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Deng F, Lei J, Qiu J, Zhao C, Wang X, Li M, Sun M, Zhang M, Gao Q. DNA methylation landscape in pregnancy-induced hypertension: progress and challenges. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:77. [PMID: 38978060 PMCID: PMC11229300 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01248-0] [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: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Gestational hypertension (PIH), especially pre-eclampsia (PE), is a common complication of pregnancy. This condition poses significant risks to the health of both the mother and the fetus. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, may play a role in initiating the earliest pathophysiology of PIH. This article describes the relationship between DNA methylation and placental trophoblast function, genes associated with the placental microenvironment, the placental vascular system, and maternal blood and vascular function, abnormalities of umbilical cord blood and vascular function in the onset and progression of PIH, as well as changes in DNA methylation in the progeny of PIH, in terms of maternal, fetal, and offspring. We also explore the latest research on DNA methylation-based early detection, diagnosis and potential therapeutic strategies for PIH. This will enable the field of DNA methylation research to continue to enhance our understanding of the epigenetic regulation of PIH genes and identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengying Deng
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Junlan Qiu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215153, P.R. China
| | - Chenxuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Xietong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Min Li
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Miao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China.
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China.
| | - Meihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China.
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China.
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Yan X, Fang Y, Yuan Y, Ding Y, Yu H, Li Y, Shi Q, Gao Y, Zhou X, Zhang D, Yuan E, Zhou H, Zhao X, Zhang L. Combined analysis of the effects of hypoxia and oxidative stress on DNA methylation and the transcriptome in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18469. [PMID: 38899809 PMCID: PMC11187809 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18469] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The alterations in DNA methylation and transcriptome in trophoblast cells under conditions of low oxygen and oxidative stress have major implications for pregnancy-related disorders. However, the exact mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, we established models of hypoxia (H group) and oxidative stress (HR group) using HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells and performed combined analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation changes using reduced representation bisulphite sequencing and transcriptome expression changes using RNA sequencing. Our findings revealed that the H group exhibited a higher number of differentially methylated genes and differentially expressed genes than the HR group. In the H group, only 0.90% of all differentially expressed genes displayed simultaneous changes in DNA methylation and transcriptome expression. After the threshold was expanded, this number increased to 6.29% in the HR group. Notably, both the H group and HR group exhibited concurrent alterations in DNA methylation and transcriptome expression within Axon guidance and MAPK signalling pathway. Among the top 25 differentially methylated KEGG pathways in the promoter region, 11 pathways were commonly enriched in H group and HR group, accounting for 44.00%. Among the top 25 KEGG pathways in transcriptome with significant differences between the H group and HR group, 10 pathways were consistent, accounting for 40.00%. By integrating our previous data on DNA methylation from preeclamptic placental tissues, we identified that the ANKRD37 and PFKFB3 genes may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia through DNA methylation-mediated transcriptome expression under hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjing Yan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yang Fang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yujie Yuan
- Judicial Appraisal InstitutionThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yangnan Ding
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yina Li
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Qianqian Shi
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yongrui Gao
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Xinyuan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Dongxin Zhang
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory MedicineZhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Enwu Yuan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
- Tianjian Advanced Biomedical LaboratoryZhengzhouChina
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory MedicineZhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xin Zhao
- Tianjian Advanced Biomedical LaboratoryZhengzhouChina
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
- Tianjian Advanced Biomedical LaboratoryZhengzhouChina
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3
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Svigkou A, Katsi V, Kordalis VG, Tsioufis K. The Molecular Basis of the Augmented Cardiovascular Risk in Offspring of Mothers with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5455. [PMID: 38791492 PMCID: PMC11121482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The review examines the impact of maternal preeclampsia (PE) on the cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health of offspring. PE, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is responsible for 2 to 8% of pregnancy-related complications. It significantly contributes to adverse outcomes for their infants, affecting the time of birth, the birth weight, and cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity, lipid profiles, glucose, and insulin. Exposure to PE in utero predisposes offspring to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through mechanisms that are not fully understood. The incidence of CMD and CVD is constantly increasing, whereas CVD is the main cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A complex interplay of genes, environment, and developmental programming is a plausible explanation for the development of endothelial dysfunction, which leads to atherosclerosis and CVD. The underlying molecular mechanisms are angiogenic imbalance, inflammation, alterations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), endothelium-derived components, serotonin dysregulation, oxidative stress, and activation of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Moreover, the potential role of epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation and microRNAs as mediators of these effects is emphasized, suggesting avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasiliki Katsi
- Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
| | - Vasilios G. Kordalis
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Konstantinos Tsioufis
- Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
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Zhan F, He L, Wu J, Wu X. Bioinformatic Analysis Identifies Potential Extracellular Matrix Related Genes in the Pathogenesis of Early Onset Preeclampsia. Biochem Genet 2024; 62:646-665. [PMID: 37498421 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10461-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) is a complex pregnancy complication that poses significant risks to the health of both mothers and fetuses, and research on its pathogenesis and pathophysiology remains insuffcient. This study aims to explore the role of candidate genes and their potential interaction mechanisms in EOPE through bioinformatics analysis techniques. Two gene expression datasets, GSE44711 and GSE74341, were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between EOPE and gestational age-matched preterm control samples. Functional enrichment analysis was performed utilizing the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), gene ontology (GO), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, and hub DEGs were identified through Cytoscape software and comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD) analysis. Furthermore, a diagnostic logistic model was established using these hub genes, which were confirmed through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Finally, immune cell infiltration was analyzed using CIBERSORT. In total, 807 DEGs were identified in the GSE44711 dataset (451 upregulated genes and 356 downregulated genes), and 787 DEGs were identified in the GSE74341 dataset (446 upregulated genes and 341 downregulated genes). These DEGs were significantly enriched in various molecular functions such as extracellular matrix structural constituent, receptor-ligand activity binding, cytokine activity, and platelet-derived growth factor. KEGG and GSEA annotation revealed significant enrichment in pathways related to ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-AKT signaling, and focal adhesion. Ten hub genes were identified through the CytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape. Among these hub genes, three key DEGs (COL1A1, SPP1, and THY1) were selected using CTD analysis and various topological methods in Cytoscape. The diagnostic logistic model based on these three genes exhibited high efficiency in predicting EOPE (AUC = 0.922). RT-PCR analysis confirmed the downregulation of these genes in EOPE, and immune cell infiltration analysis suggested the significant role of M1 and M2 macrophages in EOPE. In conclusion, this study highlights the association of three key genes (COL1A1, SPP1, and THY1) with EOPE and their contribution to high diagnostic efficiency in the logistic model. Additionally, it provides new insights for future research on EOPE and emphasizes the diagnostic value of these identified genes. More research is needed to explore their functional and diagnostic significance in EOPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhan
- College of Engineering, Fujian Jiangxia University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China
- School of Electronic Information Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
| | - Lidan He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China.
| | - Jianbo Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China
| | - Xiuyan Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China
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Aisagbonhi O, Bui T, Nasamran CA, St Louis H, Pizzo D, Meads M, Mulholland M, Magallanes C, Lamale-Smith L, Laurent LC, Morey R, Jacobs MB, Fisch KM, Horii M. High placental expression of FLT1, LEP, PHYHIP and IL3RA - In persons of African ancestry with severe preeclampsia. Placenta 2023; 144:13-22. [PMID: 37949031 PMCID: PMC10843761 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mortality from preeclampsia (PE) and PE-associated morbidities are 3-to 5-fold higher in persons of African ancestry than in those of Asian and European ancestries. METHODS To elucidate placental contribution to worse PE outcomes in African ancestry pregnancies, we performed bulk RNA sequencing on 50 placentas from persons with severe PE (sPE) of African (n = 9), Asian (n = 18) and European (n = 23) ancestries and 73 normotensive controls of African (n = 10), Asian (n = 15) and European (n = 48) ancestries. RESULTS Previously described canonical preeclampsia genes, involved in metabolism and hypoxia/angiogenesis including: LEP, HK2, FSTL3, FLT1, ENG, TMEM45A, ARHGEF4 and HTRA1 were upregulated sPE versus normotensive placentas across ancestries. LTF, NPR3 and PHYHIP were higher in African vs. Asian ancestry sPE placentas. Allograft rejection/adaptive immune response genes were upregulated in placentas from African but not in Asian or European ancestry sPE patients; IL3RA was of particular interest because the patient with the highest placental IL3RA expression, a person of African ancestry with sPE, developed postpartum cardiomyopathy, and was the only patient out of 123, that developed this condition. Interestingly, the sPE patients with the highest IL3RA expression among persons of Asian and European ancestries developed unexplained tachycardia peripartum, necessitating echocardiography in the European ancestry patient. The association between elevated placental IL3RA levels and unexplained tachycardia or peripartum cardiomyopathy was found to be significant in the 50 sPE patients (p = .0005). DISCUSSION High placental upregulation of both canonical preeclampsia and allograft rejection/adaptive immune response genes may contribute to worse PE outcomes in African ancestry sPE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omonigho Aisagbonhi
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chanond A Nasamran
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hailee St Louis
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Donald Pizzo
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Morgan Meads
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Megan Mulholland
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Celestine Magallanes
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leah Lamale-Smith
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Louise C Laurent
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marni B Jacobs
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen M Fisch
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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He W, Zhang Y, Wu K, Wang Y, Zhao X, Lv L, Ren C, Lu J, Yang J, Yin A, Liu G. Epigenetic phenotype of plasma cell-free DNA in the prediction of early-onset preeclampsia. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2023; 43:2282100. [PMID: 38038254 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2023.2282100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the current study, we sought to characterise the methylation haplotypes and nucleosome positioning patterns of placental DNA and plasma cell-free DNA of pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia using whole genome bisulphite sequencing (WGBS) and methylation capture bisulphite sequencing (MCBS) and further develop and examine the diagnostic performance of a generalised linear model (GLM) by incorporating the epigenetic features for early-onset preeclampsia. METHODS This case-control study recruited pregnant women aged at least 18 years who delivered their babies at our Hospital. In addition, non-pregnant women with no previous history of diseases were included. Placental samples of the villous parenchyma were taken at the time of delivery and venous blood was drawn from pregnant women during non-invasive prenatal testing at 12-15 weeks of pregnancy and nonpregnant women during the physical check-up. WGBS and MCBS were carried out of extracted genomic DNA. Then, we established the GLM by incorporating preeclampsia-specific methylation haplotypes and nucleosome positioning patterns and examined the diagnostic performance of the model by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS The study included 135 pregnant women and 50 non-pregnant women. Our high-depth MCBS revealed notably different DNA methylation and nucleosome positioning patterns between women with and without preeclampsia. Preeclampsia-specific hypermethylated sites were found predominantly in the promoter regions and particularly enriched in CTCF on the X chromosome. Totally, 2379 preeclampsia-specific methylation haplotypes were found across the entire genome. ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.938 (95%CI 0.877, 1.000). At a GLM cut-off of 0.341, the AUC was the maximum, with a sensitivity of 95.6% and a specificity of 89.7%. CONCLUSION Pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia exhibit DNA methylation and nucleosome positioning patterns in placental and plasma DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei He
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Euler Technology, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Wu
- Euler Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yunan Wang
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijuan Lv
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Congmian Ren
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Lu
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiexia Yang
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aihua Yin
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guocheng Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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Khan A, Inkster AM, Peñaherrera MS, King S, Kildea S, Oberlander TF, Olson DM, Vaillancourt C, Brain U, Beraldo EO, Beristain AG, Clifton VL, Del Gobbo GF, Lam WL, Metz GAS, Ng JWY, Price EM, Schuetz JM, Yuan V, Portales-Casamar É, Robinson WP. The application of epiphenotyping approaches to DNA methylation array studies of the human placenta. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:37. [PMID: 37794499 PMCID: PMC10548571 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00507-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAme) profiling of the placenta with Illumina Infinium Methylation bead arrays is often used to explore the connections between in utero exposures, placental pathology, and fetal development. However, many technical and biological factors can lead to signals of DNAme variation between samples and between cohorts, and understanding and accounting for these factors is essential to ensure meaningful and replicable data analysis. Recently, "epiphenotyping" approaches have been developed whereby DNAme data can be used to impute information about phenotypic variables such as gestational age, sex, cell composition, and ancestry. These epiphenotypes offer avenues to compare phenotypic data across cohorts, and to understand how phenotypic variables relate to DNAme variability. However, the relationships between placental epiphenotyping variables and other technical and biological variables, and their application to downstream epigenome analyses, have not been well studied. RESULTS Using DNAme data from 204 placentas across three cohorts, we applied the PlaNET R package to estimate epiphenotypes gestational age, ancestry, and cell composition in these samples. PlaNET ancestry estimates were highly correlated with independent polymorphic ancestry-informative markers, and epigenetic gestational age, on average, was estimated within 4 days of reported gestational age, underscoring the accuracy of these tools. Cell composition estimates varied both within and between cohorts, as well as over very long placental processing times. Interestingly, the ratio of cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast proportion decreased with increasing gestational age, and differed slightly by both maternal ethnicity (lower in white vs. non-white) and genetic ancestry (lower in higher probability European ancestry). The cohort of origin and cytotrophoblast proportion were the largest drivers of DNAme variation in this dataset, based on their associations with the first principal component. CONCLUSIONS This work confirms that cohort, array (technical) batch, cell type proportion, self-reported ethnicity, genetic ancestry, and biological sex are important variables to consider in any analyses of Illumina DNAme data. We further demonstrate the specific utility of epiphenotyping tools developed for use with placental DNAme data, and show that these variables (i) provide an independent check of clinically obtained data and (ii) provide a robust approach to compare variables across different datasets. Finally, we present a general framework for the processing and analysis of placental DNAme data, integrating the epiphenotype variables discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Khan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - A M Inkster
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - M S Peñaherrera
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - S King
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - S Kildea
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - T F Oberlander
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - D M Olson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, 220 HMRC, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - C Vaillancourt
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie - INRS and University of Quebec Intersectorial Health Research Network, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - U Brain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - E O Beraldo
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - A G Beristain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - V L Clifton
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - G F Del Gobbo
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - W L Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - G A S Metz
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - J W Y Ng
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - E M Price
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - J M Schuetz
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - V Yuan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - É Portales-Casamar
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - W P Robinson
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada.
