancy do not. Mutation of the CCAAT box also results in changes to CTCF binding and DNA looping patterns across the transgene that correlate with expression status. These studies identify the CCAAT promoter element as a regulator of stable transgenerational gene expression such that mutation of the CCAAT box results in variegated transgenerational inheritance. Considering that the CCAAT box is present in 30% of eukaryotic promoters, this study provides insights into how fidelity of gene expression patterns is maintained through multiple generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn D Weissman
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bldg 10, Room 4B-36, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Aparna Kotekar
- NIH Center for Human Immunology, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity (CHI), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | | | - Jie Mu
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bldg 10, Room 4B-36, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Dinah S Singer
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bldg 10, Room 4B-36, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Baduel P, Sammarco I, Barrett R, Coronado‐Zamora M, Crespel A, Díez‐Rodríguez B, Fox J, Galanti D, González J, Jueterbock A, Wootton E, Harney E. The evolutionary consequences of interactions between the epigenome, the genome and the environment. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13730. [PMID: 39050763 PMCID: PMC11266121 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The epigenome is the suite of interacting chemical marks and molecules that helps to shape patterns of development, phenotypic plasticity and gene regulation, in part due to its responsiveness to environmental stimuli. There is increasing interest in understanding the functional and evolutionary importance of this sensitivity under ecologically realistic conditions. Observations that epigenetic variation abounds in natural populations have prompted speculation that it may facilitate evolutionary responses to rapid environmental perturbations, such as those occurring under climate change. A frequent point of contention is whether epigenetic variants reflect genetic variation or are independent of it. The genome and epigenome often appear tightly linked and interdependent. While many epigenetic changes are genetically determined, the converse is also true, with DNA sequence changes influenced by the presence of epigenetic marks. Understanding how the epigenome, genome and environment interact with one another is therefore an essential step in explaining the broader evolutionary consequences of epigenomic variation. Drawing on results from experimental and comparative studies carried out in diverse plant and animal species, we synthesize our current understanding of how these factors interact to shape phenotypic variation in natural populations, with a focus on identifying similarities and differences between taxonomic groups. We describe the main components of the epigenome and how they vary within and between taxa. We review how variation in the epigenome interacts with genetic features and environmental determinants, with a focus on the role of transposable elements (TEs) in integrating the epigenome, genome and environment. And we look at recent studies investigating the functional and evolutionary consequences of these interactions. Although epigenetic differentiation in nature is likely often a result of drift or selection on stochastic epimutations, there is growing evidence that a significant fraction of it can be stably inherited and could therefore contribute to evolution independently of genetic change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Baduel
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale SupérieurePSL University, CNRSParisFrance
| | - Iris Sammarco
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrůhoniceCzechia
| | - Rowan Barrett
- Redpath Museum and Department of BiologyMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | | | | | | | - Janay Fox
- Redpath Museum and Department of BiologyMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Dario Galanti
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology (EvE)University of TuebingenTübingenGermany
| | | | - Alexander Jueterbock
- Algal and Microbial Biotechnology Division, Faculty of Biosciences and AquacultureNord UniversityBodøNorway
| | - Eric Wootton
- Redpath Museum and Department of BiologyMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Ewan Harney
- Institute of Evolutionary BiologyCSIC, UPFBarcelonaSpain
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
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Marin JJG, Macias RIR, Asensio M, Romero MR, Temprano AG, Pereira OR, Jimenez S, Mauriz JL, Di Giacomo S, Avila MA, Efferth T, Briz O. Strategies to enhance the response of liver cancer to pharmacological treatments. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C11-C33. [PMID: 38708523 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00176.2024] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
