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Brown LM, Elbon MC, Bharadwaj A, Damle G, Lachance J. Does Effective Population Size Govern Evolutionary Differences in Telomere Length? Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae111. [PMID: 38771124 PMCID: PMC11140418 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Lengths of telomeres vary by an order of magnitude across mammalian species. Similarly, age- and sex-standardized telomere lengths differ by up to 1 kb (14%) across human populations. How to explain these differences? Telomeres play a central role in senescence and aging, and genes that affect telomere length are likely under weak selection (i.e. telomere length is a trait that is subject to nearly neutral evolution). Importantly, natural selection is more effective in large populations than in small populations. Here, we propose that observed differences in telomere length across species and populations are largely due to differences in effective population sizes. In this perspective, we present preliminary evolutionary genetic evidence supporting this hypothesis and highlight the need for more data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyda M Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mia C Elbon
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ajay Bharadwaj
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gargi Damle
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph Lachance
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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2
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Aburada N, Ito J, Inoue Y, Yamamoto T, Hayashi M, Teramoto N, Okada Y, Koshiishi Y, Shirasuna K, Iwata H. Effect of paternal aging and vitrification on mitochondrial DNA copy number and telomere length of mouse blastocysts. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:65-71. [PMID: 38267053 PMCID: PMC11017102 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined the effects of paternal aging on the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mt-cn), telomere length (TL), and gene expression in mouse embryos. The effects of vitrification on the mt-cn and TL of the embryos derived from young and aged male parents (YF and AF, respectively) were examined. C57BL/6N male mice were used for embryo production at 13-23 and 50-55 weeks of age. Two-cell stage embryos were collected from the oviducts of superovulated female mice (8-15 weeks old) and cultured for 24 h until the 8-cell stage, followed by embryo vitrification. Fresh and vitrified-warmed embryos were incubated for 2 days until the blastocyst stage, and mt-cn and TL were investigated. The cell-free mitochondrial DNA copy number (cf-mt-cn) in the spent culture medium (SCM) of the embryos was then investigated. RNA sequencing of blastocysts revealed that metabolic pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation and mTOR pathways, were enriched in differentially expressed genes. The mt-cn and TL of AF-derived blastocysts were lower and shorter, respectively, than those of YF-derived blastocysts. Paternal aging did not affect the blastocyst rate after vitrification. Vitrification of the 8-cell stage embryos did not affect the mt-cn of the blastocysts. However, it increased the cf-mt-cn (cell-free mt-cn) in the SCM of both YF- and AF-derived embryos. Vitrification did not affect the TL of either YF- or AF-derived embryos. Thus, paternal aging affected the mt-cn and TL of the embryos, but vitrification did not affect these parameters in either age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Aburada
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Jun Ito
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Yuki Inoue
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | | | | | - Noko Teramoto
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Yuri Okada
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | | | | | - Hisataka Iwata
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
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3
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Frydrychová RČ, Konopová B, Peska V, Brejcha M, Sábová M. Telomeres and telomerase: active but complex players in life-history decisions. Biogerontology 2024; 25:205-226. [PMID: 37610666 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Studies on human telomeres have established that telomeres exert a significant influence on lifespan and health of organisms. However, recent research has indicated that the original idea that telomeres affect lifespan in a universal and central manner across all eukaryotic species is an oversimplification. Indeed, findings from a variety of animal species revealed that the role of telomere biology in aging is more subtle and intricate than previously recognized. Here, we show how telomere biology varies depending on the taxon. We also show how telomere biology corresponds to basic life history traits and affects the life table of a species and investments in growth, body size, reproduction, and lifespan; telomeres are hypothesized to shape evolutionary perspectives for species in an active but complex manner. Our evaluation is based on telomere biology data from many examples from throughout the animal kingdom that vary according to the degree of organismal complexity and life history strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radmila Čapková Frydrychová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Konopová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vratislav Peska
- Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miloslav Brejcha
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michala Sábová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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4
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Mason CE, Sierra MA, Feng HJ, Bailey SM. Telomeres and aging: on and off the planet! Biogerontology 2024; 25:313-327. [PMID: 38581556 PMCID: PMC10998805 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-024-10098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Improving human healthspan in our rapidly aging population has never been more imperative. Telomeres, protective "caps" at the ends of linear chromosomes, are essential for maintaining genome stability of eukaryotic genomes. Due to their physical location and the "end-replication problem" first envisioned by Dr. Alexey Olovnikov, telomeres shorten with cell division, the implications of which are remarkably profound. Telomeres are hallmarks and molecular drivers of aging, as well as fundamental integrating components of the cumulative effects of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that erode telomere length over time. Ongoing telomere attrition and the resulting limit to replicative potential imposed by cellular senescence serves a powerful tumor suppressor function, and also underlies aging and a spectrum of age-related degenerative pathologies, including reduced fertility, dementias, cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, very little data exists regarding the extraordinary stressors and exposures associated with long-duration space exploration and eventual habitation of other planets, nor how such missions will influence telomeres, reproduction, health, disease risk, and aging. Here, we briefly review our current understanding, which has advanced significantly in recent years as a result of the NASA Twins Study, the most comprehensive evaluation of human health effects associated with spaceflight ever conducted. Thus, the Twins Study is at the forefront of personalized space medicine approaches for astronauts and sets the stage for subsequent missions. We also extrapolate from current understanding to future missions, highlighting potential biological and biochemical strategies that may enable human survival, and consider the prospect of longevity in the extreme environment of space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine and WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria A Sierra
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine and WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Tri-Institutional Computational Biology & Medicine Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Henry J Feng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susan M Bailey
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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5
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Liu D, Aziz NA, Imtiaz MA, Pehlivan G, Breteler MMB. Associations of measured and genetically predicted leukocyte telomere length with vascular phenotypes: a population-based study. GeroScience 2024; 46:1947-1970. [PMID: 37782440 PMCID: PMC10828293 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00914-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. Whether this association differs between measured and genetically predicted LTL is still unclear. Moreover, the molecular processes underlying the association remain largely unknown. We used baseline data of the Rhineland Study, an ongoing population-based cohort study in Bonn, Germany [56.2% women, age: 55.5 ± 14.0 years (range 30 - 95 years)]. We calculated genetically predicted LTL in 4180 participants and measured LTL in a subset of 1828 participants with qPCR. Using multivariable regression, we examined the association of measured and genetically predicted LTL, and the difference between measured and genetically predicted LTL (ΔLTL), with four vascular functional domains and the overall vascular health. Moreover, we performed epigenome-wide association studies of three LTL measures. Longer measured LTL was associated with better microvascular and cardiac function. Longer predicted LTL was associated with better cardiac function. Larger ΔLTL was associated with better microvascular and cardiac function and overall vascular health, independent of genetically predicted LTL. Several CpGs were associated (p < 1e-05) with measured LTL (n = 5), genetically predicted LTL (n = 8), and ΔLTL (n = 27). Genes whose methylation status was associated with ΔLTL were enriched in vascular endothelial signaling pathways and have been linked to environmental exposures, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality. Our findings suggest that non-genetic causes of LTL contribute to microvascular and cardiac function and overall vascular health, through an effect on the vascular endothelial signaling pathway. Interventions that counteract LTL may thus improve vascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Population Health Sciences, Bonn, Germany
| | - N Ahmad Aziz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Population Health Sciences, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mohammed Aslam Imtiaz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Population Health Sciences, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gökhan Pehlivan
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Population Health Sciences, Bonn, Germany
| | - Monique M B Breteler
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Population Health Sciences, Bonn, Germany.
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE), Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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6
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Henriques CM, Ferreira MG. Telomere length is an epigenetic trait - Implications for the use of telomerase-deficient organisms to model human disease. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050581. [PMID: 38441152 PMCID: PMC10941657 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomere length, unlike most genetic traits, is epigenetic, in the sense that it is not fully coded by the genome. Telomeres vary in length and randomly assort to the progeny leaving some individuals with longer and others with shorter telomeres. Telomerase activity counteracts this by extending telomeres in the germline and during embryogenesis but sizeable variances remain in telomere length. This effect is exacerbated by the absence of fully active telomerase. Telomerase heterozygous animals (tert+/-) have reduced telomerase activity and their telomeres fail to be elongated to wild-type average length, meaning that - with every generation - they decrease. After a given number of successive generations of telomerase-insufficient crosses, telomeres become critically short and cause organismal defects that, in humans, are known as telomere biology disorders. Importantly, these defects also occur in wild-type (tert+/+) animals derived from such tert+/- incrosses. Despite these tert+/+ animals being proficient for telomerase, they have shorter than average telomere length and, although milder, develop phenotypes that are similar to those of telomerase mutants. Here, we discuss the impact of this phenomenon on human pathologies associated with telomere length, provide a brief overview of telomere biology across species and propose specific measures for working with telomerase-deficient zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M. Henriques
- The Bateson Centre, MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA) and Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Miguel Godinho Ferreira
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d‘Azur, 06107 Nice, France
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7
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Chang Y, Zhou Y, Zhou J, Li W, Cao J, Jing Y, Zhang S, Shen Y, Lin Q, Fan X, Yang H, Dong X, Zhang S, Yi X, Shuai L, Shi L, Liu Z, Yang J, Ma X, Hao J, Chen K, Li MJ, Wang F, Huang D. Unraveling the causal genes and transcriptomic determinants of human telomere length. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8517. [PMID: 38129441 PMCID: PMC10739845 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44355-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) shortening is a pivotal indicator of biological aging and is associated with many human diseases. The genetic determinates of human TL have been widely investigated, however, most existing studies were conducted based on adult tissues which are heavily influenced by lifetime exposure. Based on the analyses of terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length of telomere, individual genotypes, and gene expressions on 166 healthy placental tissues, we systematically interrogate TL-modulated genes and their potential functions. We discover that the TL in the placenta is comparatively longer than in other adult tissues, but exhibiting an intra-tissue homogeneity. Trans-ancestral TL genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on 644,553 individuals identify 20 newly discovered genetic associations and provide increased polygenic determination of human TL. Next, we integrate the powerful TL GWAS with placental expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping to prioritize 23 likely causal genes, among which 4 are functionally validated, including MMUT, RRM1, KIAA1429, and YWHAZ. Finally, modeling transcriptomic signatures and TRF-based TL improve the prediction performance of human TL. This study deepens our understanding of causal genes and transcriptomic determinants of human TL, promoting the mechanistic research on fine-grained TL regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chang
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Junrui Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Li
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiasong Cao
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaqing Jing
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongmei Shen
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qimei Lin
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xutong Fan
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongxi Yang
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaobao Dong
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianfu Yi
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ling Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jihui Hao
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mulin Jun Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Medical University School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin, China.