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8
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Fernández-Boyano I, Inkster AM, Yuan V, Robinson WP. eoPred: predicting the placental phenotype of early-onset preeclampsia using public DNA methylation data. Front Genet 2023; 14:1248088. [PMID: 37736302 PMCID: PMC10509376 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1248088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: A growing body of literature has reported molecular and histological changes in the human placenta in association with preeclampsia (PE). Placental DNA methylation (DNAme) and transcriptomic patterns have revealed molecular subgroups of PE that are associated with placental histopathology and clinical phenotypes of the disease. However, the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of PE both across and within subtypes complicates the study of this disease. PE is most strongly associated with placental pathology and adverse fetal and maternal outcomes when it develops early in pregnancy. We focused on placentae from pregnancies affected by preeclampsia that were delivered before 34 weeks of gestation to develop eoPred, a predictor of the DNAme signature associated with the placental phenotype of early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE). Results: Public data from 83 placental samples (HM450K), consisting of 42 EOPE and 41 normotensive preterm birth (nPTB) cases, was used to develop eoPred-a supervised model that relies on a highly discriminative 45 CpG DNAme signature of EOPE in the placenta. The performance of eoPred was assessed using cross-validation (AUC = 0.95) and tested in an independent validation cohort (n = 49, AUC = 0.725). A subset of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and late-PE cases showed a similar DNAme profile at the 45 predictive CpGs, consistent with the overlap in placental pathology between these conditions. The relationship between the EOPE probability generated by eoPred and various phenotypic variables was also assessed, revealing that it is associated with gestational age, and it is not driven by cell composition differences. Conclusion: eoPred relies on a 45-CpG DNAme signature to predict a homogeneous placental phenotype of EOPE in a discrete or continuous manner. Using this classifier should 1) aid in the study of placental insufficiency and improve the consistency of future placental DNAme studies of PE, 2) facilitate identifying the placental phenotype of EOPE in public data sets and 3) importantly, standardize the placental diagnosis of EOPE to allow better cross-cohort comparisons. Lastly, classification of cases with eoPred will be useful for investigating the relationship between placental pathology and genetic or environmental variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Fernández-Boyano
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A. M. Inkster
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - V. Yuan
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - W. P. Robinson
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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9
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Khan A, Inkster AM, Peñaherrera MS, King S, Kildea S, Oberlander TF, Olson DM, Vaillancourt C, Brain U, Beraldo EO, Beristain AG, Clifton VL, Del Gobbo GF, Lam WL, Metz GA, Ng JW, Price EM, Schuetz JM, Yuan V, Portales-Casamar É, Robinson WP. The application of epiphenotyping approaches to DNA methylation array studies of the human placenta. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3069705. [PMID: 37461679 PMCID: PMC10350117 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3069705/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Background : Genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAme) profiling of the placenta with Illumina Infinium Methylation bead arrays is often used to explore the connections between in utero exposures, placental pathology, and fetal development. However, many technical and biological factors can lead to signals of DNAme variation between samples and between cohorts, and understanding and accounting for these factors is essential to ensure meaningful and replicable data analysis. Recently, "epiphenotyping" approaches have been developed whereby DNAme data can be used to impute information about phenotypic variables such as gestational age, sex, cell composition, and ancestry. These epiphenotypes offer avenues to compare phenotypic data across cohorts, and to understand how phenotypic variables relate to DNAme variability. However, the relationships between placental epiphenotyping variables and other technical and biological variables, and their application to downstream epigenome analyses, have not been well studied. Results : Using DNAme data from 204 placentas across three cohorts, we applied the PlaNET R package to estimate epiphenotypes gestational age, ancestry, and cell composition in these samples. PlaNET ancestry estimates were highly correlated with independent polymorphic ancestry informative markers, and epigenetic gestational age, on average, was estimated within 4 days of reported gestational age, underscoring the accuracy of these tools. Cell composition estimates varied both within and between cohorts, but reassuringly were robust to placental processing time. Interestingly, the ratio of cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast proportion decreased with increasing gestational age, and differed slightly by both maternal ethnicity (lower in white vs. non-white) and genetic ancestry (lower in higher probability European ancestry). The cohort of origin and cytotrophoblast proportion were the largest drivers of DNAme variation in this dataset, based on their associations with the first principal component. Conclusions : This work confirms that cohort, array (technical) batch, cell type proportion, self-reported ethnicity, genetic ancestry, and biological sex are important variables to consider in any analyses of Illumina DNAme data. Further, we demonstrate that estimating epiphenotype variables from the DNAme data itself, when possible, provides both an independent check of clinically-obtained data and can provide a robust approach to compare variables across different datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almas Khan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie - INRS and University of Quebec Intersectorial Health Research Network
| | - Ursula Brain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)
| | | | | | | | | | - Wan L Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Centre
| | | | | | | | | | - Victor Yuan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)
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10
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Zheng X, Lian Y, Zhou J, Zhou Q, Zhu Y, Tang C, Zhang P, Zhao X. Placental ischemia disrupts DNA methylation patterns in distal regulatory regions in rats. Life Sci 2023; 321:121623. [PMID: 37001402 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the impact of PE on the organization of the functional architecture of the placental methylome remains largely unknown. We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of placental DNA and applied a Hidden Markov Model to investigate epigenome-wide alterations in functional structures, including partially methylated domains (PMDs), low-methylated regions (LMRs), and unmethylated regions (UMRs), in a reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of PE. The remarkable similarity we observed between the rat and human placental DNA methylomes suggests that the RUPP rat model is appropriate to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying human PE. The notable changes in PMDs indicate RUPP-induced perturbation of the stressed placental methylome. This was probably regulated via modulation of the epigenetic modifier expression, including significant downregulation of Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a and upregulation of Tet2. More importantly, changes in RUPP-induced DNA methylation occurred predominately in LMRs (80 %), which represent active enhancers, rather than in canonical UMRs (3 %), which represent promoters, suggesting that placental ischemia disrupts enhancer DNA methylation. Our findings emphasize the role of enhancer methylation in response to PE, corroborating discoveries in human PE studies. We suggest paying more attention to enhancer regions in future studies on PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguo Zheng
- International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yahan Lian
- International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Qian Zhou
- International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chunhua Tang
- International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ping Zhang
- International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xinzhi Zhao
- International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Campbell KA, Colacino JA, Puttabyatappa M, Dou JF, Elkin ER, Hammoud SS, Domino SE, Dolinoy DC, Goodrich JM, Loch-Caruso R, Padmanabhan V, Bakulski KM. Placental cell type deconvolution reveals that cell proportions drive preeclampsia gene expression differences. Commun Biol 2023; 6:264. [PMID: 36914823 PMCID: PMC10011423 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04623-6] [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: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta mediates adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, which is characterized by gestational hypertension and proteinuria. Placental cell type heterogeneity in preeclampsia is not well-understood and limits mechanistic interpretation of bulk gene expression measures. We generated single-cell RNA-sequencing samples for integration with existing data to create the largest deconvolution reference of 19 fetal and 8 maternal cell types from placental villous tissue (n = 9 biological replicates) at term (n = 40,494 cells). We deconvoluted eight published microarray case-control studies of preeclampsia (n = 173 controls, 157 cases). Preeclampsia was associated with excess extravillous trophoblasts and fewer mesenchymal and Hofbauer cells. Adjustment for cellular composition reduced preeclampsia-associated differentially expressed genes (log2 fold-change cutoff = 0.1, FDR < 0.05) from 1154 to 0, whereas downregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, aerobic respiration, and ribosome biogenesis were robust to cell type adjustment, suggesting direct changes to these pathways. Cellular composition mediated a substantial proportion of the association between preeclampsia and FLT1 (37.8%, 95% CI [27.5%, 48.8%]), LEP (34.5%, 95% CI [26.0%, 44.9%]), and ENG (34.5%, 95% CI [25.0%, 45.3%]) overexpression. Our findings indicate substantial placental cellular heterogeneity in preeclampsia contributes to previously observed bulk gene expression differences. This deconvolution reference lays the groundwork for cellular heterogeneity-aware investigation into placental dysfunction and adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Campbell
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justin A Colacino
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - John F Dou
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Elana R Elkin
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Saher S Hammoud
- Human Genetics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Urology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Steven E Domino
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rita Loch-Caruso
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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12
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Wang F, Xu L, Qi M, Lai H, Zeng F, Liang F, Wen Q, Ma X, Zhang C, Xie K. Metabolomic analysis-identified 2-hydroxybutyric acid might be a key metabolite of severe preeclampsia. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220572. [PMID: 36874628 PMCID: PMC9975955 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study set out to determine the key metabolite changes underlying the pathophysiology of severe preeclampsia (PE) using metabolic analysis. We collected sera from 10 patients with severe PE and from 10 healthy pregnant women of the same trimester and analyzed them using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. A total of 3,138 differential metabolites were screened, resulting in the identification of 124 differential metabolites. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis revealed that they were mainly enriched in the following metabolic pathways: central carbon metabolism in cancer; protein digestion and absorption; aminoacyl-transfer RNA biosynthesis; mineral absorption; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; and prostate cancer. After analysis of 124 differential metabolites, 2-hydroxybutyric acid was found to be the most critical differential metabolite, and its use allowed the differentiation of women with severe PE from healthy pregnant women. In summary, our analysis revealed that 2-hydroxybutyric acid is a potential key metabolite for distinguishing severe PE from healthy controls and is also a marker for the early diagnosis of severe PE, thus allowing early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Lili Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Mingming Qi
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Huimin Lai
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Fanhua Zeng
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Furong Liang
