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Kuan XY, Fauzi NSA, Ng KY, Bakhtiar A. Exploring the Causal Relationship Between Telomere Biology and Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:4169-4183. [PMID: 37046137 PMCID: PMC10293431 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03337-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres, also known as the "protective caps" of our chromosomes, shorten with each cell cycle due to the end replication problem. This process, termed telomere attrition, is associated with many age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite the numerous studies conducted in this field, the role of telomere attrition in the onset of the disease remains unclear. To investigate the causal relationship between short telomeres and AD, this review aims to highlight the primary factors that regulate telomere length and maintain its integrity, with an additional outlook on the role of oxidative stress, which is commonly associated with aging and molecular damage. Although some findings thus far might be contradictory, telomere attrition likely plays a crucial role in the progression of AD due to its close association with oxidative stress. The currently available treatments for AD are only symptomatic without affecting the progression of the disease. The components of telomere biology discussed in this paper have previously been studied as an alternative treatment option for several diseases and have exhibited promising in vitro and in vivo results. Hence, this should provide a basis for future research to develop a potential therapeutic strategy for AD. (Created with BioRender.com).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Yuen Kuan
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Syahira Ahmad Fauzi
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khuen Yen Ng
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Athirah Bakhtiar
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
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2
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Villicaña S, Castillo-Fernandez J, Hannon E, Christiansen C, Tsai PC, Maddock J, Kuh D, Suderman M, Power C, Relton C, Ploubidis G, Wong A, Hardy R, Goodman A, Ong KK, Bell JT. Genetic impacts on DNA methylation help elucidate regulatory genomic processes. Genome Biol 2023; 24:176. [PMID: 37525248 PMCID: PMC10391992 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03011-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pinpointing genetic impacts on DNA methylation can improve our understanding of pathways that underlie gene regulation and disease risk. RESULTS We report heritability and methylation quantitative trait locus (meQTL) analysis at 724,499 CpGs profiled with the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array in 2358 blood samples from three UK cohorts. Methylation levels at 34.2% of CpGs are affected by SNPs, and 98% of effects are cis-acting or within 1 Mbp of the tested CpG. Our results are consistent with meQTL analyses based on the former Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 array. Both SNPs and CpGs with meQTLs are overrepresented in enhancers, which have improved coverage on this platform compared to previous approaches. Co-localisation analyses across genetic effects on DNA methylation and 56 human traits identify 1520 co-localisations across 1325 unique CpGs and 34 phenotypes, including in disease-relevant genes, such as USP1 and DOCK7 (total cholesterol levels), and ICOSLG (inflammatory bowel disease). Enrichment analysis of meQTLs and integration with expression QTLs give insights into mechanisms underlying cis-meQTLs (e.g. through disruption of transcription factor binding sites for CTCF and SMC3) and trans-meQTLs (e.g. through regulating the expression of ACD and SENP7 which can modulate DNA methylation at distal sites). CONCLUSIONS Our findings improve the characterisation of the mechanisms underlying DNA methylation variability and are informative for prioritisation of GWAS variants for functional follow-ups. The MeQTL EPIC Database and viewer are available online at https://epicmeqtl.kcl.ac.uk .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Villicaña
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK.
| | | | | | - Colette Christiansen
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Pei-Chien Tsai
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jane Maddock
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Diana Kuh
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Suderman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Christine Power
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Caroline Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - George Ploubidis
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Wong
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Hardy
- School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
- UCL Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alissa Goodman
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ken K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and Department of Paediatrics, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jordana T Bell
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK.
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3
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Spartano NL, Wang R, Yang Q, Chernofsky A, Murabito JM, Vasan RS, Levy D, Beiser AS, Seshadri S. Association of Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time with Epigenetic Markers of Aging. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:264-272. [PMID: 36107108 PMCID: PMC9840651 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE Physical activity may influence chronic disease risk, in part, through epigenetic mechanisms. Previous studies have demonstrated that an acute bout of physical activity can influence DNA methylation status. Few studies have explored the relationship between habitual, accelerometer-measured physical activity or sedentary time with epigenetic markers of aging. METHODS We used linear regression to examine cross-sectional associations of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time with extrinsic and intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA and IEAA) models and GrimAge measured from blood samples from Framingham Heart Study participants with accelerometry and DNA methylation data ( n = 2435; mean age, 54.9 ± 14.3; 46.0% men). Residuals of Hannum-, Horvath-, and GrimAge-predicted epigenetic age were calculated by regressing epigenetic age on chronological age. We took into account blood cell composition for EEAA, IEAA, and AdjGrimAge. Moderate to vigorous physical activity was log-transformed to normalize its distribution. Adjustment models accounted for family structure, age, sex, smoking status, cohort-laboratory indicator, and accelerometer wear time. We additionally explored adjustment for body mass index (BMI). RESULTS Walking 1500 more steps per day or spending 3 fewer hours sedentary was associated with >10 months lower GrimAge biological age (or ~1 month lower AdjGrimAge, after adjusting for blood cells, P < 0.05). Every 5 min·d -1 more moderate to vigorous physical activity was associated with 19-79 d of lower GrimAge (4-23 d lower using EEAA or AdjGrimAge, P < 0.01). Adjusting for BMI attenuated these results, but all statistically significant associations with AdjGrimAge remained. CONCLUSIONS Greater habitual physical activity and lower sedentary time were associated with lower epigenetic age, which was partially explained by BMI. Further research should explore whether changes in physical activity influence methylation status and whether those modifications influence chronic disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston, MA
| | - Qiong Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston, MA
| | - Ariel Chernofsky
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston, MA
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4
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Wai KM, Swe T, Myar MT, Aisyah CR, Hninn TSS. Telomeres susceptibility to environmental arsenic exposure: Shortening or lengthening? Front Public Health 2023; 10:1059248. [PMID: 36703827 PMCID: PMC9871564 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1059248] [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: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining telomere length plays a crucial role in regulating cellular life span. Telomere lengthening or shortening is one of the important biomarkers which could predict the preceding or present diseases. Meanwhile, the impact of environmental arsenic exposure on telomere length has increasingly concerned. Although previous studies demonstrated the effects of arsenic on telomere length, the findings were unclear on whether telomere shortens or lengthens by arsenic exposure. Thus, this manuscript summarized and discussed the telomere length alteration following arsenic exposure and the possible does-response effect of arsenic on telomere length. The present review suggested that different age groups may respond differently to arsenic exposure, and the dose-response effect of arsenic could be a critical factor in its effect on telomere length. Moreover, speciation analysis of arsenic could be more informative in identifying the effect of arsenic on telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyi Mar Wai
- Department of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan,Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan,*Correspondence: Kyi Mar Wai ✉
| | - Thinzar Swe
- Pre-clinical Department, University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Maw Thoe Myar
- Pre-clinical Department, University of Medicine Taunggyi, Taunggyi, Myanmar
| | - Cindy Rahman Aisyah
- Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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5
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Libertini G, Corbi G, Shubernetskaya O, Ferrara N. Is Human Aging a Form of Phenoptosis? BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:1446-1464. [PMID: 36717439 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922120033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A much debated question is whether aging is the cumulative consequence of degenerative factors insufficiently opposed by natural selection, or, on the contrary, an ordered process, genetically determined and regulated, modeled by natural selection, and for which the definition of phenoptotic phenomenon would be entirely appropriate. In this review, theoretical arguments and empirical data about the two hypotheses are exposed, with more evidence in support of the thesis of aging as a form of phenoptosis. However, as the thesis of aging as an adaptive and programmed phenomenon necessarily requires the existence of specific mechanisms that determine to age, such as the subtelomere-telomere theory proposed for this purpose, the evidence supporting the mechanisms described by this theory is reported. In particular, it is highlighted that the recent interpretation of the role of TERRA sequences in the context of subtelomere-telomere theory is a fundamental point in supporting the hypothesized mechanisms. Furthermore, some characteristics of the mechanisms proposed by the theory, such as epigenetic modifications in aging, gradual cell senescence, cell senescence, limits in cell duplications, and fixed size of the telomeric heterochromatin hood, are exposed in their compatibility with both the thesis of aging as phenoptotic phenomenon and the opposite thesis. In short, aging as a form of phenoptosis appears a scientifically sound hypothesis while the opposite thesis should clarify the meaning of various phenomena that appear to invalidate it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacinto Libertini
- Italian Society for Evolutionary Biology (SIBE), Asti, 14100, Italy. .,Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Graziamaria Corbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, 86100, Italy. .,Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG), Firenze, 50129, Italy
| | - Olga Shubernetskaya
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Nicola Ferrara
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, 80131, Italy. .,Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SPA - Società Benefit, IRCCS, Telese Terme, BN, 82037, Italy
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6
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Sheldon EL, Ton R, Boner W, Monaghan P, Raveh S, Schrey AW, Griffith SC. Associations between DNA methylation and telomere length during early life: Insight from wild zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6261-6272. [PMID: 34551154 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length and DNA methylation (DNAm) are two promising biomarkers of biological age. Environmental factors and life history traits are known to affect variation in both these biomarkers, especially during early life, yet surprisingly little is known about their reciprocal association, especially in natural populations. Here, we explore how variation in DNAm, growth rate, and early-life conditions are associated with telomere length changes during development. We tested these associations by collecting data from wild, nestling zebra finches in the Australian desert. We found that increases in the level of DNAm were negatively correlated with telomere length changes across early life. We also confirm previously documented effects of post hatch growth rate and clutch size on telomere length in a natural ecological context for a species that has been extensively studied in the laboratory. However, we did not detect any effect of ambient temperature during developmental on telomere length dynamics. We also found that the absolute telomere length of wild zebra finches, measured using the in-gel TRF method, was similar to that of captive birds. Our findings highlight exciting new opportunities to link and disentangle potential relationships between DNA based biomarkers of ageing, and of physiological reactions to environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Sheldon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Riccardo Ton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Shirley Raveh