| | - Dandan Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
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Kurashova NA, Dashiev BG, Kolesnikov SI, Kolesnikova LI. Oxidative Stress, Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity in Spermatogenesis Disorders (Review of Scientific Activity). Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 176:115-122. [PMID: 38189870 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-024-05979-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The paper systematizes the available data on the study of oxidative stress, the relative length of telomeres, and telomerase activity in male infertility and disorders of spermatogenesis. The study of telomeres, the structures that protect chromosome ends and genome integrity, is of interest for researchers in various fields, from cell biology and epidemiology to ecology and evolutionary biology. The review includes our own data on the study of the relative length of telomeres, oxidative stress, and telomerase activity and reflects modern ideas about the importance of these structures both in the maintenance of genome stability during cell division and in gametogenesis and reproduction. Many studies indicate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including male infertility. In turn, studies of telomeres as a biomarker of male infertility are insufficient, and the results obtained are extremely controversial and require deeper knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Kurashova
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia.
| | - B G Dashiev
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - S I Kolesnikov
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - L I Kolesnikova
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
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Gold NM, Okeke MN, He Y. Involvement of Inheritance in Determining Telomere Length beyond Environmental and Lifestyle Factors. Aging Dis 2023:AD.2023.1023. [PMID: 37962459 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.1023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
All linear chromosomal ends have specific DNA-protein complexes called telomeres. Telomeres serve as a "molecular clock" to estimate the potential length of cell replication. Shortening of telomere length (TL) is associated with cellular senescence, aging, and various age-related diseases in humans. Here we reviewed the structure, function, and regulation of telomeres and the age-related diseases associated with telomere attrition. Among the various determinants of TL, we highlight the connection between TL and heredity to provide a new overview of genetic determinants for TL. Studies across multiple species have shown that maternal and paternal TL influence the TL of their offspring, and this may affect life span and their susceptibility to age-related diseases. Hence, we reviewed the linkage between TL and parental influences and the proposed mechanisms involved. More in-depth studies on the genetic mechanism for TL attrition are needed due to the potential application of this knowledge in human medicine to prevent premature frailty at its earliest stage, as well as promote health and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naheemat Modupeola Gold
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic, Evolution and Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Michael Ngozi Okeke
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center for Nanomedical Technology Research, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yonghan He
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic, Evolution and Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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10
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Zablocki-Thomas P, Rebout N, Karaskiewicz CL, Bales KL. Survival rates and mortality risks of Plecturocebus cupreus at the California National Primate Research Center. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23531. [PMID: 37424137 PMCID: PMC10921862 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
This article describes survivorship and explores factors affecting mortality risks in a captive colony of coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus) housed at the California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC), at UC Davis, in Davis, CA. We analyzed data collected on individuals since the colony's creation in the 1960s, with a sample of 600 animals with partially complete information (date of birth, age at death, body mass, parental lineage). We used three methods: (1) Kaplan-Meier regressions followed by a log-rank test to compare survival in male and female titi monkeys, (2) a breakpoint analysis to identify shifts in the survival curves, and (3) Cox regressions to test the effect of body mass change, parental pair tenure, and parental age on mortality risk. We found that males tend to have a longer median lifespan than females (14.9 and 11.4 years; p = 0.094) and that survival decreases earlier in males than in females during adulthood (9.8 and 16.2 years). A body mass loss of 10% from adulthood to the time of death led to a 26% higher risk of dying (p < 0.001) as compared to an individual with stable body mass. We found no evidence of sociobiological factors on mortality risks (parental age, parental pair tenure), but an exploratory analysis suggested that a higher rate of offspring conceptions increases mortality risks. This description of factors influencing survival and mortality in titi monkeys is a first step toward understanding aging in this species to consider titi monkeys as a primate model for socioemotional aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chloe L. Karaskiewicz
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis CA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States of America
| | - Karen L. Bales
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis CA
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States of America
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11
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Chi Z, Bai X, Zhang Z. Risk relationship between leukocyte telomere length and constipation: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1177785. [PMID: 37780571 PMCID: PMC10533926 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1177785] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Some epidemiological studies have investigated the associations between aging and constipation, yet their outcomes are inconclusive, so we strive to ascertain whether aging is the cause of constipation. Methods We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly accessible genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. As a marker of cellular and biological aging, we employed 15 single-nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables for leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as exposure and a GWAS for constipation in the Finnish database as an outcome. To select the instrumental variables strongly associated with the phenotype, we eliminated confounding factors and direct effects outcomes to determine the causal relationship of exposure factors on the outcome; the analysis was mainly performed using the random-effect inverse variance weighting method, MR-Egger, weighted median, and sensitivity analysis of the results. Results Random effect inverse variance weighted odds ratio = 1.035 (95% CI 0.907-1.180), but p = 0.612, which was not statistically significant. Other statistical methods, such as MR-Egger and weighted median, also yielded non-significant results. Conclusion LTL as a proxy for aging does not necessarily indicate an increased likelihood of constipation. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms of constipation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfei Chi
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xuesong Bai
- Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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12
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Tang L, Li D, Wang J, Su B, Tian Y. Ambient air pollution, genetic risk and telomere length in UK biobank. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023:10.1038/s41370-023-00587-1. [PMID: 37550565 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00587-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of genomic aging. The evidence on the association between TL and air pollution was inconsistent. Besides, the modification effect of genetic susceptibility on the air pollution-TL association remains unknown. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the association of ambient air pollution with TL and further assess the modification effect of genetic susceptibility. METHODS 433,535 participants with complete data of TL and air pollutants in UK Biobank were included. Annual average exposure of NO2, NOx, PM10 and PM2.5 was estimated by applying land use regression models. Genetic risk score (GRS) was constructed using reported telomere-related SNPs. Leukocyte TL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Multivariable linear regression models were employed to conduct associational analyses. RESULTS Categorical exposure models and RCS models both indicated U-shaped (for NO2 and NOx) and L-shaped (for PM10 and PM2.5) correlations between air pollution and TL. In comparison to the lowest quartile, the 2nd and 3rd quartile of NO2 (q2: -1.3% [-2.1%, -0.4%]; q3: -1.2% [-2.0%, -0.3%], NOx (q2: -1.3% [-2.1%, -0.5%]; q3: -1.4% [-2.2%, -0.5%]), PM2.5 (q2: -0.8% [-1.7%, 0.0%]; q3: -1.3% [-2.2%, -0.5%]), and the third quartile of PM10 (q3: -1.1% [-1.9%, -0.2%]) were inversely associated with TL. The highest quartile of NO2 was positively correlated with TL (q4: 1.0% [0.0%, 2.0%]), whereas the negative correlation between the highest quartile of other pollutants and TL was also attenuated and no longer significant. In the genetic analyses, synergistic interactions were observed between the 4th quartile of three air pollutants (NO2, NOx, and PM2.5) and genetic risk. IMPACT STATEMENT Our study for the first time revealed a non-linear trend for the association between air pollution and telomere length. The genetic analyses suggested synergistic interactions between air pollution and genetic risk on the air pollution-TL association. These findings may shed new light on air pollution's health effects, offer suggestions for identifying at-risk individuals, and provide hints regarding further investigation into gene-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxi Tang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Dankang Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianing Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Binbin Su
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, No.31, Beijige-3, Dongcheng District, 100730, Beijing, China.
| | - Yaohua Tian
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hangkong Road, 430030, Wuhan, China.
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Thompson AJ, Henrich CC. Maternal depression and child telomere length: The role of genetic sensitivity. J Affect Disord 2023; 334:77-82. [PMID: 37146910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The stress of a mother's depression may increasingly tax psychobiological systems that help children with self-regulation, increasing children's allostatic load over time. Some evidence supports children exposed to maternal depression tend to have shorter telomeres and tend to have more somatic and psychological problems. Children having one or more A1 alleles of dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2, rs1800497), tend to have greater sensitivity to maternal depression and could experience more adverse child outcomes that contribute to greater allostatic load. METHODS Using the Future Families and Child Wellbeing dataset, secondary-data analyses were used to test the effect of repeated exposure to maternal depression during early childhood on children's telomere length during middle childhood moderated by children's DRD2 genotype (N = 2884). RESULTS Greater maternal depression was not significantly associated with shorter child telomere length and this association was not moderated by DRD2 genotypes while controlling for factors associated with child telomere length. IMPLICATIONS The effect of maternal depression on children's TL may not be significant in populations from diverse racial-ethnic and family backgrounds during middle childhood. These findings could help further our current understanding psychobiological systems affected by maternal depression that result in adverse child outcomes. LIMITATIONS Even though this study used a relatively large and diverse sample, replication of DRD2 moderation in even larger samples is an important next step.
