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Palumbo S, Palumbo D, Cirillo G, Giurato G, Aiello F, Miraglia Del Giudice E, Grandone A. Methylome analysis in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:82. [PMID: 38909248 PMCID: PMC11193236 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01683-1] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic and environmental factors are implicated in many developmental processes. Recent evidence, however, has suggested that epigenetic changes may also influence the onset of puberty or the susceptibility to a wide range of diseases later in life. The present study aims to investigate changes in genomic DNA methylation profiles associated with pubertal onset analyzing human peripheral blood leukocytes from three different groups of subjects: 19 girls with central precocious puberty (CPP), 14 healthy prepubertal girls matched by age and 13 healthy pubertal girls matched by pubertal stage. For this purpose, the comparisons were performed between pre- and pubertal controls to identify changes in normal pubertal transition and CPP versus pre- and pubertal controls. RESULTS Analysis of methylation changes associated with normal pubertal transition identified 1006 differentially methylated CpG sites, 86% of them were found to be hypermethylated in prepubertal controls. Some of these CpG sites reside in genes associated with the age of menarche or transcription factors involved in the process of pubertal development. Analysis of methylome profiles in CPP patients showed 65% and 55% hypomethylated CpG sites compared with prepubertal and pubertal controls, respectively. In addition, interestingly, our results revealed the presence of 43 differentially methylated genes coding for zinc finger (ZNF) proteins. Gene ontology and IPA analysis performed in the three groups studied revealed significant enrichment of them in some pathways related to neuronal communication (semaphorin and gustation pathways), estrogens action, some cancers (particularly breast and ovarian) or metabolism (particularly sirtuin). CONCLUSIONS The different methylation profiles of girls with normal and precocious puberty indicate that regulation of the pubertal process in humans is associated with specific epigenetic changes. Differentially methylated genes include ZNF genes that may play a role in developmental control. In addition, our data highlight changes in the methylation status of genes involved in signaling pathways that determine the migration and function of GnRH neurons and the onset of metabolic and neoplastic diseases that may be associated with CPP in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Palumbo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Domenico Palumbo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Grazia Cirillo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry SMS, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Aiello
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Grandone
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
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2
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Peralta M, Lizcano F. Endocrine Disruptors and Metabolic Changes: Impact on Puberty Control. Endocr Pract 2024; 30:384-397. [PMID: 38185329 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.01.006] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the significant impact of environmental chemicals on disease development, focusing on their role in developing metabolic and endocrine diseases. The objective is to understand how these chemicals contribute to the increasing prevalence of precocious puberty, considering various factors, including epigenetic changes, lifestyle, and emotional disturbances. METHODS The study employs a comprehensive review of descriptive observational studies in both human and animal models to identify a degree of causality between exposure to environmental chemicals and disease development, specifically focusing on endocrine disruption. Due to ethical constraints, direct causation studies in human subjects are not feasible; therefore, the research relies on accumulated observational data. RESULTS Puberty is a crucial life period with marked physiological and psychological changes. The age at which sexual characteristics develop is changing in many regions. The findings indicate a correlation between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the early onset of puberty. These chemicals have been shown to interfere with normal hormonal processes, particularly during critical developmental stages such as adolescence. The research also highlights the interaction of these chemical exposures with other factors, including nutritional history, social and lifestyle changes, and emotional stress, which together contribute to the prevalence of precocious puberty. CONCLUSION Environmental chemicals significantly contribute to the development of certain metabolic and endocrine diseases, particularly in the rising incidence of precocious puberty. Although the evidence is mainly observational, it adequately justifies regulatory actions to reduce exposure risks. Furthermore, these findings highlight the urgent need for more research on the epigenetic effects of these chemicals and their wider impact on human health, especially during vital developmental periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Peralta
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Universidad de La Sabana, CIBUS, Chía, Colombia
| | - Fernando Lizcano
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Universidad de La Sabana, CIBUS, Chía, Colombia; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Fundación CardioInfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá, Colombia.