In contrast to other types of cancers, there is no available efficient pharmacological treatment to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from major primary liver cancers, i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. This dismal situation is partly due to the existence in these tumors of many different and synergistic mechanisms of resistance, accounting for the lack of response of these patients, not only to classical chemotherapy but also to more modern pharmacological agents based on the inhibition of tyrosine kinase receptors (TKIs) and the stimulation of the immune response against the tumor using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This review summarizes the efforts to develop strategies to overcome this severe limitation, including searching for novel drugs derived from synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural products with vectorial properties against therapeutic targets to increase drug uptake or reduce drug export from cancer cells. Besides, immunotherapy is a promising line of research that is already starting to be implemented in clinical practice. Although less successful than in other cancers, the foreseen future for this strategy in treating liver cancers is considerable. Similarly, the pharmacological inhibition of epigenetic targets is highly promising. Many novel "epidrugs," able to act on "writer," "reader," and "eraser" epigenetic players, are currently being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Finally, gene therapy is a broad field of research in the fight against liver cancer chemoresistance, based on the impressive advances recently achieved in gene manipulation. In sum, although the present is still dismal, there is reason for hope in the non-too-distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocio I R Macias
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro G Temprano
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Olívia R Pereira
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
- Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Silvia Jimenez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jose L Mauriz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of Leon, Leon, Spain
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Matias A Avila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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Pandey KN. Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms Regulating Blood Pressure and Kidney Dysfunction. Hypertension 2024; 81:1424-1437. [PMID: 38545780 PMCID: PMC11168895 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.124.22072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The pioneering work of Dr Lewis K. Dahl established a relationship between kidney, salt, and high blood pressure (BP), which led to the major genetic-based experimental model of hypertension. BP, a heritable quantitative trait affected by numerous biological and environmental stimuli, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is considered to be a primary modifiable factor in renal, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases. Genome-wide association studies have identified monogenic and polygenic variants affecting BP in humans. Single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in genome-wide association studies have quantified the heritability of BP and the effect of genetics on hypertensive phenotype. Changes in the transcriptional program of genes may represent consequential determinants of BP, so understanding the mechanisms of the disease process has become a priority in the field. At the molecular level, the onset of hypertension is associated with reprogramming of gene expression influenced by epigenomics. This review highlights the specific genetic variants, mutations, and epigenetic factors associated with high BP and how these mechanisms affect the regulation of hypertension and kidney dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailash N. Pandey
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
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Liang Y, Jiang Y, Fang L, Dai Z, Zhang S, Zhou Y, Cai Y, Wang D, Wang Z, Ye X, Liang B. Periodic magnetic modulation enhanced electrochemical analysis for highly sensitive determination of genomic DNA methylation. Anal Biochem 2024; 690:115509. [PMID: 38508332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2024.115509] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation aberrations have a strong correlation with cancer in early detection, diagnosis, and prognosis, which make them possible candidate biomarkers. Electrochemical biosensors offer rapid protocols for detecting DNA methylation status with minimal pretreatment of samples. However, the inevitable presence of background current in the time domain, including electrochemical noise and variations, limits the detection performance of these biosensors, especially for low concentration analytes. Here, we propose an ultrasensitive frequency-domain electrochemical analysis strategy to effectively separate the weak signals from background current. To achieve this, we employed periodic magnetic field modulation of magnetic beads (MBs) on and off the electrode surface to generate a periodic electrochemical signal for subsequent frequency-domain analysis. By capturing labeled MBs with as low as 0.5 pg of DNA, we successfully demonstrated a highly sensitive electrochemical method for determination of genome-wide DNA methylation levels. We also validated the effectiveness of this methodology using DNA samples extracted from three types of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. The results revealed varying genomic methylation levels among different HCC cell lines, indicating the potential application of this approach for early-stage cancer detection in terms of DNA methylation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Lu Fang
- College of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
| | - Zhen Dai
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Yu Cai
- Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310053, PR China
| | - Dong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Zhaoyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Xuesong Ye
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China.
| | - Bo Liang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China; Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310053, PR China.
