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Cuyvers B, Ein-Dor T, Houbrechts M, Freson K, Goossens L, Van Den Noortgate W, van Leeuwen K, Bijttebier P, Claes S, Turner J, Chubar V, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Bosmans G. Exploring the role of OXTR gene methylation in attachment development: A longitudinal study. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22496. [PMID: 38689124 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The current study explored longitudinally whether oxytocin receptor gene methylation (OXTRm) changes moderated the association between parental sensitivity changes and children's attachment changes over three waves. Six hundred six Flemish children (10-12 years, 42.8%-44.8% boys) completed attachment measures and provided salivary OXTRm data on seven CpG sites. Their parents reported their sensitive parenting. Results suggest that OXTRm changes hardly link to attachment (in)security changes after the age of 10. Some support was found for interaction effects between parental sensitivity changes and OXTRm changes on attachment changes over time. Effects suggest that for children with increased OXTRm in the promotor region and decreased methylation in the inhibitor region over time, increased parental sensitivity was associated with increased secure attachment and decreased insecure attachment over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bien Cuyvers
- Clinical Psychology, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tsachi Ein-Dor
- Social Sciences, School of Psychology, Reichman University Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel
| | | | - Kathleen Freson
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Goossens
- School Psychology and Development in Context, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Karla van Leeuwen
- Family and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patricia Bijttebier
- School Psychology and Development in Context, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan Claes
- Research Group Psychiatry, UZ Leuven-KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Turner
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Viktoria Chubar
- Research Group Psychiatry, UZ Leuven-KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg
- William James Center for Research, ISPA University Institute of sychological, Social and Life Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Attachment Research, the New School for Social Research, New York, USA
| | - Guy Bosmans
- Clinical Psychology, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
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Pan X, Tan X, McDonald J, Kaminga AC, Chen Y, Dai F, Qiu J, Zhao K, Peng Y. Chemokines in diabetic eye disease. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2024; 16:115. [PMID: 38790059 PMCID: PMC11127334 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-024-01297-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic eye disease is a common micro-vascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of decreased vision and blindness in people of working age worldwide.Although previous studies have shown that chemokines system may be a player in pathogenesis of diabetic eye disease, it is unclear which chemokines play the most important role.To date, there is no meta-analysis which has investigated the role of chemokines in diabetic eye disease.We hope this study will contribute to a better understanding of both the signaling pathways of the chemokines in the pathophysiological process, and more reliable therapeutic targets for diabetic eye disease. METHODS Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library systematically searched for relevant studies from inception to Sep 1, 2023. A random-effect model was used and standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to summarize the associated measure between chemokines concentrations and diabetic eye disease. Network meta-analysis to rank chemokines-effect values according to ranked probabilities. RESULTS A total of 33 different chemokines involving 11,465 subjects (6559 cases and 4906 controls) were included in the meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analysis showed that concentrations of CC and CXC chemokines in the diabetic eye disease patients were significantly higher than those in the controls. Moreover, network meta-analysis showed that the effect of CCL8, CCL2, CXCL8 and CXCL10 were ranked highest in terms of probabilities. Concentrations of CCL8, CCL2, CXCL8 and CXCL10 may be associated with diabetic eye disease, especially in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that CCL2 and CXCL8 may play key roles in pathogenesis of diabetic eye disease. Future research should explore putative mechanisms underlying these links, with the commitment to develop novel prophylactic and therapeutic for diabetic eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongfeng Pan
- Pediatrics Research Institute of Hunan Province, Hunan Children's Hospital, 86 Ziyuan Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China, 410007.
- The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Xinrui Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Judy McDonald
- McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Yuyao Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Feizhao Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Qiu
- Pediatrics Research Institute of Hunan Province, Hunan Children's Hospital, 86 Ziyuan Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China, 410007
| | - Kunyan Zhao
- School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yunlong Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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3
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Ivan S, Daniela O, Jaroslava BD. Sex differences matter: Males and females are equal but not the same. Physiol Behav 2023; 259:114038. [PMID: 36423797 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.114038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences between males and females can be detected early in life. They are present also later even to a much greater extent affecting our life in adulthood and a wide spectrum of physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics. Moreover, sex differences matter also in individual's health and disease. In this article, we reviewed at first the sex differences in brain organization and function with respect to the underlying biological mechanisms. Since the individual functional differences in the brain, in turn, shape the behavior, sex-specific psychological/behavioral differences that can be observed in infants but also adults are consequently addressed. Finally, we briefly mention sex-dependent variations in susceptibility to selected disorders as well as their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and response to therapy. The understanding of biologically determined variability between males and females can have important implications, especially in gender-specific health care. We have the impression that it is very important to emphasize that sex matters. Males and females are differently programmed by nature, and it must be respected. Even though we as males and females are not the same, we would like to emphasize that we are still equal and together form a worthy colorful continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szadvári Ivan
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ostatníková Daniela
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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4
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Biskup E, Marra AM, Ambrosino I, Barbagelata E, Basili S, de Graaf J, Gonzalvez-Gasch A, Kaaja R, Karlafti E, Lotan D, Kautzky-Willer A, Perticone M, Politi C, Schenck-Gustafsson K, Vilas-Boas A, Roeters van Lennep J, Gans EA, Regitz-Zagrosek V, Pilote L, Proietti M, Raparelli V. Awareness of sex and gender dimensions among physicians: the European federation of internal medicine assessment of gender differences in Europe (EFIM-IMAGINE) survey. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:1395-1404. [PMID: 35604515 PMCID: PMC9352607 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-02951-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sociocultural gender is a complex construct encompassing different aspects of individuals' life, whereas sex refers to biological factors. These terms are often misused, although they impact differently on individuals' health. Recognizing the role of sex and gender on health status is fundamental in the pursuit of a personalized medicine. Aim of the current study was to investigate the awareness in approaching clinical and research questions on the impact of sex and gender on health among European internists. Clinicians affiliated with the European Federation of Internal Medicine from 33 countries participated to the study on a voluntary basis between January 1st, 2018 and July 31st, 2019. Internists' awareness and knowledge on sex and gender issues in clinical medicine were measured by an online anonymized 7-item survey. A total of 1323 European internists responded to the survey of which 57% were women, mostly young or middle-aged (78%), and practicing in public general medicine services (74.5%). The majority (79%) recognized that sex and gender are not interchangeable terms, though a wide discrepancy exists on what clinicians think sex and gender concepts incorporate. Biological sex and sociocultural gender were recognized as determinants of health mainly in cardiovascular and autoimmune/rheumatic diseases. Up to 80% of respondents acknowledged the low participation of female individuals in trials and more than 60% the lack of sex-specific clinical guidelines. Internists also express the willingness of getting more knowledge on the impact of sex and gender in cerebrovascular/cognitive and inflammatory bowel diseases. Biological sex and sociocultural gender are factors influencing health and disease. Although awareness and knowledge remain suboptimal across European internists, most acknowledge the underrepresentation of female subjects in trials, the lack of sex-specific guidelines and the need of being more informed on sex and gender-based differences in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Biskup
- Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto M Marra
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- Center for Pulmonary Hypertension, Thoraxklinic, University Hospital Heidelberg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Elena Barbagelata
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lavagna Hospital ASL 4 Chiavarese, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefania Basili
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Jacqueline de Graaf
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Radboud Health Academy - division of PGME, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Risto Kaaja
- Internal Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Eleni Karlafti
- 1st Propedeutic Clinic of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dor Lotan
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Alexandra Kautzky-Willer
- Gender Medicine Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal MedicineIII, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Gender Institute, Gars am Kamp, Austria
| | - Maria Perticone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cecilia Politi
- Internal Medicine, "F. Veneziale" Hospital, Isernia, Italy
| | - Karin Schenck-Gustafsson
- Centre for Gender Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreia Vilas-Boas
- Internal Medicine, Hospital da Luz Arrábida, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | | | - Emma A Gans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Vera Regitz-Zagrosek
- Charité, University Medicine Berlin, DZHK, Berlin, Germany
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Louise Pilote
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and General Internal Medicine, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marco Proietti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Geriatric Unit, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan, Italy
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Valeria Raparelli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via dei Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- University Center for Studies On Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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Kesavadev J, Abraham G, Chandni R, Chawla P, Nambiar A, Deshpande N, Joshi S, Jothydev S, Krishnan G, Das AK. Type 2 Diabetes in Women: Differences and Difficulties. Curr Diabetes Rev 2022; 18:e081221198651. [PMID: 34879808 DOI: 10.2174/1573399818666211208110759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lifestyle modification, along with medication, has improved the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the treatment of diabetes in women still lacks a gender-centric approach. METHODS Expert opinions to improve diabetes management in women were collated from the open discussion forum organized by the sixth Jothydev's Professional Education Forum Diabetes Convention, which included global diabetes care experts and the general public. The review is also based on the studies published in electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar that discussed the problems and challenges faced by the Indian diabetes care sector in treating women with diabetes. RESULTS The complex interplay of biological, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and physiological factors in women with type 2 diabetes has not been well addressed to date. Biological factors such as neurohumoral pathways, sex hormones, genetic predisposition as well as gender-based environmental and behavioural differences must be considered for modern personalized diabetes treatment. Most importantly, pregnant women with diabetes deserve special attention. This vulnerable phase has a marked impact on the future health of both the mother and the offspring. CONCLUSION The review provides an overview of the challenges and issues that exist in the clinical management of diabetes and its complications among women in India. Women-centric clinical approaches should be encouraged for the effective management of diabetes in Indian women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jothydev Kesavadev
- Department of Diabetology, Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Georgi Abraham
- Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Chandni
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
| | - Purvi Chawla
- Lina Diabetes Care & Mumbai Diabetes Research Centre, Bhartia Arogya Nidhi Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anita Nambiar
- Gopal Clinic & Diabetic Care Centre, Tripunithura, Kerala, India
| | - Neeta Deshpande