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3
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Brito VN, Canton APM, Seraphim CE, Abreu AP, Macedo DB, Mendonca BB, Kaiser UB, Argente J, Latronico AC. The Congenital and Acquired Mechanisms Implicated in the Etiology of Central Precocious Puberty. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:193-221. [PMID: 35930274 PMCID: PMC9985412 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of central precocious puberty (CPP) is multiple and heterogeneous, including congenital and acquired causes that can be associated with structural or functional brain alterations. All causes of CPP culminate in the premature pulsatile secretion of hypothalamic GnRH and, consequently, in the premature reactivation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The activation of excitatory factors or suppression of inhibitory factors during childhood represent the 2 major mechanisms of CPP, revealing a delicate balance of these opposing neuronal pathways. Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is the most well-known congenital cause of CPP with central nervous system abnormalities. Several mechanisms by which hamartoma causes CPP have been proposed, including an anatomical connection to the anterior hypothalamus, autonomous neuroendocrine activity in GnRH neurons, trophic factors secreted by HH, and mechanical pressure applied to the hypothalamus. The importance of genetic and/or epigenetic factors in the underlying mechanisms of CPP has grown significantly in the last decade, as demonstrated by the evidence of genetic abnormalities in hypothalamic structural lesions (eg, hamartomas, gliomas), syndromic disorders associated with CPP (Temple, Prader-Willi, Silver-Russell, and Rett syndromes), and isolated CPP from monogenic defects (MKRN3 and DLK1 loss-of-function mutations). Genetic and epigenetic discoveries involving the etiology of CPP have had influence on the diagnosis and familial counseling providing bases for potential prevention of premature sexual development and new treatment targets in the future. Global preventive actions inducing healthy lifestyle habits and less exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during the lifespan are desirable because they are potentially associated with CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius N Brito
- Discipline of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246 903, Brazil
| | - Ana P M Canton
- Discipline of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246 903, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Seraphim
- Discipline of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246 903, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Abreu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Department of
Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Delanie B Macedo
- Discipline of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246 903, Brazil
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Department of
Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Núcleo de Atenção Médica Integrada, Centro de Ciências da Saúde,
Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza 60811 905,
Brazil
| | - Berenice B Mendonca
- Discipline of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246 903, Brazil
| | - Ursula B Kaiser
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Department of
Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jesús Argente
- Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Department of Endocrinology and
Department of Pediatrics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spanish PUBERE Registry,
CIBER of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, IMDEA
Institute, Madrid 28009, Spain
| | - Ana Claudia Latronico
- Discipline of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246 903, Brazil
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4
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Argente J, Dunkel L, Kaiser UB, Latronico AC, Lomniczi A, Soriano-Guillén L, Tena-Sempere M. Molecular basis of normal and pathological puberty: from basic mechanisms to clinical implications. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2023; 11:203-216. [PMID: 36620967 PMCID: PMC10198266 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-8587(22)00339-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Puberty is a major maturational event; its mechanisms and timing are driven by genetic determinants, but also controlled by endogenous and environmental cues. Substantial progress towards elucidation of the neuroendocrine networks governing puberty has taken place. However, key aspects of the mechanisms responsible for the precise timing of puberty and its alterations have only recently begun to be deciphered, propelled by epidemiological data suggesting that pubertal timing is changing in humans, via mechanisms that are not yet understood. By integrating basic and clinical data, we provide a comprehensive overview of current advances on the physiological basis of puberty, with a particular focus on the roles of kisspeptins and other central transmitters, the underlying molecular and endocrine mechanisms, and the pathways involved in pubertal modulation by nutritional and metabolic cues. Additionally, we have summarised molecular features of precocious and delayed puberty in both sexes, as revealed by clinical and genetic studies. This Review is a synoptic up-to-date view of how puberty is controlled and of the pathogenesis of major pubertal alterations, from both a clinical and translational perspective. We also highlight unsolved challenges that will seemingly concentrate future research efforts in this active domain of endocrinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Argente
- Department of Pediatrics & Pediatric Endocrinology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, University Hospital Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; IMDEA Food Institute, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Leo Dunkel
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London Medical School, London, UK
| | - Ursula B Kaiser
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana C Latronico
- Developmental Endocrinology Unit, Laboratory of Hormones and Molecular Genetics, LIM42, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Lomniczi
