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Yu HJ, Byun YH, Park CK. Techniques for assessing telomere length: A methodological review. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1489-1498. [PMID: 38633384 PMCID: PMC11021795 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are located at the ends of chromosomes and have specific sequences with a distinctive structure that safeguards genes. They possess capping structures that protect chromosome ends from fusion events and ensure chromosome stability. Telomeres shorten in length during each cycle of cell division. When this length reaches a certain threshold, it can lead to genomic instability, thus being implicated in various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The possibility of telomeres serving as a biomarker for aging and age-related disease is being explored, and their significance is still under study. This is because post-mitotic cells, which are mature cells that do not undergo mitosis, do not experience telomere shortening due to age. Instead, other causes, for example, exposure to oxidative stress, can directly damage the telomeres, causing genomic instability. Nonetheless, a general agreement has been established that measuring telomere length offers valuable insights and forms a crucial foundation for analyzing gene expression and epigenetic data. Numerous approaches have been developed to accurately measure telomere lengths. In this review, we summarize various methods and their advantages and limitations for assessing telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon Jong Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Hwan Byun
- Department of Neurosurgery, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Kee Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Skåra KH, Lee Y, Jugessur A, Gjessing HK, Aviv A, Brumpton B, Naess Ø, Hernáez Á, Hanevik HI, Magnus P, Magnus MC. Telomere length in relation to fecundability and use of assisted reproductive technologies: the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4430021. [PMID: 38883734 PMCID: PMC11177952 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4430021/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
In women, shorter telomeres have been reported to be associated with conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, whereas other studies have reported the opposite. In men, studies mostly report associations between shorter telomeres and sperm quality. To our knowledge, no studies have thus far investigated the associations between TL and fecundability or the use of ART. This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort (MoBa) Study and uses data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). We included women (24,645 with genotype data and 1,054 with TL measurements) and men (18,339 with genotype data and 965 with TL measurements) participating between 1998 and 2008. We investigated the associations between leukocyte TL and fecundability, infertility, and the use of ART. We also repeated the analyses using instrumental variables for TL, including genetic risk scores for TL and genetically predicted TL. Approximately 11% of couples had experienced infertility and 4% had used ART. TL was not associated with fecundability among women (fecundability ratio [FR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-1.04) or men (FR, 0.99; CI, 0.93-1.06), nor with infertility among women (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; CI, 0.85-1.24) or men (OR, 1.05; CI, 0.87-1.28). We observed an increased likelihood of using ART with increasing TL among men (OR, 1.22; CI, 1.03-1.46), but not among women (OR, 1.10; CI, 0.92-1.31). No significant associations were observed using the instrumental variables. Our results indicate that TL is a poor biomarker of fecundability, infertility and use of ART in MoBa. Additional studies are required to replicate the association observed between TL and ART in men.
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3
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Kogure GS, Verruma CG, Santana BA, Calado RT, Ferriani RA, Furtado CLM, Dos Reis RM. Obesity contributes to telomere shortening in polycystic ovary syndrome. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1601-1609. [PMID: 38393627 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01485-z] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial disorder and obesity occurs in 38% to 88% of these women. Although hyperandrogenism may contribute to telomere lengthening, increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with telomere erosion. We sought to compare leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in PCOS women with normal, overweight, and obese BMI. We evaluated the relationship between LTL and clinical variables of PCOS and inflammatory biomarkers independent of BMI. A total of 348 women (243 PCOS and 105 non-PCOS) were evaluated for anthropometric measures, total testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), fasting insulin and glycemia, lipid profile, homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). LTL was measured by qPCR. The PCOS group presented higher weight, waist circumference, BMI, testosterone, LH, fasting insulin, FAI, and HOMA-IR, and lower E2, SHBG, and fasting glycemia measures compared with the non-PCOS. When stratified by BMI, LTL was increased in all subgroups in PCOS compared to non-PCOS. However, in the PCOS group, LTL was lower in overweight (P = 0.0187) and obese (P = 0.0018) compared to normal-weight women. The generalized linear model showed that BMI, androstenedione, homocysteine, and CRP were associated with telomere biology. Women with PCOS had longer LTL, however, overweight or obesity progressively contributes to telomere shortening and may affect reproductive outcomes of PCOS, while androstenedione may increase LTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gislaine Satyko Kogure
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Carolina Gennari Verruma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Barbara A Santana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Calado
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Rui Alberto Ferriani
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado
- Experimental Biology Center, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNFOR), Fortaleza, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil.