- Belgaum Diabetes Centre, Children's Diabetes Centre and Weight Watch Centre, Belgaum, India
- Department of Medicine, MM Dental College, Belgaum, India
- 8USM-KLE International Medical Program, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
| | - Shilpa Joshi
- 8USM-KLE International Medical Program, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
| | - Sunitha Jothydev
- Department of Diabetology, Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Gopika Krishnan
- Department of Diabetology, Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Das
- Mumbai Diet and Health Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India
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6
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Li M, Qiao R, Zhong R, Wei Y, Wang J, Zhang Z, Wang L, Xu T, Wang Y, Dai L, Gu W, Han B, Yang R. FYB methylation in peripheral blood as a potential marker for the early-stage lung cancer: a case-control study in Chinese population. Biomarkers 2021; 27:79-85. [PMID: 34882057 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.2016970] [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: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in China. Exploring novel biomarkers for the early detection of LC is important. MATERIALS AND METHODS We quantified DNA methylation levels of three CpG sites of FYB gene in peripheral blood in 163 early-stage LC cases (88.3% at stage I) and 187 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Covariates-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for -10% methylation were calculated by binary logistic regression. RESULTS With multiple testing corrections, hypomethylation of FYB_CpG_4 was significantly associated with LC (OR = 2.04, p = 4.50E-04) even with LC at stage I (OR = 1.41, p = 0.003) without obvious bias between genders, but it mainly affected the subjects older than 55 years (OR = 2.04, p = 0.015). Hypomethylation of FYB_CpG_2 was also associated with LC, but only for the males (OR = 1.76, p = 0.018). FYB_CpG_3 methylation had no association with LC, but interestingly its methylation level in the males was only half of that in the females. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS We proposed a novel association between blood-based abnormal FYB methylation and very early-stage LC. The age- and gender-related DNA methylation patterns also revealed the diversity and precision of epigenetic regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxia Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Qiao
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Runbo Zhong
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujie Wei
- Nanjing TANTICA Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Nanjing TANTICA Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Nanjing TANTICA Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Nanjing TANTICA Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Tian Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Dai
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wanjian Gu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Baohui Han
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongxi Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Nanjing TANTICA Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Nanjing, China
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7
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Levy S, Guttmann-Beck N, Shweiki D. Clustering Alzheimer's Disease Gene Expression Dataset Reveals Underlying Sexually Dimorphic and Disease Status Profiles. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:541-547. [PMID: 34514337 PMCID: PMC8385427 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210014] [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] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The multiple appearance phenotypes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are manifested in epidemiologic sexual dimorphism, variation in age of onset, progress, and severity of the disease. Objective In this study, we focused on sexual dimorphism, aiming to untie some of the complex interconnections in AD between sex, disease status, and gene expression profiles. Two strategic decisions guided our study: 1) to value transcriptomic multi-layered profiles over alterations in single genes expression; and 2) to embrace a sexual dimorphism centered approach, as we suspect that transcriptomic profiles may dramatically differ not only between healthy and sick individuals but between men and women as well. Methods Microarray dataset GSE15222, fulfilling our strict criteria, was retrieved from the GEO repository. We performed cluster analysis for each sex separately, comparing the proportion of healthy and AD individuals in each cluster. Results We were able to identify a biased, female, AD-typified cluster. Furthermore, we showed that this female AD-typified cluster is highly similar to one of the male clusters. While the female cluster constitutes mostly sick individuals, the male cluster constitutes healthy and sick individuals in almost identical proportion. Conclusion Our results clearly indicate that similar transcriptomic profiles in the two sexes are "physiologically translated" in to a very different, dramatic outcome. Thus, our results suggest the need for a sex-based and transcriptomic profile-based study, for a better understanding of the onset and progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigal Levy
- Statistics Education Unit, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nili Guttmann-Beck
- Statistics Education Unit, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dorit Shweiki
- Bioinformatics Program, School of Computer Science, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv, Israel
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8
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Li XY, Xiang J, Wu FX, Li M. NetAUC: A network-based multi-biomarker identification method by AUC optimization. Methods 2021; 198:56-64. [PMID: 34364986 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex diseases are caused by a variety of factors, and their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are usually difficult. Proteins play an indispensable role in living organisms and perform specific biological functions by interacting with other proteins or biomolecules, their dysfunction may lead to diseases, it is a natural way to mine disease-related biomarkers from protein-protein interaction network. AUC, the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, is regarded as a gold standard to evaluate the effectiveness of a binary classifier, which measures the classification ability of an algorithm under arbitrary distribution or any misclassification cost. In this study, we have proposed a network-based multi-biomarker identification method by AUC optimization (NetAUC), which integrates gene expression and the network information to identify biomarkers for the complex disease analysis. The main purpose is to optimize two objectives simultaneously: maximizing AUC and minimizing the number of selected features. We have applied NetAUC to two types of disease analysis: 1) prognosis of breast cancer, 2) classification of similar diseases. The results show that NetAUC can identify a small panel of disease-related biomarkers which have the powerful classification ability and the functional interpretability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Yi Li
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Ju Xiang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Neuroscience Research Center & Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219, Hunan, China
| | - Fang-Xiang Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Min Li
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
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9
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Napoletani G, Vigli D, Cosentino L, Grieco M, Talamo MC, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M, Laviola G, Fuso A, d'Erme M, De Filippis B. Stimulation of the Serotonin Receptor 7 Restores Brain Histone H3 Acetylation and MeCP2 Corepressor Protein Levels in a Female Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2021; 80:265-273. [PMID: 33598674 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlaa158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurological disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene, characterized by severe behavioral and physiological impairments for which no cure is available. The stimulation of serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) with its selective agonist LP-211 (0.25 mg/kg/day for 7 days) was proved to rescue neurobehavioral alterations in a mouse model of RTT. In the present study, we aimed at gaining insight into the mechanisms underpinning the efficacy of 5-HT7R pharmacological stimulation by investigating its epigenetic outcomes in the brain of RTT female mice bearing a truncating MeCP2 mutation. Treatment with LP-211 normalized the reduced histone H3 acetylation and HDAC3/NCoR levels, and increased HDAC1/Sin3a expression in RTT mouse cortex. Repeated 5-HT7R stimulation also appeared to strengthen the association between NCoR and MeCP2 in the same brain region. A different profile was found in RTT hippocampus, where LP-211 rescued H3 hyperacetylation and increased HDAC3 levels. Overall, the present data highlight a new scenario on the relationship between histone acetylation and serotoninergic pathways. 5-HT7R is confirmed as a pivotal therapeutic target for the recovery of neuronal function supporting the translational value of this promising pharmacological approach for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Napoletani
- From the Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Daniele Vigli
- From the Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Roma, Roma, Italy.,Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Livia Cosentino
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Maddalena Grieco
- From the Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Talamo
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Fuso
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Maria d'Erme
- From the Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
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10
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Midavaine É, Côté J, Marchand S, Sarret P. Glial and neuroimmune cell choreography in sexually dimorphic pain signaling. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:168-192. [PMID: 33582232 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a major global health issue that affects all populations regardless of sex, age, ethnicity/race, or country of origin, leading to persistent physical and emotional distress and to the loss of patients' autonomy and quality of life. Despite tremendous efforts in the elucidation of the mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic pain, the identification of new potential pain targets, and the development of novel analgesics, the pharmacological treatment options available for pain management remain limited, and most novel pain medications have failed to achieve advanced clinical development, leaving many patients with unbearable and undermanaged pain. Sex-specific susceptibility to chronic pain conditions as well as sex differences in pain sensitivity, pain tolerance and analgesic efficacy are increasingly recognized in the literature and have thus prompted scientists to seek mechanistic explanations. Hence, recent findings have highlighted that the signaling mechanisms underlying pain hypersensitivity are sexually dimorphic, which sheds light on the importance of conducting preclinical and clinical pain research on both sexes and of developing sex-specific pain medications. This review thus focuses on the clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the existence of sex differences in pain neurobiology. Attention is drawn to the sexually dimorphic role of glial and immune cells, which are both recognized as key players in neuroglial maladaptive plasticity at the origin of the transition from acute pain to chronic pathological pain. Growing evidence notably attributes to microglial cells a pivotal role in the sexually dimorphic pain phenotype and in the sexually dimorphic analgesic efficacy of opioids. This review also summarizes the recent advances in understanding the pathobiology underpinning the development of pain hypersensitivity in both males and females in different types of pain conditions, with particular emphasis on the mechanistic signaling pathways driving sexually dimorphic pain responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élora Midavaine
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Serge Marchand
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
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Sexual dimorphism of miRNA signatures in feto-placental endothelial cells is associated with altered barrier function and actin organization. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:39-51. [PMID: 31825070 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial function and the risk for endothelial dysfunction differ between males and females. Besides the action of estrogen, sex chromosome gene expression and programming effects also provoke this sexual dimorphism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as regulators of endothelial cell function and dysfunction. We here hypothesized distinct miRNA expression patterns in male versus female human endothelial cells that contribute to the functional differences. We used our well-established model of fetal endothelial cells isolated from placenta (fpEC) and analyzed sexual dimorphic miRNA expression and potentially affected biological functions. Next-generation miRNA sequencing of fpEC isolated after pregnancies with male and female neonates identified sex-dependent miRNA expression patterns. Potential biological pathways regulated by the altered set of miRNAs were determined using mirPath and mirSystem softwares, and suggested differences in barrier function and actin organization. The identified pathways were further investigated by monolayer impedance measurements (ECIS) and analysis of F-actin organization (Phalloidin). Nine miRNAs were differentially expressed in fpEC of male versus female neonates. Functional pathways most significantly regulated by these miRNAs included 'Adherens junction', 'ECM receptor interaction' and 'Focal adhesion'. These pathways control monolayer barrier function and may be paralleled by altered cytoskeletal organization. In fact, monolayer impedance was higher in fpEC of male progeny, and F-actin staining revealed more pronounced peripheral stress fibers in male versus female fpEC. Our data highlight that endothelial cell function differs between males and females already in utero, and that altered miRNAs are associated with sex dependent differences in barrier function and actin organization.