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Leandro Soriano-Guillén
- Service of Pediatrics, University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Tena-Sempere
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Córdoba, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
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Resztak JA, Choe J, Nirmalan S, Wei J, Bruinsma J, Houpt R, Alazizi A, Mair-Meijers HE, Wen X, Slatcher RB, Zilioli S, Pique-Regi R, Luca F. Analysis of transcriptional changes in the immune system associated with pubertal development in a longitudinal cohort of children with asthma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:230. [PMID: 36646693 PMCID: PMC9842661 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35742-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Puberty is an important developmental period marked by hormonal, metabolic and immune changes. Puberty also marks a shift in sex differences in susceptibility to asthma. Yet, little is known about the gene expression changes in immune cells that occur during pubertal development. Here we assess pubertal development and leukocyte gene expression in a longitudinal cohort of 251 children with asthma. We identify substantial gene expression changes associated with age and pubertal development. Gene expression changes between pre- and post-menarcheal females suggest a shift from predominantly innate to adaptive immunity. We show that genetic effects on gene expression change dynamically during pubertal development. Gene expression changes during puberty are correlated with gene expression changes associated with asthma and may explain sex differences in prevalence. Our results show that molecular data used to study the genetics of early onset diseases should consider pubertal development as an important factor that modifies the transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna A Resztak
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jane Choe
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shreya Nirmalan
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Julong Wei
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Julian Bruinsma
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Russell Houpt
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Adnan Alazizi
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Xiaoquan Wen
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roger Pique-Regi
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Francesca Luca
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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6
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Skakkebæk NE, Lindahl-Jacobsen R, Levine H, Andersson AM, Jørgensen N, Main KM, Lidegaard Ø, Priskorn L, Holmboe SA, Bräuner EV, Almstrup K, Franca LR, Znaor A, Kortenkamp A, Hart RJ, Juul A. Environmental factors in declining human fertility. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:139-157. [PMID: 34912078 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00598-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A severe decline in child births has occurred over the past half century, which will lead to considerable population declines, particularly in industrialized regions. A crucial question is whether this decline can be explained by economic and behavioural factors alone, as suggested by demographic reports, or to what degree biological factors are also involved. Here, we discuss data suggesting that human reproductive health is deteriorating in industrialized regions. Widespread infertility and the need for assisted reproduction due to poor semen quality and/or oocyte failure are now major health issues. Other indicators of declining reproductive health include a worldwide increasing incidence in testicular cancer among young men and alterations in twinning frequency. There is also evidence of a parallel decline in rates of legal abortions, revealing a deterioration in total conception rates. Subtle alterations in fertility rates were already visible around 1900, and most industrialized regions now have rates below levels required to sustain their populations. We hypothesize that these reproductive health problems are partially linked to increasing human exposures to chemicals originating directly or indirectly from fossil fuels. If the current infertility epidemic is indeed linked to such exposures, decisive regulatory action underpinned by unconventional, interdisciplinary research collaborations will be needed to reverse the trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels E Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Hagai Levine
- School of Public Health, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katharina M Main
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine A Holmboe
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elvira V Bräuner
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luiz R Franca
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ariana Znaor
- Cancer Surveillance Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Division of Environmental Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Roger J Hart
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Li L, Zhang H, Holloway JW, Ewart S, Relton CL, Arshad SH, Karmaus W. Does DNA methylation mediate the association of age at puberty with FVC or FEV1? ERJ Open Res 2022; 8:00476-2021. [PMID: 35237685 PMCID: PMC8883177 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00476-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Age of pubertal onset is associated with lung function in adulthood. However, the underlying role of epigenetics as a mediator of this association remains unknown. Methods DNA methylation (DNAm) in peripheral blood was measured at age 18 years in the Isle of Wight birth cohort (IOWBC) along with data on age of pubertal events, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) at 26 years. Structural equation models were applied to examine mediation effects of DNAm on the association of age at pubertal events with FVC and FEV1. Findings were further tested in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort. Results In the IOWBC, for females, 21 cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites (CpGs) were shown to mediate the association of age at puberty with FVC or FEV1 at 26 years (p<0.05). In males, DNAm at 20 CpGs was found to mediate the association of age at puberty with FVC (p<0.05). At almost all these CpGs, indirect effects (effects of age at pubertal events on FVC or FEV1via DNAm) contributed a smaller portion to the total effects compared to direct effects (e.g. at cg08680129, ∼22% of the estimated total effect of age at menarche on FVC at age 26 was contributed by an indirect effect). Among the IOWBC-discovered CpGs available in ALSPAC, none of them was replicated in ALSPAC (p>0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that post-adolescence DNAm in peripheral blood is likely not to mediate the association of age at pubertal onset with young adulthood FVC or FEV1. The association between age at pubertal onset and lung function parameters FVC or FEV1 in young adulthood is not likely to be mediated by DNA methylation in peripheral bloodhttps://bit.ly/31G8hDi