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Aaron W Schrey
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus, Savannah, Georgia, USA
| | - Simon C Griffith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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7
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Hofmeister RJ, Rubinacci S, Ribeiro DM, Buil A, Kutalik Z, Delaneau O. Parent-of-Origin inference for biobanks. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6668. [PMID: 36335127 PMCID: PMC9637181 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34383-6] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Identical genetic variations can have different phenotypic effects depending on their parent of origin. Yet, studies focusing on parent-of-origin effects have been limited in terms of sample size due to the lack of parental genomes or known genealogies. We propose a probabilistic approach to infer the parent-of-origin of individual alleles that does not require parental genomes nor prior knowledge of genealogy. Our model uses Identity-By-Descent sharing with second- and third-degree relatives to assign alleles to parental groups and leverages chromosome X data in males to distinguish maternal from paternal groups. We combine this with robust haplotype inference and haploid imputation to infer the parent-of-origin for 26,393 UK Biobank individuals. We screen 99 phenotypes for parent-of-origin effects and replicate the discoveries of 6 GWAS studies, confirming signals on body mass index, type 2 diabetes, standing height and multiple blood biomarkers, including the known maternal effect at the MEG3/DLK1 locus on platelet phenotypes. We also report a novel maternal effect at the TERT gene on telomere length, thereby providing new insights on the heritability of this phenotype. All our summary statistics are publicly available to help the community to better characterize the molecular mechanisms leading to parent-of-origin effects and their implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Hofmeister
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Simone Rubinacci
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Diogo M Ribeiro
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alfonso Buil
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Services, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zoltán Kutalik
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.,University Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Delaneau
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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8
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Wang C, Alfano R, Reimann B, Hogervorst J, Bustamante M, De Vivo I, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS, Martens DS. Genetic regulation of newborn telomere length is mediated and modified by DNA methylation. Front Genet 2022; 13:934277. [PMID: 36267401 PMCID: PMC9576874 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.934277] [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: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length at birth determines later life telomere length and potentially predicts ageing-related diseases. However, the genetic and epigenetic settings of telomere length in newborns have not been analyzed. In addition, no study yet has reported how the interplay between genetic variants and genome-wide cytosine methylation explains the variation in early-life telomere length. In this study based on 281 mother-newborn pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, telomere length and whole-genome DNA methylation were assessed in cord blood and 26 candidate single nucleotide polymorphism related to ageing or telomere length were genotyped. We identified three genetic variants associated with cord blood telomere length and 57 cis methylation quantitative trait loci (cis-mQTLs) of which 22 mQTLs confirmed previous findings and 35 were newly identified. Five SNPs were found to have significant indirect effects on cord blood telomere length via the mediating CpGs. The association between rs911874 (SOD2) and newborn telomere length was modified by nearby DNA methylation indicated by a significant statistical interaction. Our results suggest that DNA methylation in cis might have a mediation or modification effect on the genetic difference in newborn telomere length. This novel approach warrants future follow-up studies that are needed to further confirm and extend these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Rossella Alfano
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Brigitte Reimann
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Immaculata De Vivo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Program in Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries S. Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Dries S. Martens,
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9
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Genetic, parental and lifestyle factors influence telomere length. Commun Biol 2022; 5:565. [PMID: 35681050 PMCID: PMC9184499 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03521-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe average length of telomere repeats (TL) declines with age and is considered to be a marker of biological ageing. Here, we measured TL in six blood cell types from 1046 individuals using the clinically validated Flow-FISH method. We identified remarkable cell-type-specific variations in TL. Host genetics, environmental, parental and intrinsic factors such as sex, parental age, and smoking are associated to variations in TL. By analysing the genome-wide methylation patterns, we identified that the association of maternal, but not paternal, age to TL is mediated by epigenetics. Single-cell RNA-sequencing data for 62 participants revealed differential gene expression in T-cells. Genes negatively associated with TL were enriched for pathways related to translation and nonsense-mediated decay. Altogether, this study addresses cell-type-specific differences in telomere biology and its relation to cell-type-specific gene expression and highlights how perinatal factors play a role in determining TL, on top of genetics and lifestyle.
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10
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Haupt S, Niedrist T, Sourij H, Schwarzinger S, Moser O. The Impact of Exercise on Telomere Length, DNA Methylation and Metabolic Footprints. Cells 2022; 11:153. [PMID: 35011715 PMCID: PMC8750279 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging as a major risk factor influences the probability of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, amongst others. The underlying mechanisms of disease are still not fully understood, but research suggests that delaying the aging process could ameliorate these pathologies. A key biological process in aging is cellular senescence which is associated with several stressors such as telomere shortening or enhanced DNA methylation. Telomere length as well as DNA methylation levels can be used as biological age predictors which are able to detect excessive acceleration or deceleration of aging. Analytical methods examining aging are often not suitable, expensive, time-consuming or require a high level of technical expertise. Therefore, research focusses on combining analytical methods which have the potential to simultaneously analyse epigenetic, genomic as well as metabolic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Haupt
- Division of Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, Department of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
| | - Tobias Niedrist
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Harald Sourij
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Stephan Schwarzinger
- NBNC—North Bavarian NMR-Centre, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
| | - Othmar Moser
- Division of Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, Department of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
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11
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Libertini G, Shubernetskaya O, Corbi G, Ferrara N. Is Evidence Supporting the Subtelomere-Telomere Theory of Aging? BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2021; 86:1526-1539. [PMID: 34937532 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921120026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The telomere theory tries to explain cellular mechanisms of aging as mainly caused by telomere shortening at each duplication. The subtelomere-telomere theory overcomes various shortcomings of telomere theory by highlighting the essential role of subtelomeric DNA in aging mechanisms. The present work illustrates and deepens the correspondence between assumptions and implications of subtelomere-telomere theory and experimental results. In particular, it is investigated the evidence regarding the relationships between aging and (i) epigenetic modifications; (ii) oxidation and inflammation; (iii) telomere protection; (iv) telomeric heterochromatin hood; (v) gradual cell senescence; (vi) cell senescence; and (vii) organism decline with telomere shortening. The evidence appears broadly in accordance or at least compatible with the description and implications of the subtelomere-telomere theory. In short, phenomena of cellular aging, by which the senescence of the whole organism is determined in various ways, appear substantially dependent on epigenetic modifications regulated by the subtelomere-telomere-telomeric hood-telomerase system. These phenomena appear to be not random, inevitable, and irreversible but rather induced and regulated by genetically determined mechanisms, and modifiable and reversible by appropriate methods. All this supports the thesis that aging is a genetically programmed and regulated phenoptotic phenomenon and is against the opposite thesis of aging as caused by random and inevitable degenerative factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacinto Libertini
- Member of the Italian Society for Evolutionary Biology (SIBE), Asti, 14100, Italy. .,Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Olga Shubernetskaya
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Graziamaria Corbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, 86100, Italy. .,Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG), Firenze, 50129, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferrara
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, 80131, Italy. .,Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SPA - Società Benefit, IRCCS, Telese Terme, BN, 82037, Italy
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12
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Roy Choudhury S, Ashby C, Zhan F, van Rhee F. Epigenetic Deregulation of Telomere-Related Genes in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246348. [PMID: 34944968 PMCID: PMC8699806 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients were found to maintain telomere length (TL), below the margin of short critical length, consistent with proactive overexpression of telomerase. Previously, DNA methylation has been shown as a determinant of telomere-related gene (TRG) expression and TL to assess risk in different types of cancer. We mapped genome-wide DNA methylation in a cohort of newly diagnosed MM (NDMM; n = 53) patients of major molecular subgroups, compared to age-matched healthy donors (n = 4). Differential methylation and expression at TRG-loci were analyzed in combination with overlapping chromatin marks and underlying DNA-sequences. We observed a strong correlation (R2 ≥ 0.5) between DNA methylation and expression amongst selective TRGs, such that demethylation at the promoters of DDX1 and TERF1 were associated to their oncogenic upregulation, while demethylation at the bodies of two key tumor suppressors ZNF208 and RAP1A led to downregulation of the genes. We demonstrated that TRG expression may be controlled by DNA methylation alone or in cooperation with chromatin modifications or CCCTC-binding factor at the regulatory regions. Additionally, we showed that hypomethylated DMRs of TRGs in NDMM are stabilized with G-quadruplex forming sequences, suggesting a crucial role of these epigenetically vulnerable loci in MM pathogenesis. We have identified a panel of five TRGs, which are epigenetically deregulated in NDMM patients and may serve as early detection biomarkers or therapeutic targets in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Roy Choudhury
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(501)-364-7531 or +1-(501)-364-2873
| | - Cody Ashby
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Myeloma Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (F.Z.); (F.v.R.)
| | - Frits van Rhee
- Myeloma Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (F.Z.); (F.v.R.)