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Helgudóttir SS, Mørkholt AS, Lichota J, Bruun-Nyzell P, Andersen MC, Kristensen NMJ, Johansen AK, Zinn MR, Jensdóttir HM, Nieland JDV. Rethinking neurodegenerative diseases: neurometabolic concept linking lipid oxidation to diseases in the central nervous system. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1437-1445. [PMID: 38051885 PMCID: PMC10883494 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.387965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Currently, there is a lack of effective medicines capable of halting or reversing the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or Alzheimer's disease. Given the unmet medical need, it is necessary to reevaluate the existing paradigms of how to target these diseases. When considering neurodegenerative diseases from a systemic neurometabolic perspective, it becomes possible to explain the shared pathological features. This innovative approach presented in this paper draws upon extensive research conducted by the authors and researchers worldwide. In this review, we highlight the importance of metabolic mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. We provide an overview of the risk factors associated with developing neurodegenerative disorders, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Additionally, we examine pathological mechanisms implicated in these diseases such as oxidative stress, accumulation of misfolded proteins, inflammation, demyelination, death of neurons, insulin resistance, dysbiosis, and neurotransmitter disturbances. Finally, we outline a proposal for the restoration of mitochondrial metabolism, a crucial aspect that may hold the key to facilitating curative therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative disorders in forthcoming advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jacek Lichota
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Christian Andersen
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Nanna Marie Juhl Kristensen
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Amanda Krøger Johansen
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mikela Reinholdt Zinn
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hulda Maria Jensdóttir
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - John Dirk Vestergaard Nieland
- 2N Pharma ApS, NOVI Science Park, Aalborg, Denmark
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Abdelnour SA, Naiel MAE, Said MB, Alnajeebi AM, Nasr FA, Al-Doaiss AA, Mahasneh ZMH, Noreldin AE. Environmental epigenetics: Exploring phenotypic plasticity and transgenerational adaptation in fish. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118799. [PMID: 38552831 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetics plays a vital role in the interaction between living organisms and their environment by regulating biological functions and phenotypic plasticity. Considering that most aquaculture activities take place in open or natural habitats that are vulnerable to environmental changes. Promising findings from recent research conducted on various aquaculture species have provided preliminary evidence suggesting a link between epigenetic mechanisms and economically valuable characteristics. Environmental stressors, including climate changes (thermal stress, hypoxia, and water salinity), anthropogenic impacts such as (pesticides, crude oil pollution, nutritional impacts, and heavy metal) and abiotic factors (infectious diseases), can directly trigger epigenetic modifications in fish. While experiments have confirmed that many epigenetic alterations caused by environmental factors have plastic responses, some can be permanently integrated into the genome through genetic integration and promoting rapid transgenerational adaptation in fish. These environmental factors might cause irregular DNA methylation patterns in genes related to many biological events leading to organs dysfunction by inducing alterations in genes related to oxidative stress or apoptosis. Moreover, these environmental issues alter DNA/histone methylation leading to decreased reproductive competence. This review emphasizes the importance of understanding the effects of environmentally relevant issues on the epigenetic regulation of phenotypic variations in fish. The goal is to expand our knowledge of how epigenetics can either facilitate or hinder species' adaptation to these adverse conditions. Furthermore, this review outlines the areas that warrant further investigation in understanding epigenetic reactions to various environmental issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh A Abdelnour
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed A E Naiel
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia; Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia
| | - Afnan M Alnajeebi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahd A Nasr
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amin A Al-Doaiss
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeinab M H Mahasneh
- Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Ahmed E Noreldin
- Department of Histology and Cytology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22511, Egypt
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Li L, Zhang L, Luo L, Shen F, Zhao Y, Wu H, Huang Y, Hou R, Yue B, Zhang X. Adaptive Expression and ncRNA Regulation of Genes Related to Digestion and Metabolism in Stomach of Red Pandas during Suckling and Adult Periods. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1795. [PMID: 38929414 PMCID: PMC11200446 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121795] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Red pandas evolved from carnivores to herbivores and are unique within Carnivora. Red pandas and carnivorous mammals consume milk during the suckling period, while they consume bamboo and meat during the adult period, respectively. Red pandas and carnivorous mammal ferrets have a close phylogenetic relationship. To further investigate the molecular mechanisms of dietary changes and nutrient utilization in red pandas from suckling to adult, comparative analysis of the whole transcriptome was performed on stomach tissues from red pandas and ferrets during the suckling and adult periods. The main results are as follows: (1) we identified ncRNAs for the first time in stomach tissues of both species, and found significant expression changes of 109 lncRNAs and 106 miRNAs in red pandas and 756 lncRNAs and 109 miRNAs in ferrets between the two periods; (2) up-regulated genes related to amino acid transport regulated by lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks may efficiently utilize limited bamboo amino acids in adult red pandas, while up-regulated genes related to amino acid degradation regulated by lncRNAs may maintain the balance of amino acid metabolism due to larger daily intakes in adult ferrets; and (3) some up-regulated genes related to lipid digestion may contribute to the utilization of rich nutrients in milk for the rapid growth and development of suckling red pandas, while up-regulated genes associated with linoleic acid metabolism regulated by lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks may promote cholesterol decomposition to reduce health risks for carnivorous adult ferrets. Collectively, our study offers evidence of gene expression adaptation and ncRNA regulation in response to specific dietary changes and nutrient utilization in red pandas during suckling and adult periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (L.L.); (L.L.); (Y.Z.); (B.Y.)