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14
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Lathe R, St Clair D. Programmed ageing: decline of stem cell renewal, immunosenescence, and Alzheimer's disease. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023. [PMID: 37068798 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
The characteristic maximum lifespan varies enormously across animal species from a few hours to hundreds of years. This argues that maximum lifespan, and the ageing process that itself dictates lifespan, are to a large extent genetically determined. Although controversial, this is supported by firm evidence that semelparous species display evolutionarily programmed ageing in response to reproductive and environmental cues. Parabiosis experiments reveal that ageing is orchestrated systemically through the circulation, accompanied by programmed changes in hormone levels across a lifetime. This implies that, like the circadian and circannual clocks, there is a master 'clock of age' (circavital clock) located in the limbic brain of mammals that modulates systemic changes in growth factor and hormone secretion over the lifespan, as well as systemic alterations in gene expression as revealed by genomic methylation analysis. Studies on accelerated ageing in mice, as well as human longevity genes, converge on evolutionarily conserved fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors, including KLOTHO, as well as insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and steroid hormones, as key players mediating the systemic effects of ageing. Age-related changes in these and multiple other factors are inferred to cause a progressive decline in tissue maintenance through failure of stem cell replenishment. This most severely affects the immune system, which requires constant renewal from bone marrow stem cells. Age-related immune decline increases risk of infection whereas lifespan can be extended in germfree animals. This and other evidence suggests that infection is the major cause of death in higher organisms. Immune decline is also associated with age-related diseases. Taking the example of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we assess the evidence that AD is caused by immunosenescence and infection. The signature protein of AD brain, Aβ, is now known to be an antimicrobial peptide, and Aβ deposits in AD brain may be a response to infection rather than a cause of disease. Because some cognitively normal elderly individuals show extensive neuropathology, we argue that the location of the pathology is crucial - specifically, lesions to limbic brain are likely to accentuate immunosenescence, and could thus underlie a vicious cycle of accelerated immune decline and microbial proliferation that culminates in AD. This general model may extend to other age-related diseases, and we propose a general paradigm of organismal senescence in which declining stem cell proliferation leads to programmed immunosenescence and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Lathe
- Division of Infection Medicine, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - David St Clair
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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15
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Telomere Attrition in Chronic Kidney Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030579. [PMID: 36978826 PMCID: PMC10045531 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are dynamic DNA nucleoprotein structures located at the end of chromosomes where they maintain genomic stability. Due to the end replication problem, telomeres shorten with each cell division. Critically short telomeres trigger cellular senescence, which contributes to various degenerative and age-related diseases, including chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Additionally, other factors such as oxidative stress may also contribute to accelerated telomere shortening. Indeed, telomeres are highly susceptible to oxidative damage due to their high guanine content. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of studies examining telomere length (TL) in CKDs to highlight the association between TL and the development and progression of CKDs in humans. We then focus on studies investigating TL in patients receiving kidney replacement therapy. The mechanisms of the relationship between TL and CKD are not fully understood, but a shorter TL has been associated with decreased kidney function and the progression of nephropathy. Interestingly, telomere lengthening has been observed in some patients in longitudinal studies. Hemodialysis has been shown to accelerate telomere erosion, whereas the uremic milieu is not reversed even in kidney transplantation patients. Overall, this review aims to provide insights into the biological significance of telomere attrition in the pathophysiology of kidney disease, which may contribute to the development of new strategies for the management of patients with CKDs.
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Allegra A, Cicero N, Mirabile G, Giorgianni CM, Gangemi S. Novel Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Immune Thrombocytopenia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054438. [PMID: 36901864 PMCID: PMC10003036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Lower-than-normal platelet counts are a hallmark of the acquired autoimmune illness known as immune thrombocytopenia, which can affect both adults and children. Immune thrombocytopenia patients' care has evolved significantly in recent years, but the disease's diagnosis has not, and it is still only clinically achievable with the elimination of other causes of thrombocytopenia. The lack of a valid biomarker or gold-standard diagnostic test, despite ongoing efforts to find one, adds to the high rate of disease misdiagnosis. However, in recent years, several studies have helped to elucidate a number of features of the disease's etiology, highlighting how the platelet loss is not only caused by an increase in peripheral platelet destruction but also involves a number of humoral and cellular immune system effectors. This made it possible to identify the role of immune-activating substances such cytokines and chemokines, complement, non-coding genetic material, the microbiome, and gene mutations. Furthermore, platelet and megakaryocyte immaturity indices have been emphasized as new disease markers, and prognostic signs and responses to particular types of therapy have been suggested. Our review's goal was to compile information from the literature on novel immune thrombocytopenia biomarkers, markers that will help us improve the management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mirabile
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
| | - Concetto Mario Giorgianni
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
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Kaltsas A, Moustakli E, Zikopoulos A, Georgiou I, Dimitriadis F, Symeonidis EN, Markou E, Michaelidis TM, Tien DMB, Giannakis I, Ioannidou EM, Papatsoris A, Tsounapi P, Takenaka A, Sofikitis N, Zachariou A. Impact of Advanced Paternal Age on Fertility and Risks of Genetic Disorders in Offspring. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:486. [PMID: 36833413 PMCID: PMC9957550 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The average age of fathers at first pregnancy has risen significantly over the last decade owing to various variables, including a longer life expectancy, more access to contraception, later marriage, and other factors. As has been proven in several studies, women over 35 years of age have an increased risk of infertility, pregnancy problems, spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, and postnatal issues. There are varying opinions on whether a father's age affects the quality of his sperm or his ability to father a child. First, there is no single accepted definition of old age in a father. Second, much research has reported contradictory findings in the literature, particularly concerning the most frequently examined criteria. Increasing evidence suggests that the father's age contributes to his offspring's higher vulnerability to inheritable diseases. Our comprehensive literature evaluation shows a direct correlation between paternal age and decreased sperm quality and testicular function. Genetic abnormalities, such as DNA mutations and chromosomal aneuploidies, and epigenetic modifications, such as the silencing of essential genes, have all been linked to the father's advancing years. Paternal age has been shown to affect reproductive and fertility outcomes, such as the success rate of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and premature birth rate. Several diseases, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and paediatric leukaemia, have been linked to the father's advanced years. Therefore, informing infertile couples of the alarming correlations between older fathers and a rise in their offspring's diseases is crucial, so that they can be effectively guided through their reproductive years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aris Kaltsas
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Efthalia Moustakli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics in Clinical Practice, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Athanasios Zikopoulos
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics in Clinical Practice, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Fotios Dimitriadis
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos N. Symeonidis
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Markou
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theologos M. Michaelidis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dung Mai Ba Tien
- Department of Andrology, Binh Dan Hospital, Ho chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Ioannis Giannakis
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Athanasios Papatsoris
- 2nd Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Sismanoglio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian Univesity of Athens, 15126 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Tsounapi
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takenaka
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Nikolaos Sofikitis
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Athanasios Zachariou
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Beranek M, Borsky P, Fiala Z, Andrys C, Hamakova K, Chmelarova M, Kovarikova H, Karas A, Kremlacek J, Palicka V, Borska L. Telomere length, oxidative and epigenetic changes in blood DNA of patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris. An Bras Dermatol 2023; 98:68-74. [PMID: 36319514 PMCID: PMC9837651 DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris involves changes in DNA molecules, genomic instability, telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations among them. These changes are also considered important mechanisms of aging in cells and tissues. OBJECTIVE This study dealt with oxidation damage, telomere length and methylation status in DNA originating from peripheral blood of 41 psoriatic patients and 30 healthy controls. METHODS Oxidative damage of serum DNA/RNA was determined immunochemically. Real-time PCR was used for the analysis of the telomere length. ELISA technique determined levels of 5-methylcytosine in blood cells' DNA. RESULTS Oxidative damage of serum DNA/RNA was higher in patients than in controls (median, 3758 vs. 2286pg/mL, p<0.001). A higher length of telomeres per chromosome was found in patients whole-cell DNA than in controls (3.57 vs. 3.04 kilobases, p=0.011). A negative correlation of the length of telomeres with an age of the control subjects was revealed (Spearman's rho=-0.420, p=0.028). Insignificantly different levels of 5-methylcytosine in patients and controls were observed (33.20 vs. 23.35%, p=0.234). No influences of sex, smoking, BMI, PASI score, and metabolic syndrome on the methylation status were found. STUDY LIMITATIONS i) A relatively small number of the participants, particularly for reliable subgroup analyses, ii) the Caucasian origin of the participants possibly influencing the results of the parameters determined, and iii) Telomerase activity was not directly measured in serum or blood cells. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated increased levels of oxidized DNA/RNA molecules in the serum of patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris. The results were minimally influenced by sex, the presence of metabolic syndrome, or cigarette smoking. In the psoriatic blood cells' DNA, the authors observed longer telomeres compared to healthy controls, particularly in females. Insignificantly higher global DNA methylation in psoriasis cases compared to the controls indicated marginal clinical importance of this epigenetic test performed in the blood cells' DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Beranek
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic,Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic,Corresponding author.
| | - Pavel Borsky
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Fiala
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ctirad Andrys
- Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kvetoslava Hamakova
- Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Chmelarova
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Kovarikova
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Karas
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kremlacek
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Palicka
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Borska
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Ito J, Kageyama M, Hara S, Sato T, Shirasuna K, Iwata H. Paternal aging impacts mitochondrial DNA content and telomere length in mouse embryos. Mitochondrion 2023; 68:105-113. [PMID: 36513246 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and telomere length (TL) in blastocysts derived from the same male mice at young (10-19-week-old) and aged (40-49-week-old) time points and mtDNA and TL in the hearts of offspring derived from young and aged male mice were examined. Paternal aging correlated with reduced mtDNA and TL in blastocysts. mtDNA and TL were significantly correlated, which was also observed in bovine blastocysts. Moreover, mtDNA in the heart of offspring was reduced in male mice with paternal aging. In conclusion, paternal aging affects embryonic mtDNA and TL, potentially impacting their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ito
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Mio Kageyama
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Hara
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Koumei Shirasuna
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Hisataka Iwata
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan.