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Qing Wen
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Xihua Ma
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Chan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Kaili Xie
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
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13
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Li Piani L, Vigano' P, Somigliana E. Epigenetic clocks and female fertility timeline: A new approach to an old issue? Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1121231. [PMID: 37025178 PMCID: PMC10070683 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1121231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide increase in life expectancy has boosted research on aging. Overcoming the concept of chronological age, higher attention has been addressed to biological age, which reflects a person's real health state, and which may be the resulting combination of both intrinsic and environmental factors. As epigenetics may exert a pivotal role in the biological aging, epigenetic clocks were developed. They are based on mathematical models aimed at identifying DNA methylation patterns that can define the biological age and that can be adopted for different clinical scopes (i.e., estimation of the risks of developing age-related disorders or predicting lifespan). Recently, epigenetic clocks have gained a peculiar attention in the fertility research field, in particular in the female counterpart. The insight into the possible relations between epigenetic aging and women's infertility might glean additional information about certain conditions that are still not completely understood. Moreover, they could disclose significant implications for health promotion programs in infertile women. Of relevance here is that the impact of biological age and epigenetics may not be limited to fertility status but could translate into pregnancy issues. Indeed, epigenetic alterations of the mother may transfer into the offspring, and pregnancy itself as well as related complications could contribute to epigenetic modifications in both the mother and newborn. However, even if the growing interest has culminated in the conspicuous production of studies on these topics, a global overview and the availability of validated instruments for diagnosis is still missing. The present narrative review aims to explore the possible bonds between epigenetic aging and fertility timeline. In the "infertility" section, we will discuss the advances on epigenetic clocks focusing on the different tissues examined (endometrium, peripheral blood, ovaries). In the "pregnancy" section, we will discuss the results obtained from placenta, umbilical cord and peripheral blood. The possible role of epigenetic aging on infertility mechanisms and pregnancy outcomes represents a question that may configure epigenetic clock as a bond between two apparently opposite worlds: infertility and pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Li Piani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Letizia Li Piani,
| | - Paola Vigano'
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Edgardo Somigliana
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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14
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Inkster AM, Konwar C, Peñaherrera MS, Brain U, Khan A, Price EM, Schuetz JM, Portales-Casamar É, Burt A, Marsit CJ, Vaillancourt C, Oberlander TF, Robinson WP. Profiling placental DNA methylation associated with maternal SSRI treatment during pregnancy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22576. [PMID: 36585414 PMCID: PMC9803674 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26071-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treatment of prenatal maternal depression have been associated with neonatal neurobehavioral disturbances, though the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In utero exposure to SSRIs may affect DNA methylation (DNAme) in the human placenta, an epigenetic mark that is established during development and is associated with gene expression. Chorionic villus samples from 64 human placentas were profiled with the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip; clinical assessments of maternal mood and SSRI treatment records were collected at multiple time points during pregnancy. Case distribution was 20 SSRI-exposed cases and 44 SSRI non-exposed cases. Maternal depression was defined using a mean maternal Hamilton Depression score > 8 to indicate symptomatic depressed mood ("maternally-depressed"), and we further classified cases into SSRI-exposed, maternally-depressed (n = 14); SSRI-exposed, not maternally-depressed (n = 6); SSRI non-exposed, maternally-depressed (n = 20); and SSRI non-exposed, not maternally-depressed (n = 24). For replication, Illumina 450K DNAme profiles were obtained from 34 additional cases from an independent cohort (n = 17 SSRI-exposed, n = 17 SSRI non-exposed). No CpGs were differentially methylated at FDR < 0.05 comparing SSRI-exposed to non-exposed placentas, in a model adjusted for mean maternal Hamilton Depression score, or in a model restricted to maternally-depressed cases with and without SSRI exposure. However, at a relaxed threshold of FDR < 0.25, five CpGs were differentially methylated (|Δβ| > 0.03) by SSRI exposure status. Four were covered by the replication cohort measured by the 450K array, but none replicated. No CpGs were differentially methylated (FDR < 0.25) comparing maternally depressed to not depressed cases. In sex-stratified analyses for SSRI-exposed versus non-exposed cases (females n = 31; males n = 33), three additional CpGs in females, but none in males, were differentially methylated at the relaxed FDR < 0.25 cut-off. We did not observe large-scale alterations of DNAme in placentas exposed to maternal SSRI treatment, as compared to placentas with no SSRI exposure. We also found no evidence for altered DNAme in maternal depression-exposed versus depression non-exposed placentas. This novel work in a prospectively-recruited cohort with clinician-ascertained SSRI exposure and mood assessments would benefit from future replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M. Inkster
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Chaini Konwar
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3 Canada
| | - Maria S. Peñaherrera
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Ursula Brain
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
| | - Almas Khan
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - E. Magda Price
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada ,grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2 Canada
| | - Johanna M. Schuetz
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Élodie Portales-Casamar
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Amber Burt
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- grid.418084.10000 0000 9582 2314INRS-Centre Armand Frappier and Réseau intersectoriel de recherche en santé de l’Université du Québec, Laval, QC H7V 1B7 Canada
| | - Tim F. Oberlander
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Wendy P. Robinson
- grid.414137.40000 0001 0684 7788BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
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15
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Jiang L, Chang R, Liu J, Xin H. Methylation-based epigenetic studies and gene integration analysis of preeclampsia. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:1342. [PMID: 36660680 PMCID: PMC9843334 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-5556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-factor and multi-mechanism disease, which may jeopardize the life safety of affected pregnant women and fetuses. Our study aimed to detect the potential molecular indicators of PE that might be helpful for its diagnosis and treatment. Methods Methylation assay of PE and normal pregnancies placental biopsies was analyzed using the Illumina Human Methylation-27 Assay. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using R-DESeq2 software. Subsequently, the relationship between DNA methylation genes and DEGs were evaluated. Furthermore, immunohistochemical (IHC) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validation analyses were conducted for the hub genes. Results These hub genes (including PLXNB1, PMCH, PPARG, GOPC, CD79A, and MME) were found to be differentially methylated genes and DEGs. Further analysis revealed that PPARG, CD79A, and PLXNB1 may be diagnostic gene markers for PE; down-regulation of PPARG expression was closely correlated with the development of PE. The IHC analysis demonstrated that the expression levels of PLXNB1, PMCH, GOPC, CD79A, and MME genes were increased, whereas that of PPARG was decreased in PE tissues. The PCR results showed that PLXNB1, PMCH, GOPC, CD79a, and MME were upregulated, whereas PPARG was downregulated. The results of the 2 experiments were consistent with those of bioinformatics analysis. Conclusions The molecular indicators identified in this study could facilitate the development of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China;,Department of Obstetrics, Shijiazhuang Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ruijing Chang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Shijiazhuang Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hong Xin
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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16
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Zhou G, Winn E, Nguyen D, Kasten EP, Petroff MG, Hoffmann HM. Co-alterations of circadian clock gene transcripts in human placenta in preeclampsia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17856. [PMID: 36284122 PMCID: PMC9596722 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22507-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive condition that occurs during pregnancy and complicates up to 4% of pregnancies. PE exhibits several circadian-related characteristics, and the placenta possesses a functioning molecular clock. We examined the associations of 17 core circadian gene transcripts in placenta with PE vs. non-PE (a mixture of pregnant women with term, preterm, small-for-gestational-age, or chorioamnionitis) using two independent gene expression datasets: GSE75010-157 (80 PE vs. 77 non-PE) and GSE75010-173 (77 PE and 96 non-PE). We found a robust difference in circadian gene expression between PE and non-PE across the two datasets, where CRY1 mRNA increases and NR1D2 and PER3 transcripts decrease in PE placenta. Gene set variation analysis revealed an interplay between co-alterations of circadian clock genes and PE with altered hypoxia, cell migration/invasion, autophagy, and membrane trafficking pathways. Using human placental trophoblast HTR-8 cells, we show that CRY1/2 and NR1D1/2 regulate trophoblast migration. A subgroup study including only term samples demonstrated that CLOCK, NR1D2, and PER3 transcripts were simultaneously decreased in PE placenta, a finding supported by CLOCK protein downregulation in an independent cohort of human term PE placenta samples. These findings provide novel insights into the roles of the molecular clock in the pathogenesis of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoli Zhou
- Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute, Michigan State University, 909 Wilson Rd. Suite B500, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
| | - Emily Winn
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Duong Nguyen
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Science Program and Neuroscience Program, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building #3010, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Eric P Kasten
- Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute, Michigan State University, 909 Wilson Rd. Suite B500, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Margaret G Petroff
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Hanne M Hoffmann
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Science Program and Neuroscience Program, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building #3010, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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17