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12
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Rustgi SD, Kayal M, Shah SC. Sex-based differences in inflammatory bowel diseases: a review. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2020; 13:1756284820915043. [PMID: 32523620 PMCID: PMC7236567 DOI: 10.1177/1756284820915043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex-based differences in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis, disease course, and response to therapy have been increasingly recognized, however, not fully understood. Experimental and translational models have been leveraged to investigate hypothesized mechanisms for these observed differences, including the potential modifying role of sex hormones and sex-dependent (epi)genetic and gut microbiome changes. The primary objective of this review is to comprehensively describe sex-based differences in IBD including epidemiology, pathogenesis, phenotypic differences, therapeutic response, and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila D. Rustgi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Maia Kayal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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13
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Murata Y, Ikegame T, Koike S, Saito T, Ikeda M, Sasaki T, Iwata N, Kasai K, Bundo M, Iwamoto K. Global DNA hypomethylation and its correlation to the betaine level in peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 99:109855. [PMID: 31911076 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that aberrant epigenetic regulation is involved in the pathophysiology of major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). We previously showed that the plasma level of betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine), a methyl-group donor, was significantly decreased in patients with first episode schizophrenia (FESZ). In this study, we identified decrease of global DNA methylation level in FESZ (N = 24 patients vs N = 42 controls), and found that global DNA methylation level was inversely correlated with scores on the global assessment of functioning (GAF) scale, and positively correlated with plasma betaine level. Notably, correlations between levels of betaine and its metabolites (N,N-dimethylglycine and sarcosine, N-methylglycine) were lower or lost in FESZ plasma, but remained high in controls. We further examined global DNA methylation levels in patients with chronic SZ (N = 388) and BD (N = 414) as well as controls (N = 430), and confirmed significant hypomethylation and decreased betaine level in SZ. We also found that patients with BD type I, but not those with BD type II, showed significant global hypomethylation. These results suggest that global hypomethylation associated with decreased betaine level in blood cells is common to SZ and BD, and may reflect common pathophysiology such as psychotic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Murata
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tempei Ikegame
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Center for Evolutionary Cognitive Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeo Saito
- Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masashi Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Sasaki
- Laboratory of Health Education, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nakao Iwata
- Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; The International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miki Bundo
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; PRESTO Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan..
| | - Kazuya Iwamoto
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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14
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Valodara AM, SR KJ. Sexual Dimorphism in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics. Curr Drug Metab 2020; 20:1154-1166. [DOI: 10.2174/1389200220666191021094906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background:Sex and gender-based differences are observed well beyond the sex organs and affect several physiological and biochemical processes involved in the metabolism of drug molecules. It is essential to understand not only the sex and gender-based differences in the metabolism of the drug but also the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of drug metabolism for avoiding sex-related adverse effects of drugs in the human.Method:The articles on the sex and gender-based differences in the metabolism of drug molecules were retrieved from the Pub Med database. The articles were classified into the metabolism of the drug molecule, gene expression regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes, the effect of sex hormones on the metabolism of drug, expression of drugmetabolizing enzymes, etc.Result:Several drug molecules are known, which are metabolized differently in males and females. These differences in metabolism may be due to the genomic and non-genomic action of sex hormones. Several other drug molecules still require further evaluation at the molecular level regarding the sex and gender-based differences in their metabolism. Attention is also required at the effect of signaling cascades associated with the metabolism of drug molecules.Conclusion:Sex and gender-based differences in the metabolism of drugs exist at various levels and it may be due to the genomic and non-genomic action of sex hormones. Detailed understanding of the effect of sex and related condition on the metabolism of drug molecules will help clinicians to determine the effective therapeutic doses of drugs dependingon the condition of patient and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Askhi M. Valodara
- Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Kaid Johar SR
- Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India
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15
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Mehl-Madrona L, McFarlane P, Mainguy B. Epigenetics, Gender, and Sex in the Diagnosis of Depression. CURRENT PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH AND REVIEWS 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/2666082215666191029141418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background :
A marked sexual dimorphism exists in psychiatric diagnoses. Culture derived
gender bias in diagnostic criteria is one explanation. Adverse childhood events, including sexual
and physical abuse, are more reliable and consistent predictors of later psychiatric diagnoses,
including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some interesting interactions between genes
and experience have been uncovered, but the primary effect appears to be epigenetic with life experience
altering gene expression and being transmitted to subsequent generations.
Objectives :
To determine if reconceptualizing depression as encompassing both internalizing and
externalizing strategies would eliminate gender differences in the diagnosis of depression
Methods :
We reviewed 74 life stories of patients, collected during a study of the effect of physicians’
knowing patients’ life stories on the quality of the doctor-patient relationship. Looking at
diagnoses, the prevalence of women to men was 2.9 to 1. We redefined depression as a response to
being in a seemingly hopeless situation accompanied by despair, either externalizing ((more often
diagnosed as substance use disorders, impulse control disorders, antisocial personality disorder, or
bipolar disorder) or internalizing (the more standard diagnosis of depression). Then we reviewed
these life stories from that perspective to determine how many would be diagnosed as depressed.
Results :
With this reconceptualization of depression, the sex ratio changed to 1.2 to 1.
Conclusions:
From this perspective, men and women are equally likely to respond to hopelessness,
though men are more socialized to externalize and women to internalize. Considering depression in
this way may help to better identify men at risk for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis Mehl-Madrona
- Eastern Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency, Bangor, ME 04401, United States
| | - Patrick McFarlane
- Eastern Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency, Bangor, ME 04401, United States
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16
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" Bridging the Gap" Everything that Could Have Been Avoided If We Had Applied Gender Medicine, Pharmacogenetics and Personalized Medicine in the Gender-Omics and Sex-Omics Era. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010296. [PMID: 31906252 PMCID: PMC6982247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gender medicine is the first step of personalized medicine and patient-centred care, an essential development to achieve the standard goal of a holistic approach to patients and diseases. By addressing the interrelation and integration of biological markers (i.e., sex) with indicators of psychological/cultural behaviour (i.e., gender), gender medicine represents the crucial assumption for achieving the personalized health-care required in the third millennium. However, ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ are often misused as synonyms, leading to frequent misunderstandings in those who are not deeply involved in the field. Overall, we have to face the evidence that biological, genetic, epigenetic, psycho-social, cultural, and environmental factors mutually interact in defining sex/gender differences, and at the same time in establishing potential unwanted sex/gender disparities. Prioritizing the role of sex/gender in physiological and pathological processes is crucial in terms of efficient prevention, clinical signs’ identification, prognosis definition, and therapy optimization. In this regard, the omics-approach has become a powerful tool to identify sex/gender-specific disease markers, with potential benefits also in terms of socio-psychological wellbeing for each individual, and cost-effectiveness for National Healthcare systems. “Being a male or being a female” is indeed important from a health point of view and it is no longer possible to avoid “sex and gender lens” when approaching patients. Accordingly, personalized healthcare must be based on evidence from targeted research studies aimed at understanding how sex and gender influence health across the entire life span. The rapid development of genetic tools in the molecular medicine approaches and their impact in healthcare is an example of highly specialized applications that have moved from specialists to primary care providers (e.g., pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic applications in routine medical practice). Gender medicine needs to follow the same path and become an established medical approach. To face the genetic, molecular and pharmacological bases of the existing sex/gender gap by means of omics approaches will pave the way to the discovery and identification of novel drug-targets/therapeutic protocols, personalized laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures (sex/gender-omics). In this scenario, the aim of the present review is not to simply resume the state-of-the-art in the field, rather an opportunity to gain insights into gender medicine, spanning from molecular up to social and psychological stances. The description and critical discussion of some key selected multidisciplinary topics considered as paradigmatic of sex/gender differences and sex/gender inequalities will allow to draft and design strategies useful to fill the existing gap and move forward.
