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Sutterlüty H, Bargl M, Holzmann K. Quantifying telomere transcripts as tool to improve risk assessment for genetic instability and genotoxicity. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2023; 891:503690. [PMID: 37770147 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2023.503690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Telomere repeat-containing RNAs (TERRA) are transcribed from telomeres as long non-coding RNAs and are part of the telomere structure with protective function. The genetic stability of cells requires telomeric repeats at the ends of chromosomes. Maintenance of telomere length (TL) is essential for proliferative capacity and chromosomal integrity. In contrast, telomere shortening is a recognized risk factor for carcinogenesis and a biomarker of aging due to the cumulative effects of environmental exposures and life experiences such as trauma or stress. In this context, telomere repeats are lost due to cell proliferation, but are also susceptible to stress factors including reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducing oxidative base damage. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) of genomic DNA is an established method to analyze TL as a tool to detect genotoxic events. That same qPCR method can be applied to RNA converted into cDNA to quantify TERRA as a useful tool to perform high-throughput screenings. This short review summarizes relevant qPCR studies using both TL and TERRA quantification, provides an overall view of the molecular mechanisms of telomere protection against ROS by TERRA, and summarizes the presented studies comparing the results at DNA and RNA levels, which indicate that fluctuations at transcript level might reflect a short-term response. Therefore, we conclude that performing both of these measurements together will improve genotoxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedwig Sutterlüty
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Bargl
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Holzmann
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Jones CY, Williams CL, Moreno SP, Morris DK, Mondello C, Karlseder J, Bertuch AA. Hyperextended telomeres promote formation of C-circle DNA in telomerase positive human cells. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104665. [PMID: 37003504 PMCID: PMC10235436 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length maintenance is crucial to cancer cell immortality. Up to 15% of cancers utilize a telomerase-independent, recombination-based mechanism termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Currently, the primary ALT biomarker is the C-circle, a type of circular DNA with extrachromosomal telomere repeats (cECTRs). How C-circles form is not well characterized. We investigated C-circle formation in the human cen3tel cell line, a long-telomere, telomerase+ (LTT+) cell line with progressively hyper-elongated telomeres (up to ∼100 kb). cECTR signal was observed in 2D gels and C-circle assays but not t-circle assays, which also detect circular DNA with extrachromosomal telomere repeats. Telomerase activity and C-circle signal were not separable in the analysis of clonal populations, consistent with C-circle production occurring within telomerase+ cells. We observed similar cECTR results in two other LTT+ cell lines, HeLa1.3 (∼23 kb telomeres) and HeLaE1 (∼50 kb telomeres). In LTT+ cells, telomerase activity did not directly impact C-circle signal; instead, C-circle signal correlated with telomere length. LTT+ cell lines were less sensitive to hydroxyurea than ALT+ cell lines, suggesting that ALT status is a stronger contributor to replication stress levels than telomere length. Additionally, the DNA repair-associated protein FANCM did not suppress C-circles in LTT+ cells as it does in ALT+ cells. Thus, C-circle formation may be driven by telomere length, independently of telomerase and replication stress, highlighting limitations of C-circles as a stand-alone ALT biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celina Y Jones
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Christopher L Williams
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sara Priego Moreno
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Danna K Morris
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chiara Mondello
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, National Research Council, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jan Karlseder
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Alison A Bertuch
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Telomere Length Changes in Cancer: Insights on Carcinogenesis and Potential for Non-Invasive Diagnostic Strategies. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030715. [PMID: 36980987 PMCID: PMC10047978 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere dynamics play a crucial role in the maintenance of chromosome integrity; changes in telomere length may thus contribute to the development of various diseases including cancer. Understanding the role of telomeric DNA in carcinogenesis and detecting the presence of cell-free telomeric DNA (cf-telDNA) in body fluids offer a potential biomarker for novel cancer screening and diagnostic strategies. Liquid biopsy is becoming increasingly popular due to its undeniable benefits over conventional invasive methods. However, the organization and function of cf-telDNA in the extracellular milieu are understudied. This paper provides a review based on 3,398,017 cancer patients, patients with other conditions, and control individuals with the aim to shed more light on the inconsistent nature of telomere lengthening/shortening in oncological contexts. To gain a better understanding of biological factors (e.g., telomerase activation, alternative lengthening of telomeres) affecting telomere homeostasis across different types of cancer, we summarize mechanisms responsible for telomere length maintenance. In conclusion, we compare tissue- and liquid biopsy-based approaches in cancer assessment and provide a brief outlook on the methodology used for telomere length evaluation, highlighting the advances of state-of-the-art approaches in the field.