- Postgraduate Program in Translational Medicine, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
| | - Rosana Maria Dos Reis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
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Nikolouzakis TK, Chrysos E, Docea AO, Fragkiadaki P, Souglakos J, Tsiaoussis J, Tsatsakis A. Current and Future Trends of Colorectal Cancer Treatment: Exploring Advances in Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1995. [PMID: 38893120 PMCID: PMC11171065 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16111995] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer of the colon and rectum (CRC) has been identified among the three most prevalent types of cancer and cancer-related deaths for both sexes. Even though significant progress in surgical and chemotherapeutic techniques has markedly improved disease-free and overall survival rates in contrast to those three decades ago, recent years have seen a stagnation in these improvements. This underscores the need for new therapies aiming to augment patient outcomes. A number of emerging strategies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and adoptive cell therapy (ACT), have exhibited promising outcomes not only in preclinical but also in clinical settings. Additionally, a thorough appreciation of the underlying biology has expanded the scope of research into potential therapeutic interventions. For instance, the pivotal role of altered telomere length in early CRC carcinogenesis, leading to chromosomal instability and telomere dysfunction, presents a promising avenue for future treatments. Thus, this review explores the advancements in CRC immunotherapy and telomere-targeted therapies, examining potential synergies and how these novel treatment modalities intersect to potentially enhance each other's efficacy, paving the way for promising future therapeutic advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel Chrysos
- Department of General Surgery, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; (T.K.N.); (E.C.)
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Persefoni Fragkiadaki
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (P.F.); (A.T.)
| | - John Souglakos
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Medical School, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (P.F.); (A.T.)
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Bennett DC. Review: Are moles senescent? Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024; 37:391-402. [PMID: 38361107 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13163] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Melanocytic nevi (skin moles) have been regarded as a valuable example of cell senescence occurring in vivo. However, a study of induced nevi in a mouse model reported that the nevi were arrested by cell interactions rather than a cell-autonomous process like senescence, and that size distributions of cell nests within nevi could not be accounted for by a stochastic model of oncogene-induced senescence. Moreover, others reported that some molecular markers used to identify cell senescence in human nevi are also found in melanoma cells-not senescent. It has thus been questioned whether nevi really are senescent, with potential implications for melanoma diagnosis and therapy. Here I review these areas, along with the genetic, biological, and molecular evidence supporting senescence in nevi. In conclusion, there is strong evidence that cells of acquired human benign (banal) nevi are very largely senescent, though some must contain a minor non-senescent cell subpopulation. There is also persuasive evidence that this senescence is primarily induced by dysfunctional telomeres rather than directly oncogene-induced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy C Bennett
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
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Singh M, Raseley K, Perez AM, MacKenzie D, Kosiyatrakul ST, Desai S, Batista N, Guru N, Loomba KK, Abid HZ, Wang Y, Udo-Bellner L, Stout RF, Schildkraut CL, Xiao M, Zhang D. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of the breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle using a CRISPR-dCas9 cellular model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.03.587951. [PMID: 38617299 PMCID: PMC11014597 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.03.587951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Chromosome instability (CIN) is frequently observed in many tumors. The breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle has been proposed to be one of the main drivers of CIN during tumorigenesis and tumor evolution. However, the detailed mechanisms for the individual steps of the BFB cycle warrants further investigation. Here, we demonstrated that a nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) coupled with a telomere-specific single-guide RNA (sgTelo) can be used to model the BFB cycle. First, we showed that targeting dCas9 to telomeres using sgTelo impeded DNA replication at telomeres and induced a pronounced increase of replication stress and DNA damage. Using Single-Molecule Telomere Assay via Optical Mapping (SMTA-OM), we investigated the genome-wide features of telomeres in the dCas9/sgTelo cells and observed a dramatic increase of chromosome end fusions, including fusion/ITS+ and fusion/ITS-.Consistently, we also observed an increase in the formation of dicentric chromosomes, anaphase bridges, and intercellular telomeric chromosome bridges (ITCBs). Utilizing the dCas9/sgTelo system, we uncovered many novel molecular and structural features of the ITCB and demonstrated that multiple DNA repair pathways are implicated in the formation of ITCBs. Our studies shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of the BFB cycle, which will advance our understanding of tumorigenesis, tumor evolution, and drug resistance.