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17
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Sabag E, Halperin E, Liron T, Hiram-Bab S, Frenkel B, Gabet Y. Hormone-Independent Sexual Dimorphism in the Regulation of Bone Resorption by Krox20. J Bone Miner Res 2019; 34:2277-2286. [PMID: 31398266 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Krox20/EGR2 is a zinc finger transcription factor, implicated in the development of the hindbrain, nerve myelination, and tumor suppression. In skeletal biology, we have demonstrated that Krox20 also regulates adult bone metabolism. We and others have characterized several functions of Krox20 in the osteoclast lineage, namely, preosteoclast proliferation and differentiation, and mature osteoclast apoptosis. We have previously reported that systemically Krox20-haploinsufficient mice have a low bone mass with increased bone resorption. However, new data have now revealed that this phenotype is restricted to females. In addition, we discovered that conditional knockout of Krox20 (cKO) restricted to osteoclast progenitors is sufficient to induce the same female-specific bone loss observed in systemic mutants. To test whether this sexual dimorphism results from an interaction between Krox20 and sex hormones, we examined the sex- and hormone-dependent role of Krox20 deficiency on proliferation and apoptosis in osteoclastic cells. Our results indicate that male and female sex hormones (dihydrotestosterone [DHT] and estradiol [E2], respectively) as well as Krox20 inhibit preosteoclast proliferation and augment osteoclast apoptosis. The observation that Krox20 expression is inhibited by DHT and E2 negates the hypothesis that the effect of sex hormones is mediated by an increase in Krox20 expression. Interestingly, the effect of Krox20 deficiency was observed only with cells derived from female animals, regardless of any sex hormones added in vitro. In addition, we have identified sexual dimorphism in the expression of several Krox20-related genes, including NAB2. This sex-specific epigenetic profile was established at puberty, maintained in the absence of sex hormones, and explains the female-specific skeletal importance of Krox20. The findings described in this study emphasize the medical importance of sex differences, which may be determined at the epigenetic level. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Sabag
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Elinor Halperin
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Liron
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sahar Hiram-Bab
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Baruch Frenkel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yankel Gabet
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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18
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Mallik S, Odom GJ, Gao Z, Gomez L, Chen X, Wang L. An evaluation of supervised methods for identifying differentially methylated regions in Illumina methylation arrays. Brief Bioinform 2019; 20:2224-2235. [PMID: 30239597 PMCID: PMC6954393 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bby085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) have become increasingly popular for studying DNA methylation (DNAm) variations in complex diseases. The Illumina methylation arrays provide an economical, high-throughput and comprehensive platform for measuring methylation status in EWASs. A number of software tools have been developed for identifying disease-associated differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the epigenome. However, in practice, we found these tools typically had multiple parameter settings that needed to be specified and the performance of the software tools under different parameters was often unclear. To help users better understand and choose optimal parameter settings when using DNAm analysis tools, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of 4 popular DMR analysis tools under 60 different parameter settings. In addition to evaluating power, precision, area under precision-recall curve, Matthews correlation coefficient, F1 score and type I error rate, we also compared several additional characteristics of the analysis results, including the size of the DMRs, overlap between the methods and execution time. The results showed that none of the software tools performed best under their default parameter settings, and power varied widely when parameters were changed. Overall, the precision of these software tools were good. In contrast, all methods lacked power when effect size was consistent but small. Across all simulation scenarios, comb-p consistently had the best sensitivity as well as good control of false-positive rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Mallik
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Joint First Authors
| | - Gabriel J Odom
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Joint First Authors
| | - Zhen Gao
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lissette Gomez
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Department of Human Genetics, and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lily Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Department of Human Genetics, and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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19
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Gogou M, Kolios G. Nutritional Supplements During Gestation and Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Really Know and How Far Have We Gone? J Am Coll Nutr 2019; 39:261-271. [PMID: 31318329 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2019.1635920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nutritional interventions are gaining remarkable attention as complementary management options for autism. Our aim is to provide literature data about the impact of the administration of dietary supplements during pregnancy on the risk of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring. A comprehensive search was undertaken by 2 reviewers independently using PubMed as the medical database source. Prospective clinical and experimental studies were considered and no year-of-publication restriction was placed. We were able to identify 4 basic (conducted in rodents) and 3 clinical research papers fulfilling our selection criteria. Supplements studied included folic acid, iron, multivitamins, choline, vitamin D, and docosahexaenoic acid. Choline and folic acid had a significant impact on the expression of autism-related genes. However, from a clinical point of view, prenatal folate administration did not reduce the risk of autism. Similarly, iron had no significant impact, while the use of multivitamins in moderate frequency had a protective effect. The use of vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid during gestation decreased the incidence of autism in animal models. In conclusion, available data are controversial and cannot change current routine practice. More large-scale prospective studies are needed to identify the real effect of nutritional supplements and also optimize their administration.Key teaching pointsMultivitamins use during pregnancy can exert a protective effect on the risk of autism, although depending on the frequency of use. Nevertheless, prenatal iron and folate were not shown to have any significant impact.Research based on animal models showed that choline and folic acid can have a significant impact on the expression of autism-related genes in a sex-specific manner.Furthermore, the use of vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid during gestation seem to decrease the incidence of autism in animal offspring.In the future, more clinical, large-scale prospective and methodologically homogenous clinical studies are needed to further investigate the effect of the periconceptional use of nutritional supplements on autism risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gogou
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University General Hospital AHEPA, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Kolios
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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20
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Ullah MF, Ahmad A, Bhat SH, Abu-Duhier FM, Barreto GE, Ashraf GM. Impact of sex differences and gender specificity on behavioral characteristics and pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 102:95-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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21
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Sarne V, Braunmueller S, Rakob L, Seeboeck R. The Relevance of Gender in Tumor-Influencing Epigenetic Traits. EPIGENOMES 2019; 3:epigenomes3010006. [PMID: 34991275 PMCID: PMC8594720 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes3010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis as well as the molecular orchestration of cancer progression are very complex mechanisms that comprise numerous elements of influence and regulation. Today, many of the major concepts are well described and a basic understanding of a tumor's fine-tuning is given. Throughout the last decade epigenetics has been featured in cancer research and it is now clear that the underlying mechanisms, especially DNA and histone modifications, are important regulators of carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Another key regulator, which is well known but has been neglected in scientific approaches as well as molecular diagnostics and, consequently, treatment conceptualization for a long time, is the subtle influence patient gender has on molecular processes. Naturally, this is greatly based on hormonal differences, but from an epigenetic point of view, the diverse susceptibility to stress and environmental influences is of prime interest. In this review we present the current view on which and how epigenetic modifications, emphasizing DNA methylation, regulate various tumor diseases. It is our aim to elucidate gender and epigenetics and their interconnectedness, which will contribute to understanding of the prospect molecular orchestration of cancer in individual tumors.
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22
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Shah SC, Khalili H, Gower-Rousseau C, Olen O, Benchimol EI, Lynge E, Nielsen KR, Brassard P, Vutcovici M, Bitton A, Bernstein CN, Leddin D, Tamim H, Stefansson T, Loftus EV, Moum B, Tang W, Ng SC, Gearry R, Sincic B, Bell S, Sands BE, Lakatos PL, Végh Z, Ott C, Kaplan GG, Burisch J, Colombel JF. Sex-Based Differences in Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases-Pooled Analysis of Population-Based Studies From Western Countries. Gastroenterology 2018; 155:1079-1089.e3. [PMID: 29958857 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) varies with age, few studies have examined variations between the sexes. We therefore used population data from established cohorts to analyze sex differences in IBD incidence according to age at diagnosis. METHODS We identified population-based cohorts of patients with IBD for which incidence and age data were available (17 distinct cohorts from 16 regions of Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand). We collected data through December 2016 on 95,605 incident cases of Crohn's disease (CD) (42,831 male and 52,774 female) and 112,004 incident cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) (61,672 male and 50,332 female). We pooled incidence rate ratios of CD and UC for the combined cohort and compared differences according to sex using random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Female patients had a lower risk of CD during childhood, until the age range of 10-14 years (incidence rate ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53-0.93), but they had a higher risk of CD thereafter, which was statistically significant for the age groups of 25-29 years and older than 35 years. The incidence of UC did not differ significantly for female vs male patients (except for the age group of 5-9 years) until age 45 years; thereafter, men had a significantly higher incidence of ulcerative colitis than women. CONCLUSIONS In a pooled analysis of population-based studies, we found age at IBD onset to vary with sex. Further studies are needed to investigate mechanisms of sex differences in IBD incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailja C Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
| | - Hamed Khalili
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Corinne Gower-Rousseau
- Public Health Unit, Epimad Registre, Lille University Hospital, France; INSERM LIRIC, UMR 995, Lille University, France
| | - Ola Olen
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eric I Benchimol
- CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pediatrics and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elsebeth Lynge
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kári R Nielsen
- Division of Gastroenterology, National Hospital, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Paul Brassard
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maria Vutcovici
- Department of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alain Bitton
- Department of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charles N Bernstein
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Desmond Leddin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Hala Tamim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Tryggvi Stefansson
- Division of Gastroenterology, National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Edward V Loftus
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, New York
| | - Bjørn Moum
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Whitney Tang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Digestive Disease, LKS Institute of Health Science, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Siew C Ng
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Digestive Disease, LKS Institute of Health Science, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Richard Gearry
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Brankica Sincic
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Sally Bell
- Division of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bruce E Sands
- Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Peter L Lakatos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Végh
- Division of Gastroenterology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Claudia Ott
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gilaad G Kaplan
- Department of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Johan Burisch
- Department of Gastroenterology, North Zealand University Hospital, Frederikssund, Denmark
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23
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Yang CC, Lin CH, Wang NK, Lai CC, Lo FS. Risk Factors Associated With the Development of Nephropathy 10 Years After Diagnosis in Taiwanese Children With Juvenile-Onset Type 1 Diabetes-A Cohort Study From the CGJDES. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:429. [PMID: 30123184 PMCID: PMC6086139 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To examine the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy (DN) 10 years after the diagnosis of juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in a Taiwanese population. Research Design and Methods: This retrospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study of 224 patients with T1DM for >10 years (mean duration 12.6 years) included participants from the Chang Gung Juvenile Diabetes Eye Study Group. The patients received a T1DM diagnosis before the age of 18 years and were treated at the pediatric endocrine department of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. The epidemiological and laboratory data such as age, sex, duration of diabetes, self-reported smoking, blood pressure, lipid profiles, urinalysis, and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were collected from medical records retrospectively for investigating the relationship between the clinical parameters and the development of DN in T1DM. Results: During follow-up, 44 of the 224 patients (19.6%) developed DN, of whom 61.4% were female. Cox proportional hazards model analysis indicated that the female (HR 3.40, 95% CI 1.66-6.96, p = 0.001), smoking (HR 3.60, 95% CI 1.28-10.10, p = 0.015), HbA1c level (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07-1.49, p = 0.005), diastolic blood pressure (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09, p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with DN after adjustment for multiple variables. The tight glucose control with multiple daily injections produced 49 % risk reduction (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26-0.98, p = 0.043). Conclusions: The risk of DN in patients with juvenile-onset T1DM 10 years after the T1DM diagnosis was increased with female, smoking, high HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure levels and attenuated by intensive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chien Yang