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Qu H, Khalil RA. Role of ADAM and ADAMTS Disintegrin and Metalloproteinases in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115266. [PMID: 36191626 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Normal pregnancy (NP) involves intricate processes starting with egg fertilization, proceeding to embryo implantation, placentation and gestation, and culminating in parturition. These pregnancy-related processes require marked uteroplacental and vascular remodeling by proteolytic enzymes and metalloproteinases. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) and ADAM with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) are members of the zinc-dependent family of proteinases with highly conserved protein structure and sequence homology, which include a pro-domain, and a metalloproteinase, disintegrin and cysteine-rich domain. In NP, ADAMs and ADAMTS regulate sperm-egg fusion, embryo implantation, trophoblast invasion, placental angiogenesis and spiral arteries remodeling through their ectodomain proteolysis of cell surface cytokines, cadherins and growth factors as well as their adhesion with integrins and cell-cell junction proteins. Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy characterized by new-onset hypertension (HTN) in pregnancy (HTN-Preg) at or after 20 weeks of gestation, with or without proteinuria. Insufficient trophoblast invasion of the uterine wall, inadequate expansive remodeling of the spiral arteries, reduced uteroplacental perfusion pressure, and placental ischemia/hypoxia are major initiating events in the pathogenesis of PE. Placental ischemia/hypoxia increase the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which lead to aberrant expression/activity of certain ADAMs and ADAMTS. In PE, abnormal expression/activity of specific ADAMs and ADAMTS that function as proteolytic sheddases could alter proangiogenic and growth factors, and promote the release of antiangiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines into the placenta and maternal circulation leading to generalized inflammation, endothelial cell injury and HTN-Preg, renal injury and proteinuria, and further decreases in uteroplacental blood flow, exaggeration of placental ischemia, and consequently fetal growth restriction. Identifying the role of ADAMs and ADAMTS in NP and PE has led to a better understanding of the underlying molecular and vascular pathways, and advanced the potential for novel biomarkers for prediction and early detection, and new approaches for the management of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Qu
- Vascular Surgery Research Laboratories, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Raouf A Khalil
- Vascular Surgery Research Laboratories, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
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18
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Gil GP, Ananina G, Maschietto M, Lima SCS, da Silva Costa SM, Baptista LDC, Ito MT, Costa FF, Costa ML, de Melo MB. Epigenetic analysis in placentas from sickle cell disease patients reveals a hypermethylation profile. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274762. [PMID: 36129958 PMCID: PMC9491616 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) women is associated to increased risk of clinical and obstetrical complications. Placentas from SCD pregnancies can present increased abnormal findings, which may lead to placental insufficiency, favoring adverse perinatal outcome. These placental abnormalities are well known and reported, however little is known about the molecular mechanisms, such as epigenetics. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the DNA methylation profile in placentas from women with SCD (HbSS and HbSC genotypes), compared to uncomplicated controls (HbAA). We included in this study 11 pregnant women with HbSS, 11 with HbSC and 21 with HbAA genotypes. Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip was used to assess the whole placental DNA methylation. Pyrosequencing was used for array data validation and qRT-PCR was applied for gene expression analysis. Our results showed high frequency of hypermethylated CpGs sites in HbSS and HbSC groups with 73.5% and 76.2% respectively, when compared with the control group. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) also showed an increased hypermethylation status for the HbSS (89%) and HbSC (86%) groups, when compared with the control group methylation data. DMRs were selected for methylation validation (4 DMRs-HbSS and 3 DMRs the HbSC groups) and after analyses three were validated in the HbSS group, and none in the HbSC group. The gene expression analysis showed differential expression for the PTGFR (-2.97-fold) and GPR56 (3.0-fold) genes in the HbSS group, and for the SPOCK1 (-2.40-fold) and ADCY4 (1.80-fold) genes in the HbSC group. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that SCD (HbSS and HbSC genotypes) can alter placental DNA methylation and lead to gene expression changes. These changes possibly contribute to abnormal placental development and could impact in the clinical course, especially for the fetus, possibly leading to increased risk of abortion, fetal growth restriction (FGR), stillbirth, small for gestational age newborns and prematurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gislene Pereira Gil
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Galina Ananina
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sueli Matilde da Silva Costa
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia de Carvalho Baptista
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mirta Tomie Ito
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Laura Costa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mônica Barbosa de Melo
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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19
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Nema J, Joshi N, Sundrani D, Joshi S. Influence of maternal one carbon metabolites on placental programming and long term health. Placenta 2022; 125:20-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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20
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Yi Y, Zhu H, Klausen C, Chang HM, Inkster AM, Terry J, Leung PCK. Dysregulated BMP2 in the Placenta May Contribute to Early-Onset Preeclampsia by Regulating Human Trophoblast Expression of Extracellular Matrix and Adhesion Molecules. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:768669. [PMID: 34970543 PMCID: PMC8712873 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.768669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Many pregnancy disorders, including early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE), are associated with defects in placental trophoblast cell invasion and differentiation during early placental development. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) belongs to the TGF-β superfamily and controls various physiological and developmental processes. However, the expression of BMP2 in the placenta and underlying molecular mechanisms of how BMP2 regulates trophoblast function remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed several publicly available microarray and RNA-seq datasets and revealed differences in expression of TGF-β superfamily members between gestational age-matched non-preeclamptic control and EOPE placentas. Importantly, BMP2 levels were significantly reduced in EOPE placentas compared with controls, and RNAscope in situ hybridization further demonstrated BMP2 expression was disrupted in EOPE placental villi. To explore the molecular mechanisms of BMP2-regulated early trophoblast differentiation, we examined BMP2 expression in first-trimester human placenta and found it to be localized to all subtypes of trophoblasts and the decidua. RNA-seq analysis on control and BMP2-treated primary human trophoblast cells identified 431 differentially expressed genes, including several canonical TGF-β/BMP signaling targets (BAMBI, ID1, INHBA, IGFBP3). Gene ontology annotations revealed that differentially expressed genes were involved in cell adhesion and extracellular matrix organization. Furthermore, we identified adhesion molecule with IgG-like domain 2 (AMIGO2) as a novel target for BMP2 that contributed to BMP2-induced trophoblast invasion and endothelial-like tube formation. Overall, our findings provide insight into the molecular processes controlled by BMP2 during early placental development that may contribute to the pathogenesis of EOPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyin Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christian Klausen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amy M Inkster
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jefferson Terry
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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21
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Huang Q, Hao S, You J, Yao X, Li Z, Schilling J, Thyparambil S, Liao WL, Zhou X, Mo L, Ladella S, Davies-Balch SR, Zhao H, Fan D, Whitin JC, Cohen HJ, McElhinney DB, Wong RJ, Shaw GM, Stevenson DK, Sylvester KG, Ling XB. Early-pregnancy prediction of risk for pre-eclampsia using maternal blood leptin/ceramide ratio: discovery and confirmation. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050963. [PMID: 34824115 PMCID: PMC8627403 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop a blood test for the prediction of pre-eclampsia (PE) early in gestation. We hypothesised that the longitudinal measurements of circulating adipokines and sphingolipids in maternal serum over the course of pregnancy could identify novel prognostic biomarkers that are predictive of impending event of PE early in gestation. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective discovery and longitudinal confirmation. SETTING Maternity units from two US hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Six previously published studies of placental tissue (78 PE and 95 non-PE) were compiled for genomic discovery, maternal sera from 15 women (7 non-PE and 8 PE) enrolled at ProMedDx were used for sphingolipidomic discovery, and maternal sera from 40 women (20 non-PE and 20 PE) enrolled at Stanford University were used for longitudinal observation. OUTCOME MEASURES Biomarker candidates from discovery were longitudinally confirmed and compared in parallel to the ratio of placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) using the same cohort. The datasets were generated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assays. RESULTS Our discovery integrating genomic and sphingolipidomic analysis identified leptin (Lep) and ceramide (Cer) (d18:1/25:0) as novel biomarkers for early gestational assessment of PE. Our longitudinal observation revealed a marked elevation of Lep/Cer (d18:1/25:0) ratio in maternal serum at a median of 23 weeks' gestation among women with impending PE as compared with women with uncomplicated pregnancy. The Lep/Cer (d18:1/25:0) ratio significantly outperformed the established sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in predicting impending event of PE with superior sensitivity (85% vs 20%) and area under curve (0.92 vs 0.52) from 5 to 25 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated the longitudinal measurement of maternal Lep/Cer (d18:1/25:0) ratio allows the non-invasive assessment of PE to identify pregnancy at high risk in early gestation, outperforming the established sFlt-1/PlGF ratio test.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shiying Hao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Clinical and Translational Research Program, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Jin You
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Zhen Li
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Binhai Industrial Technology Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Tianjin, China
- School of Electrical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | | | | | | | - Xin Zhou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Target Organ Injury, Pingjin Hospital Heart Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Lihong Mo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Subhashini Ladella
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, California, USA
| | | | - Hangyi Zhao
- Department of Mathematics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David Fan
- Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - John C Whitin
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Harvey J Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Doff B McElhinney
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Clinical and Translational Research Program, Betty Irene Moore Children's Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ronald J Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David K Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Karl G Sylvester
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Xuefeng B Ling
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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22
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Epigenetic processes during preeclampsia and effects on fetal development and chronic health. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:2307-2327. [PMID: 34643675 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE), the leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, is associated with poor fetal growth, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and low birth weight (LBW). Offspring of women who had PE are at increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease later in life. However, the exact etiology of PE is unknown. Moreover, there are no effective interventions to treat PE or alleviate IUGR and the developmental origins of chronic disease in the offspring. The placenta is critical to fetal growth and development. Epigenetic regulatory processes such as histone modifications, microRNAs and DNA methylation play an important role in placental development including contributions to the regulation of trophoblast invasion and remodeling of the spiral arteries. Epigenetic processes that lead to changes in placental gene expression in PE mediate downstream effects that contribute to the development of placenta dysfunction, a critical mediator in the onset of PE, impaired fetal growth and IUGR. Therefore, this review will focus on epigenetic processes that contribute to the pathogenesis of PE and IUGR. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to normal placental development and the initiating events in PE may lead to novel therapeutic targets in PE that improve fetal growth and mitigate increased CV risk in the offspring.