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Wang B, Xiong Y, Li R, Zhang J, Zhang S. Shorter telomere length increases the risk of lymphocyte immunodeficiency: A Mendelian randomization study. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1251. [PMID: 38607251 PMCID: PMC11010948 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1251] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For a long time, the prevailing viewpoint suggests that shorter telomere contribute to chromosomal instability, which is a shared characteristic of both aging and cancer. The newest research presented that T cell immune deficiency rather than chromosome instability predisposes patients with short telomere syndromes to some cancers. However, the relationship between genetically determined telomere length (TL) and immune cells remains unclear. METHODS The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to elucidate the potential causal relationship. The genetic data of TL and immune cells were obtained from the Genome-Wide Association Study. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used to estimate the effects primarily and another four methods were as a supplement. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the results. RESULTS The IVW method showed a significant correlation between TL and the percentage of T cells in lymphocytes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.222, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014-1.472, p = .035), indicating that shorter TL significantly increases the risk of low T cell percentage. Further analysis of T cell subsets indicated that shorter TL may primarily lead to a lower percentage of Natural Killer T cells (OR: 1.574, 95% CI: 1.281-1.935, p < .001). Analysis of B cell subsets revealed that shorter TL may be associated with a higher percentage of Naive-mature B cells, and a lower percentage of Memory B cells. And the sensitivity analysis indicated the validity and robustness of our findings. CONCLUSION In summary, our findings suggest that shorter TL may be associated with a decline in the percentage of T cell, as well as impediments in the differentiation of B cell, consequently leading to the onset of immunosenescence and immunodeficiency. The relevant mechanisms and potential therapeutic avenues still need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Department of Geriatric Digestive Surgerythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yongqiang Xiong
- Department of Geriatric Digestive Surgerythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Ren Li
- Department of Geriatric Digestive Surgerythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Jiewen Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Digestive Surgerythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Digestive Surgerythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
- Experimental Teaching Center for Clinical Skillsthe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
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Lopez-Jimenez F, Kapa S, Friedman PA, LeBrasseur NK, Klavetter E, Mangold KE, Attia ZI. Assessing Biological Age: The Potential of ECG Evaluation Using Artificial Intelligence: JACC Family Series. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 10:775-789. [PMID: 38597855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2024.02.011] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Biological age may be a more valuable predictor of morbidity and mortality than a person's chronological age. Mathematical models have been used for decades to predict biological age, but recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to new capabilities in age estimation. Using deep learning methods to train AI models on hundreds of thousands of electrocardiograms (ECGs) to predict age results in a good, but imperfect, age prediction. The error predicting age using ECG, or the difference between AI-ECG-derived age and chronological age (delta age), may be a surrogate measurement of biological age, as the delta age relates to survival, even after adjusting for chronological age and other covariates associated with total and cardiovascular mortality. The relative affordability, noninvasiveness, and ubiquity of ECGs, combined with ease of access and potential to be integrated with smartphone or wearable technology, presents a potential paradigm shift in assessment of biological age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Lopez-Jimenez
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
| | - Suraj Kapa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Paul A Friedman
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nathan K LeBrasseur
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eric Klavetter
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kathryn E Mangold
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Zachi I Attia
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Savage SA. Telomere length and cancer risk: finding Goldilocks. Biogerontology 2024; 25:265-278. [PMID: 38109000 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10080-9] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are the nucleoprotein complex at chromosome ends essential in genomic stability. Baseline telomere length (TL) is determined by rare and common germline genetic variants but shortens with age and is susceptible to certain environmental exposures. Cellular senescence or apoptosis are normally triggered when telomeres reach a critically short length, but cancer cells overcome these protective mechanisms and continue to divide despite chromosomal instability. Rare germline variants in telomere maintenance genes cause exceedingly short telomeres for age (< 1st percentile) and the telomere biology disorders, which are associated with elevated risks of bone marrow failure, myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head/neck and anogenital regions. Long telomeres due to rare germline variants in the same or different telomere maintenance genes are associated with elevated risks of other cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or sarcoma. Early epidemiology studies of TL in the general population lacked reproducibility but new methods, including creation of a TL polygenic score using common variants, have found longer telomeres associated with excess risks of renal cell carcinoma, glioma, lung cancer, and others. It has become clear that when it comes to TL and cancer etiology, not too short, not too long, but "just right" telomeres are important in minimizing cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon A Savage
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, 6E456, Bethesda, MD, 20892-6772, USA.