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Jones CY, Williams CL, Moreno SP, Morris DK, Mondello C, Karlseder J, Bertuch AA. Hyperextended telomeres promote C-circle formation in telomerase positive human cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.26.525615. [PMID: 36747763 PMCID: PMC9900909 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.26.525615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length maintenance is crucial to cancer cell immortality. Up to 15% of cancers utilize a telomerase-independent, recombination-based mechanism termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). The primary ALT biomarker is the C-circle, a type of circular DNA with extrachromosomal telomere repeats (cECTRs). How C-circles form is not well characterized. To investigate C-circle formation in telomerase+ cells, we studied the human cen3tel cell line, in which telomeres progressively hyper-elongated post TERT -immortalization. cECTR signal was observed in 2D gels and C-circle assays but not t-circle assays, which also detect cECTRs. Telomerase activity and C-circle signal were not separable in the analysis of clonal populations, consistent with C-circle production occurring within telomerase+ cells. Two other long telomere, telomerase+ (LTT+) cell lines, HeLa1.3 (~23 kb telomeres) and HeLaE1 (~50 kb telomeres), had similar cECTR properties. Telomerase activity did not directly impact C-circle signal in LTT+ cells; instead, C-circle signal correlated with telomere length. LTT+ lines were less sensitive to hydroxyurea than an ALT+ cell line, suggesting that ALT status is a stronger contributor to replication stress levels than telomere length. Additionally, FANCM did not suppress C-circles in LTT+ cells as it does in ALT+ cells. Thus, C-circle formation may be driven by telomere length, independently of telomerase and replication stress, highlighting limitations of C-circles as a stand-alone ALT biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celina Y. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christopher L. Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sara P. Moreno
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Danna K. Morris
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chiara Mondello
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli Sforza, National Research Council, Pavia, Italy I-27100
| | - Jan Karlseder
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Alison A. Bertuch
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Haupt S, Niedrist T, Sourij H, Schwarzinger S, Moser O. The Impact of Exercise on Telomere Length, DNA Methylation and Metabolic Footprints. Cells 2022; 11:153. [PMID: 35011715 PMCID: PMC8750279 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging as a major risk factor influences the probability of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, amongst others. The underlying mechanisms of disease are still not fully understood, but research suggests that delaying the aging process could ameliorate these pathologies. A key biological process in aging is cellular senescence which is associated with several stressors such as telomere shortening or enhanced DNA methylation. Telomere length as well as DNA methylation levels can be used as biological age predictors which are able to detect excessive acceleration or deceleration of aging. Analytical methods examining aging are often not suitable, expensive, time-consuming or require a high level of technical expertise. Therefore, research focusses on combining analytical methods which have the potential to simultaneously analyse epigenetic, genomic as well as metabolic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Haupt
- Division of Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, Department of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
| | - Tobias Niedrist
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Harald Sourij
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Stephan Schwarzinger
- NBNC—North Bavarian NMR-Centre, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
| | - Othmar Moser
- Division of Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, Department of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
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Billard P, Guerriau C, Carpentier C, Juillard F, Grandin N, Lomonte P, Kantapareddy P, Dufay N, Barritault M, Rimokh R, Verrelle P, Maucort-Boulch D, Figarella-Branger D, Ducray F, Dehais C, Charbonneau M, Meyronet D, Poncet DA. The TeloDIAG: how telomeric parameters can help in glioma rapid diagnosis and liquid biopsy approaches. Ann Oncol 2021; 32:1608-1617. [PMID: 34690007 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.09.004] [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: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In glioma, TERT promoter mutation and loss of ATRX (ATRX loss) are associated with reactivation of telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), respectively, i.e. the two telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM). Strangely, 25% of gliomas have been reported to display neither or both of these alterations. MATERIALS AND METHODS The C-circle (CC) assay was adapted to tumor (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and frozen) and blood samples to investigate the TMM. RESULTS We constructed a CC-based algorithm able to identify the TMM and reported a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.3% (n = 284 gliomas). By combining the TMM, the mutational status of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH) gene (IDHmt), and the histological grading, we propose a new classification tool: TeloDIAG. This classification defined five subtypes: tOD, tLGA, tGBM_IDHmt, tGBM, and tAIV, corresponding to oligodendroglioma, IDHmt low-grade astrocytoma, IDHmt glioblastoma, and IDHwt glioblastoma (GBM), respectively; the last class gathers ALT+ IDHwt gliomas that tend to be related to longer survival (21.2 months) than tGBM (16.5 months). The TeloDIAG was 99% concordant with the World Health Organization classification (n = 312), and further modified the classification of 55 of 144 (38%) gliomas with atypical molecular characteristics. As an example, 14 of 69 (20%) of TERTwt, ATRXwt, and IDHwt GBM were actually tAIV. Outstandingly, CC in blood sampled from IDHmt astrocytoma patients was detected with a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 97% (n = 206 gliomas and 30 healthy donors). CONCLUSION The TeloDIAG is a new, simple, and effective tool helping in glioma diagnosis and a promising option for liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Billard
- Institut de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U 1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), Neuron-Muscle Interaction Team, Lyon, France
| | - C Guerriau
- Institut de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - C Carpentier
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, ICM, Paris, France
| | - F Juillard
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U 1217, LabEx DEVweCAN, Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), Team Chromatin Dynamics, Nuclear Domains, Virus, Lyon, France
| | - N Grandin
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, University Clermont Auvergne, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - P Lomonte