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23
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Sagrillo-Fagundes L, Casagrande Paim T, Pretto L, Bertaco I, Zanatelli C, Vaillancourt C, Wink MR. The implications of the purinergic signaling throughout pregnancy. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:507-522. [PMID: 34596240 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30594] [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] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purinergic signaling is a necessary mechanism to trigger or even amplify cell communication. Its ligands, notably adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine, modulate specific membrane-bound receptors in virtually all human cells. Regardless of the stage of the pregnancy, cellular communication between maternal, placental, and fetal cells is the paramount mechanism to sustain its optimal status. In this review, we describe the crucial role of purinergic signaling on the regulation of the maternal-fetal trophic exchanges, immune control, and endocrine exchanges throughout pregnancy. The nature of the modulation of both ATP and adenosine on the embryo-maternal interface, going through placental invasion until birth delivery depends on the general maternal-fetal health state and consequently on the selective activation of their specific receptors. In addition, an increasing number of studies have been demonstrating the pivotal role of ATP and adenosine in modulating deleterious effects of suboptimal conditions of pregnancy. Here, we discuss the role of purinergic signaling on the balance that coordinates the embryo-maternal exchanges and a promising therapeutic venue in the context of pregnancy disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Sagrillo-Fagundes
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Thaís Casagrande Paim
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiza Pretto
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Isadora Bertaco
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carla Zanatelli
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, INRS, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Márcia R Wink
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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24
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Matsui H, Iriyama T, Sayama S, Inaoka N, Suzuki K, Yoshikawa M, Ichinose M, Sone K, Kumasawa K, Nagamatsu T, Fujisawa T, Naguro I, Ichijo H, Fujii T, Osuga Y. Elevated placental histone H3K4 methylation via upregulated histone methyltransferases SETD1A and SMYD3 in preeclampsia and its possible involvement in hypoxia-induced pathophysiological process. Placenta 2021; 115:60-69. [PMID: 34560329 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Disturbance in placental epigenetic regulation contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Although aberrant placental DNA methylation status in PE has been thoroughly studied, the role of histone modifications, including histone methylation, in PE remains unclear. Moreover, no study has ever reported the association between PE and placental histone methylation status by focusing on histone methyltransferases. The present study aimed to investigate the possible involvement of placental epigenetic regulation by histone methylation via histone methyltransferases in the pathophysiology of PE. METHODS Placental mRNA expression of histone methyltransferases was examined using quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expression of histone methyltransferases and histone methylation status in placentas and trophoblast cell lines were assessed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Expression profile of histone methyltransferases in the placentas using quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the mRNA expression levels of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases, SETD1A and SMYD3, were significantly increased in placentas from PE patients. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry revealed that not only protein expression levels of SETD1A and SMYD3, but also H3K4 methylation status was increased in the trophoblasts from PE placentas. In vitro studies using HTR-8/SV-neo and BeWo cells showed that hypoxia induced the expression levels of SETD1A and SMYD3, and subsequently enhanced H3K4 methylation. Furthermore, the overexpression of SETD1A and SMYD3 in HTR-8/SV-neo cells enhanced H3K4 methylation in response to hypoxia. DISCUSSION Our study results suggest that placental epigenetic alteration by enhanced histone H3K4 methylation through upregulated SETD1A and SMYD3 might play a role in the pathophysiological process of PE associated with hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Matsui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takayuki Iriyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Seisuke Sayama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Naoko Inaoka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kensuke Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Midori Yoshikawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Mari Ichinose
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kenbun Sone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Keiichi Kumasawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nagamatsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takao Fujisawa
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Isao Naguro
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Hidenori Ichijo
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Fujii
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sanno Hospital, 8-10-16 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052, Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
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25
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Suhre K, Zaghlool S. Connecting the epigenome, metabolome and proteome for a deeper understanding of disease. J Intern Med 2021; 290:527-548. [PMID: 33904619 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) identify genes that are dysregulated by the studied clinical endpoints, thereby indicating potential new diagnostic biomarkers, drug targets and therapy options. Combining EWAS with deep molecular phenotyping, such as approaches enabled by metabolomics and proteomics, allows further probing of the underlying disease-associated pathways. For instance, methylation of the TXNIP gene is associated robustly with prevalent type 2 diabetes and further with metabolites that are short-term markers of glycaemic control. These associations reflect TXNIP's function as a glucose uptake regulator by interaction with the major glucose transporter GLUT1 and suggest that TXNIP methylation can be used as a read-out for the organism's exposure to glucose stress. Another case is the association between DNA methylation of the AHRR and F2RL3 genes with smoking and a protein that is involved in the reprogramming of the bronchial epithelium. These examples show that associations between DNA methylation and intermediate molecular traits can open new windows into how the body copes with physiological challenges. This knowledge, if carefully interpreted, may indicate novel therapy options and, together with monitoring of the methylation state of specific methylation sites, may in the future allow the early diagnosis of impending disease. It is essential for medical practitioners to recognize the potential that this field holds in translating basic research findings to clinical practice. In this review, we present recent advances in the field of EWAS with metabolomics and proteomics and discuss both the potential and the challenges of translating epigenetic associations, with deep molecular phenotypes, to biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Suhre
- From the, Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - S Zaghlool
- From the, Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
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Mi C, Ye B, Gao Z, Du J, Li R, Huang D. BHLHE40 plays a pathological role in pre-eclampsia through upregulating SNX16 by transcriptional inhibition of miR-196a-5p. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:532-548. [PMID: 32579212 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia (PE), which results from abnormal placentation, is a primary cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, the causes of abnormal development of the placenta remain poorly understood. BHLHE40 is a transcriptional repressor in response to hypoxia. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that BHLHE40 negatively regulates miR-196a-5p expression, which may decrease miR-196a-5p to target SNX16. Since SNX16 exerts an inhibitory effect on cell migration, it may disrupt trophoblast cell migration in placentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore a possible role of the BHLHE40/miR-196a-5p/SNX16 axis in PE pathogenesis. BHLHE40, miR-196a-5p and SNX16 mRNA and/or protein levels were detected in PE and normal placenta tissues. PE models in vitro and in vivo were constructed by culturing trophoblasts under hypoxia and reducing the uterine perfusion pressure in pregnant C57/BL6N mice, respectively. BHLHE40 and SNX16 were upregulated in PE placenta, while miR-196a-5p was downregulated. Knockdown of BHLHE40 reversed miR-196a-5p expression in trophoblasts under hypoxia, and upregulation of miR-196a-5p inhibited SNX16 expression. As indicated by ChIP assay, BHLHE40 bound to the promoter of the miR-196a-5p gene; luciferase reporter analysis showed that miR-196a-5p could bind to the 3'-untranslated region of SNX16 mRNA. Knockdown of either BHLHE40 or SNX16, or an increase in miR-196a-5p, restored cell viability, migration, invasion and matrix metalloprotein (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression under hypoxia. BHLHE40 knockdown also alleviated PE symptoms in pregnant C57/BL6N mice. This study supports involvement of the BHLHE40/miR-196a-5p/SNX16 axis in PE pathogenesis; Proper adjustment of the BHLHE40/miR-196a-5p/SNX16 axis is able to attenuate PE symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Mi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bin Ye
- Departmen of Radiological, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhou Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jinzhi Du
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ruizhen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Dong Huang
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
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Wojczakowski W, Kimber-Trojnar Ż, Dziwisz F, Słodzińska M, Słodziński H, Leszczyńska-Gorzelak B. Preeclampsia and Cardiovascular Risk for Offspring. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10143154. [PMID: 34300320 PMCID: PMC8306208 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10143154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence of long-term cardiovascular sequelae in children after in utero exposure to preeclampsia. Maternal hypertension and/or placental ischaemia during pregnancy increase the risk of hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the offspring later in life. The mechanisms associated with CVD seem to be a combination of genetic, molecular, and environmental factors which can be defined as fetal and postnatal programming. The aim of this paper is to discuss the relationship between pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia and possibility of CVD in the offspring. Unfortunately, due to its multifactorial nature, a clear dependency mechanism between preeclampsia and CVD is difficult to establish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiktor Wojczakowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (W.W.); (M.S.); (B.L.-G.)
| | - Żaneta Kimber-Trojnar
- Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (W.W.); (M.S.); (B.L.-G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-81-7244-769
| | - Filip Dziwisz
- Department of Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Arrhythmias, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Łódź, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Słodzińska
- Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (W.W.); (M.S.); (B.L.-G.)
| | - Hubert Słodziński
- Institute of Medical Sciences, State School of Higher Education in Chełm, 22-100 Chełm, Poland;
| | - Bożena Leszczyńska-Gorzelak
- Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (W.W.); (M.S.); (B.L.-G.)
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Almomani SN, Alsaleh AA, Weeks RJ, Chatterjee A, Day RC, Honda I, Homma H, Fukuzawa R, Slatter TL, Hung NA, Devenish C, Morison IM, Macaulay EC. Identification and validation of DNA methylation changes in pre-eclampsia. Placenta 2021; 110:16-23. [PMID: 34098319 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a dangerous placental condition that can lead to premature labour, seizures and death of mother and infant. Several studies have identified altered placental DNA methylation in PE; however, there is widespread inconsistency between studies and most findings have not been replicated. This study aimed to identify and validate consistent differences in methylation across multiple PE cohorts. METHODS Seven publicly available 450K methylation array datasets were analysed to identify consistent differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in PE. DMPs were identified based on methylation difference (≥10%) and significance (p-value ≤ 1 × 10-7). Targeted deep bisulfite sequencing was then performed to validate a subset of DMPs in an additional independent PE cohort. RESULTS Stringent analysis of the seven 450K datasets identified 25 DMPs (associated with 11 genes) in only one dataset. Using more relaxed criteria confirmed 19 of the stringent 25 DMPs in at least four of the remaining six datasets. Targeted deep bisulfite sequencing of eight DMPs (associated with three genes; CMIP, ST3GAL1 and DAPK3) in an independent PE cohort validated two DMPs in the CMIP gene. Seven additional CpG sites in CMIP were found to be significantly differentially methylated in PE. DISCUSSION The identification and validation of significant differential methylation in CMIP suggests that the altered DNA methylation of this gene may be associated with the pathogenesis of PE, and may have the potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers for this dangerous condition of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan N Almomani
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Abdulmonem A Alsaleh
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Robert J Weeks
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert C Day
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Izumi Honda
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8524, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Homma
- Department of Neonatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8561, Japan
| | - Ryuji Fukuzawa
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Pathology, International University of Health and Welfare, School of Medicine, Narita, Japan
| | - Tania L Slatter
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Noelyn A Hung
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Celia Devenish
- Women's and Children's Health, Otago Medical School Dunedin Campus, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ian M Morison
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Erin C Macaulay
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Yong HEJ, Chan SY. Current approaches and developments in transcript profiling of the human placenta. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 26:799-840. [PMID: 33043357 PMCID: PMC7600289 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is the active interface between mother and foetus, bearing the molecular marks of rapid development and exposures in utero. The placenta is routinely discarded at delivery, providing a valuable resource to explore maternal-offspring health and disease in pregnancy. Genome-wide profiling of the human placental transcriptome provides an unbiased approach to study normal maternal–placental–foetal physiology and pathologies. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE To date, many studies have examined the human placental transcriptome, but often within a narrow focus. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of human placental transcriptome studies, encompassing those from the cellular to tissue levels and contextualize current findings from a broader perspective. We have consolidated studies into overarching themes, summarized key research findings and addressed important considerations in study design, as a means to promote wider data sharing and support larger meta-analysis of already available data and greater collaboration between researchers in order to fully capitalize on the potential of transcript profiling in future studies. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database, National Center for Biotechnology Information and European Bioinformatics Institute dataset repositories were searched, to identify all relevant human studies using ‘placenta’, ‘decidua’, ‘trophoblast’, ‘transcriptome’, ‘microarray’ and ‘RNA sequencing’ as search terms until May 2019. Additional studies were found from bibliographies of identified studies. OUTCOMES The 179 identified studies were classifiable into four broad themes: healthy placental development, pregnancy complications, exposures during pregnancy and in vitro placental cultures. The median sample size was 13 (interquartile range 8–29). Transcriptome studies prior to 2015 were predominantly performed using microarrays, while RNA sequencing became the preferred choice in more recent studies. Development of fluidics technology, combined with RNA sequencing, has enabled transcript profiles to be generated of single cells throughout pregnancy, in contrast to previous studies relying on isolated cells. There are several key study aspects, such as sample selection criteria, sample processing and data analysis methods that may represent pitfalls and limitations, which need to be carefully considered as they influence interpretation of findings and conclusions. Furthermore, several areas of growing importance, such as maternal mental health and maternal obesity are understudied and the profiling of placentas from these conditions should be prioritized. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Integrative analysis of placental transcriptomics with other ‘omics’ (methylome, proteome and metabolome) and linkage with future outcomes from longitudinal studies is crucial in enhancing knowledge of healthy placental development and function, and in enabling the underlying causal mechanisms of pregnancy complications to be identified. Such understanding could help in predicting risk of future adversity and in designing interventions that can improve the health outcomes of both mothers and their offspring. Wider collaboration and sharing of placental transcriptome data, overcoming the challenges in obtaining sufficient numbers of quality samples with well-defined clinical characteristics, and dedication of resources to understudied areas of pregnancy will undoubtedly help drive the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E J Yong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Inkster AM, Yuan V, Konwar C, Matthews AM, Brown CJ, Robinson WP. A cross-cohort analysis of autosomal DNA methylation sex differences in the term placenta. Biol Sex Differ 2021; 12:38. [PMID: 34044884 PMCID: PMC8162041 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-021-00381-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human placental DNA methylation (DNAme) data is a valuable resource for studying sex differences during gestation, as DNAme profiles after delivery reflect the cumulative effects of gene expression patterns and exposures across gestation. Here, we present an analysis of sex differences in autosomal DNAme in the uncomplicated term placenta (n = 343) using the Illumina 450K array. RESULTS At a false discovery rate < 0.05 and a mean sex difference in DNAme beta value of > 0.10, we identified 162 autosomal CpG sites that were differentially methylated by sex and replicated in an independent cohort of samples (n = 293). Several of these differentially methylated CpG sites were part of larger correlated regions of sex differential DNAme. Although global DNAme levels did not differ by sex, the majority of significantly differentially methylated CpGs were more highly methylated in male placentae, the opposite of what is seen in differential methylation analyses of somatic tissues. Patterns of autosomal DNAme at these 162 CpGs were significantly associated with maternal age (in males) and newborn birthweight standard deviation (in females). CONCLUSIONS Our results provide a comprehensive analysis of sex differences in autosomal DNAme in the term human placenta. We report a list of high-confidence autosomal sex-associated differentially methylated CpGs and identify several key features of these loci that suggest their relevance to sex differences observed in normative and complicated pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M. Inkster