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology of Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China; (L.Z.); (F.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Lijun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (L.L.); (L.L.); (Y.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Fujun Shen
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology of Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China; (L.Z.); (F.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Yanni Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (L.L.); (L.L.); (Y.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Honglin Wu
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Dujiangyan 611800, China; (H.W.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yan Huang
- China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Dujiangyan 611800, China; (H.W.); (Y.H.)
| | - Rong Hou
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology of Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China; (L.Z.); (F.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Bisong Yue
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (L.L.); (L.L.); (Y.Z.); (B.Y.)
| | - Xiuyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (L.L.); (L.L.); (Y.Z.); (B.Y.)
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Ongwe MEB, Mouwenda YD, Manurung MD, Heieis G, Azimi S, Adegnika AA, Kremsner PG, Kuijpers TW, Yazdanbakhsh M, Everts B. Potentiation of the axis involving pentose phosphate pathway/NADPH oxidase/reactive oxygen species drives higher IL-10 production in monocytes of Sub-Saharan Africans. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2451029. [PMID: 38873882 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202451029] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Cellular metabolism is a key determinant of immune cell function. Here we found that CD14+ monocytes from Sub-Saharan Africans produce higher levels of IL-10 following TLR-4 stimulation and are bioenergetically distinct from monocytes from Europeans. Through metabolomic profiling, we identified the higher IL-10 production to be driven by increased baseline production of NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species, supported by enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity. Together, these data indicate that NADPH oxidase-derived ROS is a metabolic checkpoint in monocytes that governs their inflammatory profile and uncovers a metabolic basis for immunological differences across geographically distinct populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Eunice Betouke Ongwe
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut de Recherches en Écologie Tropicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Yoanne D Mouwenda
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Mikhael D Manurung
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Graham Heieis
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Shohreh Azimi
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ayola A Adegnika
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter G Kremsner
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Sanquin Research, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Dept of Paediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Everts
- Leiden University Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Ravanelli S, Park JYC, Wicky C, Ewald CY, von Meyenn F. Metabolic enzymes aldo-2 and pdhb-1 as potential epigenetic regulators during C. elegans embryogenesis. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001222. [PMID: 38947245 PMCID: PMC11211921 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The intersection of metabolic processes and epigenetic regulation during embryogenesis is crucial yet not fully understood. Through a candidate RNAi screen in Caenorhabditis elegans , we identified metabolic enzymes ALDO-2 and PDHB-1 as potential epigenetic regulators. Mild alteration of the chromatin remodeler LET-418 /Mi2 activity rescues embryonic lethality induced by suppressing aldo-2 or pdhb-1 , suggesting a critical role for glucose and pyruvate metabolism in chromatin remodeling during embryogenesis. Given the conservation of central metabolic pathways and chromatin modifiers across species, our findings lay the foundation for future mechanistic investigations into the interplay between epigenetics and metabolism during development and upon disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Ravanelli
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ji Young Cecilia Park
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chantal Wicky
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Collin Y. Ewald
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
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Lin Y, Yang B, Liu H, Ran G, Song L, Meng M, Yin X, Bi Q, Yan D, Deng Y, Lu Y. DNA demethylase Tet2 promotes the terminal maturation of natural killer cells. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09506-4. [PMID: 38869819 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09506-4] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The cytotoxicity feature to eliminate malignant cells makes natural killer (NK) cells a candidate for tumor immunotherapy. However, this scenario is currently hampered by inadequate understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of NK cell development. Ten-Eleven-Translocation 2 (Tet2) is a demethylase whose mutation was recently shown to cause phenotypic defects in NK cells. However, the role of Tet2 in the development and maturation of NK cells is not entirely clear. Here we studied the modulatory role of Tet2 in NK cell development and maturation by generating hematopoietic Tet2 knockout mice and mice with Tet2 conditional deletion in NKp46+ NK cells. The results showed that both hematopoietic and NK cell conditional deletion of Tet2 had no effect on the early steps of NK cell development, but impaired the terminal maturation of NK cells defined by CD11b, CD43, and KLRG1 expression. In the liver, Tet2 deletion not only prevented the terminal maturation of NK cells, but also increased the proportion of type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) and reduced the proportion of conventional NK cells (cNK). Moreover, hematopoietic deletion of Tet2 lowered the protein levels of perforin in NK cells. Furthermore, hematopoietic deletion of Tet2 downregulated the protein levels of Eomesodermin (Eomes), but not T-bet, in NK cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that Tet2 plays an important role in the terminal maturation of NK cells, and the Eomes transcription factor may be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Lin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, 154007, China