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20
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Wong GCN, Chow KHM. DNA Damage Response-Associated Cell Cycle Re-Entry and Neuronal Senescence in Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:S429-S451. [PMID: 35848025 PMCID: PMC10473156 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronological aging is by far the strongest risk factor for age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Senescent cells accumulated in the aging and Alzheimer's disease brains are now recognized as the keys to describing such an association. Cellular senescence is a classic phenomenon characterized by stable cell arrest, which is thought to be applicable only to dividing cells. Emerging evidence indicates that fully differentiated post-mitotic neurons are also capable of becoming senescent, with roles in contributing to both brain aging and disease pathogenesis. The key question that arises is the identity of the upstream triggers and the molecular mechanisms that underly such changes. Here, we highlight the potential role of persistent DNA damage response as the major driver of senescent phenotypes and discuss the current evidence and molecular mechanisms that connect DNA repair infidelity, cell cycle re-entry and terminal fate decision in committing neuronal cell senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genper Chi-Ngai Wong
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kim Hei-Man Chow
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Telomere Length: Implications for Atherogenesis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:95-103. [PMID: 36689071 PMCID: PMC9947063 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01082-6] [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] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of the study is to explore the evidence linking telomere length with atherosclerotic ischemic disease. RECENT FINDINGS There has been a recent expansion in strategies for measuring telomere length, including analyzing genome sequence data and capitalizing on genomic loci that associate with telomere length. These, together with more established approaches, have been used to generate a more complete picture of telomere length relationships with ischemic disease. Whereas earlier meta-analyses suggested an association between short leukocyte telomeres and ischemic disease, several recent large population studies now provide particularly compelling data, including an association with cardiovascular mortality. In addition, whether short leukocyte telomeres might be causally related to ischemic disease has been interrogated using Mendelian randomization strategies, which point to shorter leukocyte telomeres as a determining risk factor. Importantly however, the wide, interindividual variability in telomere length still means that a single assessment of leukocyte telomere length in an individual does not reliably report on a biological aging process. In this regard, recent multi-tissue analyses of telomere length dynamics are providing both new mechanistic insights into how telomere length and shortening rates may participate in atherogenesis and risk prediction opportunities. The balance of evidence indicates that short leukocyte telomeres confer a risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Moreover, an integrated analysis of telomere lengths in leukocytes and other tissues may provide a window into individualized telomere dynamics, raising new prospects for risk management.
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Martinez D, Lavebratt C, Millischer V, de Jesus R. de Paula V, Pires T, Michelon L, Camilo C, Esteban N, Pereira A, Schalling M, Vallada H. Shorter telomere length and suicidal ideation in familial bipolar disorder. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275999. [PMID: 36469522 PMCID: PMC9721487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar Disorder (BD) has recently been related to a process of accelerated aging, with shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in this population. It has also been observed that the suicide rate in BD patients is higher than in the general population, and more recently the telomere length variation has been described as shorter in suicide completers compared with control subjects. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate if there is an association between LTL and BD in families where two or more members have BD including clinical symptomatology variables, along with suicide behavior. Methods Telomere length and single copy gene ratio (T/S ratio) was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a sample of 143 relatives from 22 families, of which 60 had BD. The statistical analysis was performed with a polygenic mixed model. Results LTL was associated with suicidal ideation (p = 0.02) as that there is an interaction between suicidal ideation and course of the disorder (p = 0.02). The estimated heritability for LTL in these families was 0.68. In addition, covariates that relate to severity of disease, i.e. suicidal ideation and course of the disorder, showed an association with shorter LTL in BD patients. No difference in LTL between BD patients and healthy relatives was observed. Conclusion LTL are shorter in subjects with familial BD suggesting that stress related sub-phenotypes possibly accelerate the process of cellular aging and correlate with disease severity and suicidal ideation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Martinez
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Laboratório de Genética e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coração, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Catharina Lavebratt
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vincent Millischer
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vanessa de Jesus R. de Paula
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Pires
- Laboratório de Genética e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coração, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leandro Michelon
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Camilo
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Nubia Esteban
- Laboratório de Genética e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coração, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Pereira
- Laboratório de Genética e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coração, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Martin Schalling
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Homero Vallada
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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23
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Sepp T, Meitern R, Heidinger B, Noreikiene K, Rattiste K, Hõrak P, Saks L, Kittilson J, Urvik J, Giraudeau M. Parental age does not influence offspring telomeres during early life in common gulls (Larus canus). Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6197-6207. [PMID: 33772917 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15905] [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: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Parental age can affect offspring telomere length through heritable and epigenetic-like effects, but at what stage during development these effects are established is not well known. To address this, we conducted a cross-fostering experiment in common gulls (Larus canus) that enabled us distinguish between pre- and post-natal parental age effects on offspring telomere length. Whole clutches were exchanged after clutch completion within and between parental age classes (young and old) and blood samples were collected from chicks at hatching and during the fastest growth phase (11 days later) to measure telomeres. Neither the ages of the natal nor the foster parents predicted the telomere length or the change in telomere lengths of their chicks. Telomere length (TL) was repeatable within chicks, but increased across development (repeatability = 0.55, intraclass correlation coefficient within sampling events 0.934). Telomere length and the change in telomere length were not predicted by post-natal growth rate. Taken together, these findings suggest that in common gulls, telomere length during early life is not influenced by parental age or growth rate, which may indicate that protective mechanisms buffer telomeres from external conditions during development in this relatively long-lived species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuul Sepp
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Richard Meitern
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Britt Heidinger
- Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Kristina Noreikiene
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kalev Rattiste
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Peeter Hõrak
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lauri Saks
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jeffrey Kittilson
- Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Janek Urvik
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- CREEC, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.,MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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24
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Sparks AM, Spurgin LG, van der Velde M, Fairfield EA, Komdeur J, Burke T, Richardson DS, Dugdale HL. Telomere heritability and parental age at conception effects in a wild avian population. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6324-6338. [PMID: 33586226 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Individual variation in telomere length is predictive of health and mortality risk across a range of species. However, the relative influence of environmental and genetic variation on individual telomere length in wild populations remains poorly understood. Heritability of telomere length has primarily been calculated using parent-offspring regression which can be confounded by shared environments. To control for confounding variables, quantitative genetic "animal models" can be used, but few studies have applied animal models in wild populations. Furthermore, parental age at conception may also influence offspring telomere length, but most studies have been cross-sectional. We investigated within- and between-parental age at conception effects and heritability of telomere length in the Seychelles warbler using measures from birds caught over 20 years and a multigenerational pedigree. We found a weak negative within-paternal age at conception effect (as fathers aged, their offspring had shorter telomeres) and a weak positive between-maternal age at conception effect (females that survived to older ages had offspring with longer telomeres). Animal models provided evidence that heritability and evolvability of telomere length were low in this population, and that variation in telomere length was not driven by early-life effects of hatch period or parental identities. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction plate had a large influence on telomere length variation and not accounting for it in the models would have underestimated heritability. Our study illustrates the need to include and account for technical variation in order to accurately estimate heritability, as well as other environmental effects, on telomere length in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Sparks
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Lewis G Spurgin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Marco van der Velde
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Komdeur
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Terry Burke
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - David S Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.,Nature Seychelles, Victoria, Mahé, Republic of Seychelles
| | - Hannah L Dugdale
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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25
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Pepke ML, Kvalnes T, Lundregan S, Boner W, Monaghan P, Saether BE, Jensen H, Ringsby TH. Genetic architecture and heritability of early-life telomere length in a wild passerine. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6360-6381. [PMID: 34825754 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Early-life telomere length (TL) is associated with fitness in a range of organisms. Little is known about the genetic basis of variation in TL in wild animal populations, but to understand the evolutionary and ecological significance of TL it is important to quantify the relative importance of genetic and environmental variation in TL. In this study, we measured TL in 2746 house sparrow nestlings sampled across 20 years and used an animal model to show that there is a small heritable component of early-life TL (h2 = 0.04). Variation in TL among individuals was mainly driven by environmental (annual) variance, but also brood and parental effects. Parent-offspring regressions showed a large maternal inheritance component in TL ( h maternal 2 = 0.44), but no paternal inheritance. We did not find evidence for a negative genetic correlation underlying the observed negative phenotypic correlation between TL and structural body size. Thus, TL may evolve independently of body size and the negative phenotypic correlation is likely to be caused by nongenetic environmental effects. We further used genome-wide association analysis to identify genomic regions associated with TL variation. We identified several putative genes underlying TL variation; these have been inferred to be involved in oxidative stress, cellular growth, skeletal development, cell differentiation and tumorigenesis in other species. Together, our results show that TL has a low heritability and is a polygenic trait strongly affected by environmental conditions in a free-living bird.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Le Pepke
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thomas Kvalnes
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sarah Lundregan
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Bernt-Erik Saether
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Henrik Jensen
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thor Harald Ringsby
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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26
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Bae J, Bertucci EM, Bock SL, Hale MD, Moore J, Wilkinson PM, Rainwater TR, Bowden JA, Koal T, PhamTuan H, Parrott BB. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors interact during development to influence telomere length in a long-lived reptile. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6114-6127. [PMID: 34101921 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms connecting environmental conditions to plasticity in biological aging trajectories are fundamental to understanding individual variation in functional traits and life history. Recent findings suggest that telomere biology is especially dynamic during early life stages and has long-term consequences for subsequent reproduction and survival. However, our current understanding is mostly derived from studies investigating ecological and anthropogenic factors separately, leaving the effects of complex environmental interactions unresolved. American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are long-lived apex predators that rely on incubation temperature during a discrete period during development and endocrine cues to determine sex, making them especially vulnerable to current climatic variability and exposure to anthropogenic contaminants interfering with hormone function. Here, we combine field studies with a factorial design to understand how the developmental environment, along with intrinsic biological variation contribute to persistent telomere variation. We found that exposure to a common endocrine disrupting contaminant, DDE, affects telomere length, but that the directionality is highly dependent upon incubation temperature. Variation in hatchling growth, underlies a strong clutch effect. We also assess concentrations of a panel of glucocorticoid hormones and find that contaminant exposure elicits an increase in circulating glucocorticoids. Consistent with emerging evidence linking stress and aging trajectories, GC levels also appear to trend with shorter telomere length. Thus, we add support for a mechanistic link between contaminants and glucocorticoid signalling, which interacts with ecological aspects of the developmental environment to alter telomere dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsoo Bae
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA.,Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Emily M Bertucci
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA.,Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Samantha L Bock
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA.,Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Matthew D Hale
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA.,Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jameel Moore
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA.,Benedict College, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | | - Thomas R Rainwater
- Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, Georgetown, SC, USA.,Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology & Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Benjamin B Parrott
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA.,Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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27
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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Telomeres. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236893. [PMID: 36498467 PMCID: PMC9740997 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236893] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology with a highly compromised prognosis and a significant mortality rate within a few years of diagnosis. Despite being idiopathic, it has been shown that telomeric shortening could play an important role in its etiopathogenesis. Mutations in telomere-related genes have been identified, but they are not always present despite telomere shortening. On the other hand, this telomeric shortening has been linked to a worse prognosis of the disease independently of other clinical factors, implying it may serve as a biomarker.