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U 1217, LabEx DEVweCAN, Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), Team Chromatin Dynamics, Nuclear Domains, Virus, Lyon, France
| | | | - N Dufay
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - M Barritault
- Institut de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - R Rimokh
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - P Verrelle
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, University Clermont Auvergne, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - D Maucort-Boulch
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department of the Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - D Figarella-Branger
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, INP, Inst. Neurophysiopathol, Marseille, France; AP-HM, CHU Timone, Service d'Anatomie Pathologique et de Neuropathologie, Centre de Ressources Biologiques CRB-TBM, Marseille, France
| | - F Ducray
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France; Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique, Bron, France
| | - C Dehais
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, Paris, France
| | - M Charbonneau
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, University Clermont Auvergne, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - D Meyronet
- Institut de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - D A Poncet
- Institut de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U 1217, Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), Neuron-Muscle Interaction Team, Lyon, France.
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Zhu M, Yi S, Huang X, Meng J, Sun H, Zhou J. Human chorionic gonadotropin improves endometrial receptivity by increasing the expression of homeobox A10. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:413-424. [PMID: 32502249 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox A10 (HOXA10) is a characterized marker of endometrial receptivity. The mechanism by which hCG intrauterine infusion promotes embryo implantation is still unclear. This study seeks to investigate whether hCG improves endometrial receptivity by increasing expression of HOXA10. HOXA10 expression with human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation was analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that HOXA10 was decreased in the endometria of recurrent implantation failure patients compared to that in the healthy control fertile group, also we observed that hCG intrauterine infusion increased endometrial HOXA10 expression. HOXA10, blastocyst-like spheroid expansion area was increased, whereas DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 1 was decreased when human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) were treated with 0.2 IU/ml of hCG for 48 h. HOXA10 promoter methylation was also reduced after hCG treatment. Collagen XV (ColXV) can repress the expression of DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 1, and hCG treatment increased the expression of ColXV. However, when the hESCs were treated with LH/hCG receptor small interfering RNA to knock down LH/hCG receptor, hCG treatment failed to repress DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 1 expression or to increase ColXV expression. Our findings suggest that hCG may promote embryo implantation by increasing the expression of HOXA10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchen Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, P.R. China
| | - Shanling Yi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, P.R. China
| | - Xiaomin Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, P.R. China
| | - Junan Meng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, P.R. China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, P.R. China
| | - Jianjun Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, P.R. China
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Krapivin MI, Tikhonov AV, Efimova OA, Pendina AA, Smirnova AA, Chiryaeva OG, Talantova OE, Petrova LI, Dudkina VS, Baranov VS. Telomere Length in Chromosomally Normal and Abnormal Miscarriages and Ongoing Pregnancies and Its Association with 5-hydroxymethylcytosine Patterns. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126622. [PMID: 34205622 PMCID: PMC8234291 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates telomere length (TL) in dividing chorionic cytotrophoblast cells from karyotypically normal and abnormal first trimester miscarriages and ongoing pregnancies. Using Q-FISH, we measured relative TLs in the metaphase chromosomes of 61 chorionic villous samples. Relative TLs did not differ between karyotypically normal samples from miscarriages and those from ongoing pregnancies (p = 0.3739). However, among the karyotypically abnormal samples, relative TLs were significantly higher in ongoing pregnancies than in miscarriages (p < 0.0001). Relative TLs were also significantly higher in chorion samples from karyotypically abnormal ongoing pregnancies than in those from karyotypically normal ones (p = 0.0018) in contrast to miscarriages, where relative TL values were higher in the karyotypically normal samples (p = 0.002). In the karyotypically abnormal chorionic cytotrophoblast, the TL variance was significantly lower than in any other group (p < 0.05). Assessed by TL ratios between sister chromatids, interchromatid TL asymmetry demonstrated similar patterns across all of the chorion samples (p = 0.22) but significantly exceeded that in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003). The longer telomere was predominantly present in the hydroxymethylated sister chromatid in chromosomes featuring hemihydroxymethylation (containing 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in only one sister chromatid)-a typical sign of chorionic cytotrophoblast cells. Our results suggest that the phenomena of interchromatid TL asymmetry and its association to 5hmC patterns in chorionic cytotrophoblast, which are potentially linked to telomere lengthening through recombination, are inherent to the development programme. The TL differences in chorionic cytotrophoblast that are associated with karyotype and embryo viability seem to be determined by heredity rather than telomere elongation mechanisms. The inheritance of long telomeres by a karyotypically abnormal embryo promotes his development, whereas TL in karyotypically normal first-trimester embryos does not seem to have a considerable impact on developmental capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail I. Krapivin
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
| | - Andrei V. Tikhonov
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
| | - Olga A. Efimova
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna A. Pendina
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
| | - Anna A. Smirnova
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Litovskaya Street 2, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Olga G. Chiryaeva
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
| | - Olga E. Talantova
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
| | - Lubov’ I. Petrova
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
| | - Vera S. Dudkina
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
| | - Vladislav S. Baranov
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (M.I.K.); (A.V.T.); (A.A.P.); (O.G.C.); (O.E.T.); (L.I.P.); (V.S.D.); (V.S.B.)