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Biyun Yang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, 154007, China
| | - Hailin Liu
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
- Department of Pharmacy, First People's Hospital of Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing, 401121, China
| | - Guanghe Ran
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, 154007, China
| | - Liang Song
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Meng Meng
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yin
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Qinghua Bi
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Dongmei Yan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, 154007, China.
| | - Youcai Deng
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Yonghui Lu
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine Science, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Department of Occupational Health, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Dilenko H, Bartoň Tománková K, Válková L, Hošíková B, Kolaříková M, Malina L, Bajgar R, Kolářová H. Graphene-Based Photodynamic Therapy and Overcoming Cancer Resistance Mechanisms: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:5637-5680. [PMID: 38882538 PMCID: PMC11179671 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s461300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive therapy that has made significant progress in treating different diseases, including cancer, by utilizing new nanotechnology products such as graphene and its derivatives. Graphene-based materials have large surface area and photothermal effects thereby making them suitable candidates for PDT or photo-active drug carriers. The remarkable photophysical properties of graphene derivates facilitate the efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light irradiation, which destroys cancer cells. Surface functionalization of graphene and its materials can also enhance their biocompatibility and anticancer activity. The paper delves into the distinct roles played by graphene-based materials in PDT such as photosensitizers (PS) and drug carriers while at the same time considers how these materials could be used to circumvent cancer resistance. This will provide readers with an extensive discussion of various pathways contributing to PDT inefficiency. Consequently, this comprehensive review underscores the vital roles that graphene and its derivatives may play in emerging PDT strategies for cancer treatment and other medical purposes. With a better comprehension of the current state of research and the existing challenges, the integration of graphene-based materials in PDT holds great promise for developing targeted, effective, and personalized cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Dilenko
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Bartoň Tománková
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Válková
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Hošíková
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Kolaříková
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Malina
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Bajgar
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kolářová
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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47
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Čugalj Kern B, Kovač J, Šket R, Tesovnik T, Jenko Bizjan B, Galhardo J, Battelino T, Bratina N, Dovč K. Exploring early DNA methylation alterations in type 1 diabetes: implications of glycemic control. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1416433. [PMID: 38904047 PMCID: PMC11188314 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1416433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Prolonged hyperglycemia causes diabetes-related micro- and macrovascular complications, which combined represent a significant burden for individuals living with diabetes. The growing scope of evidence indicates that hyperglycemia affects the development of vascular complications through DNA methylation. Methods A genome-wide differential DNA methylation analysis was performed on pooled peripheral blood DNA samples from individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with direct DNA sequencing. Strict selection criteria were used to ensure two age- and sex-matched groups with no clinical signs of chronic complications according to persistent mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values over 5 years: HbA1c<7% (N=10) and HbA1c>8% (N=10). Results Between the two groups, 8385 differentially methylated CpG sites, annotated to 1802 genes, were identified. Genes annotated to hypomethylated CpG sites were enriched in 48 signaling pathways. Further analysis of key CpG sites revealed four specific regions, two of which were hypermethylated and two hypomethylated, associated with long non-coding RNA and processed pseudogenes. Conclusions Prolonged hyperglycemia in individuals with T1D, who have no clinical manifestation of diabetes-related complications, is associated with multiple differentially methylated CpG sites in crucial genes and pathways known to be linked to chronic complications in T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Čugalj Kern