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13
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Anifandis G, Samara M, Simopoulou M, Messini CI, Chatzimeletiou K, Thodou E, Daponte A, Georgiou I. Insights into the Role of Telomeres in Human Embryological Parameters. Opinions Regarding IVF. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9040049. [PMID: 34842724 PMCID: PMC8628962 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres promote genome integrity by protecting chromosome ends from the activation of the DNA damage response and protecting chromosomes from the loss of coding sequences due to the end replication problem. Telomere length (TL) is progressively shortened as age progresses, thus resulting in cellular senescence. Therefore, TL is in strong adverse linear correlation with aging. Mounting evidence supports the notion that telomeres and male/female infertility are in a close relationship, posing the biology of telomeres as a hot topic in the era of human-assisted reproduction. Specifically, the length of sperm telomeres is gradually increasing as men get older, while the telomere length of the oocytes seems not to follow similar patterns with that of sperm. Nonetheless, the telomere length of the embryos during the cleavage stages seems to have a paternal origin, but the telomere length can be further extended by telomerase activity during the blastocyst stage. The latter has been proposed as a new molecular biomarker with strong predictive value regarding male infertility. As far as the role of telomeres in assisted reproduction, the data is limited but the length of telomeres in both gametes seems to be affected mainly by the cause of infertility rather than the assisted reproductive therapy (ART) procedure itself. The present review aims to shed more light into the role of telomeres in human embryological parameters, including gametes and embryos and also presents opinions regarding the association between telomeres and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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Affiliation(s)
- George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria Samara
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (M.S.); (E.T.)
| | - Mara Simopoulou
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Christina I. Messini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Katerina Chatzimeletiou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, 56403 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Eleni Thodou
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (M.S.); (E.T.)
| | - Alexandros Daponte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
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14
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DNA-RNA Hybrid (R-Loop): From a Unified Picture of the Mammalian Telomere to the Genome-Wide Profile. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061556. [PMID: 34205454 PMCID: PMC8233970 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Local three-stranded DNA/RNA hybrid regions of genomes (R-loops) have been detected either by binding of a monoclonal antibody (DRIP assay) or by enzymatic recognition by RNaseH. Such a structure has been postulated for mouse and human telomeres, clearly suggested by the identification of the complementary RNA Telomeric repeat-containing RNA “TERRA”. However, the tremendous disparity in the information obtained with antibody-based technology drove us to investigate a new strategy. Based on the observation that DNA/RNA hybrids in a triplex complex genome co-purify with the double-stranded chromosomal DNA fraction, we developed a direct preparative approach from total protein-free cellular extract without antibody that allows their physical isolation and determination of their RNA nucleotide sequence. We then define in the normal mouse and human sperm genomes the notion of stable DNA associated RNA terminal R-loop complexes, including TERRA molecules synthesized from local promoters of every chromosome. Furthermore, the first strong evidence of all telomeric structures, applied additionally to the whole murine sperm genome compared to the testes, showed reproducible R-loop complexes of the whole genome and suggesting a defined profile in the sperm genome for the next generation.
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15
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Different epigenetic signatures of newborn telomere length and telomere attrition rate in early life. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:14630-14650. [PMID: 34086604 PMCID: PMC8221291 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) and telomere shortening are biological indicators of aging, and epigenetic associates have been found for TL in adults. However, the role of epigenetic signatures in setting newborn TL and early life telomere dynamics is unknown. In the present study, based on 247 participating newborns from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, whole-genome DNA methylation, profiled on the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip microarray, and TL were measured in cord blood. In a follow-up visit at a mean age of 4.58 years, leukocyte TL was evaluated. We combined an epigenome-wide association study and a statistical learning method with re-sampling to select CpGs and their two-way interactions to model baseline (cord blood) TL and early-life telomere attrition rate, where distinct epigenetic signatures were identified for the two outcomes. In addition, a stronger epigenetic regulation was suggested in setting newborn TL than that of telomere dynamics in early life: 47 CpGs and 7 between-CpG interactions explained 76% of the variance in baseline TLs, while 72% of the total variance in telomere attrition rate was explained by 31 CpGs and 5 interactions. Functional enrichment analysis based on the selected CpGs in the two models revealed GLUT4 translocation and immune cell signaling pathways, respectively. These CpGs and interactions, as well as the cellular pathways, are potential novel targets of further investigation of telomere biology and aging.
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16
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DNA-methylation-based telomere length estimator: comparisons with measurements from flow FISH and qPCR. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:14675-14686. [PMID: 34083495 PMCID: PMC8221337 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) is a marker of biological aging associated with several health outcomes. High throughput reproducible TL measurements are needed for large epidemiological studies. We compared the novel DNA methylation-based estimator (DNAmTL) with the high-throughput quantitative PCR (qPCR) and the highly accurate flow cytometry with fluorescent in situ hybridization (flow FISH) methods using blood samples from healthy adults. We used Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Bland Altman plots and linear regression models for statistical analysis. Shorter DNAmTL was associated with older age, male sex, white race, and cytomegalovirus seropositivity (p<0.01 for all). DNAmTL was moderately correlated with qPCR TL (N=635, r=0.41, p < 0.0001) and flow FISH total lymphocyte TL (N=144, r=0.56, p < 0.0001). The agreements between flow FISH TL and DNAmTL or qPCR were acceptable but with wide limits of agreement. DNAmTL correctly classified >70% of TL categorized above or below the median, but the accuracy dropped with increasing TL categories. The ability of DNAmTL to detect associations with age and other TL-related factors in the absence of strong correlation with measured TL may indicate its capture of aspects of telomere maintenance mechanisms and not necessarily TL. The inaccuracy of DNAmTL prediction should be considered during data interpretation and across-study comparisons.
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17
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Ageing affects subtelomeric DNA methylation in blood cells from a large European population enrolled in the MARK-AGE study. GeroScience 2021; 43:1283-1302. [PMID: 33870444 PMCID: PMC8190237 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00347-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageing leaves characteristic traces in the DNA methylation make-up of the genome. However, the importance of DNA methylation in ageing remains unclear. The study of subtelomeric regions could give promising insights into this issue. Previously reported associations between susceptibility to age-related diseases and epigenetic instability at subtelomeres suggest that the DNA methylation profile of subtelomeres undergoes remodelling during ageing. In the present work, this hypothesis has been tested in the context of the European large-scale project MARK-AGE. In this cross-sectional study, we profiled the DNA methylation of chromosomes 5 and 21 subtelomeres, in more than 2000 age-stratified women and men recruited in eight European countries. The study included individuals from the general population as well as the offspring of nonagenarians and Down syndrome subjects, who served as putative models of delayed and accelerated ageing, respectively. Significant linear changes of subtelomeric DNA methylation with increasing age were detected in the general population, indicating that subtelomeric DNA methylation changes are typical signs of ageing. Data also show that, compared to the general population, the dynamics of age-related DNA methylation changes are attenuated in the offspring of centenarian, while they accelerate in Down syndrome individuals. This result suggests that subtelomeric DNA methylation changes reflect the rate of ageing progression. We next attempted to trace the age-related changes of subtelomeric methylation back to the influence of diverse variables associated with methylation variations in the population, including demographics, dietary/health habits and clinical parameters. Results indicate that the effects of age on subtelomeric DNA methylation are mostly independent of all other variables evaluated.
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18
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Libertini G, Corbi G, Nicola F. Importance and Meaning of TERRA Sequences for Aging Mechanisms. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 85:1505-1517. [PMID: 33705290 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920120044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Any theory suggesting an adaptive meaning for aging implicitly postulates the existence of specific mechanisms, genetically determined and modulated, causing progressive decline of an organism. According to the subtelomere-telomere theory, each telomere is covered by a hood formed in the first cell of an organism having a size preserved at each subsequent duplication. Telomere shortening, which is quantitatively different for each cell type according to the telomerase regulation, causes the hood to slide on the subtelomere repressing it by the telomeric position effect. At this point, the theory postulates existence of subtelomeric regulatory sequences, whose progressive transcriptional repression by the hood should cause cellular alterations that would be the likely determinant of aging manifestations. However, sequences with characteristics of these hypothetical sequences have already been described and documented. They are the [sub]TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) sequences. The repression of TERRA sequences causes progressively: (i) down- or up-regulation of many other regulatory sequences; (ii) increase in the probability of activation of cell senescence program (blockage of the ability to replicate and very significant alterations of the cellular functions). When cell senescence program has not been triggered and the repression is partial, there is a partial alteration of the cellular functions that is easily reversible by telomerase activation. Location of the extremely important sequences in chromosomal parts that are most vulnerable to repression by the telomeric hood is evolutionarily unjustifiable if aging is not considered adaptive: this location must be necessarily adaptive with the specific function of determining aging of the cell and consequently of the whole organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Libertini
- Independent researcher, member of the Italian Society for Evolutionary Biology, Asti, 14100, Italy.