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Bartle L, Wellinger RJ. Methods that shaped telomerase research. Biogerontology 2024; 25:249-263. [PMID: 37903970 PMCID: PMC10998806 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10073-8] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase, the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) responsible for telomere maintenance, has a complex life. Complex in that it is made of multiple proteins and an RNA, and complex because it undergoes many changes, and passes through different cell compartments. As such, many methods have been developed to discover telomerase components, delve deep into understanding its structure and function and to figure out how telomerase biology ultimately relates to human health and disease. While some old gold-standard methods are still key for determining telomere length and measuring telomerase activity, new technologies are providing promising new ways to gain detailed information that we have never had access to before. Therefore, we thought it timely to briefly review the methods that have revealed information about the telomerase RNP and outline some of the remaining questions that could be answered using new methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bartle
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Applied Cancer Research Pavilion, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Raymund J Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Applied Cancer Research Pavilion, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada.
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Chebly A, Khalil C, Kuzyk A, Beylot-Barry M, Chevret E. T-cell lymphocytes' aging clock: telomeres, telomerase and aging. Biogerontology 2024; 25:279-288. [PMID: 37917220 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10075-6] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Aging is the decline of physiological capabilities required for life maintenance and reproduction over time. The human immune cells, including T-cells lymphocytes, undergo dramatic aging-related changes, including those related to telomeres and telomerase. It was demonstrated that telomeres and telomerase play crucial roles in T-cell differentiation, aging, and diseases, including a well-documented link between short telomeres and telomerase activation demonstrated in several T-cells malignancies. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature regarding T-cells' telomeres and telomerase in health and age related-diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Chebly
- Jacques Loiselet Center for Medical Genetics and Genomics (CGGM), Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Higher Institute of Public Health, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Charbel Khalil
- Reviva Stem Cell Platform for Research and Applications Center, Bsalim, Lebanon
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Lebanese American University School of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Alexandra Kuzyk
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marie Beylot-Barry
- Dermatology Department, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, BRIC, U1312, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Edith Chevret
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, BRIC, U1312, 33000, Bordeaux, France
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Monaghan P. Linking telomere dynamics to evolution, life history and environmental change: perspectives, predictions and problems. Biogerontology 2024; 25:301-311. [PMID: 38252370 PMCID: PMC10998769 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10081-8] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
This perspectives paper considers the value of studying telomere biology outside of a biomedical context. I provide illustrative examples of the kinds of questions that evolutionary ecologists have addressed in studies of telomere dynamics in non-model species, primarily metazoan animals, and what this can contribute to our understanding of their evolution, life histories and health. I also discuss why the predicted relationships between telomere dynamics and life history traits, based on the detailed cellular studies in humans and model organisms, are not always found in studies in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pat Monaghan
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, Graham Kerr Building University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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13
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Martin NA, McLester-Davis LWY, Roy TR, Magruder MG, Hastings WJ, Drury SS. Monochrome Multiplex Quantitative PCR Telomere Length Measurement. J Vis Exp 2024:10.3791/66545. [PMID: 38587381 PMCID: PMC11080955 DOI: 10.3791/66545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are ribonucleoprotein structures at the end of all eukaryotic chromosomes that protect DNA from damage and preserve chromosome stability. Telomere length (TL) has been associated with various exposures, biological processes, and health outcomes. This article describes the monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MMqPCR) assay protocol routinely conducted in our laboratory for measuring relative mean TL from human DNA. There are several different PCR-based TL measurement methods, but the specific protocol for the MMqPCR method presented in this publication is repeatable, efficient, cost-effective, and suitable for population-based studies. This detailed protocol outlines all information necessary for investigators to establish this assay in their laboratory. In addition, this protocol provides specific steps to increase the reproducibility of TL measurement by this assay, defined by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) across repeated measurements of the same sample. The ICC is a critical factor in evaluating expected power for a specific study population; as such, reporting cohort-specific ICCs for any TL assay is a necessary step to enhance the overall rigor of population-based studies of TL. Example results utilizing DNA samples extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells demonstrate the feasibility of generating highly repeatable TL data using this MMqPCR protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren W Y McLester-Davis