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Victor Yuan
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Chaini Konwar
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Allison M. Matthews
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z7 Canada
| | - Carolyn J. Brown
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Wendy P. Robinson
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3N1 Canada
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Zhang X, Wang G, Li H, Jiang X, Zhao X. STAT3-mediated effects of methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on preeclampsia. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:4103-4119. [PMID: 34150002 PMCID: PMC8205656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-DC) on preeclampsia (PE) and functional mechanisms dependent on STAT3. MATERIALS AND METHODS Trophoblastic cells (HTR8/Svneo, JEG-3, JAR and BeWo) were used to constructed STAT3-overexpressing or -silenced cells. qRT-PCR, Western blot, and FISH were used to detect mRNA and protein expression. GST-pull down, ChIP and dual luciferase reporter were used to prove the association of STAT3 and PTEN or TSC2, LC-MS/MS for proteome, and MeDIP-Seq for transcriptome. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis. C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups (control, control + 5-AZA-DC, PE and PE + 5-AZA-DC). Systolic blood pressure, 24-h urinary protein, APTT, D-D, PT, ALT, Scr, and BUN were determined. Placental blood flow velocity was detected by Doppler ultrasound, HE staining for kidney injury. RESULTS STAT3, PTEN and TSC2 were the dominantly differential expressed genes in preeclampsia. Aberrant STAT3 expression increased DNMT1 levels. STAT3 regulated PTEN promoter activity. STAT3 interacted with PTEN and TSC2. DNMT1 was increased while STAT3, PTEN and TSC2 were decreased by 5-AZA-DC. Cell proliferation was promoted and apoptosis was inhibited by 5-AZA-DC. PE-induced STAT3 down-regulation was restored by 5-AZA-DC. Systolic blood pressure, 24-h urinary protein, APTT, D-D, PT, ALT, Scr and BUN were increased, and velocity of placental blood flow was inhibited in PE compared with control mice, while 5-AZA-DC relived these indicators. CONCLUSIONS Preeclampsia symptoms was relieved by 5-AZA-DC, suggesting that 5-AZA-DC could be used as a potential drug for epigenetic treatment of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Huadu Hospital, Southern Medical University (People’s Hospital of Huadu District)Guangzhou 510800, China
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510800, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Huadu Hospital, Southern Medical University (People’s Hospital of Huadu District)Guangzhou 510800, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Huadu Hospital, Southern Medical University (People’s Hospital of Huadu District)Guangzhou 510800, China
| | - Xiangming Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Huadu Hospital, Southern Medical University (People’s Hospital of Huadu District)Guangzhou 510800, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhao
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510800, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Huadu Hospital, Southern Medical University (People’s Hospital of Huadu District)Guangzhou 510800, China
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Xu H, Xie Y, Sun Y, Guo R, Lv D, Li X, Li F, He M, Fan Y, Deng D. Integrated analysis of multiple microarray studies to identify potential pathogenic gene modules in preeclampsia. Exp Mol Pathol 2021; 120:104631. [PMID: 33744280 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2021.104631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder during pregnancy, while underlying pathogenesis and its diagnosis are incomplete. METHODS In this study, we utilized the Robust Rank Aggregation method to integrate 6 eligible preeclampsia microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database. We used linear regression to assess the associations between significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and blood pressure. Functional annotation, protein-protein interaction, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and single sample GSEA were employed for investigating underlying pathogenesis in preeclampsia. RESULTS We filtered 52 DEGs and further screened for 5 hub genes (leptin, pappalysin 2, endoglin, fms related receptor tyrosine kinase 1, tripartite motif containing 24) that were positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Receiver operating characteristic indicated that hub genes were potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in preeclampsia. GSEA for single hub gene revealed that they were all closely related to angiogenesis and estrogen response in preeclampsia. Moreover, single sample GSEA showed that the expression levels of 5 hub genes were correlated with those of immune cells in immunologic microenvironment at maternal-fetal interface. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide new insights into underlying pathogenesis in preeclampsia; 5 hub genes were identified as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heze Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; The Second Clinical Medicine College, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yin Xie
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rong Guo
- Department of Software Engineering College, Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Dan Lv
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xuanxuan Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fanfan Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mengzhou He
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yao Fan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dongrui Deng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Modeling preeclampsia using human induced pluripotent stem cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5877. [PMID: 33723311 PMCID: PMC7961010 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85230-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder, affecting up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide. The primary etiology is considered to be abnormal development and function of placental cells called trophoblasts. We previously developed a two-step protocol for differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells, first into cytotrophoblast (CTB) progenitor-like cells, and then into both syncytiotrophoblast (STB)- and extravillous trophoblast (EVT)-like cells, and showed that it can model both normal and abnormal trophoblast differentiation. We have now applied this protocol to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from placentas of pregnancies with or without PE. While there were no differences in CTB induction or EVT formation, PE-iPSC-derived trophoblast showed a defect in syncytialization, as well as a blunted response to hypoxia. RNAseq analysis showed defects in STB formation and response to hypoxia; however, DNA methylation changes were minimal, corresponding only to changes in response to hypoxia. Overall, PE-iPSC recapitulated multiple defects associated with placental dysfunction, including a lack of response to decreased oxygen tension. This emphasizes the importance of the maternal microenvironment in normal placentation, and highlights potential pathways that can be targeted for diagnosis or therapy, while absence of marked DNA methylation changes suggests that other regulatory mechanisms mediate these alterations.
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Current Updates on Pre-eclampsia: Maternal and Foetal Cardiovascular Diseases Predilection, Science or Myth? : Future cardiovascular disease risks in mother and child following pre-eclampsia. Curr Hypertens Rep 2021; 23:16. [PMID: 33694011 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-021-01132-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including pre-eclampsia (PE), remain the major cause of death and morbidity in women. This review elucidates the current knowledge, state of research and scientific information available on the post-event implications and complications of PE regarding maternal and foetal cardiovascular health. Does PE expose, predispose or aggravate a predilection to maternal and foetal CVD later in life? RECENT FINDINGS Women with a history of PE are reported to have stiffer arteries and are more likely to develop cardiovascular problems with time, especially aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation, which were not hitherto linked with hypertensive pregnancy. Foetal cells persistence in the mother long after pregnancy, now clearly established in the lungs of mice postpartum, is suggested to portend an overexpression of STOX1, which may potentiate later life CVD. Moreover, the conventional theories of in utero stress and developmental reprogramming may not adequately explain the risk of later life CVD predilection in offspring born to mothers with pre-eclampsia as recent data has shown that siblings of offspring born from pre-eclamptic pregnancies are also at higher risk of hypertension later in life, irrespective of whether subsequent pregnancies were pre-eclamptic or normotensive. The mechanism involved in adverse cardiovascular outcome in offspring of pre-eclamptic pregnancies is most likely an intricate interaction of foetal programming, environmental and genetic factors. In light of available evidence, the question of whether PE is just a pointer or predisposing factor to maternal development of CVDs in later life begs for answers to facilitate definitive clinical solutions and preventive approaches.
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Integrated analysis of multiple microarray studies to identify novel gene signatures in preeclampsia. Placenta 2021; 105:104-118. [PMID: 33571845 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in pregnancy worldwide. However, the intrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PE have not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS Robust rank aggregation (RRA), weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) methods were used to identify robust differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and hub genes in preeclampsia and subgroups based on 10 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Subsequently, enrichment analysis and correlation analysis were performed to explore the potential function of the robust DEGs and hub genes. The diagnostic role of hub genes was further investigated by GSE12767. The miRNA regulators and the effect of hypoxia on hub genes were explored by using GSE84260 and GSE65271, respectively. RESULTS Robust DEGs were identified in each subgroup including preeclampsia. Totally, 24 hub genes enriched in inflammatory response, renin-angiotensin system and JAK-STAT pathway, and 24 related miRNA regulators were identified. DISCUSSION Our integrated analysis identified novel gene signatures in preeclampsia and subgroups and will contribute to the understanding of comprehensive molecular changes in preeclampsia.
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M Dave K, Kaur L, Randhir KN, Mehendale SS, Sundrani DP, Chandak GR, Joshi SR. Placental growth factor and Fms related tyrosine kinase-1 are hypomethylated in preeclampsia placentae. Epigenomics 2021; 13:257-269. [PMID: 33471580 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study aims to examine the DNA methylation (DNAm) and expression patterns of genes associated with placental angiogenesis in preeclampsia. Materials & methods: DNAm and expression were examined in normotensive (n = 100) and preeclampsia (n = 100) women using pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time PCR respectively. Results: Hypomethylation at several CpGs was observed in PlGF and FLT-1 in women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive controls. PlGF expression was lower in women with preeclampsia while FLT-1 expression was comparable. DNAm at various CpGs was negatively correlated with expression in both the genes and were associated with maternal blood pressure and birth outcomes. Conclusion: DNAm and expression of angiogenic factors in placentae are differentially regulated in preeclampsia and influence birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal M Dave
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
| | - Lovejeet Kaur
- Genomic Research on Complex diseases (GRC Group), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Karuna N Randhir
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
| | - Savita S Mehendale
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital, Pune 411043, India
| | - Deepali P Sundrani
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
| | - Giriraj R Chandak
- Genomic Research on Complex diseases (GRC Group), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Sadhana R Joshi
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
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Del Gobbo GF, Yin Y, Choufani S, Butcher EA, Wei J, Rajcan-Separovic E, Bos H, von Dadelszen P, Weksberg R, Robinson WP, Yuen RKC. Genomic imbalances in the placenta are associated with poor fetal growth. Mol Med 2021; 27:3. [PMID: 33413077 PMCID: PMC7792164 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-020-00253-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with increased risks for complications before, during, and after birth, in addition to risk of disease through to adulthood. Although placental insufficiency, failure to supply the fetus with adequate nutrients, underlies most cases of FGR, its causes are diverse and not fully understood. One of the few diagnosable causes of placental insufficiency in ongoing pregnancies is the presence of large chromosomal imbalances such as trisomy confined to the placenta; however, the impact of smaller copy number variants (CNVs) has not yet been adequately addressed. In this study, we confirm the importance of placental aneuploidy, and assess the potential contribution of CNVs to fetal growth. Methods We used molecular-cytogenetic approaches to identify aneuploidy in placentas from 101 infants born small-for-gestational age (SGA), typically used as a surrogate for FGR, and from 173 non-SGA controls from uncomplicated pregnancies. We confirmed aneuploidies and assessed mosaicism by microsatellite genotyping. We then profiled CNVs using high-resolution microarrays in a subset of 53 SGA and 61 control euploid placentas, and compared the load, impact, gene enrichment and clinical relevance of CNVs between groups. Candidate CNVs were confirmed using quantitative PCR. Results Aneuploidy was over tenfold more frequent in SGA-associated placentas compared to controls (11.9% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.0002, OR = 11.4, 95% CI 2.5–107.4), was confined to the placenta, and typically involved autosomes, whereas only sex chromosome abnormalities were observed in controls. We found no significant difference in CNV load or number of placental-expressed or imprinted genes in CNVs between SGA and controls, however, a rare and likely clinically-relevant germline CNV was identified in 5.7% of SGA cases. These CNVs involved candidate genes INHBB, HSD11B2, CTCF, and CSMD3. Conclusions We conclude that placental genomic imbalances at the cytogenetic and submicroscopic level may underlie up to ~ 18% of SGA cases in our population. This work contributes to the understanding of the underlying causes of placental insufficiency and FGR, which is important for counselling and prediction of long term outcomes for affected cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia F Del Gobbo
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Yue Yin
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Sanaa Choufani
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Emma A Butcher
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - John Wei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Evica Rajcan-Separovic
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Hayley Bos
- Department of Perinatology, Victoria General Hospital, 1 Hospital Way, Victoria, V8Z 6R5, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Suite 930, 1125 Howe St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2K8, Canada
| | - Peter von Dadelszen
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EU, UK
| | - Rosanna Weksberg
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Suite 940, 525 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Wendy P Robinson
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3N1, Canada.