| | - G Corbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, 86100, Italy.,Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG), Firenze, 50129, Italy
| | - F Nicola
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, 80131, Italy.,Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SPA - Società Benefit, IRCCS, Telese Terme, BN, 82037, Italy
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19
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Campion CG, Verissimo T, Cossette S, Tremblay J. Does Subtelomeric Position of COMMD5 Influence Cancer Progression? Front Oncol 2021; 11:642130. [PMID: 33768002 PMCID: PMC7985453 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.642130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The COMMD proteins are a family of ten pleiotropic factors which are widely conserved throughout evolution and are involved in the regulation of many cellular and physiological processes. COMMD proteins are mainly expressed in adult tissue and their downregulation has been correlated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in cancer. Among this family, COMMD5 emerged as a versatile modulator of tumor progression. Its expression can range from being downregulated to highly up regulated in a variety of cancer types. Accordingly, two opposing functions could be proposed for COMMD5 in cancer. Our studies supported a role for COMMD5 in the establishment and maintenance of the epithelial cell phenotype, suggesting a tumor suppressor function. However, genetic alterations leading to amplification of COMMD5 proteins have also been observed in various types of cancer, suggesting an oncogenic function. Interestingly, COMMD5 is the only member of this family that is located at the extreme end of chromosome 8, near its telomere. Here, we review some data concerning expression and role of COMMD5 and propose a novel rationale for the potential link between the subtelomeric position of COMMD5 on chromosome 8 and its contrasting functions in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole G Campion
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas Verissimo
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Suzanne Cossette
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Johanne Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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20
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Polettini J, da Silva MG. Telomere-Related Disorders in Fetal Membranes Associated With Birth and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Front Physiol 2020; 11:561771. [PMID: 33123024 PMCID: PMC7573552 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.561771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere disorders have been associated with aging-related diseases, including diabetes, vascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. The main consequence of altered telomere is the induction of the state of irreversible cell cycle arrest. Though several mechanisms responsible for the activation of senescence have been identified, it is still unclear how a cell is indeed induced to become irreversibly arrested. Most tissues in the body will experience senescence throughout its lifespan, but intrinsic and extrinsic stressors, such as chemicals, pollution, oxidative stress (OS), and inflammation accelerate the process. Pregnancy is a state of OS, as the higher metabolic demand of the growing fetus results in increased reactive oxygen species production. As a temporary organ in the mother, senescence in fetal membranes and placenta is expected and linked to term parturition (>37 weeks of gestation). However, a persistent, overwhelming, or premature OS affects placental antioxidant capacity, with consequent accumulation of OS causing damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA in the placental tissues. Therefore, senescence and its main inducer, telomere length (TL) reduction, have been associated with pregnancy complications, including stillbirth, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and prematurity. Fetal membranes have a notable role in preterm births, which continue to be a major health issue associated with increased risk of neo and perinatal adverse outcomes and/or predisposition to disease in later life; however, the ability to mediate a delay in parturition during such cases is limited, because the pathophysiology of preterm births and physiological mechanisms of term births are not yet fully elucidated. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the regulation of telomere-related senescence mechanisms in fetal membranes, highlighting the role of inflammation, methylation, and telomerase activity. Moreover, we present the evidences of TL reduction and senescence in gestational tissues by the time of term parturition. In conclusion, we verified that telomere regulation in fetal membranes requires a more complete understanding, in order to support the development of successful effective interventions of the molecular mechanisms that triggers parturition, including telomere signals, which may vary throughout placental tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jossimara Polettini
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Biomédicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Campus Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Marcia Guimarães da Silva
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Patologia, Botucatu, Brazil
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21
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Comparative Cytogenetic Mapping and Telomere Analysis Provide Evolutionary Predictions for Devil Facial Tumour 2. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11050480. [PMID: 32354058 PMCID: PMC7290341 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of a second transmissible tumour in the Tasmanian devil population, devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2), has prompted questions on the origin and evolution of these transmissible tumours. We used a combination of cytogenetic mapping and telomere length measurements to predict the evolutionary trajectory of chromosome rearrangements in DFT2. Gene mapping by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) provided insight into the chromosome rearrangements in DFT2 and identified the evolution of two distinct DFT2 lineages. A comparison of devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) and DFT2 chromosome rearrangements indicated that both started with the fusion of a chromosome, with potentially critically short telomeres, to chromosome 1 to form dicentric chromosomes. In DFT1, the dicentric chromosome resulted in breakage–fusion–bridge cycles leading to highly rearranged chromosomes. In contrast, the silencing of a centromere on the dicentric chromosome in DFT2 stabilized the chromosome, resulting in a less rearranged karyotype than DFT1. DFT2 retains a bimodal distribution of telomere length dimorphism observed on Tasmanian devil chromosomes, a feature lost in DFT1. Using long term cell culture, we observed homogenization of telomere length over time. We predict a similar homogenization of telomere lengths occurred in DFT1, and that DFT2 is unlikely to undergo further substantial rearrangements due to maintained telomere length.
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22
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Mendioroz M, Puebla-Guedea M, Montero-Marín J, Urdánoz-Casado A, Blanco-Luquin I, Roldán M, Labarga A, García-Campayo J. Telomere length correlates with subtelomeric DNA methylation in long-term mindfulness practitioners. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4564. [PMID: 32165663 PMCID: PMC7067861 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61241-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness and meditation techniques have proven successful for the reduction of stress and improvement in general health. In addition, meditation is linked to longevity and longer telomere length, a proposed biomarker of human aging. Interestingly, DNA methylation changes have been described at specific subtelomeric regions in long-term meditators compared to controls. However, the molecular basis underlying these beneficial effects of meditation on human health still remains unclear. Here we show that DNA methylation levels, measured by the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina) array, at specific subtelomeric regions containing GPR31 and SERPINB9 genes were associated with telomere length in long-term meditators with a strong statistical trend when correcting for multiple testing. Notably, age showed no association with telomere length in the group of long-term meditators. These results may suggest that long-term meditation could be related to epigenetic mechanisms, in particular gene-specific DNA methylation changes at distinct subtelomeric regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Mendioroz
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain. .,Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain.
| | - Marta Puebla-Guedea
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón. Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria (REDIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jesús Montero-Marín
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón. Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria (REDIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Amaya Urdánoz-Casado
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Idoia Blanco-Luquin
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Miren Roldán
- Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center- UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Alberto Labarga
- Bioinformatics Unit, Navarrabiomed Biomedical Research Center - UPNA-Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain
| | - Javier García-Campayo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón. Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria (REDIAPP), Zaragoza, Spain.,Miguel Servet University Hospital, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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23
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Chae DH, Wang Y, Martz CD, Slopen N, Yip T, Adler NE, Fuller-Rowell TE, Lin J, Matthews KA, Brody GH, Spears EC, Puterman E, Epel ES. Racial discrimination and telomere shortening among African Americans: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Health Psychol 2020; 39:209-219. [PMID: 31928029 PMCID: PMC7373166 DOI: 10.1037/hea0000832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Telomeres are protective sequences of DNA capping the ends of chromosomes that shorten over time. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is posited to reflect the replicative history of cells and general systemic aging of the organism. Chronic stress exposure leads to accelerated LTL shortening, which has been linked to increased susceptibility to and faster progression of aging-related diseases. This study examined longitudinal associations between LTL and experiences of racial discrimination, a qualitatively unique source of minority psychosocial stress, among African Americans. METHOD Data are from 391 African Americans in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Telomere Ancillary Study. We examined the number of domains in which racial discrimination was experienced in relation to LTL collected in Years 15 and 25 (Y15: 2000/2001; Y25: 2010/2011). Multivariable linear regression examined if racial discrimination was associated with LTL. Latent change score analysis (LCS) examined changes in racial discrimination and LTL in relation to one another. RESULTS Controlling for racial discrimination at Y15, multivariable linear regression analyses indicated that racial discrimination at Y25 was significantly associated with LTL at Y25. This relationship remained robust after adjusting for LTL at Y15 (b = -.019, p = .015). Consistent with this finding, LCS revealed that increases in experiences of racial discrimination were associated with faster 10-year LTL shortening (b = -.019, p = .015). CONCLUSIONS This study adds to evidence that racial discrimination contributes to accelerated physiologic weathering and health declines among African Americans through its impact on biological systems, including via its effects on telomere attrition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Chae