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9
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Nersisyan L, Simonyan A, Binder H, Arakelyan A. Telomere Maintenance Pathway Activity Analysis Enables Tissue- and Gene-Level Inferences. Front Genet 2021; 12:662464. [PMID: 33897770 PMCID: PMC8058386 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.662464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is one of the mechanisms ensuring indefinite divisions of cancer and stem cells. Good understanding of telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM) is important for studying cancers and designing therapies. However, molecular factors triggering selective activation of either the telomerase dependent (TEL) or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway are poorly understood. In addition, more accurate and easy-to-use methodologies are required for TMM phenotyping. In this study, we have performed literature based reconstruction of signaling pathways for the ALT and TEL TMMs. Gene expression data were used for computational assessment of TMM pathway activities and compared with experimental assays for TEL and ALT. Explicit consideration of pathway topology makes bioinformatics analysis more informative compared to computational methods based on simple summary measures of gene expression. Application to healthy human tissues showed high ALT and TEL pathway activities in testis, and identified genes and pathways that may trigger TMM activation. Our approach offers a novel option for systematic investigation of TMM activation patterns across cancers and healthy tissues for dissecting pathway-based molecular markers with diagnostic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilit Nersisyan
- Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.,Pathverse, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Arman Simonyan
- Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hans Binder
- Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arsen Arakelyan
- Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.,Pathverse, Yerevan, Armenia
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Stackhouse CT, Gillespie GY, Willey CD. Exploring the Roles of lncRNAs in GBM Pathophysiology and Their Therapeutic Potential. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112369. [PMID: 33126510 PMCID: PMC7692132 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most devastating primary central nervous system malignancy with a median survival of around 15 months. The past decades of research have not yielded significant advancements in the treatment of GBM. In that same time, a novel class of molecules, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), has been found to play a multitude of roles in cancer and normal biology. The increased accessibility of next generation sequencing technologies and the advent of lncRNA-specific microarrays have facilitated the study of lncRNA etiology. Molecular and computational methods can be applied to predict lncRNA function. LncRNAs can serve as molecular decoys, scaffolds, super-enhancers, or repressors. These molecules can serve as phenotypic switches for GBM cells at the expression and/or epigenetic levels. LncRNAs can affect stemness/differentiation, proliferation, invasion, survival, DNA damage response, and chromatin dynamics. Aberrant expression of these transcripts may facilitate therapy resistance, leading to tumor recurrence. LncRNAs could serve as novel theragnostic or prognostic biomarkers in GBM and other cancers. RNA-based therapeutics may also be employed to target lncRNAs as a novel route of treatment for primary or recurrent GBM. In this review, we explore the roles of lncRNAs in GBM pathophysiology and posit their novel therapeutic potential for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian T. Stackhouse
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (C.T.S.); (G.Y.G.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - G. Yancey Gillespie
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (C.T.S.); (G.Y.G.)