- Native American Center for Health Professions, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | | | | | | | - Stacy S Drury
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital;
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Ankrah PK, Mensah ED, Dabie K, Mensah C, Akangbe B, Essuman J. Harnessing Genetics to Extend Lifespan and Healthspan: Current Progress and Future Directions. Cureus 2024; 16:e55495. [PMID: 38571872 PMCID: PMC10990068 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55495] [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] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is inevitable, but the lifespan (duration of life) and healthspan (healthy aging) vary greatly among individuals and across species. Unlocking the secrets behind these differences has captivated scientific curiosity for ages. This review presents relevant recent advances in genetics and cell biology that are shedding new light by untangling how subtle changes in conserved genes, pathways, and epigenetic factors influence organismal senescence and associated declines. Biogerontology is a complex and rapidly growing field aimed at elucidating genetic modifications that extend lifespan and healthspan. This review explores gerontogenes, genes influencing lifespan and healthspan across species. Though subtle differences exist, long-lived individuals such as centenarians demonstrate extended healthspans, and numerous studies confirm the heritability of longevity/healthspan genes. Importantly, genes and gerontogenes are directly and indirectly involved in DNA repair, insulin/IGF-1 and mTOR signaling pathways, long non-coding RNAs, sirtuins, and heat shock proteins. The complex interactions between genetics and epigenetics are teased apart. While more research into optimizing healthspan is needed, conserved gerontogenes offer synergistic potential to forestall aging and age-related diseases. Understanding complex longevity genetics brings closer the goal of extending not only lifespan but quality years of life. The primary aim of human Biogerontology is to enhance lifespan and healthspan, but the question remains: are current genetic modifications effectively promoting healthy aging? This article collates the advancements in gerontogenes that enhance lifespan and improve healthspan alongside their potential challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enock D Mensah
- Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Kwabena Dabie
- Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Caleb Mensah
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Essuman
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
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15
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Zillich L, Cetin M, Hummel EM, Poisel E, Fries GR, Frank J, Streit F, Foo JC, Sirignano L, Friske MM, Lenz B, Hoffmann S, Adorjan K, Kiefer F, Bakalkin G, Hansson AC, Lohoff FW, Kärkkäinen O, Kok E, Karhunen PJ, Sutherland GT, Walss-Bass C, Spanagel R, Rietschel M, Moser DA, Witt SH. Biological aging markers in blood and brain tissue indicate age acceleration in alcohol use disorder. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:250-259. [PMID: 38276909 PMCID: PMC10922212 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity risk. A reason for this could be accelerated biological aging, which is strongly influenced by disease processes such as inflammation. As recent studies of AUD show changes in DNA methylation and gene expression in neuroinflammation-related pathways in the brain, biological aging represents a potentially important construct for understanding the adverse effects of substance use disorders. Epigenetic clocks have shown accelerated aging in blood samples from individuals with AUD. However, no systematic evaluation of biological age measures in AUD across different tissues and brain regions has been undertaken. METHODS As markers of biological aging (BioAge markers), we assessed Levine's and Horvath's epigenetic clocks, DNA methylation telomere length (DNAmTL), telomere length (TL), and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in postmortem brain samples from Brodmann Area 9 (BA9), caudate nucleus, and ventral striatum (N = 63-94), and in whole blood samples (N = 179) of individuals with and without AUD. To evaluate the association between AUD status and BioAge markers, we performed linear regression analyses while adjusting for covariates. RESULTS The majority of BioAge markers were significantly associated with chronological age in all samples. Levine's epigenetic clock and DNAmTL were indicative of accelerated biological aging in AUD in BA9 and whole blood samples, while Horvath's showed the opposite effect in BA9. No significant association of AUD with TL and mtDNAcn was detected. Measured TL and DNAmTL showed only small correlations in blood and none in brain. CONCLUSIONS The present study is the first to simultaneously investigate epigenetic clocks, telomere length, and mtDNAcn in postmortem brain and whole blood samples in individuals with AUD. We found evidence for accelerated biological aging in AUD in blood and brain, as measured by Levine's epigenetic clock, and DNAmTL. Additional studies of different tissues from the same individuals are needed to draw valid conclusions about the congruence of biological aging in blood and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Zillich
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Metin Cetin
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elisabeth M. Hummel
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eric Poisel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Gabriel R. Fries
- Louis A. Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Josef Frank
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Streit
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jerome C. Foo
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lea Sirignano
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marion M. Friske
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sabine Hoffmann
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Kristina Adorjan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Falk Kiefer