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University
| | - Yijie Wang
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University
| | - Connor D Martz
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University
| | - Natalie Slopen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland
| | - Tiffany Yip
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University
| | - Nancy E Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | - Gene H Brody
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia
| | - Erica C Spears
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, University of North Texas Health Science Center
| | - Eli Puterman
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
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24
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Lee Y, Sun D, Ori AP, Lu AT, Seeboth A, Harris SE, Deary IJ, Marioni RE, Soerensen M, Mengel-From J, Hjelmborg J, Christensen K, Wilson JG, Levy D, Reiner AP, Chen W, Li S, Harris JR, Magnus P, Aviv A, Jugessur A, Horvath S. Epigenome-wide association study of leukocyte telomere length. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:5876-5894. [PMID: 31461406 PMCID: PMC6738430 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length is associated with age-related diseases and is highly heritable. It is unclear, however, to what extent epigenetic modifications are associated with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). In this study, we conducted a large-scale epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of LTL using seven large cohorts (n=5,713) - the Framingham Heart Study, the Jackson Heart Study, the Women's Health Initiative, the Bogalusa Heart Study, the Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 and 1936, and the Longitudinal Study of Aging Danish Twins. Our stratified analysis suggests that EWAS findings for women of African ancestry may be distinct from those of three other groups: males of African ancestry, and males and females of European ancestry. Using a meta-analysis framework, we identified DNA methylation (DNAm) levels at 823 CpG sites to be significantly associated (P<1E-7) with LTL after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and imputed white blood cell counts. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that these CpG sites are near genes that play a role in circadian rhythm, blood coagulation, and wound healing. Weighted correlation network analysis identified four co-methylation modules associated with LTL, age, and blood cell counts. Overall, this study reveals highly significant relationships between two hallmarks of aging: telomere biology and epigenetic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsung Lee
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dianjianyi Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Anil P.S. Ori
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ake T. Lu
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Anne Seeboth
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah E. Harris
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J. Deary
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Riccardo E. Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mette Soerensen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Center for Individualized Medicine in Arterial Diseases, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Jonas Mengel-From
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Jacob Hjelmborg
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Kaare Christensen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - James G. Wilson
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 20892, USA
| | - Daniel Levy
- The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, USA
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Seattle, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alex P. Reiner
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Shengxu Li
- Children’s Minnesota Research Institute, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Harris
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Abraham Aviv
- Center of Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Astanand Jugessur
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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25
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Miranda-Furtado CL, Luchiari HR, Chielli Pedroso DC, Kogure GS, Caetano LC, Santana BA, Santana VP, Benetti-Pinto CL, Reis FM, Maciel MA, Ferriani RA, Ramos ES, Calado RT, Dos Reis RM. Skewed X-chromosome inactivation and shorter telomeres associate with idiopathic premature ovarian insufficiency. Fertil Steril 2019; 110:476-485.e1. [PMID: 30098699 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze whether telomere length, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), and androgen receptor (AR) GAG polymorphism are related to idiopathic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) A total of 121 women, including 46 nonsyndromic POI and 75 controls. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, E2, androstenedione, T, and C-reactive protein were assessed. Telomere length was estimated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, XCI was measured using the Human Androgen Receptor and X-linked retinitis pigmentosa 2 (RP2) methylation assays. AR and FMR1 polymorphism was assessed by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. RESULT(S) Premature ovarian insufficiency women had a higher mean age, weighed less, and exhibited lower C-reactive protein, E2, and androstenedione levels. The AR polymorphism did not differ between the groups. Four patients had premutation (55-200 CGG repeats), and none displayed a full mutation in the FMR1 gene. However, patients with POI showed shorter telomere length and higher frequency of skewed XCI. Extreme skewing (≥90%) was observed in 15% of women with POI, and shorter telomeres correlated with XCI skewing in both groups. CONCLUSION(S) Skewed XCI and shortened telomere length were associated with idiopathic POI, despite no alterations in the AR and FMR1 genes. Additionally, there is a tendency for women with short telomeres to exhibit skewed XCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana L Miranda-Furtado
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloise R Luchiari
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daiana C Chielli Pedroso
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gislaine S Kogure
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lisandra C Caetano
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara A Santana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Viviane P Santana
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina L Benetti-Pinto
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando M Reis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariella A Maciel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rui A Ferriani
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ester S Ramos
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Calado
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosana M Dos Reis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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26
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Hu H, Li B, Duan S. The Alteration of Subtelomeric DNA Methylation in Aging-Related Diseases. Front Genet 2019; 9:697. [PMID: 30687384 PMCID: PMC6333653 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomere is located at the end of the chromosome and consists of a non-coding, repetitive DNA sequence. As the cell divides, the length of telomere gradually decreases. A very short telomere can terminate mitosis, and thus telomere length becomes a hallmark of cellular aging. The 500 kb region of each autosomal arm terminal is the so-called subtelomeric region. Both telomere and subtelomere have high-density DNA repeats. Telomeres do not contain genes or CpG sequences, while subtelomeres contain small amounts of genes and high-density CpG sequences, and DNA methylation often occurs in subtelomeres. Previous studies have shown that aberrant methylation of subtelomeric DNA exists in many diseases, and it has a certain effect on the regulation of telomere length. In this review, we focus on the correlation between subtelomeric DNA methylation and aging-related diseases. We also summarize the relationship between subtelomeric methylation and telomere length in different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haochang Hu
- Medical Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Bin Li
- Medical Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shiwei Duan
- Medical Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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27
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He L, Chen Z, Dai B, Li G, Zhu G. Low-level lead exposure and cardiovascular disease: the roles of telomere shortening and lipid disturbance. J Toxicol Sci 2018; 43:623-630. [PMID: 30404996 DOI: 10.2131/jts.43.623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Lead exposure contributing to cardiovascular diseases is known and recognized widely. As the deleterious effects of low lead exposure attained increasing attention over the last decades, there have been numerous studies exploring the association of low levels of lead exposure and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, it has been observed that lead exposure could cause telomere shortening and lipid disturbance, and that telomere shortening and lipid disturbance are closely related with cardiovascular diseases. Hence, telomere shortening and lipid disturbance might play an important role in the pathophysiological process of chronic low levels of lead exposure contributing to cardiovascular diseases. This review is intended to explore views of the rarely mentioned mechanism, telomere shortening and lipid disturbance, and the cardiovascular effects of low levels of lead exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun He
- The First Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, China
| | - Zhenying Chen
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, China
| | - Bo Dai
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, China
| | - Guilin Li
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Nanchang University, China
| | - Gaochun Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Nanchang University, China
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28
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Randomized controlled trial of weight loss versus usual care on telomere length in women with breast cancer: the lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018; 172:105-112. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-4895-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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29
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Joyce BT, Zheng Y, Nannini D, Zhang Z, Liu L, Gao T, Kocherginsky M, Murphy R, Yang H, Achenbach CJ, Roberts LR, Hoxha M, Shen J, Vokonas P, Schwartz J, Baccarelli A, Hou L. DNA Methylation of Telomere-Related Genes and Cancer Risk. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2018; 11:511-522. [PMID: 29895583 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-17-0413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Researchers hypothesized that telomere shortening facilitates carcinogenesis. Previous studies found inconsistent associations between blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and cancer. Epigenetic reprogramming of telomere maintenance mechanisms may help explain this inconsistency. We examined associations between DNA methylation in telomere-related genes (TRG) and cancer. We analyzed 475 participants providing 889 samples 1 to 3 times (median follow-up, 10.1 years) from 1999 to 2013 in the Normative Aging Study. All participants were cancer-free at each visit and blood leukocytes profiled using the Illumina 450K array. Of 121 participants who developed cancer, 34 had prostate cancer, 10 melanoma, 34 unknown skin malignancies, and 43 another cancer. We examined 2,651 CpGs from 80 TRGs and applied a combination of Cox and mixed models to identify CpGs prospectively associated with cancer (at FDR < 0.05). We also explored trajectories of DNA methylation, logistic regression stratified by time to diagnosis/censoring, and cross-sectional models of LTL at first blood draw. We identified 30 CpGs on 23 TRGs whose methylation was positively associated with cancer incidence (β = 1.0-6.93) and one protective CpG in MAD1L1 (β = -0.65), of which 87% were located in TRG promoters. Methylation trajectories of 21 CpGs increased in cancer cases relative to controls; at 4 to 8 years prediagnosis/censoring, 17 CpGs were positively associated with cancer. Three CpGs were cross-sectionally associated with LTL. TRG methylation may be a mechanism through which LTL dynamics reflect cancer risk. Future research should confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms underlying these findings, including telomere maintenance and DNA repair dysfunction. Cancer Prev Res; 11(8); 511-22. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Joyce