| | - Ryan K C Yuen
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay St, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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38
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Leseva MN, Binder AM, Ponsonby AL, Vuillermin P, Saffery R, Michels KB. Differential gene expression and limited epigenetic dysregulation at the materno-fetal interface in preeclampsia. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:335-350. [PMID: 31868881 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the many advances made in the diagnosis and management of preeclampsia, this syndrome remains a leading cause of maternal mortality and life-long morbidity, as well as adverse fetal outcomes. Successful prediction and therapeutic intervention require an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms, which underlie preeclampsia pathophysiology. We have used an integrated approach to discover placental genetic and epigenetic markers of preeclampsia and validated our findings in an independent cohort of women. We observed the microRNA, MIR138, to be upregulated in singleton preeclamptic placentas; however, this appears to be a female infant sex-specific effect. We did not identify any significant differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in singleton pregnancies, indicating that DNA methylation changes in mild forms of the disease are likely limited. However, we identified infant sex-specific preeclampsia-associated differentially methylated regions among singletons. Disease-associated DMPs were more obvious in a limited sampling of twin pregnancies. Interestingly, 2 out of the 10 most significant changes in methylation over larger regions overlap between singletons and twins and correspond to NAPRT1 and ZNF417.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena N Leseva
- Institute for Prevention and Cancer Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79110, Germany
| | - Alexandra M Binder
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Anne-Louise Ponsonby
- Discovery Theme, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Cell Biology Theme, The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- Cell Biology Theme, The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia.,Child Health Research Unit, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Cell Biology Theme, The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Karin B Michels
- Institute for Prevention and Cancer Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79110, Germany.,Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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39
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Cruz JDO, Conceição IMCA, Tosatti JAG, Gomes KB, Luizon MR. Global DNA methylation in placental tissues from pregnant with preeclampsia: A systematic review and pathway analysis. Placenta 2020; 101:97-107. [PMID: 32942147 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is the major cause of fetal and maternal mortality and can be classified according to gestational age of onset into early-onset (EOPE, <34 weeks of gestation) and late- (LOPE, ≥34 weeks of gestation). DNA methylation (DNAm) may help to understand the abnormal placentation in PE. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to assess the role of global DNAm on pathophysiology of PE, focused on fetal and maternal tissues of placenta from pregnant with PE, including EOPE and LOPE. We searched the databases EMBASE, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Lilacs, Scielo and Google Scholar, and followed the MOOSE guidelines. Moreover, we performed pathway analysis with the overlapping genes from the included studies. Twelve out of 24 included studies in the qualitative analysis considered the classification into EOPE and LOPE. We did not found heterogeneity in the criteria used for diagnosis of PE, and a few studies evaluated whether confounding factors would influence placental DNAm. Fourteen out of 24 included studies showed hypomethylation in placental tissue from pregnant with PE compared to controls. The differences in DNAm are specific to genes or differentially methylated regions, and more evident in EOPE and preterm PE compared to controls, rather than LOPE and term PE. The overlapping genes from included studies revealed pathways relevant to pathophysiology of PE. Our findings highlighted the heterogeneous results of the included studies, mainly focused on North America and China. Replication studies in different populations should use the same placental tissues, techniques to assess DNAm and pipelines for bioinformatic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de O Cruz
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Izabela M C A Conceição
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jéssica A G Tosatti
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyzes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Karina B Gomes
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyzes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Marcelo R Luizon
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil; Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil.
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40
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Lim JH, Kang YJ, Bak HJ, Kim MS, Lee HJ, Kwak DW, Han YJ, Kim MY, Boo H, Kim SY, Ryu HM. Epigenome-wide DNA methylation profiling of preeclamptic placenta according to severe features. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:128. [PMID: 32831145 PMCID: PMC7444072 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00918-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia (PE) is an obstetric disorder with significant morbidities for both the mother and fetus possibly caused by a failure of the placental trophoblast invasion. However, its pathophysiology largely remains unclear. Here, we performed DNA methylation profiling to determine whether differential patterns of DNA methylation correlate with PE and severe features of PE. Materials and methods We extracted DNA from placental tissues of 13 normal, five PE, and eight PE pregnant women with severe features. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed using the Illumina HumanMethylation 850K BeadChip. New functional annotations of differentially methylated CpGs (DMCs) in PE were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Results Significant differences were evident for 398 DMCs, including 243 DMCs in PE and 155 DMCs in PE with severe features, compared with normal placental tissues. Of these, 12 hypermethylated DMCs and three hypomethylated DMCs were observed in both PE groups, thus were independent from severe features. Three hundred seventy-nine DMCs were identified by the presence or absence of severe features. Two hundred genes containing these DMCs were associated with developmental processes and cell morphogenesis. These genes were significantly associated with various PE complications such as disease susceptibility, viral infections, immune system diseases, endocrine disturbance, seizures, hematologic diseases, and thyroid diseases. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the genome-scale DNA methylation profiles of PE placentas according to severe features. The epigenetic variation in the placentas probably resulted in altered developmental processes and immune dysregulation, contributing to PE. This study provides basic information to refine the clinical and pathological mechanisms of the severe features in placenta-mediated PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyae Lim
- Center for Prenatal Biomarker Research, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jung Kang
- Center for Prenatal Biomarker Research, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jin Bak
- Center for Prenatal Biomarker Research, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Sun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 59, Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 59, Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Kwak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - You Jung Han
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon Young Kim
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeyeon Boo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CHA Ilsan Medical Center, CHA University, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Young Kim
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Mee Ryu
- Center for Prenatal Biomarker Research, CHA Advanced Research Institute, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 59, Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea.
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Cirkovic A, Garovic V, Milin Lazovic J, Milicevic O, Savic M, Rajovic N, Aleksic N, Weissgerber T, Stefanovic A, Stanisavljevic D, Milic N. Systematic review supports the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia: a call for analytical and methodological standardization. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:36. [PMID: 32631423 PMCID: PMC7336649 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00313-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have recently examined the role of epigenetic mechanisms in preeclampsia pathophysiology. One commonly examined epigenetic process is DNA methylation. This heritable epigenetic marker is involved in many important cellular functions. The aim of this study was to establish the association between DNA methylation and preeclampsia and to critically appraise the roles of major study characteristics that can significantly impact the association between DNA methylation and preeclampsia. MAIN BODY A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE for original research articles published over time, until May 31, 2019 in English. Eligible studies compared DNA methylation levels in pregnant women with vs. without preeclampsia. Ninety articles were included. Epigenome-wide studies identified hundreds of differentially methylated places/regions in preeclamptic patients. Hypomethylation was the predominant finding in studies analyzing placental tissue (14/19), while hypermethylation was detected in three studies that analyzed maternal white blood cells (3/3). In candidate gene studies, methylation alterations for a number of genes were found to be associated with preeclampsia. A greater number of differentially methylated genes was found when analyzing more severe preeclampsia (70/82), compared to studies analyzing less severe preeclampsia vs. controls (13/27). A high degree of heterogeneity existed among the studies in terms of methodological study characteristics including design (study design, definition of preeclampsia, control group, sample size, confounders), implementation (biological sample, DNA methylation method, purification of DNA extraction, and validation of methylation), analysis (analytical method, batch effect, genotyping, and gene expression), and data presentation (methylation quantification measure, measure of variability, reporting). Based on the results of this review, we provide recommendations for study design and analytical approach for further studies. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this review support the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Establishing field-wide methodological and analytical standards may increase value and reduce waste, allowing researchers to gain additional insights into the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cirkovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - V Garovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - J Milin Lazovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - O Milicevic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Savic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N Rajovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N Aleksic
- Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Weissgerber
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, QUEST Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Stefanovic
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - D Stanisavljevic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N Milic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Wei Y, Fu J, Wu W, Wu J. Comparative profiles of DNA methylation and differential gene expression in osteocytic areas from aged and young mice. Cell Biochem Funct 2020; 38:721-732. [PMID: 32526817 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Altered DNA methylation upon ageing may result in many age-related diseases such as osteoporosis. However, the changes in DNA methylation that occur in cortical bones, the major osteocytic areas, remain unknown. In our study, we extracted total DNA and RNA from the cortical bones of 6-month-old and 24-month-old mice and systematically analysed the differentially methylated regions (DMRs), differentially methylated promoters (DMPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the mouse groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the DMR-related genes revealed that they were mainly associated with metabolic signalling pathways, including glycolysis, fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. Other genes with DMRs were related to signalling pathways that regulate the growth and development of cells, including the PI3K-AKT, Ras and Rap1 signalling pathways. The gene expression profiles indicated that the DEGs were mainly involved in metabolic pathways and the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway, and the profiles were verified through real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Due to the pivotal roles of the affected genes in maintaining bone homeostasis, we suspect that these changes may be key factors in age-related bone loss, either together or individually. Our study may provide a novel perspective for understanding the osteocyte and its relationship with osteoporosis during ageing. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Our study identified age-related changes in gene expressions in osteocytic areas through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA-seq, providing new theoretical foundations for the targeted treatment of senile osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wei
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University and Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayao Fu
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University and Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjing Wu
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University and Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Junhua Wu
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University and Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