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Lin
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Kai Wang
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chun Lai
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Sung Lo
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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24
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Moosa A, Shu H, Sarachana T, Hu VW. Are endocrine disrupting compounds environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorder? Horm Behav 2018; 101:13-21. [PMID: 29042182 PMCID: PMC5913002 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent research on the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shifted in part from a singular focus on genetic causes to the involvement of environmental factors and their gene interactions. This shift in focus is a result of the rapidly increasing prevalence of ASD coupled with the incomplete penetrance of this disorder in monozygotic twins. One such area of environmentally focused research is the association of exposures to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) with elevated risk for ASD. EDCs are exogenous chemicals that can alter endogenous hormone activity and homeostasis, thus potentially disrupting the action of sex and other natural hormones at all stages of human development. Inasmuch as sex hormones play a fundamental role in brain development and sexual differentiation, exposure to EDCs in utero during critical stages of development can have lasting neurological and other physiological influences on the developing fetus and, ultimately, the child as well as adult. This review will focus on the possible contributions of EDCs to autism risk and pathogenesis by first discussing the influence of endogenous sex hormones on the autistic phenotype, followed by a review of documented human exposures to EDCs and associations with behaviors relevant to ASD. Mechanistic links between EDC exposures and aberrant neurodevelopment and behaviors are then considered, with emphasis on EDC-induced transcriptional profiles derived from animal and cellular studies. Finally, this review will discuss possible mechanisms through which EDC exposure can lead to persistent changes in gene expression and phenotype, which may in turn contribute to transgenerational inheritance of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Moosa
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
| | - Henry Shu
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical Technology Branch, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Rama I Rd., Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Valerie W Hu
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
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25
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Zhang X, Biagini Myers JM, Burleson JD, Ulm A, Bryan KS, Chen X, Weirauch MT, Baker TA, Butsch Kovacic MS, Ji H. Nasal DNA methylation is associated with childhood asthma. Epigenomics 2018; 10:629-641. [PMID: 29692198 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We aim to study DNA methylation (DNAm) variations associated with childhood asthma. METHODS Nasal DNAm was compared between sibling pairs discordant for asthma, 29 sib pairs for genome-wide association studies and 54 sib pairs for verification by pyrosequencing. Associations of methylation with asthma symptoms, allergy and environmental exposures were evaluated. In vitro experiments and functional genomic analyses were performed to explore biologic relevance. RESULTS Three CpGs were associated with asthma. cg14830002 was associated with allergies in nonasthmatics. cg23602092 was associated with asthma symptoms. cg14830002 and cg23602092 were associated with traffic-related air pollution exposure. Nearby genes were transcriptionally regulated by diesel exhaust, house dust mite and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Active chromatin marks and transcription factor binding were found around these sites. CONCLUSION We identified novel DNAm variations associated with childhood asthma and suggested new disease-contributing epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Pyrosequencing Lab for Genomic & Epigenomic Research, Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jocelyn M Biagini Myers
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - J D Burleson
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ashley Ulm
- Pyrosequencing Lab for Genomic & Epigenomic Research, Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kelly S Bryan
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Center for Autoimmune Genomics & Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Divisions of Biomedical Informatics & Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Theresa A Baker
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Melinda S Butsch Kovacic
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Hong Ji
- Pyrosequencing Lab for Genomic & Epigenomic Research, Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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26
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Soler L, Oswald I. The importance of accounting for sex in the search of proteomic signatures of mycotoxin exposure. J Proteomics 2018; 178:114-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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27
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Comasco E, Rangmar J, Eriksson UJ, Oreland L. Neurological and neuropsychological effects of low and moderate prenatal alcohol exposure. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 222. [PMID: 28470828 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Several explanations for the diverse results in research on foetal alcohol spectrum disorders or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder might be at hand: timing, amount and patterns of alcohol exposure, as well as complex epigenetic responses. The genetic background of the offspring and its interaction with other prenatal and post-natal environmental cues are likely also of importance. In the present report, key findings about the possible effects of low and moderate doses of maternal alcohol intake on the neuropsychological development of the offspring are reviewed and plausible mechanisms discussed. Special focus is put on the serotonergic system within developmental and gene-environment frameworks. The review also suggests guidelines for future studies and also summarizes some of to-be-answered questions of relevance to clinical practice. Contradictory findings and paucity of studies on the effects of exposure to low alcohol levels during foetal life for the offspring's neuropsychological development call for large prospective studies, as well as for studies including neuroimaging and multi-omics analyses to dissect the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol exposure-related phenotypes and to identify biomarkers. Finally, it remains to be investigated whether any safe threshold of alcohol drinking during pregnancy can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - J. Rangmar
- Department of Psychology; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - U. J. Eriksson
- Department of Medical Cell Biology; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - L. Oreland
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
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28
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Huang Q, Han L, Liu Y, Wang C, Duan D, Lu N, Wang K, Zhang L, Gu K, Duan S, Mai Y. Elevation of PTPN1 promoter methylation is a significant risk factor of type 2 diabetes in the Chinese population. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:2976-2982. [PMID: 29042909 PMCID: PMC5639402 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the contribution of DNA methylation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) gene to the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 97 patients with T2D and 97 age- and gender-matched controls. DNA methylation of the PTPN1 gene promoter was evaluated by bisulfite pyrosequencing. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in the PTPN1 promoter and other phenotypes between the patients with T2D and the controls. The results indicated a significant correlation between PTPN1 promoter methylation and the risk of T2D. Additionally, a breakdown analysis by gender revealed that PTPN1 methylation was associated with an increased risk of T2D in females. Furthermore, low-density lipoprotein (r=−0.183, P=0.046) and total cholesterol (r=−0.310, P=0.001) were inversely associated with PTPN1 methylation in females. In conclusion, the results indicate that elevated PTPN1 promoter methylation is a risk factor for T2D in the female Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Huang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315020, P.R. China
| | - Liyuan Han
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Yanfen Liu
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Changyi Wang
- Department of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Donghui Duan
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Nanjia Lu
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Kaiyue Wang
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Kaibo Gu
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Shiwei Duan
- Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
| | - Yifeng Mai
- The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315020, P.R. China
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29
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Ruan Q, D'onofrio G, Wu T, Greco A, Sancarlo D, Yu Z. Sexual dimorphism of frailty and cognitive impairment: Potential underlying mechanisms (Review). Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:3023-3033. [PMID: 28713963 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess systematically gender differences in susceptibility to frailty and cognitive performance decline, and the underlying mechanisms. A systematic assessment was performed of the identified reviews of cohort, mechanistic and epidemiological studies. The selection criteria of the present study included: i) Sexual dimorphism of frailty, ii) sexual dimorphism of subjective memory decline (impairment) and atrophy of hippocampus during early life, iii) sexual dimorphism of late‑onset Alzheimer's disease and iv) sexual dimorphism mechanisms underlying frailty and cognitive impairment. Males exhibit a susceptibility to poor memory performance and a severe atrophy of the hippocampus during early life and females demonstrate a higher prevalence for frailty and late‑life dementia. The different alterations within the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑gonadal/adrenal axis, particularly with regard to gonadal hormones, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone/sulfate‑bound dehydroepiandrosterone prior to and following andropause in males and menopause in females, serve important roles in sexual dimorphism of frailty and cognitive impairment. These endocrine changes may accelerate immunosenescence, weaken neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects, and promote muscle catabolism. The present study suggested that these age‑associated endocrine alterations interact with gender‑specific genetic and epigenetic factors, together with immunosenescence and iron accumulation. Environment factors, including psychological factors, are additional potential causes of the sexual dimorphism of frailty and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwei Ruan
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatrics, Shanghai Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Huadong Hospital and Research Center of Aging and Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Grazia D'onofrio
- Department of Medical Sciences, Geriatric Unit and Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, The Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Home for Relief of the Suffering Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia I‑71013, Italy
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatrics, Shanghai Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Huadong Hospital and Research Center of Aging and Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Medical Sciences, Geriatric Unit and Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, The Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Home for Relief of the Suffering Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia I‑71013, Italy
| | - Daniele Sancarlo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Geriatric Unit and Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, The Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Home for Relief of the Suffering Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia I‑71013, Italy
| | - Zhuowei Yu
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatrics, Shanghai Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Huadong Hospital and Research Center of Aging and Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
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30
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Toma M, Mak GJ, Chen V, Hollander Z, Shannon CP, Lam KKY, Ng RT, Tebbutt SJ, Wilson-McManus JE, Ignaszewski A, Anderson T, Dyck JRB, Howlett J, Ezekowitz J, McManus BM, Oudit GY. Differentiating heart failure phenotypes using sex-specific transcriptomic and proteomic biomarker panels. ESC Heart Fail 2017; 4:301-311. [PMID: 28772032 PMCID: PMC5542716 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.12136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for 30–50% of patients with heart failure (HF). A major obstacle in HF management is the difficulty in differentiating between HFpEF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) using conventional clinical and laboratory investigations. The aim of this study is to develop robust transcriptomic and proteomic biomarker signatures that can differentiate HFpEF from HFrEF. Methods and results A total of 210 HF patients were recruited in participating institutions from the Alberta HEART study. An expert clinical adjudicating panel differentiated between patients with HFpEF and HFrEF. The discovery cohort consisted of 61 patients, and the replication cohort consisted of 70 patients. Transcriptomic and proteomic data were analysed to find panels of differentiating HFpEF from HFrEF. In the discovery cohort, a 22‐transcript panel was found to differentiate HFpEF from HFrEF in male patients with a cross‐validation AUC of 0.74, as compared with 0.70 for N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in those same patients. An ensemble of the transcript panel and NT‐pro‐BNP yielded a cross‐validation AUC of 0.80. This performance improvement was also observed in the replication cohort. An ensemble of the transcriptomic panel with NT‐proBNP produced a replication AUC of 0.90, as compared with 0.74 for NT‐proBNP alone and 0.73 for the transcriptomic panel. Conclusions We have identified a male‐specific transcriptomic biomarker panel that can differentiate between HFpEF and HFrEF. These biosignatures could be further replicated on other patients and potentially be developed into a blood test for better management of HF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Toma
- Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - George J Mak
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada
| | - Virginia Chen
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada.,UBC James Hogg Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Zsuzsanna Hollander
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada.,UBC James Hogg Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Casey P Shannon
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada.,UBC James Hogg Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Karen K Y Lam
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada
| | - Raymond T Ng
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Scott J Tebbutt
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Janet E Wilson-McManus
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada.,Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrew Ignaszewski
- Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Todd Anderson
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine Health Sciences Centre, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jason R B Dyck
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jonathan Howlett
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine Health Sciences Centre, Calgary, Canada
| | - Justin Ezekowitz
- Division of Cardiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Bruce M McManus
- Centre of Excellence for Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre), Vancouver, Canada.,UBC James Hogg Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboraory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Gavin Y Oudit
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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31
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides a brief synopsis of sexual dimorphism in atherosclerosis with an emphasis on genetic studies aimed to better understand the atherosclerotic process and clinical outcomes in women. Such studies are warranted because development of atherosclerosis, impact of several traditional risk factors, and burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) differ between women and men. RECENT FINDINGS While most candidate gene studies pool women and men and adjust for sex, some sex-specific studies provide evidence of association between candidate genes and prevalent and incident CHD in women. So far, most genome-wide association studies (GWAS) also failed to consider sex-specific associations. The few GWAS focused on women tended to have small sample sizes and insufficient power to reject the null hypothesis of no association even if associations exist. Few studies consider that sex can modify the effect of gene variants on CHD. Sufficiently large-scale genetic studies in women of different race/ethnic groups, taking into account possible gene-gene and gene-environment interactions as well as hormone-mediated epigenetic mechanisms, are needed. Using the same disease definition for women and men might not be appropriate. Accurate phenotyping and inclusion of relevant outcomes in women, together with targeting the entire spectrum of atherosclerosis, could help address the contribution of genes to sexual dimorphism in atherosclerosis. Discovered genetic loci should be taken forward for replication and functional studies to elucidate the plausible underlying biological mechanisms. A better understanding of the etiology of atherosclerosis in women would facilitate future prevention efforts and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Kavousi
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Lawrence F Bielak
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA
| | - Patricia A Peyser
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA
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32
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Klein M, Schmoeger M, Kasper S, Schosser A. Meta-analysis of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism in major depressive disorder: the role of gender. World J Biol Psychiatry 2016; 17:147-58. [PMID: 26813412 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2015.1083615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many studies have reported an association of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and major depressive disorder (MDD), although with conflicting results. The role of gender is a possible modulator. To overcome the problem of poor sample size detecting genes of small effect, we perform a meta-analysis of the current literature, investigating the influence of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on the pathogenesis of MDD, with a major focus on the effect of gender. METHODS Out of 977 retrieved articles, 21 included case-control studies allowed the analysis of 9005 patients with MDD and 12,095 controls. Allelic and genotypic pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated for the total sample and gender-subgroups. RESULTS In the absence of publication bias, allelic and genotypic analyses showed no significant association in the total sample, as well as in gender-specific subgroups. Sensitivity analysis did not alter the ORs. CONCLUSIONS The results imply a complex nature of the genotype × phenotype interaction. Further studies of the COMT gene or the locus remain to be justified given the important positional and functional relevance and the plethora of gender-specific findings. A possible way to further dissect this topic is shifting the focus to gene-based or genome-wide analyses of intermediate phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Klein
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Michaela Schmoeger
- b Department of Neurology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Alexandra Schosser
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.,c Zentrum Für Seelische Gesundheit Leopoldau , Vienna , Austria
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Wang Y, Yin X, Li L, Deng S, He Z. Association of Apolipoprotein C3 Genetic Polymorphisms with the Risk of Ischemic Stroke in the Northern Chinese Han Population. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163910. [PMID: 27690381 PMCID: PMC5045204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) gene, which is a member of the APOA1/C3/A4/A5 gene cluster, plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism. Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke. In the present study, we performed a hospital-based case-control study of 895 ischemic stroke patients and 883 control subjects to examine the effects of four APOC3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2854116, rs2854117, rs4520 and rs5128) on the risk of ischemic stroke in a northern Chinese Han population. The SNaPshot Multiplex sequencing assay was used for SNP genotyping, and the potential association of genotype distributions and allele frequencies with ischemic stroke was analyzed statistically. Compared with the GG genotype, the CC+GC genotype of rs5128 was significantly associated with an increased risk in females (adjusted OR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.82-6.28, P <0.01) after all of the risk factors were adjusted for with logistic regression analyses. A similar relationship was found between the rs4520 polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk in Han Chinese women. Under a recessive genetic model, the TT+TC genotypes of this variant increased ischemic stroke risk (adjusted OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.28-3.29; P <0.01). Haplotype analysis revealed that in males, the T-C-T-C haplotype of rs2854116-rs2854117-rs4520-rs5128 was significantly more frequent in the ischemic stroke group than in the control group (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.18-1.87, P<0.01). The results of our study indicate that the APOC3 polymorphisms contribute to ischemic stroke susceptibility in females in the northern Chinese Han population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhe Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Shumin Deng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Zhiyi He
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
- * E-mail:
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Lahita RG. The immunoendocrinology of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol 2016; 172:98-100. [PMID: 27546447 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Immunoendocrinology or the study of the effects of sex steroids and sex chromatin on immune diseases was pioneered by Henry G. Kunkel. In the disease lupus (SLE) the prevalence of female disease is high; the sex ratio is 10 females to every male after puberty. Since Kunkel's death the influences of triggering epitopes like viruses, histocompatibility, the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenocortical axis, nervous system and the effect of sex steroids are all recognized as contributing factors to pathogenesis. It is too simple to say that sex and genetics are the final reason for the female predominance of SLE. Today the likely cause of the disease involves the epigenetics of sex chromatin and the factors detailed above.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Lahita
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Rutgers University Medical School of New, Jersey
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Kautzky-Willer A, Harreiter J, Pacini G. Sex and Gender Differences in Risk, Pathophysiology and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Endocr Rev 2016; 37:278-316. [PMID: 27159875 PMCID: PMC4890267 DOI: 10.1210/er.2015-1137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1016] [Impact Index Per Article: 127.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The steep rise of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated complications go along with mounting evidence of clinically important sex and gender differences. T2DM is more frequently diagnosed at lower age and body mass index in men; however, the most prominent risk factor, which is obesity, is more common in women. Generally, large sex-ratio differences across countries are observed. Diversities in biology, culture, lifestyle, environment, and socioeconomic status impact differences between males and females in predisposition, development, and clinical presentation. Genetic effects and epigenetic mechanisms, nutritional factors and sedentary lifestyle affect risk and complications differently in both sexes. Furthermore, sex hormones have a great impact on energy metabolism, body composition, vascular function, and inflammatory responses. Thus, endocrine imbalances relate to unfavorable cardiometabolic traits, observable in women with androgen excess or men with hypogonadism. Both biological and psychosocial factors are responsible for sex and gender differences in diabetes risk and outcome. Overall, psychosocial stress appears to have greater impact on women rather than on men. In addition, women have greater increases of cardiovascular risk, myocardial infarction, and stroke mortality than men, compared with nondiabetic subjects. However, when dialysis therapy is initiated, mortality is comparable in both males and females. Diabetes appears to attenuate the protective effect of the female sex in the development of cardiac diseases and nephropathy. Endocrine and behavioral factors are involved in gender inequalities and affect the outcome. More research regarding sex-dimorphic pathophysiological mechanisms of T2DM and its complications could contribute to more personalized diabetes care in the future and would thus promote more awareness in terms of sex- and gender-specific risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kautzky-Willer
- Gender Medicine Unit (A.K.-W., J.H.), Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; and Metabolic Unit (G.P.), Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, 35127 Padua, Italy
| | - Jürgen Harreiter
- Gender Medicine Unit (A.K.-W., J.H.), Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; and Metabolic Unit (G.P.), Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, 35127 Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pacini
- Gender Medicine Unit (A.K.-W., J.H.), Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; and Metabolic Unit (G.P.), Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, 35127 Padua, Italy
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Han C, Bae H, Lee YS, Won SD, Kim DJ. The Ratio of 2nd to 4th Digit Length in Korean Alcohol-dependent Patients. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 14:148-52. [PMID: 27121425 PMCID: PMC4857862 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait. Men have a relatively shorter second digit than fourth digit. This ratio is thought to be influenced by higher prenatal testosterone level or greater sensitivity to androgen. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between alcohol dependence and 2D:4D in a Korean sample and whether 2D:4D can be a biologic marker in alcohol dependence. Methods In this study, we recruited 87 male patients with alcohol dependence from the alcohol center of one psychiatric hospital and 52 healthy male volunteers who were all employees in the same hospital as controls. We captured images of the right and left hands of patients and controls using a scanner and extracted data with a graphics program. We measured the 2D:4D of each hand and compared the alcohol dependence group with the control group. We analyzed these ratios using an independent-samples t-test. Results The mean 2D:4D of patients was 0.934 (right hand) and 0.942 (left hand), while the mean 2D:4D of controls was 0.956 (right hand) and 0.958 (left hand). Values for both hands were significantly lower for patients than controls (p<0.001, right hand; p=0.004, left hand). Conclusion Patients who are alcohol dependent have a significantly lower 2D:4D than controls, similar to the results of previous studies, which suggest that a higher prenatal testosterone level in the gonadal period is related to alcoholism. Furthermore, 2D:4D is a possible predictive marker of alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwoo Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea
| | - Hwallip Bae
- Department of Psychiatry, Myongji Hospital, College of Medicine, Seonam University, Goyang, Korea
| | | | - Sung-Doo Won
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea
| | - Dai Jin Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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Genetic and environmental influences interact with age and sex in shaping the human methylome. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11115. [PMID: 27051996 PMCID: PMC4820961 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The methylome is subject to genetic and environmental effects. Their impact may depend on sex and age, resulting in sex- and age-related physiological variation and disease susceptibility. Here we estimate the total heritability of DNA methylation levels in whole blood and estimate the variance explained by common single nucleotide polymorphisms at 411,169 sites in 2,603 individuals from twin families, to establish a catalogue of between-individual variation in DNA methylation. Heritability estimates vary across the genome (mean=19%) and interaction analyses reveal thousands of sites with sex-specific heritability as well as sites where the environmental variance increases with age. Integration with previously published data illustrates the impact of genome and environment across the lifespan at methylation sites associated with metabolic traits, smoking and ageing. These findings demonstrate that our catalogue holds valuable information on locations in the genome where methylation variation between people may reflect disease-relevant environmental exposures or genetic variation. Differential impact of genetic and environmental influences on DNA methylation may result in sex- and age-related physiological variation and disease susceptibility. By analysing DNA methylome of 2,603 individuals from twin families, here, the authors establish a catalogue of between-individual variation in DNA methylation.