- Center for Population Epigenetics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Yinan Zheng
- Center for Population Epigenetics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Drew Nannini
- Center for Population Epigenetics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zhou Zhang
- Center for Population Epigenetics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lei Liu
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Tao Gao
- Center for Population Epigenetics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Masha Kocherginsky
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert Murphy
- Center for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Hushan Yang
- Division of Population Science, Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chad J Achenbach
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lewis R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Mirjam Hoxha
- Molecular Epidemiology and Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jincheng Shen
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Lifang Hou
- Center for Population Epigenetics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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30
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Boniewska-Bernacka E, Pańczyszyn A, Cybulska N. Telomeres as a molecular marker of male infertility. HUM FERTIL 2018; 22:78-87. [PMID: 29609488 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2018.1456682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, male infertility has become a growing social problem. Standard diagnostic procedures, based on assessing seminological parameters, are often insufficient to explain the causes of male infertility. Because of this, new markers with better clinical application are being sought. One of the promising markers seems to be an assessment of telomere length of sperm. Sperm telomeres, in contrast to somatic cells, are elongated as men age. The results of some studies suggest that telomere length may be relevant in the case of fertilization and normal embryo development. Literature reports indicate that there is a correlation between telomere length of sperm and abnormal sperm parameters. The measurement of telomere length using the method of quantitative PCR could become a new marker of spermatogenesis, which can be useful for evaluating male reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Boniewska-Bernacka
- a Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology , University of Opole , Opole , Poland
| | - Anna Pańczyszyn
- a Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology , University of Opole , Opole , Poland
| | - Natalia Cybulska
- b GMW - Center for Gynecological and Obstetric Diagnosis , Opole , Poland
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31
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Tahara T, Shibata T, Okubo M, Kawamura T, Horiguchi N, Ishizuka T, Nakano N, Nagasaka M, Nakagawa Y, Ohmiya N. Demonstration of potential link between Helicobacter pylori related promoter CpG island methylation and telomere shortening in human gastric mucosa. Oncotarget 2018; 7:43989-43996. [PMID: 27259265 PMCID: PMC5190073 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length shortening in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infected gastric mucosa constitutes the earliest steps toward neoplastic transformation. In addition to this genotoxic changes, epigenetic changes such as promoter CpG island (PCGI) methylation are frequently occurred in H. pylori infected gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate a potential link between H. pylori related PCGI methylation and telomere length shortening in the human gastric mucosa. METHODS Telomere length was measured in non-neoplastic gastric mucosa from 106 cancer-free subjects. To identify H. pylori related PCGI methylation, bisulfite pyrosequencing was used to quantify the methylation of 49 PCGIs from 47 genes and LINE1 repetitive elementResults: We identified five PCGIs (IGF2, SLC16A12, SOX11, P2RX7 and MYOD1), which the methylation is closely associated with H. pylori infection. Hypermethylation of all these PCGIs was associated with development of pathological state from normal to mild, active, and atrophic gastritis (P<0.001) and lower pepsinogen I/II ratio (P<0.05), an indicator for gastric mucosal atrophy. Telomere shortening was significantly associated with mean Z score methylation of five PCGIs (R=-0.39, P<0.0001) and four of these locus (IGF2: R=-0.35, P=0.0003, SLC16A12: R=-0.35, P=0.0002, P2RX7: R=-0.29, P=0.003, and MYOD1: R=-0.33, P=0.0005). Multivariate analysis revealed that telomere shortening held an increased risk for hypermethylation (odds ratio: 1.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.11-2.63, P=0.016). CONCLUSION Potential link between H. pylori related PCGI methylation and telomere shortening emphasize the importance of genotoxic-epigenetic interaction in the pathological state of H. pylori infected gastric mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomitsu Tahara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Masaaki Okubo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Horiguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Ishizuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Naoko Nakano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Nagasaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Naoki Ohmiya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
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32
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Telomeres, Aging and Exercise: Guilty by Association? Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18122573. [PMID: 29186077 PMCID: PMC5751176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive tandem DNA sequences that cap chromosomal ends protecting genomic DNA from enzymatic degradation. Telomeres progressively shorten with cellular replication and are therefore assumed to correlate with biological and chronological age. An expanding body of evidence suggests (i) a predictable inverse association between telomere length, aging and age-related diseases and (ii) a positive association between physical activity and telomere length. Both hypotheses have garnered tremendous research attention and broad consensus; however, the evidence for each proposition is inconsistent and equivocal at best. Telomere length does not meet the basic criteria for an aging biomarker and at least 50% of key studies fail to find associations with physical activity. In this review, we address the evidence in support and refutation of the putative associations between telomere length, aging and physical activity. We finish with a brief review of plausible mechanisms and potential future research directions.
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33
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Lane-Cordova AD, Puterman E, Gunderson EP, Chan C, Hou L, Carnethon M. Gravidity is not associated with telomere length in a biracial cohort of middle-aged women: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186495. [PMID: 29049398 PMCID: PMC5648190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Having experienced 2-3 births is associated with reduced mortality versus women with <2 or ≥4 births. The effect of 2-3 births on lifespan may be associated with delayed cellular aging. We hypothesized telomere length, a marker of cellular aging, would be longer in women who had 2-3 pregnancies. METHODS Leukocyte telomere length was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 620 women in CARDIA at the year 15 and 20 exams, expressed as the ratio of telomere repeat copy number to single-copy gene copy number (T/S). Number of pregnancies at the time of telomere length measurement was obtained (mean age = 41±0.1 years, average gravidity = 2.64±0.1 pregnancies). Participants were divided into 4 groups by number of pregnancies: 0, 1, 2-3, and ≥4, to test for differences in telomere length by gravidity group. RESULTS The mean and SD for telomere length was 0.98 ± 0.20 T/S in the whole cohort. There were no differences in mean telomere length between groups; 0.98±0.02 T/S in women with 0 pregnancies, 1.01±0.02 T/S in women with 1 pregnancy, 0.97±0.01 T/S in women with 2-3 pregnancies, and 0.99±0.02 T/S in women with ≥4 pregnancies (p = 0.51). We defined high-risk (shorter) telomere length as ≤25th percentile, and low-risk (longer) telomere length as ≥75 percentile. There were no differences in the prevalence of high-risk or low-risk telomere length between gravidity groups. CONCLUSIONS Gravidity was not associated with telomere length in early middle age; the protective association of 2-3 births may act through other mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbi D. Lane-Cordova
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Eli Puterman
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Erica P. Gunderson
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, United States of America
| | - Cheeling Chan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Lifang Hou
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Mercedes Carnethon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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34
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Dong Y, Huang Y, Gutin B, Raed A, Dong Y, Zhu H. Associations between Global DNA Methylation and Telomere Length in Healthy Adolescents. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28646162 PMCID: PMC5482897 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04493-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetics regulates telomere dynamics in adults. However, the relationship between these pathways in children and youth remains unknown. Thus, we examined this association in 542 healthy adolescents aged 14 to 18 years old (44.8% African Americans; 55.2% females). Global DNA methylation level (%5-mC) was quantified using ELISA method. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was defined as relative telomere to single copy gene (T/S) ratio. Multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, Tanner stage, BMI, PA, and batch effect, revealed that %5 mC was associated with LTL (adjusted β = 0.17, p < 0.01). %5 mC accounted for 5.0% of the variation for LTL. A significant gender interaction was identified (p < 0.01). There was an association between %5 mC and LTL in females (all ps < 0.01), but not in males. Further sensitivity analyses by race revealed similar associations in African Americans and whites (all ps < 0.03). The present study, for the first time, shows that lower levels of global DNA methylation are associated with shorter telomere lengths in youth, which may decrease genome stability and augment the susceptibility to diseases. Longitudinal studies are warranted to establish the effects of global DNA methylation on LTL maintenance over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Dong
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Ying Huang
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Bernard Gutin
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Anas Raed
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA.,Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Yanbin Dong
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Haidong Zhu
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA.
