1
|
Lauffer P, Zwaveling-Soonawala N, Li S, Bacalini MG, Naumova OY, Wiemels J, Boelen A, Henneman P, de Smith AJ, van Trotsenburg ASP. Meta-Analysis of DNA Methylation Datasets Shows Aberrant DNA Methylation of Thyroid Development or Function Genes in Down Syndrome. Thyroid 2023; 33:53-62. [PMID: 36326208 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2022.0320] [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] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background: In Down syndrome (DS), there is high occurrence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) early in life. The etiology of CH and early SH in DS remains unclear. Previous research has shown genome-wide transcriptional and epigenetic alterations in DS. Thus, we hypothesized that CH and early SH could be caused by epigenetically driven transcriptional downregulation of thyroid-related genes, through promoter region hypermethylation. Methods: We extracted whole blood DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles of DS and non-DS individuals from four independent Illumina array-based datasets (252 DS individuals and 519 non-DS individuals). The data were divided into discovery and validation datasets. Epigenome-wide association analysis was performed using a linear regression model, after which we filtered results for thyroid-related genes. Results: In the discovery dataset, we identified significant associations for DS in 18 thyroid-related genes. Twenty-one of 30 significant differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were also significant in the validation dataset. A meta-analysis of the discovery and validation datasets detected 31 DMPs, including 29 promoter-associated cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpG) with identical direction of effect across the datasets, and two differentially methylated regions. Twenty-seven DMPs were hypomethylated and promoter associated. The mean methylation difference of hypomethylated thyroid-related DMPs decreased with age. Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis of generalized hypermethylation of promoter regions of thyroid-related genes-indicative of epigenetic silencing of promoters and subsequent transcriptional downregulation, causing biochemical thyroid abnormalities in DS-we found an enrichment of hypomethylated DMPs annotated to promoter regions of these genes. This suggests that CH and early SH in DS are not caused by differential methylation of thyroid-related genes. Considering that epigenetic regulation is dynamic, we hypothesize that the observed thyroid-related gene DNAm changes could be a rescue phenomenon in an attempt to ameliorate the thyroid phenotype, through epigenetic upregulation of thyroid-related genes. This hypothesis is supported by the finding of decreasing methylation difference of thyroid-related genes with age. The prevalence of early SH declines with age, so hypothetically, epigenetic upregulation of thyroid-related genes also diminishes. While this study provides interesting insights, the exact origin of CH and early SH in DS remains unknown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lauffer
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM) Research Institute, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nitash Zwaveling-Soonawala
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM) Research Institute, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shaobo Li
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maria G Bacalini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Oxana Y Naumova
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics RAS, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joseph Wiemels
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anita Boelen
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM) Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Henneman
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adam J de Smith
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - A S Paul van Trotsenburg
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM) Research Institute, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kakun RR, Melamed Z, Perets R. PAX8 in the Junction between Development and Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137410. [PMID: 35806410 PMCID: PMC9266416 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal processes of embryonic development and abnormal transformation to cancer have many parallels, and in fact many aberrant cancer cell capabilities are embryonic traits restored in a distorted, unorganized way. Some of these capabilities are cell autonomous, such as proliferation and resisting apoptosis, while others involve a complex interplay with other cells that drives significant changes in neighboring cells. The correlation between embryonic development and cancer is driven by shared proteins. Some embryonic proteins disappear after embryogenesis in adult differentiated cells and are restored in cancer, while others are retained in adult cells, acquiring new functions upon transformation to cancer. Many embryonic factors embraced by cancer cells are transcription factors; some are master regulators that play a major role in determining cell fate. The paired box (PAX) domain family of developmental transcription factors includes nine members involved in differentiation of various organs. All paired box domain proteins are involved in different cancer types carrying pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic roles. This review focuses on PAX8, a master regulator of transcription in embryonic development of the thyroid, kidney, and male and female genital tracts. We detail the role of PAX8 in each of these organ systems, describe its role during development and in the adult if known, and highlight its pro-tumorigenic role in cancers that emerge from PAX8 expressing organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reli Rachel Kakun
- Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
- Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel
| | - Zohar Melamed
- Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
| | - Ruth Perets
- Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
- Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel
- Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mansour C, Ouarezki Y, Jones JH, Green M, Stenhouse EJ, Irwin G, Hermanns P, Pohlenz J, Donaldson MDC. Determination of thyroid volume in infants with suspected congenital hypothyroidism-the limitations of both subjective and objective evaluation. BJR Open 2020; 2:20200001. [PMID: 33178970 PMCID: PMC7594903 DOI: 10.1259/bjro.20200001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To compare two methods of assessing gland size on thyroid ultrasound in newborn infants with suspected congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Methods: Images from infants with eutopic glands referred between 2007 and 2013 were evaluated blind by two sets of observers. Subjective gland size was categorised as small, borderline-small, normal, borderline-large and large. Objective gland volume, calculated as the sum of each lobe using the prolate ellipsoid formula (length x width x depth x π/6), was put into corresponding categories: <0.8, 0.81–1.0, 1.1– <2.2, 2.2–2.4 and >2.4 ml, derived from normative Scottish data. Results: Of 36 infants, permanent CH was present in 17, transient CH in 17, status uncertain in 2. Mean (SD) intraobserver error for thyroid volume measurement was 0.11 (0.23) ml [8.3%]. Subjective assessment by two observers was discordant in only four (10.8%) infants. However, subjective vs objective evaluation was discordant in 14 (39%). Eight (three permanent, five transient CH) had large glands subjectively but normal glands objectively; and six (four transient CH) had normal glands subjectively but small glands objectively. The former infants all showed a single flattened curve to the anterior thyroid margin, giving an impression of bulkiness. Gland shape was normal in the latter infants. Conclusion: Neither subjective nor objective evaluation predicts permanent vs transient CH. Altered gland shape may confound both methods, and undermine use of the conventional formula for measuring lobe volume. Advances in knowledge: Until more refined methods are available for assessing thyroid size, both subjective and objective evaluation are recommended in CH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yasmine Ouarezki