| | - Christopher D. Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- Correspondence:
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Polettini J, da Silva MG. Telomere-Related Disorders in Fetal Membranes Associated With Birth and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Front Physiol 2020; 11:561771. [PMID: 33123024 PMCID: PMC7573552 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.561771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere disorders have been associated with aging-related diseases, including diabetes, vascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. The main consequence of altered telomere is the induction of the state of irreversible cell cycle arrest. Though several mechanisms responsible for the activation of senescence have been identified, it is still unclear how a cell is indeed induced to become irreversibly arrested. Most tissues in the body will experience senescence throughout its lifespan, but intrinsic and extrinsic stressors, such as chemicals, pollution, oxidative stress (OS), and inflammation accelerate the process. Pregnancy is a state of OS, as the higher metabolic demand of the growing fetus results in increased reactive oxygen species production. As a temporary organ in the mother, senescence in fetal membranes and placenta is expected and linked to term parturition (>37 weeks of gestation). However, a persistent, overwhelming, or premature OS affects placental antioxidant capacity, with consequent accumulation of OS causing damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA in the placental tissues. Therefore, senescence and its main inducer, telomere length (TL) reduction, have been associated with pregnancy complications, including stillbirth, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and prematurity. Fetal membranes have a notable role in preterm births, which continue to be a major health issue associated with increased risk of neo and perinatal adverse outcomes and/or predisposition to disease in later life; however, the ability to mediate a delay in parturition during such cases is limited, because the pathophysiology of preterm births and physiological mechanisms of term births are not yet fully elucidated. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the regulation of telomere-related senescence mechanisms in fetal membranes, highlighting the role of inflammation, methylation, and telomerase activity. Moreover, we present the evidences of TL reduction and senescence in gestational tissues by the time of term parturition. In conclusion, we verified that telomere regulation in fetal membranes requires a more complete understanding, in order to support the development of successful effective interventions of the molecular mechanisms that triggers parturition, including telomere signals, which may vary throughout placental tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jossimara Polettini
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Biomédicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Campus Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Marcia Guimarães da Silva
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Patologia, Botucatu, Brazil
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12
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Herrmann W, Herrmann M. The Importance of Telomere Shortening for Atherosclerosis and Mortality. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:jcdd7030029. [PMID: 32781553 PMCID: PMC7570376 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are the protective end caps of chromosomes and shorten with every cell division. Short telomeres are associated with older age and adverse lifestyle factors. Leucocyte telomere length (LTL) has been proposed as a biomarker of biological age. The shortening of LTL with age is the result of the end-replication problem, environmental, and lifestyle-related factors. Epidemiologic studies have shown that LTL predicts cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and death from vascular causes. Age appears to be an important co-variate that explains a substantial fraction of this effect. Although it has been proposed that short telomeres promote atherosclerosis and impair the repair of vascular lesions, existing results are inconsistent. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can both accelerate telomere shortening. Multiple factors, including homocysteine (HCY), vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 modulate oxidative stress and inflammation through direct and indirect mechanisms. This review provides a compact overview of telomere physiology and the utility of LTL measurements in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. In addition, it summarizes existing knowledge regarding the impact of oxidative stress, inflammation, HCY, and B-vitamins on telomere function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Herrmann
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical School of the Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Saar, Germany;
| | - Markus Herrmann
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +43-316-385-13145; Fax: +43-316-385-13430
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13
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Martens DS, Janssen BG, Bijnens EM, Clemente DBP, Vineis P, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS. Association of Parental Socioeconomic Status and Newborn Telomere Length. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e204057. [PMID: 32364595 PMCID: PMC7199116 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.4057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Low socioeconomic status is associated with higher all-cause mortality and risks for aging-related diseases. Biological aging is a potential process underlying health conditions related to social disadvantages, which may be present from birth onward. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of parental socioeconomic status with telomere length (TL) at birth, a marker of biological aging. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective birth cohort study was conducted among 1504 mother-newborn pairs in Belgium recruited between February 1, 2010, and July 1, 2017. EXPOSURES Parental socioeconomic measures, including maternal educational level, occupation, paternal educational level, and neighborhood income based on median annual household income. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Mean relative TL was measured in cord blood and placental tissue. By constructing a principal component, an integrative socioeconomic measure was derived that integrates parental socioeconomic status and neighborhood income. Multivariable adjusted regression analyses were performed to associate the integrative socioeconomic measure and TL at birth. RESULTS In 1026 newborns (517 boys; mean [SD] gestational age, 39.2 [1.4] weeks), a higher socioeconomic status was associated with longer cord blood TL and placental TL. Each unit increment in the integrative socioeconomic status measure was associated with 2.1% (95% CI, 0.9%-3.4%; P < .001) longer cord blood TL in boys, while no association was observed for girls (0.5% longer cord blood TL; 95% CI, -0.9% to 1.8%; P = .50). The sex-specific socioeconomic status interaction revealed a stronger association in boys compared with newborn girls (1.6%; 95% CI, 0.02%-3.3%; P = .047 for interaction). In placental tissue, higher socioeconomic status was associated with 1.8% (95% CI, 0.3%-3.3%; P = .02) longer TL in newborn boys but not in girls (0.4% longer TL; 95% CI, -1.2% to 2.0%; P = .63). For placental tissue, no sex and socioeconomic status interaction on TL was observed (1.4%; 95% CI, -0.5% to 3.4%; P = .16 for interaction). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study suggests that parental socioeconomic status is associated with newborn TL, especially in boys. The results indicate that familial social economic factors are associated with the potential cellular longevity of the next generation, with a potential higher transgenerational vulnerability for newborn boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dries S. Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bram G. Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Esmée M. Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Paolo Vineis
- Medical Research Council–Health Policy Agency, Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Human subtelomeric DNA methylation: regulation and roles in telomere function. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 60:9-16. [PMID: 32109830 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Subtelomeres are the regions at chromosome ends, immediately adjacent to the terminal telomeric repeats. The majority of human subtelomeres are CpG-rich in their distal two kilobases, and are methylated during early embryonic development by the de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B. The biological relevance of subtelomeric DNA methylation is highlighted by the presence of promoters for the long non-coding TERRA transcripts in these CpG-rich regions. Indeed, deviant subtelomeric methylation has been linked with abnormal telomeric phenotypes, as most strikingly found in ICF syndrome. Here we review recent studies that explore new aspects of subtelomeric methylation regulation and demonstrate the significance of maintaining proper DNA methylation at the extreme distal human subtelomeric regions.