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Oliveira BS, Zunzunegui MV, Quinlan J, Batistuzzo de Medeiros SR, Thomasini RL, Guerra RO. Lifecourse Adversity and Telomere Length in Older Women from Northeast Brazil. Rejuvenation Res 2017; 21:294-303. [PMID: 28482745 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2017.1937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and shorter telomere length (TL) in 83 older women, including 42 women with less than secondary education and 41 with secondary or more education in a city of Northeast Brazil, a region with substantial socioeconomic inequalities. The low education sample was selected from a representative survey at local neighborhood health centers, while the high education group consisted of a convenience sample recruited by advertising in community centers and centers affiliated with the local university. Relative leukocyte TL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction from blood samples. ACEs were self-reported. Spline linear regression was fitted to assess the strength of the associations between ACEs and TL. Among women with low education, median TL was 1.02 compared with 0.64 in the high education group (p = 0.0001). Natural log-transformed T/S ratio as the dependent variable was used in analysis. Women with low education had been exposed to more ACEs, and among them those experiencing two or more ACEs had longer TL than women exposed to ≤1 ACEs (p = 0.03); among women with high education, this difference was not significant (p = 0.49). In analyses adjusted by age, education, and parental abuse of alcohol, the linear trend of higher TL with increasing ACEs was confirmed (p = 0.02), and the mean difference in TL between groups remained significant (p = 0.002). The unexpected positive relationship between low education and ACEs with TL suggests that older adults who have survived harsh conditions prevailing in Northeast Brazil have the longest TL of their birth cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Silva Oliveira
- 1 Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte , Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Ronaldo Luis Thomasini
- 5 Faculty of Medicine-FAMED, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri , Campus JK, Diamantina, Brazil
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The telomere attrition rate is not accelerated in women born small for gestational age: A birth cohort study. Gene 2017; 600:16-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Dimauro I, Scalabrin M, Fantini C, Grazioli E, Beltran Valls MR, Mercatelli N, Parisi A, Sabatini S, Di Luigi L, Caporossi D. Resistance training and redox homeostasis: Correlation with age-associated genomic changes. Redox Biol 2016; 10:34-44. [PMID: 27687219 PMCID: PMC5040637 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Regular physical activity is effective as prevention and treatment for different chronic conditions related to the ageing processes. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to a worsening of cellular ageing biomarkers such as telomere length (TL) and/or specific epigenetic changes (e.g. DNA methylation), with increase of the propensity to aging-related diseases and premature death. Extending our previous findings, we aimed to test the hypothesis that 12 weeks of low frequency, moderate intensity, explosive-type resistance training (EMRT) may attenuate age-associated genomic changes. To this aim, TL, global DNA methylation, TRF2, Ku80, SIRT1, SIRT2 and global protein acetylation, as well as other proteins involved in apoptotic pathway (Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3), antioxidant response (TrxR1 and MnSOD) and oxidative damage (myeloperoxidase) were evaluated before and after EMRT in whole blood or peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of elderly subjects. Our findings confirm the potential of EMRT to induce an adaptive change in the antioxidant protein systems at systemic level and suggest a putative role of resistance training in the reduction of global DNA methylation. Moreover, we observed that EMRT counteracts the telomeres' shortening in a manner that proved to be directly correlated with the amelioration of redox homeostasis and efficacy of training regime, evaluated as improvement of both muscle's power/strength and functional parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Dimauro
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
| | - Mattia Scalabrin
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
| | - Cristina Fantini
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elisa Grazioli
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Reyes Beltran Valls
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
| | - Neri Mercatelli
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
| | - Attilio Parisi
- Unit of Sport Medicine, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
| | - Stefania Sabatini
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luigi Di Luigi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
| | - Daniela Caporossi
- Unit of Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
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Choudhury SR, Cui Y, Narayanan A, Gilley DP, Huda N, Lo CL, Zhou FC, Yernool D, Irudayaraj J. Optogenetic regulation of site-specific subtelomeric DNA methylation. Oncotarget 2016; 7:50380-50391. [PMID: 27391261 PMCID: PMC5226589 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length homeostasis, critical for chromosomal integrity and genome stability, is controlled by intricate molecular regulatory machinery that includes epigenetic modifications. Here, we examine site-specific and spatiotemporal alteration of the subtelomeric methylation of CpG islands using optogenetic tools to understand the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of telomere length maintenance. Human DNA methyltransferase3A (DNMT3A) were assembled selectively at chromosome ends by fusion to cryptochrome 2 protein (CRY2) and its interacting complement, the basic helix loop helix protein-1 (CIB1). CIB1 was fused to the telomere-associated protein telomere repeat binding factor-1 (TRF1), which localized the protein complex DNMT3A-CRY2 at telomeric regions upon excitation by blue-light monitored by single-molecule fluorescence analyses. Increased methylation was achieved selectively at subtelomeric CpG sites on the six examined chromosome ends specifically after blue-light activation, which resulted in progressive increase in telomere length over three generations of HeLa cell replications. The modular design of the fusion constructs presented here allows for the selective substitution of other chromatin modifying enzymes and for loci-specific targeting to regulate the epigenetic pathways at telomeres and other selected genomic regions of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Roy Choudhury
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Yi Cui
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Anoop Narayanan
- Bindley Laboratory of Structural Biology, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - David P. Gilley
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Nazmul Huda
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Chiao-Ling Lo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Feng C. Zhou
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Stark Institute of Neuroscience Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Dinesh Yernool
- Bindley Laboratory of Structural Biology, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Zhang X, Li B, de Jonge N, Björkholm M, Xu D. The DNA methylation inhibitor induces telomere dysfunction and apoptosis of leukemia cells that is attenuated by telomerase over-expression. Oncotarget 2016; 6:4888-900. [PMID: 25682873 PMCID: PMC4467122 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTIs) such as 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) have been used for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other malignancies. Although inhibiting global/gene-specific DNA methylation is widely accepted as a key mechanism behind DNMTI anti-tumor activity, other mechanisms are likely involved in DNMTI's action. Because telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) plays key roles in cancer through telomere elongation and telomere lengthening-independent activities, and TERT has been shown to confer chemo- or radio-resistance to cancer cells, we determine whether DNMTIs affect telomere function and whether TERT/telomerase interferes with their anti-cancer efficacy. We showed that 5-AZA induced DNA damage and telomere dysfunction in AML cell lines by demonstrating the presence of 53-BP1 foci and the co-localization of 53-BP1 foci with telomere signals, respectively. Telomere dysfunction was coupled with diminished TERT expression, shorter telomere and apoptosis in 5-AZA-treated cells. However, 5-AZA treatment did not lead to changes in the methylation status of subtelomere regions. Down-regulation of TERT expression similarly occurred in primary leukemic cells derived from AML patients exposed to 5-AZA. TERT over-expression significantly attenuated 5-AZA-mediated DNA damage, telomere dysfunction and apoptosis of AML cells. Collectively, 5-AZA mediates the down-regulation of TERT expression, and induces telomere dysfunction, which consequently exerts an anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bingnan Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nick de Jonge
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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Breitling LP, Saum KU, Perna L, Schöttker B, Holleczek B, Brenner H. Frailty is associated with the epigenetic clock but not with telomere length in a German cohort. Clin Epigenetics 2016; 8:21. [PMID: 26925173 PMCID: PMC4768341 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0186-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The epigenetic clock, in particular epigenetic pre-aging quantified by the so-called DNA methylation age acceleration, has recently been suggested to closely correlate with a variety of disease phenotypes. There remains a dearth of data, however, on its association with telomere length and frailty, which can be considered major correlates of age on the genomic and clinical level, respectively. Results In this cross-sectional observational study on altogether 1820 subjects from two subsets (n = 969 and n = 851; mean ± standard deviation age 62.1 ± 6.5 and 63.0 ± 6.7 years, respectively) of the ESTHER cohort study of the elderly general population in Germany, DNA methylation age was calculated based on a 353 loci predictor previously developed in a large meta-study, and the difference-based epigenetic age acceleration was calculated as predicted methylation age minus chronological age. No correlation of epigenetic age acceleration with telomere length was found in our study (p = 0.63). However, there was an association of DNA methylation age acceleration with a comprehensive frailty measure, such that the accumulated deficits significantly increased with increasing age acceleration. Quantitatively, about half an additional deficit was added per 6 years of methylation age acceleration (p = 0.0004). This association was independent from age, sex, and estimated leukocyte distribution, as well as from a variety of other confounding variables considered. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that epigenetic age acceleration is correlated with clinically relevant aging-related phenotypes through pathways unrelated to cellular senescence as assessed by telomere length. Innovative approaches like Mendelian randomization will be needed to elucidate whether epigenetic age acceleration indeed plays a causal role for the development of clinical phenotypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-016-0186-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Philipp Breitling
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai-Uwe Saum
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Perna
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ben Schöttker
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ; Network Aging Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernd Holleczek
- Epidemiological Cancer Registry of Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hermann Brenner
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ; Network Aging Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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41
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Robin JD, Ludlow AT, Batten K, Gaillard MC, Stadler G, Magdinier F, Wright WE, Shay JW. SORBS2 transcription is activated by telomere position effect-over long distance upon telomere shortening in muscle cells from patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. Genome Res 2015; 25:1781-90. [PMID: 26359233 PMCID: PMC4665000 DOI: 10.1101/gr.190660.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA is organized into complex three-dimensional chromatin structures, but how this spatial organization regulates gene expression remains a central question. These DNA/chromatin looping structures can range in size from 10-20 kb (enhancers/repressors) to many megabases during intra- and inter-chromosomal interactions. Recently, the influence of telomere length on chromatin organization prior to senescence has revealed the existence of long-distance chromatin loops that dictate the expression of genes located up to 10 Mb from the telomeres (Telomere Position Effect-Over Long Distances [TPE-OLD]). Here, we demonstrate the existence of a telomere loop at the 4q35 locus involving the sorbin and SH3 domain-containing protein 2 gene, SORBS2, a skeletal muscle protein using a modification of the chromosome conformation capture method. The loop reveals a cis-acting mechanism modifying SORBS2 transcription. The expression of this gene is altered by TPE-OLD in myoblasts from patients affected with the age-associated genetic disease, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD1A, MIM 158900). SORBS2 is expressed in FSHD myoblasts with short telomeres, while not detectable in FSHD myoblasts with long telomeres or in healthy myoblasts regardless of telomere length. This indicates that TPE-OLD may modify the regulation of the 4q35 locus in a pathogenic context. Upon differentiation, both FSHD and healthy myotubes express SORBS2, suggesting that SORBS2 is normally up-regulated by maturation/differentiation of skeletal muscle and is misregulated by TPE-OLD-dependent variegation in FSHD myoblasts. These findings provide additional insights for the complexity and age-related symptoms of FSHD.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
- Biopsy
- Chromosome Deletion
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4
- DNA Methylation
- Epistasis, Genetic
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Genetic Loci
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Muscle Cells/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/pathology
- MyoD Protein/genetics
- MyoD Protein/metabolism
- Myoblasts
- RNA-Binding Proteins
- Telomere/genetics
- Telomere Shortening
- Transcriptional Activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme D Robin
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Andrew T Ludlow
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Kimberly Batten
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | | | - Guido Stadler
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | | | - Woodring E Wright
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA; Center for Excellence in Genomics Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Summaries of plenary, symposia, and oral sessions at the XXII World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics, Copenhagen, Denmark, 12-16 October 2014. Psychiatr Genet 2015; 26:1-47. [PMID: 26565519 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The XXII World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics, sponsored by the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 12-16 October 2014. A total of 883 participants gathered to discuss the latest findings in the field. The following report was written by student and postdoctoral attendees. Each was assigned one or more sessions as a rapporteur. This manuscript represents topics covered in most, but not all of the oral presentations during the conference, and contains some of the major notable new findings reported.