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28
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Chen X, Li R, Hou X, Wang Y, Pan M, Kang N, Yuchi Y, Liao W, Liu X, Mao Z, Huo W, Wang C, Hou J. Mediation Effect of Platelet Traits on Associations of Central Obesity with Aging Biomarkers in Rural Adults of Henan, China. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173597. [PMID: 36079858 PMCID: PMC9460072 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To assess the associations of platelet traits and obesity indices with aging biomarkers (telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN)). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 5091 rural Chinese adults. Obesity indices (waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)) and platelet traits (plateletcrit (PCT), platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW)) were collected by physical examination. The aging biomarkers were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Generalized linear regression models and mediation analysis were applied to explore the relationships between platelet traits, obesity indices, and aging biomarkers. Results: The mean age of the participants was 56 years (range: 18–79). Each one-unit increment in WC, WHR and WHtR were related to a 0.316 (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.437, −0.196), 0.323 (95% CI: −0.513, −0.134) and 0.277 (95% CI: −0.400, −0.153) decrease in relative TL; or a 0.102 (95% CI: −0.197, −0.007), 0.109 (95% CI: −0.258, −0.041) and 0.101 (95% CI: −0.199, −0.004) decrease in relative mtDNA-CN. The proportions of obesity indices with aging biomarkers mediated by platelet indices ranged from 2.85% to 10.10%. Conclusions: Increased central obesity indices in relation to shortened relative TL or decreased mtDNA-CN were mediated by platelet traits, indicating that obesity in association with the accelerated aging process may be partially attributable to abnormal platelet activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ruiying Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yuqin Wang
- Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mingming Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ning Kang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yinghao Yuchi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Wei Liao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaotian Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhenxing Mao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Wenqian Huo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Chongjian Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jian Hou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-371-67781452; Fax: +86-371-67781919
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29
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Seibt K, Ghaffari M, Scheu T, Koch C, Sauerwein H. Effects of different feeding levels during a 14-week preweaning phase in dairy heifer calves on telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number in blood. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:8509-8522. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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30
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Bae JS, Lee JW, Joung JG, Cho HW, Ju HY, Yoo KH, Koo HH, Sung KW. Clinical significance of germline telomere length and associated genetic factors in patients with neuroblastoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12954. [PMID: 35902621 PMCID: PMC9334347 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17246-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies investigating the relationship between germline telomere length and the clinical characteristics of tumors are very limited. This study evaluated the relationship between germline telomere length and the clinical characteristics of neuroblastoma. In addition, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to investigate the genetic factors associated with germline telomere length. The germline telomere length of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 186 patients with neuroblastoma was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The association between germline telomere length and clinical characteristics, including long-term survival, was investigated. For the GWAS, genotyping was performed with a high-density bead chip (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). After strict quality-control checks of the samples, an association analysis was conducted. The result showed that longer germline telomeres were significantly associated with longer event-free survival (P = 0.032). To identify significantly assocated genetic markers for germline telomere length, genome wide association analysis was performed. As a result, several single nucleotide polymorphisms located in HIVEP3, LRRTM4, ADGRV1, RAB30, and CHRNA4 genes were discovered. During gene-based analysis (VEGAS2 tool), the CNTN4 gene had the most significant association with germline telomere length (P = 1.0E−06). During gene ontology analysis, susceptible genes associated with germline telomere length were mainly distributed in neurite morphogenesis and neuron development. A longer germline telomere length is associated with favorable prognostic factors at diagnosis and eventually better event-free survival in patients with neuroblastoma. In addition, the GWAS demonstrated that genetic markers and genes related to germline telomere length are associated with neurite morphogenesis and neuron development. Further research with larger cohorts of patients and functional investigations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Seol Bae
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Won Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Gun Joung
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cha Bundang Medical Center, Cha University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Won Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Young Ju
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Republic of Korea
| | - Keon Hee Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Hoe Koo
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Woong Sung
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Republic of Korea.
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31
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Fico G, Oliva V, De Prisco M, Giménez-Palomo A, Sagué-Vilavella M, Gomes-da-Costa S, Garriga M, Solé E, Valentí M, Fanelli G, Serretti A, Fornaro M, Carvalho AF, Vieta E, Murru A. The U-shaped relationship between parental age and the risk of bipolar disorder in the offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 60:55-75. [PMID: 35635997 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Parenthood age may affect the risk for the development of different psychiatric disorders in the offspring, including bipolar disorder (BD). The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to appraise the relationship between paternal age and risk for BD and to explore the eventual relationship between paternal age and age at onset of BD. We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO online databases for original studies from inception, up to December 2021. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Sixteen studies participated in the qualitative synthesis, of which k = 14 fetched quantitative data encompassing a total of 13,424,760 participants and 217,089 individuals with BD. Both fathers [adjusted for the age of other parent and socioeconomic status odd ratio - OR = 1.29(95%C.I. = 1.13-1.48)] and mothers aged ≤ 20 years [(OR = 1.23(95%C.I. = 1.14-1.33)] had consistently increased odds of BD diagnosis in their offspring compared to parents aged 25-29 years. Fathers aged ≥ 45 years [adjusted OR = 1.29 (95%C.I. = 1.15-1.46)] and mothers aged 35-39 years [OR = 1.10(95%C.I. = 1.01-1.19)] and 40 years or older [OR = 1.2(95% C.I. = 1.02-1.40)] likewise had inflated odds of BD diagnosis in their offspring compared to parents aged 25-29 years. Early and delayed parenthood are associated with an increased risk of BD in the offspring. Mechanisms underlying this association are largely unknown and may involve a complex interplay between psychosocial, genetic and biological factors, and with different impacts according to sex and age range. Evidence on the association between parental age and illness onset is still tentative but it points towards a possible specific effect of advanced paternal age on early BD-onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Fico
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Oliva
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele De Prisco
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain; Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Giménez-Palomo
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
| | - Maria Sagué-Vilavella
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
| | - Susana Gomes-da-Costa
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
| | - Marina Garriga
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
| | - Eva Solé
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
| | - Marc Valentí
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Fanelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Fornaro
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Geelong, Vic., Australia 6 Perinatal Health Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, Deakin University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain.