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Liu J, Song G, Meng T, Zhao G. Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Signaling Pathways in Placenta Tissue of Early-Onset and Late-Onset Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e921997. [PMID: 32497025 PMCID: PMC7294845 DOI: 10.12659/msm.921997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-eclampsia (PE) can be divided into 2 sub-groups: early-onset and late-onset PE. Although these sub-groups show overlapping molecular and cellular mechanisms and similar clinical manifestations, they are regarded as 2 different phenotypes with heterogeneous manifestations. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying early-onset and late-onset PE still remain unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the key genes and pathways related to early-onset and late-onset PE, and to investigate the molecular mechanisms that are involved in gene regulation. Material/Methods Our analysis involved the Gene Expression Series (GSE) 74341 and GSE22526 from the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus Database. These 2 microarray datasets included 15 patients with early-onset PE and 15 patients with late-onset PE. Results Our analyses identified 15 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including CGA, EGR1, HBB, HBA2, LEP, and LHB. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation showed that the biological functions of these DEGs were mainly associated with steroid biosynthetic, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and sex differentiation. Signaling pathway analyses showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in the prolactin signaling pathway, hormone metabolism, the AMPK signaling pathway, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified 4 genes with the highest degree of interaction. The hub genes for this selection of DEGS were EGR1, LEP, and HBB. Conclusions Integrated bioinformatic analyses provide us with a new approach to further understand the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms underlying early-onset and late-onset PE. The DEGs identified in this study represent potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of PE and may provide significant options the treatment of these 2 subtypes of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Guang Song
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Tao Meng
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Ge Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
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Frazier S, McBride MW, Mulvana H, Graham D. From animal models to patients: the role of placental microRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148a/152 in preeclampsia. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:1001-1025. [PMID: 32337535 PMCID: PMC7239341 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the placental transcriptome and play a pathological role in preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Three PE rodent model studies explored the role of placental miRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 respectively, by examining expression of the miRNAs, their inducers, and potential gene targets. This review evaluates the role of miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 in PE by comparing findings from the three rodent model studies with in vitro studies, other animal models, and preeclamptic patients to provide comprehensive insight into genetic components and pathological processes in the placenta contributing to PE. The majority of studies demonstrate miR-210 is upregulated in PE in part driven by HIF-1α and NF-κBp50, stimulated by hypoxia and/or immune-mediated processes. Elevated miR-210 may contribute to PE via inhibiting anti-inflammatory Th2-cytokines. Studies report an up- and downregulation of miR-126, arguably reflecting differences in expression between cell types and its multifunctional capacity. MiR-126 may play a pro-angiogenic role by mediating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Most studies report miR-148/152 family members are upregulated in PE. Evidence suggests they may inhibit DNA methylation of genes involved in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Given the genetic heterogeneity of PE, it is unlikely that a single placental miRNA is a suitable therapeutic target for all patients. Investigating miRNAs in PE subtypes in patients and animal models may represent a more appropriate approach going forward. Developing methods for targeting placental miRNAs and specific placental cell types remains crucial for research seeking to target placental miRNAs as a novel treatment for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Frazier
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Martin W. McBride
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Helen Mulvana
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Delyth Graham
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
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Li Y, Cui S, Shi W, Yang B, Yuan Y, Yan S, Li Y, Xu Y, Zhang Z, Linlin Zhang. Differential placental methylation in preeclampsia, preterm and term pregnancies. Placenta 2020; 93:56-63. [PMID: 32250740 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Recently, the role of epigenetic modifications in preeclampsia has been a focus of research. This study was to identified genes or pathways that may be associated with PE, and discuss whether the changes in the methylation level of these genes is related to the pathogenesis of PE. METHODS The methylation levels of placental tissues between PE (n = 4), preterm birth (PB, n = 4) and term birth (TB, n = 4) were detected by Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation850 K BeadChip. Pyrosequencing and qRT-PCR were used to validated the methylation and expression levels of the genes with the most significant differences. RESULTS The global methylation levels of placenta tissues in PE and PB were both higher compared to TB. After eliminated the effect of gestational age, there were 808 gene probes differentially methylated in PE compared to PB. We found 137 genes with 130 genes hypermethylated and 7 genes hypomethylated. CMIP, BLCAP and MICA genes were with the most significant differential methylation. The expression level of CMIP and BLCAP were both negatively correlated to the methylation levels, while the expression level of MICA was not related to its methylation levels. CONCLUSION The methylation levels in placenta tissues were associated with gestational ages. We indicated the expression levels of the significantly methylated genes were negatively correlated with the methylation levels, further functional researches were still needed to find out whether they are associated with the onset of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Shihong Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Wenli Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Medical Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Yangyang Yuan
- Department of Medical Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Shujun Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Yajuan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Zhan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China; Department of Medical Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
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Abstract
Preeclampsia is a medical condition affecting 5-10% of pregnancies. It has serious effects on the health of the pregnant mother and developing fetus. While possible causes of preeclampsia are speculated, there is no consensus on its etiology. The advancement of big data and high-throughput technologies enables to study preeclampsia at the new and systematic level. In this review, we first highlight the recent progress made in the field of preeclampsia research using various omics technology platforms, including epigenetics, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Next, we integrate the results in individual omic level studies, and show that despite the lack of coherent biomarkers in all omics studies, inhibin is a potential preeclamptic biomarker supported by GWAS, transcriptomics and DNA methylation evidence. Using network analysis on the biomarkers of all the literature reviewed here, we identify four striking sub-networks with clear biological functions supported by previous molecular-biology and clinical observations. In summary, omics integration approach offers the promise to understand molecular mechanisms in preeclampsia.
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Lower S-adenosylmethionine levels and DNA hypomethylation of placental growth factor (PlGF) in placental tissue of early-onset preeclampsia-complicated pregnancies. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226969. [PMID: 31887212 PMCID: PMC6936822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is largely unknown. Serum placental induced growth factor (PlGF) levels are decreased during second trimester pregnancy. Aberrant DNA methylation is suggested to be involved in the etiology of preeclampsia (PE). We hypothesize that DNA methylation is altered in PE placentas determined the methylation index by measuring placental S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) levels. In addition, we assessed global DNA methylation status by long-interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1) and DNA methylation status of the PlGF gene. METHODS Placental tissue of 11 early onset PE (EOPE), 11 late onset PE (LOPE) and 60 controls consisting of 25 uncomplicated controls 20 fetal growth restriction (FGR) and 15 preterm births (PTB) controls was collected from a nested case-control study of The Rotterdam Periconceptional Cohort. RNA and DNA was isolated from placental tissue and DNA was treated with sodium bisulfite. SAM and SAH levels were measured by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Methylation of LINE-1 and PlGF genes was analyzed by Sequenom Epityper and. mRNA expression of PlGF was assessed with qPCR. Differences were assessed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) corrected for gestational age and birth weight. RESULTS Placental SAM levels were significantly lower in placental tissue of EOPE pregnancies compared to PTB controls (mean difference -240 ± 71.4 nmol/g protein, P = 0.01). PlGF DNA methylation was decreased in placental tissue of EOPE cases versus LOPE (mean difference -17.4 ± 5.1%, P = 0.01), uncomplicated controls (mean difference -23.4 ± 5.4%%, P <0.001), FGR controls (mean difference -17.9 ± 4.6%, P = 0.002) and PTB controls (mean difference -11.3 ± 3.8% P = 0.04). No significant differences were observed in SAH, SAM:SAH ratio, LINE-1 DNA methylation and PlGF mRNA expression between groups. DISCUSSION The hypomethylation state of the placenta in EOPE, which is reflected by lower SAM and PlGF DNA hypomethylation underlines the possible role of placental DNA hypomethylation in the pathophysiology of EOPE, which needs further investigation.
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Super-enhancer-guided mapping of regulatory networks controlling mouse trophoblast stem cells. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4749. [PMID: 31628347 PMCID: PMC6802173 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12720-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Trophectoderm (TE) lineage development is pivotal for proper implantation, placentation, and healthy pregnancy. However, only a few TE-specific transcription factors (TFs) have been systematically characterized, hindering our understanding of the process. To elucidate regulatory mechanisms underlying TE development, here we map super-enhancers (SEs) in trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) as a model. We find both prominent TE-specific master TFs (Cdx2, Gata3, and Tead4), and >150 TFs that had not been previously implicated in TE lineage, that are SE-associated. Mapping targets of 27 SE-predicted TFs reveals a highly intertwined transcriptional regulatory circuitry. Intriguingly, SE-predicted TFs show 4 distinct expression patterns with dynamic alterations of their targets during TSC differentiation. Furthermore, depletion of a subset of TFs results in dysregulation of the markers for specialized cell types in placenta, suggesting a role during TE differentiation. Collectively, we characterize an expanded TE-specific regulatory network, providing a framework for understanding TE lineage development and placentation. Trophectoderm lineage development is essential for implantation, placentation, and healthy pregnancy. Here the authors map super-enhancers (SEs) in trophoblast stem cells and find both TE-specific master regulators and 150 previous uncharacterised transcription factors that are SE-associated, providing insight into trophectoderm-specific regulatory networks.
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Wei LL, Pan YS, Tang Q, Yang ZJ, Song WQ, Gao YF, Li J, Zhang L, Liu SG. Decreased ALCAM expression and promoter hypermethylation is associated with preeclampsia. Hypertens Res 2019; 43:13-22. [PMID: 31601971 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-019-0337-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a major obstetrical complication that results in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Aberrant epigenetic modifications are widely involved in the pathogenesis of PE. Previously, the activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) was reported to be required for blastocyst implantation but has not been described in the context of pathological pregnancy. This study explored the expression of ALCAM and its methylation levels in the placentas and peripheral venous blood of patients with PE from a Chinese Han population. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ALCAM were downregulated in the PE placentas compared with the control placentas (P < 0.05). The methylation rate of the ALCAM gene promoter was considerably elevated in the placentas (P = 0.003, odds ratio (OR) = 0.264, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [0.108-0.647], cases n = 47, controls n = 53) and peripheral blood (P = 0.007, OR = 0.455, 95% CI [0.256-0.806], cases n = 100, controls n = 100) of the PE patients compared with those of the normotensive women, suggesting a negative relationship between ALCAM methylation and gene transcription. Moreover, the transcriptional expression of ALCAM was dramatically increased by demethylating treatment in trophoblastic cells. ALCAM is expected to be involved in the pathogenesis of PE through methylation regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Wei
- Department of Nursing, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yue-Shuai Pan
- Department of Nursing, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Tang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zong-Jun Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei-Qing Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu-Fang Gao
- Department of Nursing, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Li
- Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Shi-Guo Liu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Kovtun OP, Tsyvian PB. Pre-eclampsia in a mother and programming of the child’s cardiovascular health. ROSSIYSKIY VESTNIK PERINATOLOGII I PEDIATRII (RUSSIAN BULLETIN OF PERINATOLOGY AND PEDIATRICS) 2019. [DOI: 10.21508/1027-4065-2019-64-4-19-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The authors present a review of the literature devoted to the problem of programming the formation of the cardiovascular system structure and function in children born from mothers with preeclampsia. These children are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Pre-eclampsia is caused by the endothelium dysfunction, deregulation of the immune and inflammatory factors during pregnancy. Experimental studies identify these factors as key epigenetic factors programming the condition of the cardiovascular system of the offspring. The modern concept of intrauterine programming, describing this phenomenon, focuses on three main areas of research: experimental models simulating the intrauterine environment with preeclampsia; research of the pathological phenotype formation under the influence of these factors; epigenetic studies of the influence of preeclampsia on the cardiovascular system functioning. The article discusses the perspectives of epigenetic programming prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P. B. Tsyvian
- Ural State Medical University;
Mother and Child Care Research Institute
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