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Choudhury SR, Cui Y, Milton JR, Li J, Irudayaraj J. Selective increase in subtelomeric DNA methylation: an epigenetic biomarker for malignant glioma. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:107. [PMID: 26451167 PMCID: PMC4597615 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0140-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Subtelomeric regions dynamically change their epigenetic pattern during development and progression of several malignancies and degenerative disorders. However, DNA methylation of human subtelomeres and their correlation to telomere length (TL) remain undetermined in glioma. Results Herein, we report on the selective changes in subtelomeric DNA methylation at the end of five chromosomes (Chr.) (7q, 8q. 18p, 21q, and XpYp) and ascertain their correlation with TL in patients with glioma. Subtelomeric methylation level was invariably higher in glioma patients compared to the control group, irrespective of their age and tumor grade. In particular, a significant increase in methylation was observed at the subtelomeric CpG sites of Chr. 8q, 21q, and XpYp in tissues, obtained from the brain tumor of glioma patients. In contrast, no significant change in methylation was observed at the subtelomere of Chr. 7q and 18p. Selective changes in the subtelomeric methylation level, however, did not show any significant correlation to the global TL. This observed phenomenon was validated in vitro by inducing demethylation in a glioblastoma cell line (SF-767) using 5-azacytidine (AZA) treatment. AZA treatment caused significant changes in the subtelomeric methylation pattern but did not alter the TL, which supports our hypothesis. Conclusions DNA methylation level dramatically increased at the subtelomere of Chr.8q, 21q, and XpYp in malignant glioma, which could be used as an early epigenetic diagnostic biomarker of the disease. Alterations in subtelomeric methylation, however, have no effects on the TL. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-015-0140-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Roy Choudhury
- Department of Biological Engineering, Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA
| | - Yi Cui
- Department of Biological Engineering, Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA
| | - Jacob R Milton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008 China
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Biological Engineering, Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA
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Drury SS. Unraveling the Meaning of Telomeres for Child Psychiatry. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2015; 54:539-40. [PMID: 26088657 PMCID: PMC4476786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stacy S. Drury
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans
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Nelson CA, Varcin KJ, Coman NK, De Vivo I, Tager-Flusberg H. Shortened Telomeres in Families With a Propensity to Autism. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2015; 54:588-94. [PMID: 26088664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Shortened telomeres have been linked to poorer health outcomes. Exposure to psychological stress is associated with accelerated telomere shortening, and a well-established body of evidence indicates that families with a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience heightened levels of psychological stress. Also, alterations in a number of biological processes implicated in telomere length dynamics (i.e., oxidative stress, DNA methylation) have been linked to ASD susceptibility. We examined whether families of children with ASD who have an infant show shortened telomeres. METHOD Saliva samples were collected from infants, their older sibling (proband), and parents in families with or without a child with ASD. Infants and their families were designated as high-risk for ASD (HRA; n = 86) or low-risk for ASD (LRA; n = 118) according to the older siblings' diagnostic status. We used the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) telomere assay to determine relative average telomere length for each participant. RESULTS HRA families demonstrated significantly shorter telomere length relative to LRA families. This effect was observed at the individual family member level, with infants, probands, and mothers in HRA families showing reduced relative telomere length compared to individuals in LRA families; although not significant, fathers of high-risk infants showed a similar pattern of decreased telomere length. CONCLUSION Families of children with ASD who have an infant show shortened telomeres relative to families with no history of ASD. These results suggest that such "high-risk" families should be monitored for the physical and mental health consequences that are often associated with accelerated telomere shortening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Nelson
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA.
| | - Kandice J Varcin
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School
| | - Nicole K Coman
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital
| | - Immaculata De Vivo
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health Program in Genetic Epidemiology, Boston, and Statistical Genetics and Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston
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Kota LN, Purushottam M, Moily NS, Jain S. Shortened telomere in unremitted schizophrenia. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2015; 69:292-7. [PMID: 25430532 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM Telomere attrition has been noted in many neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative syndromes, and may indicate a shared molecular pathology across conditions. We evaluated telomere length in subjects with remitted and unremitted schizophrenia and in control subjects. METHODS We measured telomere length as relative telomere/single-copy gene ratios in subjects with schizophrenia (n = 71) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. This was compared with relative telomere/single-copy gene ratios in age-matched controls without neuropsychiatric illness (n = 73). RESULTS The relative telomere/single-copy gene ratios were significantly lower in subjects with unremitted schizophrenia when compared with control subjects (r = -0.281, P = 0.003), as well as the individuals with remitted schizophrenia. CONCLUSION The lower relative telomere length in unremitted schizophrenia subjects may thus indicate shared biological pathways with other neurodegenerative disorders that are also characterized by increased cellular senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Narayanan Kota
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
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Blaze J, Asok A, Roth TL. The long-term impact of adverse caregiving environments on epigenetic modifications and telomeres. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:79. [PMID: 25904853 PMCID: PMC4389567 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Early childhood is a sensitive period in which infant-caregiver experiences have profound effects on brain development and behavior. Clinical studies have demonstrated that infants who experience stress and adversity in the context of caregiving are at an increased risk for the development of psychiatric disorders. Animal models have helped to elucidate some molecular substrates of these risk factors, but a complete picture of the biological basis remains unknown. Studies continue to indicate that environmentally-driven epigenetic modifications may be an important mediator between adverse caregiving environments and psychopathology. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, which normally represses gene transcription, and microRNA processing, which interferes with both transcription and translation, show long-term changes throughout the brain and body following adverse caregiving. Recent evidence has also shown that telomeres (TTAGGG nucleotide repeats that cap the ends of DNA) exhibit long-term changes in the brain and in the periphery following exposure to adverse caregiving environments. Interestingly, telomeric enzymes and subtelomeric regions are subject to epigenetic modifications—a factor which may play an important role in regulating telomere length and contribute to future mental health. This review will focus on clinical and animal studies that highlight the long-term epigenetic and telomeric changes produced by adverse caregiving in early-life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Blaze
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware Newark, DE, USA
| | - Arun Asok
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware Newark, DE, USA
| | - Tania L Roth
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware Newark, DE, USA
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Entringer S, Epel ES, Lin J, Blackburn EH, Buss C, Simhan HN, Wadhwa PD. Maternal estriol concentrations in early gestation predict infant telomere length. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100:267-73. [PMID: 25337925 PMCID: PMC4283015 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-2744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Telomere biology plays a fundamental role in genomic integrity, cellular regeneration, physiology, aging, disease risk, and mortality. The initial setting of telomere length (TL) in early life has important implications for telomere maintenance and related disorders throughout the life span. However, little is known about the predictors of this initial setting. OBJECTIVE Given the established role of estrogen on adult TL and the role of estriol (E3) in the context of fetal development, the goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that higher maternal E3 concentration during early pregnancy is associated with longer infant telomere length. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTING Study participants comprised a cohort of N = 100 infants followed prospectively from intrauterine life and birth through early childhood from a population-based, representative sample of pregnant mothers recruited in early pregnancy at university-based obstetric clinics in Southern California. Maternal unconjugated E3 concentrations were assessed in plasma in early gestation (around wk 15). Infant TL was assessed in buccal cells at approximately 15 months of age. RESULTS After accounting for the effects of potential confounding maternal and infant variables, there was a significant, independent effect of maternal E3 concentration on infant TL (unstandardized β = 0.297; P = .001; 95% Cl, 0.121-0.473). Specifically, a one-multiple-of-the-median (MoM) increase in maternal E3 concentration during early pregnancy was associated with a 14.42% increase in infant TL. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the concept of developmental plasticity of the telomere biology system and highlights specifically the role of a potentially modifiable intrauterine factor for additional mechanistic and clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Entringer
- Departments of Pediatrics (S.E., C.B., P.D.W.), Obstetrics and Gynecology (P.D.W.), Epidemiology (P.D.W.), and Psychiatry and Human Behavior (P.D.W.), University of California, Irvine; California 92697; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences (H.N.S.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213; Departments of Psychiatry (E.S.E.), and Biochemistry and Biophysics (E.H.B.), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; and Institute for Medical Psychology (S.E., C.B.), Charité University Medicine, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Shorter telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes is associated with childhood autism. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7073. [PMID: 25399515 PMCID: PMC4233346 DOI: 10.1038/srep07073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are protective chromosomal structures that play a key role in preserving genomic stability. Epidemiologic studies have shown that the abnormal telomere length in leukocytes is associated with some mental disorders and age-related diseases. However, the association between leukocyte telomere length and autism has not been investigated. Here we investigated the possible association between relative telomere length (RTL) in peripheral blood leukocytes and childhood autism by using an established real-time polymerase chain reaction method. We observed significantly shorter RTL in patients with childhood autism than in controls (p = 0.006). Individuals with shorter RTL had a significantly increased presence of childhood autism compared with those who had long RTL. In patients, we found that family training interventions have a significant effect on telomere length (P = 0.012), but no correlations between RTL and clinical features (paternal age, maternal age, age of onset, illness of duration, CARS score and ABC score) were observed in this study. These results provided the first evidence that shorter leukocytes telomere length is significantly associated with childhood autism. The molecular mechanism underlying telomere length may be implicated in the development of autism.
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