| | - Andrea Murru
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel st, 12-0, Barcelona, Catalonia 08036, Spain
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32
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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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Bennett S, Girndt A, Sánchez-Tójar A, Burke T, Simons M, Schroeder J. Evidence of Paternal Effects on Telomere Length Increases in Early Life. Front Genet 2022; 13:880455. [PMID: 35656320 PMCID: PMC9152208 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.880455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Offspring of older parents in many species have decreased longevity, a faster ageing rate and lower fecundity than offspring born to younger parents. Biomarkers of ageing, such as telomeres, that tend to shorten as individuals age, may provide insight into the mechanisms of such parental age effects. Parental age may be associated with offspring telomere length either directly through inheritance of shortened telomeres or indirectly, for example, through changes in parental care in older parents affecting offspring telomere length. Across the literature there is considerable variation in estimates of the heritability of telomere length, and in the direction and extent of parental age effects on telomere length. To address this, we experimentally tested how parental age is associated with the early-life telomere dynamics of chicks at two time points in a captive population of house sparrows Passer domesticus. We experimentally separated parental age from sex effects, and removed effects of age-assortative mating, by allowing the parent birds to only mate with young, or old partners. The effect of parental age was dependent on the sex of the parent and the chicks, and was found in the father-daughter relationship only; older fathers produced daughters with longer telomere lengths post-fledging. Overall we found that chick telomere length increased between the age of 0.5 and 3 months at the population and individual level. This finding is unusual in birds with such increases more commonly associated with non-avian taxa. Our results suggest parental age effects on telomere length are sex-specific either through indirect or direct inheritance. The study of similar patterns in different species and taxa will help us further understand variation in telomere length and its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Bennett
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Antje Girndt
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alfredo Sánchez-Tójar
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Terry Burke
- School of Biosciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mirre Simons
- School of Biosciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Schroeder
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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34
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Raftopoulou C, Paltoglou G, Charmandari E. Association between Telomere Length and Pediatric Obesity: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14061244. [PMID: 35334902 PMCID: PMC8949519 DOI: 10.3390/nu14061244] [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: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Telomere length (TL) is a robust marker of biological aging, and increased telomere attrition is noted in adults with obesity. The primary objective of this systematic review was to summarize current knowledge on the effects of childhood obesity in TL. The secondary objective was to assess the effect of weight management interventions in TL. Methods: The following databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Heal-link.gr from inception to September 2021. The search was performed using the following combinations of terms: “telomer*” [All Fields] AND (“length” [All Fields] OR “lengths” [All Fields]) AND “obes*” [All Fields] AND (“child*” [All Fields] OR “adolescen*” [All Fields]). Results: A total of 16 original articles were included in this systematic review. Eleven of them were cross-sectional and five were lifestyle interventions. Conclusions: There was a tendency towards a negative association between childhood obesity and TL. Life-style interventions in children have been associated with increased TL peripherally, indicating a possible association of the redistribution of younger cells in the periphery with the favorable effect of these interventions. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes that employ other markers of cell aging would potentially elucidate this important mechanistic relation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Raftopoulou
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - George Paltoglou
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +30-213-2013-384
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35
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Guo L, Chen Y, Li H, Yin F, Ge M, Hu L, Zi M, Qin Z, He Y. Telomere length is maternally inherited and associated with lipid metabolism in Chinese population. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:354-367. [PMID: 34995210 PMCID: PMC8791204 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Telomere is a unique DNA-protein complex which covers the ends of chromosomes to avoid end fusion and maintain the stability and integrity of chromosomes. Telomere length (TL) shortening has been linked to aging and various age-related diseases in humans. Here we recruited a total of 1031 Chinese individuals aged between 12 and 111 years, including 108 families with parents and their offspring. DNA was extracted from peripheral white blood cells and TL was measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR). We explored the associations of TL with age, gender and clinical variables, and tested the parental effects on TL variation. First, we found that TL was shortened with age, however, TL was better maintained in females than males. Second, there was a robust association of TL between mother and offspring, but not between father and their offspring. In addition, TL was inversely associated with visceral fat index in females, and positively associated with apolipoprotein A levels. Knockdown of the key genes for lipid metabolism (PNPLA2 and CPT1) shortened the TL in HepG2 cells. These findings indicate that TL is maternally inherited, and impairment of lipid metabolism may contribute to the TL shortening in the Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Guo
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yajuan Chen
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Huiqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Fanqian Yin
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingxia Ge
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Hu
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
- College of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Meiting Zi
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Zhenghong Qin
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yonghan He
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
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36
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van der Spek A, Karamujić-Čomić H, Pool R, Bot M, Beekman M, Garmaeva S, Arp PP, Henkelman S, Liu J, Alves AC, Willemsen G, van Grootheest G, Aubert G, Ikram MA, Jarvelin MR, Lansdorp P, Uitterlinden AG, Zhernakova A, Slagboom PE, Penninx BWJH, Boomsma DI, Amin N, van Duijn CM. Fat metabolism is associated with telomere length in six population-based studies. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1159-1170. [PMID: 34875050 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the end of chromosomes, which are associated to biological aging, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality. Lipid and fatty acid metabolism have been associated with telomere shortening. We have conducted an in-depth study investigating the association of metabolic biomarkers with telomere length (LTL). We performed an association analysis of 226 metabolic biomarkers with LTL using data from 11 775 individuals from six independent population-based cohorts (BBMRI-NL consortium). Metabolic biomarkers include lipoprotein lipids and subclasses, fatty acids, amino acids, glycolysis measures and ketone bodies. LTL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction or FlowFISH. Linear regression analysis was performed adjusting for age, sex, lipid-lowering medication and cohort-specific covariates (model 1) and additionally for body mass index (BMI) and smoking (model 2), followed by inverse variance-weighted meta-analyses (significance threshold pmeta = 6.5x10-4). We identified four metabolic biomarkers positively associated with LTL, including two cholesterol to lipid ratios in small VLDL (S-VLDL-C % and S-VLDL-ce %) and two omega-6 fatty acid ratios (FAw6/FA and LA/FA). After additionally adjusting for BMI and smoking, these metabolic biomarkers remained associated with LTL with similar effect estimates. In addition, cholesterol esters in very small VLDL (XS-VLDL-ce) became significantly associated with LTL (p = 3.6x10-4). We replicated the association of FAw6/FA with LTL in an independent dataset of 7845 individuals (p = 1.9x10-4). To conclude, we identified multiple metabolic biomarkers involved in lipid and fatty acid metabolism that may be involved in LTL biology. Longitudinal studies are needed to exclude reversed causation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley van der Spek
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,SkylineDx B.V., Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hata Karamujić-Čomić
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René Pool
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, The Netherlands.,BBMRI-NL: Infrastructure for the Application of Metabolomics Technology in Epidemiology (RP4), The Netherlands
| | - Mariska Bot
- Department of Psychiatry and GGZ in Geest, Amsterdam Public Health research institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Beekman
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sanzhima Garmaeva
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal P Arp
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Henkelman
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexessander Couto Alves
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Gonneke Willemsen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard van Grootheest
- Department of Psychiatry and GGZ in Geest, Amsterdam Public Health research institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Geraldine Aubert
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, V5Z 1L3 British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Center for Life Course Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Unit of Primary Care, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Peter Lansdorp
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, V5Z 1L3 British Columbia, Canada.,Departments of Medical Genetics and Hematology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4 British Columbia, Canada
| | - André G Uitterlinden
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandra Zhernakova
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - P Eline Slagboom
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry and GGZ in Geest, Amsterdam Public Health research institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, The Netherlands.,BBMRI-NL: Infrastructure for the Application of Metabolomics Technology in Epidemiology (RP4), The Netherlands
| | - Najaf Amin
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Cornelia M van Duijn
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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37
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Gialluisi A, Santoro A, Tirozzi A, Cerletti C, Donati MB, de Gaetano G, Franceschi C, Iacoviello L. Epidemiological and genetic overlap among biological aging clocks: New challenges in biogerontology. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 72:101502. [PMID: 34700008 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Estimators of biological age (BA) - defined as the hypothetical underlying age of an organism - have attracted more and more attention in the last years, especially after the advent of new algorithms based on machine learning and genetic markers. While different aging clocks reportedly predict mortality in the general population, very little is known on their overlap. Here we review the evidence reported so far to support the existence of a partial overlap among different BA acceleration estimators, both from an epidemiological and a genetic perspective. On the epidemiological side, we review evidence supporting shared and independent influence on mortality risk of different aging clocks - including telomere length, brain, blood and epigenetic aging - and provide an overview of how an important exposure like diet may affect the different aging systems. On the genetic side, we apply linkage disequilibrium score regression analyses to support the existence of partly shared genomic overlap among these aging clocks. Through multivariate analysis of published genetic associations with these clocks, we also identified the most associated variants, genes, and pathways, which may affect common mechanisms underlying biological aging of different systems within the body. Based on our analyses, the most implicated pathways were involved in inflammation, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting them as potential molecular targets for future anti-aging interventions. Overall, this review is meant as a contribution to the knowledge on the overlap of aging clocks, trying to clarify their shared biological basis and epidemiological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurelia Santoro
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate), University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Alfonsina Tirozzi
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Chiara Cerletti
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudio Franceschi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Laboratory of Systems Medicine of Healthy Aging and Department of Applied Mathematics, Lobachevsky University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Licia Iacoviello
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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38
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Thorin E, Thorin-Trescases N. The quest for a biomarker of premature biological aging. Can J Cardiol 2021; 38:303-305. [PMID: 34861379 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Thorin
- Université de Montréal, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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39
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Zeid D, Mooney-Leber S, Seemiller LR, Goldberg LR, Gould TJ. Terc Gene Cluster Variants Predict Liver Telomere Length in Mice. Cells 2021; 10:2623. [PMID: 34685603 PMCID: PMC8533930 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Variants in a gene cluster upstream-adjacent to TERC on human chromosome 3, which includes genes APRM, LRRC31, LRRC34 and MYNN, have been associated with telomere length in several human populations. Currently, the mechanism by which variants in the TERC gene cluster influence telomere length in humans is unknown. Given the proximity between the TERC gene cluster and TERC (~0.05 Mb) in humans, it is speculated that cluster variants are in linkage disequilibrium with a TERC causal variant. In mice, the Terc gene/Terc gene cluster are also located on chromosome 3; however, the Terc gene cluster is located distantly downstream of Terc (~60 Mb). Here, we initially aim to investigate the interactions between genotype and nicotine exposure on absolute liver telomere length (aTL) in a panel of eight inbred mouse strains. Although we found no significant impact of nicotine on liver aTL, this first experiment identified candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the murine Terc gene cluster (within genes Lrrc31, Lrriq4 and Mynn) co-varying with aTL in our panel. In a second experiment, we tested the association of these Terc gene cluster variants with liver aTL in an independent panel of eight inbred mice selected based on candidate SNP genotype. This supported our initial finding that Terc gene cluster polymorphisms impact aTL in mice, consistent with data in human populations. This provides support for mice as a model for telomere dynamics, especially for studying mechanisms underlying the association between Terc cluster variants and telomere length. Finally, these data suggest that mechanisms independent of linkage disequilibrium between the Terc/TERC gene cluster and the Terc/TERC gene mediate the cluster's regulation of telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Zeid
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (L.R.S.); (L.R.G.); (T.J.G.)
| | - Sean Mooney-Leber
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481, USA;
| | - Laurel R. Seemiller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (L.R.S.); (L.R.G.); (T.J.G.)
| | - Lisa R. Goldberg
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (L.R.S.); (L.R.G.); (T.J.G.)
| | - Thomas J. Gould
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (L.R.S.); (L.R.G.); (T.J.G.)