- Hassen-Badi Public Health Establishment, El-Harrach, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Jeremy Huw Jones
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Royal Hospital for Children, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, United Kingdom
| | - Morag Green
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Department of Radiology, Royal Hospital for Children, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Jane Stenhouse
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Department of Radiology, Royal Hospital for Children, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, United Kingdom
| | - Greg Irwin
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Department of Radiology, Royal Hospital for Children, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, United Kingdom
| | - Pia Hermanns
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Joachim Pohlenz
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Malcolm David Cairns Donaldson
- University of Glasgow School of Medicine, Section of Child Health, Royal Hospital for Children, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Srichomkwun P, Admoni O, Refetoff S, de Vries L. A Novel Mutation (S54C) of the PAX8 Gene in a Family with Congenital Hypothyroidism and a High Proportion of Affected Individuals. Horm Res Paediatr 2016; 86:137-142. [PMID: 27207603 PMCID: PMC5061635 DOI: 10.1159/000445891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common endocrine disorder in newborns. The cause of CH is thyroid dysgenesis in 80-85% of patients. Paired box gene 8 (PAX8) is a thyroid transcription factor that plays an important role in thyroid organogenesis and development. To date, 22 different PAX8 gene mutations have been reported. METHODS Four generations of a Hungarian Jewish family were affected, and in the 3 generations studied, 9 males and 4 females were affected and 3 first-degree relatives were unaffected. Six were diagnosed at birth [thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level 59-442 mU/l] and 7 at 2-48 years of age (TSH level 6-223 mU/l). One affected patient had thyroid hemiagenesis on ultrasound. RESULTS Direct sequencing of the PAX8 gene revealed a novel single nucleotide substitution (c.162 A>T) in exon 2 that resulted in the substitution of the normal serine 54 with a cysteine (S54C), which segregated with elevated serum TSH levels. Other mutations of the same amino acid (S54G and S54R) have also been shown to produce functional impairment. CONCLUSION We report a large family with a novel mutation in the PAX8 gene presenting with variable phenotype and with a high proportion of affected family members.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Osnat Admoni
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Samuel Refetoff
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,Department of Pediatrics and the Committee on Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Liat de Vries
- Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikvah, Israel,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Down syndrome is the most commonly encountered human chromosomal disorder. Down syndrome is associated with thyroid dysfunction including: hypothyroidism, both congenital and acquired, and hyperthyroidism. A genetic predisposition and a propensity to acquire autoimmune disorders seem to be possible factors, though their causal relation remains unclear. The aim of the review is to describe what is currently known about the association between Down syndrome and thyroid dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Iughetti
- a 1 Department of Medical and Surgical sciences of Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo no 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Lucaccioni
- a 1 Department of Medical and Surgical sciences of Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo no 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Fugetto
- a 1 Department of Medical and Surgical sciences of Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo no 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Avril Mason
- b 2 Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, G3 8SJ, UK
| | - Barbara Predieri
- a 1 Department of Medical and Surgical sciences of Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo no 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
DNA Methylation of the EphA5 Promoter Is Associated with Rat Congenital Hypothyroidism. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 57:203-10. [PMID: 26109526 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0603-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for normal development of the mammalian central nervous system through regulation of TH-responsive genes. EphA5, an important TH-responsive gene encoding the tyrosine kinase receptor EphA5, regulates synaptogenesis initiation and synaptic remodeling during brain development. Abnormal EphA5 expression is involved in the development of congenital hypothyroidism (CH). To show the regulatory mechanism of EphA5 expression in CH rats, we analyzed the correlation between methylation of the EphA5 promoter and its expression in the hypothyroid hippocampus and hippocampal neurons. Demethylation treatment using 5'-azadeoxycytidine upregulated EphA5 expression and rescued the effects of hypermethylation, suggesting a novel regulatory mechanism of EphA5 expression in CH rats. Our results suggest a potentially new approach for the development of drugs to restore neurocognitive impairments associated with CH.
Collapse
|
7
|
Fernández LP, López-Márquez A, Santisteban P. Thyroid transcription factors in development, differentiation and disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2015; 11:29-42. [PMID: 25350068 DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2014.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Identification of the thyroid transcription factors (TTFs), NKX2-1, FOXE1, PAX8 and HHEX, has considerably advanced our understanding of thyroid development, congenital thyroid disorders and thyroid cancer. The TTFs are fundamental to proper formation of the thyroid gland and for maintaining the functional differentiated state of the adult thyroid; however, they are not individually required for precursor cell commitment to a thyroid fate. Although knowledge of the mechanisms involved in thyroid development has increased, the full complement of genes involved in thyroid gland specification and the signals that trigger expression of the genes that encode the TTFs remain unknown. The mechanisms involved in thyroid organogenesis and differentiation have provided clues to identifying the genes that are involved in human congenital thyroid disorders and thyroid cancer. Mutations in the genes that encode the TTFs, as well as polymorphisms and epigenetic modifications, have been associated with thyroid pathologies. Here, we summarize the roles of the TTFs in thyroid development and the mechanisms by which they regulate expression of the genes involved in thyroid differentiation. We also address the implications of mutations in TTFs in thyroid diseases and in diseases not related to the thyroid gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara P Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arturo Duperier 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Arístides López-Márquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arturo Duperier 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Pilar Santisteban
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arturo Duperier 4, Madrid 28029, Spain
| |
Collapse
|