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Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity in Foetal Membranes from Term and Spontaneous Preterm Births. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:411-417. [PMID: 32046424 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-019-00054-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The reduction of telomere length, the protective cap structures of chromosomes, is one of the biomarkers of senescence (a mechanism of ageing), and ageing of foetal gestational tissues is associated with both term and preterm parturition. A mechanism regulating telomere length is the activity of telomerase, an enzyme that adds telomere fragments during DNA replication and cell division; however, its role in regulating telomere length is not well studied in gestational tissues. The objective of this study is to correlate telomere length and telomerase activity in foetal membranes from term and spontaneous preterm births. Foetal membrane samples were collected from pregnant women experiencing term labour (TL), term not in labour (TNL), preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) and spontaneous preterm labour (PTL) with intact membranes (n = 20/group). Telomere length and telomerase activity were analyzed by relative quantification (T/S), real-time PCR and PCR-based fluorometric detection, respectively. Data were analyzed by ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test. Demographic variables were not statistically different among the groups. Foetal membranes from the TL group showed telomere length reduction compared with those from the others (p < 0.0002). Telomerase activity did not change in foetal membranes irrespective of pregnancy outcome. Telomere shortening in foetal membranes is suggestive of senescence associated with triggering of labour at term; however, this is likely independent of telomerase activity, while prematurity may be associated with senescence, but due to other mechanisms than telomere length reduction in foetal membranes.
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Ackermann S, Fischer M. Telomere Maintenance in Pediatric Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5836. [PMID: 31757062 PMCID: PMC6928840 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length has been proposed as a biomarker of biological age and a risk factor for age-related diseases and cancer. Substantial progress has been made in recent decades in understanding the complex molecular relationships in this research field. However, the majority of telomere studies have been conducted in adults. The data on telomere dynamics in pediatric cancers is limited, and interpretation can be challenging, especially in cases where results are contrasting to those in adult entities. This review describes recent advances in the molecular characterization of structure and function of telomeres, regulation of telomerase activity in cancer pathogenesis in general, and highlights the key advances that have expanded our views on telomere biology in pediatric cancer, with special emphasis on the central role of telomere maintenance in neuroblastoma. Furthermore, open questions in the field of telomere maintenance research are discussed in the context of recently published literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ackermann
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Straße 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Straße 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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Billard P, Poncet DA. Replication Stress at Telomeric and Mitochondrial DNA: Common Origins and Consequences on Ageing. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20194959. [PMID: 31597307 PMCID: PMC6801922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Senescence is defined as a stress-induced durable cell cycle arrest. We herein revisit the origin of two of these stresses, namely mitochondrial metabolic compromise, associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and replicative senescence, activated by extreme telomere shortening. We discuss how replication stress-induced DNA damage of telomeric DNA (telDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can be considered a common origin of senescence in vitro, with consequences on ageing in vivo. Unexpectedly, mtDNA and telDNA share common features indicative of a high degree of replicative stress, such as G-quadruplexes, D-loops, RNA:DNA heteroduplexes, epigenetic marks, or supercoiling. To avoid these stresses, both compartments use similar enzymatic strategies involving, for instance, endonucleases, topoisomerases, helicases, or primases. Surprisingly, many of these replication helpers are active at both telDNA and mtDNA (e.g., RNAse H1, FEN1, DNA2, RecQ helicases, Top2α, Top2β, TOP3A, DNMT1/3a/3b, SIRT1). In addition, specialized telomeric proteins, such as TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) and TERC (telomerase RNA component), or TIN2 (shelterin complex), shuttle from telomeres to mitochondria, and, by doing so, modulate mitochondrial metabolism and the production of ROS, in a feedback manner. Hence, mitochondria and telomeres use common weapons and cooperate to resist/prevent replication stresses, otherwise producing common consequences, namely senescence and ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Billard
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de recherche en cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France.