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40
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Kemp BR, Ferraro KF. Are Biological Consequences of Childhood Exposures Detectable in Telomere Length Decades Later? J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 76:7-14. [PMID: 31956916 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Negative early-life exposures have been linked to a host of poor adult health outcomes, but are such early exposures associated with cellular senescence decades later? This study uses data from the Health and Retirement Study to examine the association between six childhood exposure domains (eg, socioeconomic disadvantage, risky parental behavior) and a biomarker of aging, telomere length, among 4,935 respondents. Telomere length is obtained from DNA of cells found in saliva and is measured as the telomere repeat copy number to single gene copy number ratio (T/S). Men who as children were exposed to risky parental behaviors or who reported risky adolescent behaviors have shorter telomeres (b = -0.031, p = .052; b = -0.041, p = .045, respectively); however, these relationships are attenuated after adjusting for adult risks and resources. Among women, parental substance abuse is associated with shorter telomeres even after adjusting for adult risks and resources (b = -0.041, p = .005). In addition, men and women whose mother lived at least until the age of 85 have longer telomeres than those without a long-lived mother (b = 0.021, p = .045; b = 0.032, p = .005, respectively). Taken together, the ways in which early-life exposures are associated with adult telomeres vary for men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth F Ferraro
- Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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41
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Telomeres: New players in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases? J Autoimmun 2021; 123:102699. [PMID: 34265700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of linear chromosomes that preserve the integrity and stability of the genome. Telomere dysfunctions due to short telomeres or altered telomere structures can ultimately lead to replicative cellular senescence and chromosomal instability, both mechanisms being hallmarks of ageing. Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and finally telomere length (TL) dynamics have been shown to be involved in various age-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), including affections such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and uveitis belong to this group of age-related NCDs. Although in recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of studies in the literature linking these IMIDs to TL dynamics, the causality between these diseases and telomere attrition is still unclear and controversial. In this review, we provide an overview of available studies on telomere dynamics and discuss the utility of TL measurements in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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42
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Eick SM, Goin DE, Cushing L, DeMicco E, Park JS, Wang Y, Smith S, Padula AM, Woodruff TJ, Morello-Frosch R. Mixture effects of prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and polybrominated diphenyl ethers on maternal and newborn telomere length. Environ Health 2021; 20:76. [PMID: 34193151 PMCID: PMC8247076 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00765-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are endocrine disrupting chemicals with widespread exposures across the U.S. given their abundance in consumer products. PFAS and PBDEs are associated with reproductive toxicity and adverse health outcomes, including certain cancers. PFAS and PBDEs may affect health through alternations in telomere length. In this study, we examined joint associations between prenatal exposure to PFAS, PBDEs, and maternal and newborn telomere length using mixture analyses, to characterize effects of cumulative environmental chemical exposures. METHODS Study participants were enrolled in the Chemicals in Our Bodies (CIOB) study, a demographically diverse cohort of pregnant people and children in San Francisco, CA. Seven PFAS (ng/mL) and four PBDEs (ng/g lipid) were measured in second trimester maternal serum samples. Telomere length (T/S ratio) was measured in delivery cord blood of 292 newborns and 110 second trimester maternal whole blood samples. Quantile g-computation was used to assess the joint associations between groups of PFAS and PBDEs and newborn and maternal telomere length. Groups considered were: (1) all PFAS and PBDEs combined, (2) PFAS, and (3) PBDEs. Maternal and newborn telomere length were modeled as separate outcomes. RESULTS T/S ratios in newborn cord and maternal whole blood were moderately correlated (Spearman ρ = 0.31). In mixtures analyses, a simultaneous one quartile increase in all PFAS and PBDEs was associated with a small increase in newborn (mean change per quartile increase = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.03, 0.08) and maternal telomere length (mean change per quartile increase = 0.03 (95% CI = -0.03, 0.09). When restricted to maternal-fetal paired samples (N = 76), increasing all PFAS and PBDEs combined was associated with a strong, positive increase in newborn telomere length (mean change per quartile increase = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.28). These associations were primarily driven by PFAS (mean change per quartile increase = 0.11 [95% CI = 0.01, 0.22]). No associations were observed with maternal telomere length among paired samples. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that PFAS and PBDEs may be positively associated with newborn telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Eick
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Dana E. Goin
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Lara Cushing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Erin DeMicco
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - June-Soo Park
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, USA
| | - Yunzhu Wang
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, USA
| | - Sabrina Smith
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, USA
| | - Amy M. Padula
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA
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Choi JY, Abdulkina LR, Yin J, Chastukhina IB, Lovell JT, Agabekian IA, Young PG, Razzaque S, Shippen DE, Juenger TE, Shakirov EV, Purugganan MD. Natural variation in plant telomere length is associated with flowering time. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1118-1134. [PMID: 33580702 PMCID: PMC8599780 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are highly repetitive DNA sequences found at the ends of chromosomes that protect the chromosomes from deterioration duringcell division. Here, using whole-genome re-sequencing and terminal restriction fragment assays, we found substantial natural intraspecific variation in telomere length in Arabidopsis thaliana, rice (Oryza sativa), and maize (Zea mays). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) mapping in A. thaliana identified 13 regions with GWAS-significant associations underlying telomere length variation, including a region that harbors the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene. Population genomic analysis provided evidence for a selective sweep at the TERT region associated with longer telomeres. We found that telomere length is negatively correlated with flowering time variation not only in A. thaliana, but also in maize and rice, indicating a link between life-history traits and chromosome integrity. Our results point to several possible reasons for this correlation, including the possibility that longer telomeres may be more adaptive in plants that have faster developmental rates (and therefore flower earlier). Our work suggests that chromosomal structure itself might be an adaptive trait associated with plant life-history strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Young Choi
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York 10003, NY, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.Y.C), (E.V.S.) or (M.D.P.)
| | - Liliia R Abdulkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Inna B Chastukhina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
| | - John T Lovell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
- Genome Sequencing Center, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - Inna A Agabekian
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
| | - Pierce G Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2128, USA
| | - Samsad Razzaque
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Dorothy E Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2128, USA
| | - Thomas E Juenger
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Eugene V Shakirov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Republic of Tatarstan 420008, Russia
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, West Virginia 25701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, West Virginia 25755, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.Y.C), (E.V.S.) or (M.D.P.)
| | - Michael D Purugganan
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York 10003, NY, USA
- Author for correspondence: (J.Y.C), (E.V.S.) or (M.D.P.)