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Chan II, Kwok MK, Schooling CM. Timing of Pubertal Development and Midlife Blood Pressure in Men and Women: A Mendelian Randomization Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e386-e393. [PMID: 34343299 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Observational studies suggest earlier puberty is associated with higher adulthood blood pressure (BP), but these findings have not been replicated using Mendelian randomization (MR). We examined this question sex-specifically using larger genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with more extensive measures of pubertal timing. METHODS We obtained genetic instruments proxying pubertal maturation (age at menarche [AAM] or voice breaking [AVB]) from the largest published GWAS. We applied them to summary sex-specific genetic associations with systolic and diastolic BP z-scores, and self-reported hypertension in women (n = 194 174) and men (n = 167 020) from the UK Biobank, using inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis. We conducted sensitivity analyses using other MR methods, including multivariable MR adjusted for childhood obesity proxied by body mass index (BMI). We used late pubertal growth as a validation outcome. RESULTS AAM (beta per 1-year later = -0.030 [95% confidence interval, -0.055 to -0.005] and AVB (beta -0.058 [95% CI, -0.100 to -0.015]) were inversely associated with systolic BP independent of childhood BMI, as were diastolic BP (-0.035 [95% CI, -0.060 to -0.009] for AAM and -0.046 [95% CI, -0.089 to -0.004] for AVB) and self-reported hypertension (odds ratio 0.89 [95% CI, 0.84-0.95] for AAM and 0.87 [95% CI, 0.79-0.96] for AVB). AAM and AVB were positively associated with late pubertal growth, as expected. The results were robust to sensitivity analysis using other MR methods. CONCLUSION Timing of pubertal maturation was associated with adulthood BP independent of childhood BMI, highlighting the role of pubertal maturation timing in midlife BP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Io Ieong Chan
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Man Ki Kwok
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - C Mary Schooling
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, NY 10027, USA
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9
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Mallisetty Y, Mukherjee N, Jiang Y, Chen S, Ewart S, Arshad SH, Holloway JW, Zhang H, Karmaus W. Epigenome-Wide Association of Infant Feeding and Changes in DNA Methylation from Birth to 10 Years. Nutrients 2020; 13:E99. [PMID: 33396735 PMCID: PMC7824231 DOI: 10.3390/nu13010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic factors have been suggested as mediators of early-life nutrition to future health. Prior studies focused on breastfeeding effects on DNA methylation (DNAm), ignoring other feeding modes. In this analysis of the Isle of Wight birth cohort, feeding modes were categorized as exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), exclusive formula feeding (EFF), and mixed feeding based on whether the respective feeding mode lasted for at least 3 months. In addition, in the past, infant feeding modes were assessed using DNAm at one time point in childhood, not changes of DNAm. In this paper, methylation differences (delta DNAm) were calculated by subtracting residual methylation values at birth from age 10 years (adjusting for cell types and season of blood collection at both ages). These deltas were estimated for all methylation sites where cytosine was followed by guanine (cytosine guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites). Then, we performed an epigenome-wide association study contrasting EBF, EFF, and mixed feeding with delta DNAm that represents changes in methylation from birth to 10 years. A total of 87 CpGs (EBF: 27 CpGs, EFF: 48 CpGs, mixed: 12 CpGs) were identified using separate linear regression models adjusting for confounders and multiple testing. The sum of all changes in methylation from birth to age 10 years was significantly lower in the EFF group. Correspondingly, the number of CpGs with a methylation decline was 4.7% higher reflecting 13,683 CpGs. Lower methylation related to exclusive formula feeding and its adverse potential for the child's development needs future research to reduce adverse health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamini Mallisetty
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (Y.M.); (N.M.); (Y.J.); (H.Z.)
| | - Nandini Mukherjee
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (Y.M.); (N.M.); (Y.J.); (H.Z.)
| | - Yu Jiang
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (Y.M.); (N.M.); (Y.J.); (H.Z.)
| | - Su Chen
- Department of Mathematical Science, University of Memphis, Dunn Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;
| | - Susan Ewart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - S. Hasan Arshad
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.H.A.); (J.W.H.)
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight PO30 5TG, UK
| | - John W. Holloway
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.H.A.); (J.W.H.)
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (Y.M.); (N.M.); (Y.J.); (H.Z.)
| | - Wilfried Karmaus
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (Y.M.); (N.M.); (Y.J.); (H.Z.)
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