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Griñán-Ferré C, Sarroca S, Ivanova A, Puigoriol-Illamola D, Aguado F, Camins A, Sanfeliu C, Pallàs M. Epigenetic mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease hallmarks in 5XFAD mice. Aging (Albany NY) 2016; 8:664-84. [PMID: 27013617 PMCID: PMC4925821 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
5XFAD is an early-onset mouse transgenic model of Alzheimer disease (AD). Up to now there are no studies that focus on the epigenetic changes produced as a result of Aβ-42 accumulation and the possible involvement in the different expression of related AD-genes. Under several behavioral and cognition test, we found impairment in memory and psychoemotional changes in female 5XFAD mice in reference to wild type that worsens with age. Cognitive changes correlated with alterations on protein level analysis and gene expression of markers related with tau aberrant phosphorylation, amyloidogenic pathway (APP, BACE1), Oxidative Stress (iNOS, Aldh2) and inflammation (astrogliosis, TNF-α and IL-6); no changes were found in non-amyloidogenic pathway indicators such as ADAM10. Epigenetics changes as higher CpG methylation and transcriptional changes in DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) family were found. Dnmt1 increases in younger 5XFAD and Dnmt3a and b high levels in the oldest transgenic mice. Similar pattern was found with histone methyltransferases such as Jarid1a andG9a. Histone deacetylase 2 (Hdac2) or Sirt6, both related with cognition and memory, presented a similar pattern. Taken together, these hallmarks presented by the 5XFAD model prompted its use in assessing different potential therapeutic interventions based on epigenetic targets after earlier amyloid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Griñán-Ferré
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry (Pharmacology Section) and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Sarroca
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, and IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleksandra Ivanova
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry (Pharmacology Section) and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Puigoriol-Illamola
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry (Pharmacology Section) and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Aguado
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Camins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry (Pharmacology Section) and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Coral Sanfeliu
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, and IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry (Pharmacology Section) and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Krajewski WA. On the role of inter-nucleosomal interactions and intrinsic nucleosome dynamics in chromatin function. Biochem Biophys Rep 2016; 5:492-501. [PMID: 28955857 PMCID: PMC5600426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence is emerging that many diseases result from defects in gene functions, which, in turn, depend on the local chromatin environment of a gene. However, it still remains not fully clear how chromatin activity code is 'translated' to the particular 'activating' or 'repressing' chromatin structural transition. Commonly, chromatin remodeling in vitro was studied using mononucleosomes as a model. However, recent data suggest that structural reorganization of a single mononucleosome is not equal to remodeling of a nucleosome particle under multinucleosomal content - such as, interaction of nucleosomes via flexible histone termini could significantly alter the mode (and the resulting products) of nucleosome structural transitions. It is becoming evident that a nucleosome array does not constitute just a 'polymer' of individual 'canonical' nucleosomes due to multiple inter-nucleosomal interactions which affect nucleosome dynamics and structure. It could be hypothesized, that inter-nucleosomal interactions could act in cooperation with nucleosome inherent dynamics to orchestrate DNA-based processes and promote formation and stabilization of highly-dynamic, accessible structure of a nucleosome array. In the proposed paper we would like to discuss the nucleosome dynamics within the chromatin fiber mainly as it pertains to the roles of the structural changes mediated by inter-nucleosomal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wladyslaw A Krajewski
- Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 26, Moscow, 119334 Russia
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Pal M, Ebrahimi S, Oh G, Khare T, Zhang A, Kaminsky ZA, Wang SC, Petronis A. High Precision DNA Modification Analysis of HCG9 in Major Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42:170-7. [PMID: 26078387 PMCID: PMC4681545 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
New epigenetic technologies may uncover etiopathogenic mechanisms of major psychosis. In this study, we applied padlock probe-based ultra-deep bisulfite sequencing for fine mapping of modified cytosines of the HLA complex group 9 (nonprotein coding) gene in the postmortem brains of individuals affected with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and unaffected controls. Significant differences between patients and controls were detected in both CpG and CpH modifications. In addition, we identified epigenetic age effects, DNA modification differences between sense and anti-sense strands, and demonstrated how DNA modification data can be used in clustering of patient populations. Our findings revealed new epigenetic complexities but also highlighted the potential of DNA modification approaches in the search of heterogeneous causes of major psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal Pal
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Sasha Ebrahimi
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Gabriel Oh
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Tarang Khare
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Zachary A. Kaminsky
- The Mood Disorders Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Sun-Chong Wang
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada;,Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Chungli City 32001, Taiwan
| | - Arturas Petronis
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada;
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Lee J, Freeman JL. Embryonic exposure to 10 μg L−1lead results in female-specific expression changes in genes associated with nervous system development and function and Alzheimer's disease in aged adult zebrafish brain. Metallomics 2016; 8:589-96. [PMID: 26776728 DOI: 10.1039/c5mt00267b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic exposure to Pb at levels as low as 10 μg L−1disturb global gene expression patterns in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyoung Lee
- School of Health Sciences
- Purdue University
- West Lafayette, USA
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Guintivano J, Kaminsky ZA. Role of epigenetic factors in the development of mental illness throughout life. Neurosci Res 2016; 102:56-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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High Gestational Folic Acid Supplementation Alters Expression of Imprinted and Candidate Autism Susceptibility Genes in a sex-Specific Manner in Mouse Offspring. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:277-86. [PMID: 26547318 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Maternal nutrients play critical roles in modulating epigenetic events and exert long-term influences on the progeny's health. Folic acid (FA) supplementation during pregnancy has decreased the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns, but the influence of high doses of maternal FA supplementation on infants' brain development is unclear. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of a high dose of gestational FA on the expression of genes in the cerebral hemispheres (CHs) of 1-day-old pups. One week prior to mating and throughout the entire period of gestation, female C57BL/6J mice were fed a diet, containing FA at either 2 mg/kg (control diet (CD)) or 20 mg/kg (high maternal folic acid (HMFA)). At postnatal day 1, pups from different dams were sacrificed and CH tissues were collected. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed sex-specific alterations in the expression of several genes that modulate various cellular functions (P < 0.05) in pups from the HMFA group. Genomic DNA methylation analysis showed no difference in the level of overall methylation in pups from the HMFA group. These findings demonstrate that HMFA supplementation alters offsprings' CH gene expression in a sex-specific manner. These changes may influence infants' brain development.