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Georgy Bakalkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anita C. Hansson
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Falk W. Lohoff
- Section on Clinical Genomics and Experimental Therapeutics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Olli Kärkkäinen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eloise Kok
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland and HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Pekka J. Karhunen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Fimlab Laboratories Ltd., Pirkanmaa Hospital District, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Centre Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Greg T Sutherland
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Louis A. Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dirk A. Moser
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Center for Innovative Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Research, Biobank, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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16
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Zavala-Paez M, Holliday J, Hamilton JA. Leveraging whole-genome sequencing to estimate telomere length in plants. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13899. [PMID: 37966130 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13899] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Changes in telomere length are increasingly used to indicate species' response to environmental stress across diverse taxa. Despite this broad use, few studies have explored telomere length in plants. Thus, evaluation of new approaches for measuring telomeres in plants is needed. Rapid advances in sequencing approaches and bioinformatic tools now allow estimation of telomere content from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, a proxy for telomere length. While telomere content has been quantified extensively using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and WGS in humans, no study to date has compared the effectiveness of WGS in estimating telomere length in plants relative to qPCR approaches. In this study, we use 100 Populus clones re-sequenced using short-read Illumina sequencing to quantify telomere length comparing three different bioinformatic approaches (Computel, K-seek and TRIP) in addition to qPCR. Overall, telomere length estimates varied across different bioinformatic approaches, but were highly correlated across methods for individual genotypes. A positive correlation was observed between WGS estimates and qPCR, however, Computel estimates exhibited the greatest correlation. Computel incorporates genome coverage into telomere length calculations, suggesting that genome coverage is likely important to telomere length quantification when using WGS data. Overall, telomere estimates from WGS provided greater precision and accuracy of telomere length estimates relative to qPCR. The findings suggest WGS is a promising approach for assessing telomere length and, as the field of telomere ecology evolves, may provide added value to assaying response to biotic and abiotic environments for plants needed to accelerate plant breeding and conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Zavala-Paez
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jason Holliday
- Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Jill A Hamilton
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
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17
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Pepke ML. Telomere length is not a useful tool for chronological age estimation in animals. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300187. [PMID: 38047504 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300187] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are short repetitive DNA sequences capping the ends of chromosomes. Telomere shortening occurs during cell division and may be accelerated by oxidative damage or ameliorated by telomere maintenance mechanisms. Consequently, telomere length changes with age, which was recently confirmed in a large meta-analysis across vertebrates. However, based on the correlation between telomere length and age, it was concluded that telomere length can be used as a tool for chronological age estimation in animals. Correlation should not be confused with predictability, and the current data and studies suggest that telomeres cannot be used to reliably predict individual chronological age. There are biological reasons for why there is large individual variation in telomere dynamics, which is mainly due to high susceptibility to a wide range of environmental, but also genetic factors, rendering telomeres unfeasible as a tool for age estimation. The use of telomeres for chronological age estimation is largely a misguided effort, but its occasional reappearance in the literature raises concerns that it will mislead resources in wildlife conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Pepke
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Randell Z, Dehghanbanadaki H, Fendereski K, Jimbo M, Aston K, Hotaling J. Sperm telomere length in male-factor infertility and reproduction. Fertil Steril 2024; 121:12-25. [PMID: 37949346 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.11.001] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The underlying reasons for male-factor infertility are often unknown. 30% of all men have unexplained semen analysis abnormalities. Moreover, 15%-40% of infertile men have normal semen analyses. There have been increasing efforts to identify causes and associations that may explain idiopathic male-factor infertility. Telomeres have become an area of considerable interest in the field because of the essential roles they have in cellular division and genome integrity. Research to date most consistently supports that men with infertility have shorter sperm telomere length (STL); however, associations between shorter STL and meaningful reproductive health outcomes are less consistent. There is a major need for additional studies to better identify the role of STL in male reproductive health and use the information to improve the counseling and treatment of couples with idiopathic male-factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Randell