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Heidinger BJ, Kucera AC, Kittilson JD, Westneat DF. Longer telomeres during early life predict higher lifetime reproductive success in females but not males. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210560. [PMID: 34034512 PMCID: PMC8150037 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms that contribute to variation in lifetime reproductive success are not well understood. One possibility is that telomeres, conserved DNA sequences at chromosome ends that often shorten with age and stress exposures, may reflect differences in vital processes or influence fitness. Telomere length often predicts longevity, but longevity is only one component of fitness and little is known about how lifetime reproductive success is related to telomere dynamics in wild populations. We examined the relationships between telomere length beginning in early life, telomere loss into adulthood and lifetime reproductive success in free-living house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We found that females, but not males, with longer telomeres during early life had higher lifetime reproductive success, owing to associations with longevity and not reproduction per year or attempt. Telomeres decreased with age in both sexes, but telomere loss was not associated with lifetime reproductive success. In this species, telomeres may reflect differences in quality or condition rather than the pace of life, but only in females. Sexually discordant selection on telomeres is expected to influence the stability and maintenance of within population variation in telomere dynamics and suggests that any role telomeres play in mediating life-history trade-offs may be sex specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt J. Heidinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Aurelia C. Kucera
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Jeff D. Kittilson
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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45
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Ingles ED, Deakin JE. Telomeres, species differences, and unusual telomeres in vertebrates: presenting challenges and opportunities to understanding telomere dynamics. AIMS GENETICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3934/genet.2016.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThere has been increasing interest in the use of telomeres as biomarkers of stress, cellular ageing and life-histories. However, the telomere landscape is a diverse feature, with noticeable differences between species, a fact which is highlighted by the unusual telomeres of various vertebrate organisms. We broadly review differences in telomere dynamics among vertebrates, and emphasize the need to understand more about telomere processes and trends across species. As part of these species differences, we review unusual telomeres in vertebrates. This includes mega-telomeres, which are present across a diverse set of organisms, but also focusing on the unusual telomeres traits of marsupials and monotremes, which have seen little to no prior discussion, yet uniquely stand out from other unusual telomere features discovered thus far. Due to the presence of at least two unique telomere features in the marsupial family Dasyuridae, as well as to the presence of physiological strategies semelparity and torpor, which have implications for telomere life-histories in these species, we suggest that this family has a very large potential to uncover novel information on telomere evolution and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emory D. Ingles
- Institute of Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Janine E. Deakin
- Institute of Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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46
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Gorenjak V, Petrelis AM, Stathopoulou MG, Visvikis-Siest S. Telomere length determinants in childhood. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 58:162-177. [PMID: 31465289 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2019-0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) is a dynamic marker that reflects genetic predispositions together with the environmental conditions of an individual. It is closely related to longevity and a number of pathological conditions. Even though the extent of telomere research in children is limited compared to that of adults, there have been a substantial number of studies providing first insights into child telomere biology and determinants. Recent discoveries revealed evidence that TL is, to a great extent, determined already in childhood and that environmental conditions in adulthood have less impact than first believed. Studies have demonstrated that large inter-individual differences in TL are present among newborns and are determined by diverse factors that influence intrauterine development. The first years of child growth are associated with high cellular turnover, which results in fast shortening of telomeres. The rate of telomere loss becomes stable in early adulthood. In this review article we summarise the existing knowledge on telomere dynamics during the first years of childhood, highlighting the conditions that affect newborn TL. We also warn about the knowledge gaps that should be filled to fully understand the regulation of telomeres, in order to implement them as biomarkers for use in diagnostics or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sophie Visvikis-Siest
- University of Lorraine, Inserm, IGE-PCV, Nancy, France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, CHU Technopôle Nancy-Brabois, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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47
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Jakimovski D, Eckert SP, Zivadinov R, Weinstock-Guttman B. Considering patient age when treating multiple sclerosis across the adult lifespan. Expert Rev Neurother 2021; 21:353-364. [PMID: 33595379 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1886082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The successful development of anti-inflammatory disease-modifying treatments (DMT) significantly improved disease outcomes and longevity of persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, the shift toward an elderly MS population has resulted with new concerns regarding DMT efficacy and safety.Areas covered: This review summarizes the evidence of an age-based decrease in the efficacy of MS DMTs and increase in pharmacovigilance concerns. The age effects on pathophysiological MS processes, immunosenescence and its relevance to DMT selection or discontinuation are also reviewed. Lastly, the authors discuss the influence of age-associated comorbidities on DMT initiation and drug-induced events.Expert opinion: There is an age discrepancy between pwMS included in regulatory drug trials and an aging real-world MS population. Most trials demonstrate significantly diminished anti-inflammatory efficacy in patients older than 40 years old. Older age is associated with a greater risk for adverse events including serious infections. Age-associated comorbidities influence the risk-benefit analysis and sometimes cause patients to discontinue DMTs. Instead of chronological age cutoffs, therefore, studies should aim at promoting biologically-based age biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Jakimovski
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Svetlana P Eckert
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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48
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Pitkänen N, Pahkala K, Rovio SP, Saijonmaa OJ, Nyman AE, Jula A, Lagström H, Viikari JSA, Rönnemaa T, Niinikoski H, Simell O, Fyhrquist F, Raitakari OT. Effects of Randomized Controlled Infancy-Onset Dietary Intervention on Leukocyte Telomere Length-The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP). Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13020318. [PMID: 33499376 PMCID: PMC7911579 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced telomere length (TL) is a biological marker of aging. A high inter-individual variation in TL exists already in childhood, which is partly explained by genetics, but also by lifestyle factors. We examined the influence of a 20-year dietary/lifestyle intervention on TL attrition from childhood to early adulthood. The study comprised participants of the longitudinal randomized Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) conducted between 1990 and 2011. Healthy 7-month-old children were randomized to the intervention group (n = 540) receiving dietary counseling mainly focused on dietary fat quality and to the control group (n = 522). Leukocyte TL was measured using the Southern blot method from whole blood samples collected twice: at a mean age of 7.5 and 19.8 years (n = 232; intervention n = 108, control n = 124). Yearly TL attrition rate was calculated. The participants of the intervention group had slower yearly TL attrition rate compared to the controls (intervention: mean = −7.5 bp/year, SD = 24.4 vs. control: mean = −15.0 bp/year, SD = 30.3; age, sex and baseline TL adjusted β = 0.007, SE = 0.004, p = 0.040). The result became stronger after additional adjustments for dietary fat quality and fiber intake, serum lipid and insulin concentrations, systolic blood pressure, physical activity and smoking (β = 0.013, SE = 0.005, p = 0.009). A long-term intervention focused mainly on dietary fat quality may affect the yearly TL attrition rate in healthy children/adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niina Pitkänen
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (N.P.); (S.P.R.); (O.S.); (O.T.R.)
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; (H.L.); (H.N.)
- Auria Biobank, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Katja Pahkala
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (N.P.); (S.P.R.); (O.S.); (O.T.R.)
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; (H.L.); (H.N.)
- Paavo Nurmi Centre, Sports & Exercise Medicine Unit, Department of Physical Activity and Health, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-40-578-6122
| | - Suvi P. Rovio
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (N.P.); (S.P.R.); (O.S.); (O.T.R.)
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; (H.L.); (H.N.)
| | - Outi J. Saijonmaa
- Minerva Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (O.J.S.); (A.E.N.); (F.F.)
| | - Anna E. Nyman
- Minerva Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (O.J.S.); (A.E.N.); (F.F.)
| | - Antti Jula
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Institute for Health and Welfare, 20750 Turku, Finland;
| | - Hanna Lagström
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; (H.L.); (H.N.)
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma S. A. Viikari
- Department of Medicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (J.S.A.V.); (T.R.)
- Division of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Tapani Rönnemaa
- Department of Medicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (J.S.A.V.); (T.R.)
- Division of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Harri Niinikoski
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; (H.L.); (H.N.)
- Department of Physiology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Olli Simell
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (N.P.); (S.P.R.); (O.S.); (O.T.R.)
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; (H.L.); (H.N.)
| | - Frej Fyhrquist
- Minerva Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (O.J.S.); (A.E.N.); (F.F.)
| | - Olli T. Raitakari
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (N.P.); (S.P.R.); (O.S.); (O.T.R.)
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; (H.L.); (H.N.)
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
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49
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Dynamics of leukocyte telomere length in adults aged 50 and older: a longitudinal population-based cohort study. GeroScience 2021; 43:645-654. [PMID: 33469834 PMCID: PMC8110630 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established from previous cross-sectional studies that telomeres shorten with age. However, due to a considerable inter-individual variation in telomere length (TL), its relationship with biological aging is difficult to unpick. Longitudinal repeated assessments of TL changes within individuals should augment our understanding of TL dynamics in aging. This study disentangles within- and inter-individual effects of age on leukocyte telomere length (LTL) dynamics in a large population-based cohort of older adults. A total of 4053 subjects aged 50 and older from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) in Shanghai were studied. Relative LTL (T/S ratio) was measured at baseline (2009-2010) and follow-up (2017-2018) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We used linear random slope models to analyze LTL dynamics in relation to age and sex and within-subject centering method to distinguish within- versus between-subject effects. We observed LTL shortening in 66.32%, maintenance in 11.23%, and elongation in 22.45% of the study participants. LTL declined significantly with age both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. More importantly, the longitudinal decline in LTL was much greater than the cross-sectional decline (- 0.017 (p < 0.001) versus - 0.002 (p < 0.001) per year). Furthermore, women had a lower within-subject LTL shortening rate than men (- 0.014 versus - 0.020 per year, p < 0.001). The within-individual longitudinal decline in LTL was much greater than the inter-individual cross-sectional decline, indicating that chronological age might impose a greater impact on LTL shortening than other influencing factors combined. Moreover, women showed a lower within-individual LTL shortening rate than men.
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50
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Kalungi A, Kinyanda E, Womersley JS, Joloba ML, Ssembajjwe W, Nsubuga RN, Kaleebu P, Levin J, Kidd M, Seedat S, Hemmings SMJ. TERT rs2736100 and TERC rs16847897 genotypes moderate the association between internalizing mental disorders and accelerated telomere length attrition among HIV+ children and adolescents in Uganda. BMC Med Genomics 2021; 14:15. [PMID: 33407441 PMCID: PMC7789327 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-00857-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internalizing mental disorders (IMDs) (depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) have been associated with accelerated telomere length (TL) attrition; however, this association has not been investigated in the context of genetic variation that has been found to influence TL. We have previously reported an association between IMDs and accelerated TL attrition among Ugandan HIV+ children and adolescents. This study investigated the moderating effects of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT) (rs2736100, rs7726159, rs10069690 and rs2853669) and the telomerase RNA component gene (TERC) (rs12696304, rs16847897 and rs10936599) on the association between IMDs and TL, among Ugandan HIV+ children (aged 5-11 years) and adolescents (aged 12-17 years). RESULTS We found no significant interaction between IMDs as a group and any of the selected SNPs on TL at baseline. We observed significant interactions of IMDs with TERT rs2736100 (p = 0.007) and TERC rs16847897 (p = 0.012), respectively, on TL at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS TERT rs2736100 and TERC rs16847897 moderate the association between IMDs and TL among Ugandan HIV+ children and adolescents at 12 months. Understanding the nature of this association may shed light on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying advanced cellular aging in IMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Kalungi
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Mental Health Section, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Eugene Kinyanda
- Mental Health Section, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jacqueline S Womersley
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Moses L Joloba
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wilber Ssembajjwe
- Mental Health Section, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Statistics and Data Science Section, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Rebecca N Nsubuga
- Statistics and Data Science Section, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Jonathan Levin
- School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Martin Kidd
- Centre for Statistical Consultation, Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sian M J Hemmings
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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