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Kovač
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Šket
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tine Tesovnik
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Jenko Bizjan
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Julia Galhardo
- Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia - Central Lisbon University Hospital Center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Lisbon Academic and Clinical Center, NOVA Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tadej Battelino
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Bratina
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klemen Dovč
- University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Klokkaris A, Migdalska-Richards A. An Overview of Epigenetic Changes in the Parkinson's Disease Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6168. [PMID: 38892355 PMCID: PMC11172855 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116168] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, predominantly of the motor system. Although some genetic components and cellular mechanisms of Parkinson's have been identified, much is still unknown. In recent years, emerging evidence has indicated that non-DNA-sequence variation (in particular epigenetic mechanisms) is likely to play a crucial role in the development and progression of the disease. Here, we present an up-to-date overview of epigenetic processes including DNA methylation, DNA hydroxymethylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs implicated in the brain of those with Parkinson's disease. We will also discuss the limitations of current epigenetic research in Parkinson's disease, the advantages of simultaneously studying genetics and epigenetics, and putative novel epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Migdalska-Richards
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK;
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49
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Akilli N, Cheutin T, Cavalli G. Phase separation and inheritance of repressive chromatin domains. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 86:102201. [PMID: 38701672 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Polycomb-associated chromatin and pericentromeric heterochromatin form genomic domains important for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Both Polycomb complexes and heterochromatin factors rely on 'read and write' mechanisms, which, on their own, are not sufficient to explain the formation and the maintenance of these epigenetic domains. Microscopy has revealed that they form specific nuclear compartments separated from the rest of the genome. Recently, some subunits of these molecular machineries have been shown to undergo phase separation, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that phase separation might play important roles in the formation and the function of these two kinds of repressive chromatin. In this review, we will present the recent advances in the field of facultative and constitutive heterochromatin formation and maintenance through phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazli Akilli
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. https://twitter.com/@sinmerank
| | - Thierry Cheutin
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Giacomo Cavalli
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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50
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Policarpi C, Munafò M, Tsagkris S, Carlini V, Hackett JA. Systematic epigenome editing captures the context-dependent instructive function of chromatin modifications. Nat Genet 2024; 56:1168-1180. [PMID: 38724747 PMCID: PMC11176084 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01706-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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Chromatin modifications are linked with regulating patterns of gene expression, but their causal role and context-dependent impact on transcription remains unresolved. Here we develop a modular epigenome editing platform that programs nine key chromatin modifications, or combinations thereof, to precise loci in living cells. We couple this with single-cell readouts to systematically quantitate the magnitude and heterogeneity of transcriptional responses elicited by each specific chromatin modification. Among these, we show that installing histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) at promoters can causally instruct transcription by hierarchically remodeling the chromatin landscape. We further dissect how DNA sequence motifs influence the transcriptional impact of chromatin marks, identifying switch-like and attenuative effects within distinct cis contexts. Finally, we examine the interplay of combinatorial modifications, revealing that co-targeted H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and H2AK119 monoubiquitination (H2AK119ub) maximizes silencing penetrance across single cells. Our precision-perturbation strategy unveils the causal principles of how chromatin modification(s) influence transcription and dissects how quantitative responses are calibrated by contextual interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Policarpi
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Munafò
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Rome, Italy
| | - Stylianos Tsagkris
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Carlini
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Biosciences, EMBL and Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jamie A Hackett
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Rome, Italy.
- Genome Biology Unit, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany.
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