- Institut de Biopathologie moléculaire, Centre de Bio-Pathologie Est, Groupement hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Bron, France.
| | - Delphine A Poncet
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de recherche en cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France.
- Institut de Biopathologie moléculaire, Centre de Bio-Pathologie Est, Groupement hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Bron, France.
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18
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Yuan J, Liu Y, Wang J, Zhao Y, Li K, Jing Y, Zhang X, Liu Q, Geng X, Li G, Wang F. Long-term Persistent Organic Pollutants Exposure Induced Telomere Dysfunction and Senescence-Associated Secretary Phenotype. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2019; 73:1027-1035. [PMID: 29360938 PMCID: PMC6037063 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmentally persistent organic pollutant (POP) is the general term for refractory organic compounds that show long-range atmospheric transport, environmental persistence, and bioaccumulation. It has been reported that the accumulation of POPs could lead to cellular DNA damage and adverse effects of on metabolic health. To better understand the mechanism of the health risks associated with POPs, we conducted an evidence-based cohort investigation (n = 5,955) at the Jinghai e-waste disposal center in China from 2009 to 2016, where people endure serious POP exposure. And high levels of aging-related diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and reproductive disorders were identified associated with the POP exposure. In the subsequent molecular level study, an increased telomere dysfunction including telomere multiple telomere signals, telomere signal-free ends, telomere shortening and activation of alternative lengthening of telomeres were observed, which might result from the hypomethylated DNA modification induced telomeric repeat-containing RNA overexpression. Moreover, dysfunctional telomere-leaded senescence-associated secretory phenotype was confirmed, as the proinflammatory cytokines and immunosenescence hallmarks including interleukin-6, P16INK4a, and P14ARF were stimulated. Thus, we proposed that the dysfunctional telomere and elevated systemic chronic inflammation contribute to the aging-associated diseases, which were highly developed among the POP exposure individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghua Yuan
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Yuxia Zhao
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Keqiu Li
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Yaqing Jing
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Geng
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Guang Li
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China
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Human placental methylome in the interplay of adverse placental health, environmental exposure, and pregnancy outcome. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008236. [PMID: 31369552 PMCID: PMC6675049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the interface between maternal and fetal circulations, integrating maternal and fetal signals to selectively regulate nutrient, gas, and waste exchange, as well as secrete hormones. In turn, the placenta helps create the in utero environment and control fetal growth and development. The unique epigenetic profile of the human placenta likely reflects its early developmental separation from the fetus proper and its role in mediating maternal–fetal exchange that leaves it open to a range of exogenous exposures in the maternal circulation. In this review, we cover recent advances in DNA methylation in the context of placental function and development, as well as the interaction between the pregnancy and the environment.
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Gaspar TB, Sá A, Lopes JM, Sobrinho-Simões M, Soares P, Vinagre J. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E241. [PMID: 29751586 PMCID: PMC5977181 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells can adopt telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) to avoid telomere shortening, an inevitable process due to successive cell divisions. In most tumour cells, telomere length (TL) is maintained by reactivation of telomerase, while a small part acquires immortality through the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. In the last years, a great amount of data was generated, and different TMMs were reported and explained in detail, benefiting from genome-scale studies of major importance. In this review, we address seven different TMMs in tumour cells: mutations of the TERT promoter (TERTp), amplification of the genes TERT and TERC, polymorphic variants of the TERT gene and of its promoter, rearrangements of the TERT gene, epigenetic changes, ALT, and non-defined TMM (NDTMM). We gathered information from over fifty thousand patients reported in 288 papers in the last years. This wide data collection enabled us to portray, by organ/system and histotypes, the prevalence of TERTp mutations, TERT and TERC amplifications, and ALT in human tumours. Based on this information, we discuss the putative future clinical impact of the aforementioned mechanisms on the malignant transformation process in different setups, and provide insights for screening, prognosis, and patient management stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bordeira Gaspar
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sá
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José Manuel Lopes
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Soares
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Vinagre
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
