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Cardenas A, Fadadu RP, Koppelman GH. Epigenome-wide association studies of allergic disease and the environment. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 152:582-590. [PMID: 37295475 PMCID: PMC10564109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The epigenome is at the intersection of the environment, genotype, and cellular response. DNA methylation of cytosine nucleotides, the most studied epigenetic modification, has been systematically evaluated in human studies by using untargeted epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) and shown to be both sensitive to environmental exposures and associated with allergic diseases. In this narrative review, we summarize findings from key EWASs previously conducted on this topic; interpret results from recent studies; and discuss the strengths, challenges, and opportunities regarding epigenetics research on the environment-allergy relationship. The majority of these EWASs have systematically investigated select environmental exposures during the prenatal and early childhood periods and allergy-associated epigenetic changes in leukocyte-isolated DNA and more recently in nasal cells. Overall, many studies have found consistent DNA methylation associations across cohorts for certain exposures, such as smoking (eg, aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor gene [AHRR] gene), and allergic diseases (eg, EPX gene). We recommend the integration of both environmental exposures and allergy or asthma within long-term prospective designs to strengthen causality as well as biomarker development. Future studies should collect paired target tissues to examine compartment-specific epigenetic responses, incorporate genetic influences in DNA methylation (methylation quantitative trait locus), replicate findings across diverse populations, and carefully interpret epigenetic signatures from bulk, target tissue or isolated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif
| | - Raj P Fadadu
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute of Asthma and COPD, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Essaidi-Laziosi M, Royston L, Boda B, Pérez-Rodriguez FJ, Piuz I, Hulo N, Kaiser L, Clément S, Huang S, Constant S, Tapparel C. Altered cell function and increased replication of rhinoviruses and EV-D68 in airway epithelia of asthma patients. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1106945. [PMID: 36937308 PMCID: PMC10014885 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1106945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rhinovirus (RV) infections constitute one of the main triggers of asthma exacerbations and an important burden in pediatric yard. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain poorly understood. Methods In the present study, we compared infections of in vitro reconstituted airway epithelia originating from asthmatic versus healthy donors with representative strains of RV-A major group and minor groups, RV-C, RV-B, and the respiratory enterovirus EV-D68. Results We found that viral replication was higher in tissues derived from asthmatic donors for all tested viruses. Viral receptor expression was comparable in non-infected tissues from both groups. After infection, ICAM1 and LDLR were upregulated, while CDHR3 was downregulated. Overall, these variations were related to viral replication levels. The presence of the CDHR3 asthma susceptibility allele (rs6967330) was not associated with increased RV-C replication. Regarding the tissue response, a significantly higher interferon (IFN) induction was demonstrated in infected tissues derived from asthmatic donors, which excludes a defect in IFN-response. Unbiased transcriptomic comparison of asthmatic versus control tissues revealed significant modifications, such as alterations of cilia structure and motility, in both infected and non-infected tissues. These observations were supported by a reduced mucociliary clearance and increased mucus secretion in non-infected tissues from asthmatic donors. Discussion Altogether, we demonstrated an increased permissiveness and susceptibility to RV and respiratory EV infections in HAE derived from asthmatic patients, which was associated with a global alteration in epithelial cell functions. These results unveil the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of asthma exacerbation and suggest interesting therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel Essaidi-Laziosi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Léna Royston
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Francisco Javier Pérez-Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Piuz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Hulo
- Service for Biomathematical and Biostatistical Analyses, Institute of Genetics and Genomics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Kaiser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Clément
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Song Huang
- Epithelix Sàrl, Plan les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Caroline Tapparel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Caroline Tapparel,
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Maggi E, Parronchi P, Azzarone BG, Moretta L. A pathogenic integrated view explaining the different endotypes of asthma and allergic disorders. Allergy 2022; 77:3267-3292. [PMID: 35842745 DOI: 10.1111/all.15445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The inflammation of allergic diseases is characterized by a complex interaction between type 2 and type 3 immune responses, explaining clinical symptoms and histopathological patterns. Airborne stimuli activate the mucosal epithelium to release a number of molecules impacting the activity of resident immune and environmental cells. Signals from the mucosal barrier, regulatory cells, and the inflamed tissue are crucial conditions able to modify innate and adaptive effector cells providing the selective homing of eosinophils or neutrophils. The high plasticity of resident T- and innate lymphoid cells responding to external signals is the prerequisite to explain the multiplicity of endotypes of allergic diseases. This notion paved the way for the huge use of specific biologic drugs interfering with pathogenic mechanisms of inflammation. Based on the response of the epithelial barrier, the activity of resident regulatory cells, and functions of structural non-lymphoid environmental cells, this review proposes some immunopathogenic scenarios characterizing the principal endotypes which can be associated with a precise phenotype of asthma. Recent literature indicates that similar concepts can also be applied to the inflammation of other non-respiratory allergic disorders. The next challenges will consist in defining specific biomarker(s) of each endotype allowing for a quick diagnosis and the most effective personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Maggi
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Parronchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Melén E, Koppelman GH, Vicedo-Cabrera AM, Andersen ZJ, Bunyavanich S. Allergies to food and airborne allergens in children and adolescents: role of epigenetics in a changing environment. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2022; 6:810-819. [PMID: 35985346 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(22)00215-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Allergic diseases affect millions of children and adolescents worldwide. In this Review, we focus on allergies to food and airborne allergens and provide examples of prevalence trends during a time when climate change is of increasing concern. Profound environmental changes have affected natural systems in terms of biodiversity loss, air pollution, and climate. We discuss the potential links between these changes and allergic diseases in children, and the clinical implications. Several exposures of relevance for allergic disease also correlate with epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation. We propose that epigenetics could be a promising tool by which exposures and hazards related to a changing environment can be captured. Epigenetics might also provide promising biomarkers and help to elucidate the mechanisms related to allergic disease initiation and progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Melén
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology and Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine and Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Supinda Bunyavanich
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Everard ML. Precision Medicine and Childhood Asthma: A Guide for the Unwary. J Pers Med 2022; 12:82. [PMID: 35055397 PMCID: PMC8779146 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Many thousands of articles relating to asthma appear in medical and scientific journals each year, yet there is still no consensus as to how the condition should be defined. Some argue that the condition does not exist as an entity and that the term should be discarded. The key feature that distinguishes it from other respiratory diseases is that airway smooth muscles, which normally vary little in length, have lost their stable configuration and shorten excessively in response to a wide range of stimuli. The lungs' and airways' limited repertoire of responses results in patients with very different pathologies experiencing very similar symptoms and signs. In the absence of objective verification of airway smooth muscle (ASM) lability, over and underdiagnosis are all too common. Allergic inflammation can exacerbate symptoms but given that worldwide most asthmatics are not atopic, these are two discrete conditions. Comorbidities are common and are often responsible for symptoms attributed to asthma. Common amongst these are a chronic bacterial dysbiosis and dysfunctional breathing. For progress to be made in areas of therapy, diagnosis, monitoring and prevention, it is essential that a diagnosis of asthma is confirmed by objective tests and that all co-morbidities are accurately detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L Everard
- Division of Child Health, Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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