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Singmann P, Shem-Tov D, Wahl S, Grallert H, Fiorito G, Shin SY, Schramm K, Wolf P, Kunze S, Baran Y, Guarrera S, Vineis P, Krogh V, Panico S, Tumino R, Kretschmer A, Gieger C, Peters A, Prokisch H, Relton CL, Matullo G, Illig T, Waldenberger M, Halperin E. Characterization of whole-genome autosomal differences of DNA methylation between men and women. Epigenetics Chromatin 2015; 8:43. [PMID: 26500701 PMCID: PMC4615866 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-015-0035-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Disease risk and incidence between males and females reveal differences, and sex is an important component of any investigation of the determinants of phenotypes or disease etiology. Further striking differences between men and women are known, for instance, at the metabolic level. The extent to which men and women vary at the level of the epigenome, however, is not well documented. DNA methylation is the best known epigenetic mechanism to date. Results In order to shed light on epigenetic differences, we compared autosomal DNA methylation levels between men and women in blood in a large prospective European cohort of 1799 subjects,
and replicated our findings in three independent European cohorts. We identified and validated 1184 CpG sites to be differentially methylated between men and women and observed that these CpG sites were distributed across all autosomes. We showed that some of the differentially methylated loci also exhibit differential gene expression between men and women. Finally, we found that the differentially methylated loci are enriched among imprinted genes, and that their genomic location in the genome is concentrated in CpG island shores. Conclusion Our epigenome-wide association study indicates that differences between men and women are so substantial that they should be considered in design and analyses of future studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-015-0035-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Singmann
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Doron Shem-Tov
- Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Simone Wahl
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Harald Grallert
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Fiorito
- Human Genetics Foundation-Torino, Turin, Italy ; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - So-Youn Shin
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK ; Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Katharina Schramm
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Petra Wolf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja Kunze
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Yael Baran
- Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Simonetta Guarrera
- Human Genetics Foundation-Torino, Turin, Italy ; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Vineis
- Human Genetics Foundation-Torino, Turin, Italy ; Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Vittorio Krogh
- Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Panico
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Tumino
- Cancer Registry and Histopathology Unit, "Civile-M.P. Arezzo" Hospital, ASP 7, Ragusa, Italy
| | - Anja Kretschmer
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Gieger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK ; Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Giuseppe Matullo
- Human Genetics Foundation-Torino, Turin, Italy ; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Thomas Illig
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ; Institute for Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Waldenberger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany ; Institute of Epidemiologie II, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eran Halperin
- Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel ; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George Wise Faculty of Life Science, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel ; International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, CA USA
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Varadinova M, Boyadjieva N. Epigenetic mechanisms: A possible link between autism spectrum disorders and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Pharmacol Res 2015; 102:71-80. [PMID: 26408203 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) still remains unclear and seems to involve a considerable overlap between polygenic, epigenetic and environmental factors. We have summarized the current understanding of the interplay between gene expression dysregulation via epigenetic modifications and the potential epigenetic impact of environmental factors in neurodevelopmental deficits. Furthermore, we discuss the scientific controversies of the relationship between prenatal exposure to alcohol and alcohol-induced epigenetic dysregulations, and gene expression alterations which are associated with disrupted neural plasticity and causal pathways for ASDs. The review of the literature suggests that a better understanding of developmental epigenetics should contribute to furthering our comprehension of the etiology and pathogenesis of ASDs and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Varadinova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Nadka Boyadjieva
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Zerres K, Eggermann T. [Genetics and epigenetics. Explanatory approaches for (gender-specific) mechanisms of disease development]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2015; 57:1047-53. [PMID: 25070408 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-014-2013-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Whereas the central role of DNA as the carrier of genetic information has long been well known, the impact of epigenetic mechanisms as mediators between genes and environment is now becoming increasingly clear. Epigenetics helps explain the partially reversible interplay between gene function and environment and even permits observation of the transgenerational transmission of epigenetic modifications. Of special interest are gender-specific mechanisms of gene regulation which, among others, offer an explanation for gender differences in human diseases. Since the study of epigenetic mechanisms and their impact on the etiology of common diseases is in its infancy, it is too early to draw general conclusions from the current state of knowledge. Moreover, completely new strategies are needed to research these effects. In addition to molecular findings, definitions of specific phenotypes are required, including biographic data of affected individuals and their ancestors. Epigenetics needs to be viewed in the context of the theory of evolution, classical genetics, and environmental research. Its aim is not to substitute the knowledge in these disciplines, but rather to provide a key to link their findings, thereby opening up new possibilities in terms of interpretation and understanding of gender differences in medicine. If these epigenetic mechanisms are better understood, particularly in terms of specific diseases, it is conceivable that these disorders could be influenced and treated in a more targeted manner in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Zerres
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Deutschland,
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Gatt JM, Burton KLO, Williams LM, Schofield PR. Specific and common genes implicated across major mental disorders: a review of meta-analysis studies. J Psychiatr Res 2015; 60:1-13. [PMID: 25287955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Major efforts have been directed at family-based association and case-control studies to identify the involvement of candidate genes in the major disorders of mental health. What remains unknown is whether candidate genes are associated with multiple disorders via pleiotropic mechanisms, and/or if other genes are specific to susceptibility for individual disorders. Here we undertook a review of genes that have been identified in prior meta-analyses examining specific genes and specific mental disorders that have core disruptions to emotional and cognitive function and contribute most to burden of illness- major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders (AD, including panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder), schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A literature review was conducted up to end-March 2013 which included a total of 1519 meta-analyses across 157 studies reporting multiple genes implicated in one or more of the five disorders studied. A total of 134 genes (206 variants) were identified as significantly associated risk variants for MDD, AD, ADHD, SZ or BD. Null genetic effects were also reported for 195 genes (426 variants). 13 genetic variants were shared in common between two or more disorders (APOE e4, ACE Ins/Del, BDNF Val66Met, COMT Val158Met, DAOA G72/G30 rs3918342, DAT1 40-bp, DRD4 48-bp, SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR, HTR1A C1019G, MTHR C677T, MTHR A1298C, SLC6A4 VNTR and TPH1 218A/C) demonstrating evidence for pleiotrophy. Another 12 meta-analyses of GWAS studies of the same disorders were identified, with no overlap in genetic variants reported. This review highlights the progress that is being made in identifying shared and unique genetic mechanisms that contribute to the risk of developing several major psychiatric disorders, and identifies further steps for progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine M Gatt
- The Brain Dynamics Centre, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Karen L O Burton
- The Brain Dynamics Centre, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia; School of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Leanne M Williams
- The Brain Dynamics Centre, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-5717, USA
| | - Peter R Schofield
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia; School of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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Deak T, Quinn M, Cidlowski JA, Victoria NC, Murphy AZ, Sheridan JF. Neuroimmune mechanisms of stress: sex differences, developmental plasticity, and implications for pharmacotherapy of stress-related disease. Stress 2015; 18:367-80. [PMID: 26176590 PMCID: PMC4813310 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2015.1053451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed profound growth in studies examining the role of fundamental neuroimmune processes as key mechanisms that might form a natural bridge between normal physiology and pathological outcomes. Rooted in core concepts from psychoneuroimmunology, this review utilizes a succinct, exemplar-driven approach of several model systems that contribute significantly to our knowledge of the mechanisms by which neuroimmune processes interact with stress physiology. Specifically, we review recent evidence showing that (i) stress challenges produce time-dependent and stressor-specific patterns of cytokine/chemokine expression in the CNS; (ii) inflammation-related genes exhibit unique expression profiles in males and females depending upon individual, cooperative or antagonistic interactions between steroid hormone receptors (estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors); (iii) adverse social experiences incurred through repeated social defeat engage a dynamic process of immune cell migration from the bone marrow to brain and prime neuroimmune function and (iv) early developmental exposure to an inflammatory stimulus (carageenin injection into the hindpaw) has a lasting influence on stress reactivity across the lifespan. As such, the present review provides a theoretical framework for understanding the role that neuroimmune mechanisms might play in stress plasticity and pathological outcomes, while at the same time pointing toward features of the individual (sex, developmental experience, stress history) that might ultimately be used for the development of personalized strategies for therapeutic intervention in stress-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrence Deak
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
- Address correspondence to: Terrence Deak, Ph.D., , Phone: 607-777-5918
| | - Matt Quinn
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - John A. Cidlowski
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Nicole C. Victoria
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, PO Box 5030, Atlanta, GA 30302-5030
| | - Anne Z. Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, PO Box 5030, Atlanta, GA 30302-5030
| | - John F. Sheridan
- The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210
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Mau T, Yung R. Potential of epigenetic therapies in non-cancerous conditions. Front Genet 2014; 5:438. [PMID: 25566322 PMCID: PMC4271720 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been an explosion of knowledge in the epigenetics field in the past 20 years. The first epigenetic therapies have arrived in the clinic for cancer treatments. In contrast, much of the promise of epigenetic therapies for non-cancerous conditions remains in the laboratories. The current review will focus on the recent progress that has been made in understanding the pathogenic role of epigenetics in immune and inflammatory conditions, and how the knowledge may provide much needed new therapeutic targets for many autoimmune diseases. Dietary factors are increasingly recognized as potential modifiers of epigenetic marks that can influence health and diseases across generations. The current epigenomics revolution will almost certainly complement the explosion of personal genetics medicine to help guide treatment decisions and disease risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Mau
- Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Raymond Yung
- Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, USA ; Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Care Center Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Gillies G, Virdee K, McArthur S, Dalley J. Sex-dependent diversity in ventral tegmental dopaminergic neurons and developmental programing: A molecular, cellular and behavioral analysis. Neuroscience 2014; 282:69-85. [PMID: 24943715 PMCID: PMC4245713 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge that diverse populations of dopaminergic neurons within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) can be distinguished in terms of their molecular, electrophysiological and functional properties, as well as their differential projections to cortical and subcortical regions has significance for key brain functions, such as the regulation of motivation, working memory and sensorimotor control. Almost without exception, this understanding has evolved from landmark studies performed in the male sex. However, converging evidence from both clinical and pre-clinical studies illustrates that the structure and functioning of the VTA dopaminergic systems are intrinsically different in males and females. This may be driven by sex differences in the hormonal environment during adulthood ('activational' effects) and development (perinatal and/or pubertal 'organizational' effects), as well as genetic factors, especially the SRY gene on the Y chromosome in males, which is expressed in a sub-population of adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Stress and stress hormones, especially glucocorticoids, are important factors which interact with the VTA dopaminergic systems in order to achieve behavioral adaptation and enable the individual to cope with environmental change. Here, also, there is male/female diversity not only during adulthood, but also in early life when neurobiological programing by stress or glucocorticoid exposure differentially impacts dopaminergic developmental trajectories in male and female brains. This may have enduring consequences for individual resilience or susceptibility to pathophysiological change induced by stressors in later life, with potential translational significance for sex bias commonly found in disorders involving dysfunction of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic systems. These findings highlight the urgent need for a better understanding of the sexual dimorphism in the VTA if we are to improve strategies for the prevention and treatment of debilitating conditions which differentially affect men and women in their prevalence and nature, including schizophrenia, attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- G.E. Gillies
- Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK,Corresponding author. Address: Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK. Tel: +44-(0)-20-7594-7050.
| | - K. Virdee
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK,Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
| | - S. McArthur
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Charterhouse Square, London EC1 6BQ, UK
| | - J.W. Dalley
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK,Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hill’s Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
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