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Pompili L, Leonetti C, Biroccio A, Salvati E. Diagnosis and treatment of ALT tumors: is Trabectedin a new therapeutic option? JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:189. [PMID: 29273061 PMCID: PMC5741932 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures responsible for protecting chromosome ends in order to prevent the loss of genomic information. Telomere maintenance is required for achieving immortality by neoplastic cells. While most cancer cells rely on telomerase re-activation for linear chromosome maintenance and sustained proliferation, a significant population of cancers (10-15%) employs telomerase-independent strategies, collectively referred to as Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). ALT mechanisms involve different types of homology-directed telomere recombination and synthesis. These processes are facilitated by loss of the ATRX or DAXX chromatin-remodeling factors and by abnormalities of the telomere nucleoprotein architecture. Although the functional consequences of telomerase and ALT up-regulation are similar in that they both prevent overall telomere shortening in tumors, these telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) differ in several aspects which may account for their differential prognostic significance and response to therapy in various tumor types. Therefore, reliable methods for detecting telomerase activity and ALT are likely to become an important pre-requisite for the use of treatments targeting one or other of these mechanisms. However, the question whether ALT presence can confer sensitivity to rationally designed anti-cancer therapies is still open. Here we review the latest discoveries in terms of mechanisms of ALT activation and maintenance in human tumors, methods for ALT identification in cell lines and human tissues and biomarkers validation. Then, original results on sensitivity to rational based pre-clinical and clinical anti-tumor drugs in ALT vs hTERT positive cells will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pompili
- UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53 -, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Salvati
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53 -, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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Naderlinger E, Holzmann K. Epigenetic Regulation of Telomere Maintenance for Therapeutic Interventions in Gliomas. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E145. [PMID: 28513547 PMCID: PMC5448019 DOI: 10.3390/genes8050145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade astrocytoma of WHO grade 4 termed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a common human brain tumor with poor patient outcome. Astrocytoma demonstrates two known telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) based on telomerase activity (TA) and on alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT is associated with lower tumor grades and better outcome. In contrast to ALT, regulation of TA in tumors by direct mutation and epigenetic activation of the hTERT promoter is well established. Here, we summarize the genetic background of TMMs in non-malignant cells and in cancer, in addition to clinical and pathological features of gliomas. Furthermore, we present new evidence for epigenetic mechanisms (EMs) involved in regulation of ALT and TA with special emphasis on human diffuse gliomas as potential therapeutic drug targets. We discuss the role of TMM associated telomeric chromatin factors such as DNA and histone modifying enzymes and non-coding RNAs including microRNAs and long telomeric TERRA transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Naderlinger
- Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna 1090, Austria.
| | - Klaus Holzmann
- Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna 1090, Austria.
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Novakovic B, Evain-Brion D, Murthi P, Fournier T, Saffery R. Variable DAXX gene methylation is a common feature of placental trophoblast differentiation, preeclampsia, and response to hypoxia. FASEB J 2017; 31:2380-2392. [PMID: 28223336 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601189rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Placental functioning relies on the appropriate differentiation of progenitor villous cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) into extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVCTs), including invasive EVCTs, and the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (ST) layer. This is accompanied by a general move away from a proliferative, immature phenotype. Genome-scale expression studies have provided valuable insight into genes that are associated with the shift to both an invasive EVCT and ST phenotype, whereas genome-scale DNA methylation analysis has shown that differentiation to ST involves widespread methylation shifts, which are counteracted by low oxygen. In the current study, we sought to identify DNA methylation variation that is associated with transition from CTB to ST in vitro and from a noninvasive to invasive EVCT phenotype after culture on Matrigel. Of the several hundred differentially methylated regions that were identified in each comparison, the majority showed a loss of methylation with differentiation. This included a large differentially methylated region (DMR) in the gene body of death domain-associated protein 6 (DAXX ), which lost methylation during both CTB syncytialization to ST and EVCT differentiation to invasive EVCT. Comparison to publicly available methylation array data identified the same DMR as among the most consistently differentially methylated genes in placental samples from preeclampsia pregnancies. Of interest, in vitro culture of CTB or ST in low oxygen increases methylation in the same region, which correlates with delayed differentiation. Analysis of combined epigenomics signatures confirmed DAXX DMR as a likely regulatory element, and direct gene expression analysis identified a positive association between methylation at this site and DAXX expression levels. The widespread dynamic nature of DAXX methylation in association with trophoblast differentiation and placenta-associated pathologies is consistent with an important role for this gene in proper placental development and function.-Novakovic, B., Evain-Brion, D., Murthi, P., Fournier, T., Saffery, R. Variable DAXX gene methylation is a common feature of placental trophoblast differentiation, preeclampsia, and response to hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Novakovic
- Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danièle Evain-Brion
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité Mixte de Recherche S1139, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,PremUp Foundation, Paris, France
| | - Padma Murthi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thiery Fournier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité Mixte de Recherche S1139, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,PremUp Foundation, Paris, France
| | - Richard Saffery
- Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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