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
| | - Hojat Dehghanbanadaki
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kiarad Fendereski
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Masaya Jimbo
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kenneth Aston
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - James Hotaling
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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19
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Chang Y, Zhou Y, Zhou J, Li W, Cao J, Jing Y, Zhang S, Shen Y, Lin Q, Fan X, Yang H, Dong X, Zhang S, Yi X, Shuai L, Shi L, Liu Z, Yang J, Ma X, Hao J, Chen K, Li MJ, Wang F, Huang D. Unraveling the causal genes and transcriptomic determinants of human telomere length. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8517. [PMID: 38129441 PMCID: PMC10739845 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44355-z] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) shortening is a pivotal indicator of biological aging and is associated with many human diseases. The genetic determinates of human TL have been widely investigated, however, most existing studies were conducted based on adult tissues which are heavily influenced by lifetime exposure. Based on the analyses of terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length of telomere, individual genotypes, and gene expressions on 166 healthy placental tissues, we systematically interrogate TL-modulated genes and their potential functions. We discover that the TL in the placenta is comparatively longer than in other adult tissues, but exhibiting an intra-tissue homogeneity. Trans-ancestral TL genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on 644,553 individuals identify 20 newly discovered genetic associations and provide increased polygenic determination of human TL. Next, we integrate the powerful TL GWAS with placental expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping to prioritize 23 likely causal genes, among which 4 are functionally validated, including MMUT, RRM1, KIAA1429, and YWHAZ. Finally, modeling transcriptomic signatures and TRF-based TL improve the prediction performance of human TL. This study deepens our understanding of causal genes and transcriptomic determinants of human TL, promoting the mechanistic research on fine-grained TL regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chang
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Junrui Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Li
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiasong Cao
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaqing Jing
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongmei Shen
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qimei Lin
- Tianjin Key Lab of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xutong Fan
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongxi Yang
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaobao Dong
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianfu Yi
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ling Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Human Development and Reproductive Regulation, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jihui Hao
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mulin Jun Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Medical University School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin, China.
| | - Dandan Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
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20
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Abdulkina LR, Agabekian IA, Valeeva LR, Kozlova OS, Sharipova MR, Shakirov EV. Comparative Application of Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis Tools to Large-Scale Genomic Assays. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17194. [PMID: 38139024 PMCID: PMC10742804 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417194] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of telomere length is an important component of many studies aiming to characterize the role of telomere maintenance mechanisms in cellular lifespan, disease, or in general chromosome protection and DNA replication pathways. Several powerful methods to accurately measure the telomere length from Southern blots have been developed, but their utility for large-scale genomic studies has not been previously evaluated. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of two recently developed programs, TeloTool and WALTER, for the extraction of mean telomere length values from Southern blots. Using both software packages, we measured the telomere length in two extensive experimental datasets for the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, consisting of 537 natural accessions and 65 T-DNA (transfer DNA for insertion mutagenesis) mutant lines in the reference Columbia (Col-0) genotype background. We report that TeloTool substantially overestimates the telomere length in comparison to WALTER, especially for values over 4500 bp. Importantly, the TeloTool- and WALTER-calculated telomere length values correlate the most in the 2100-3500 bp range, suggesting that telomeres in this size interval can be estimated by both programs equally well. We further show that genome-wide association studies using datasets from both telomere length analysis tools can detect the most significant SNP candidates equally well. However, GWAS analysis with the WALTER dataset consistently detects fewer significant SNPs than analysis with the TeloTool dataset, regardless of the GWAS method used. These results imply that the telomere length data generated by WALTER may represent a more stringent approach to GWAS and SNP selection for the downstream molecular screening of candidate genes. Overall, our work reveals the unanticipated impact of the telomere length analysis method on the outcomes of large-scale genomic screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliia R. Abdulkina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (L.R.A.); (I.A.A.); (L.R.V.); (O.S.K.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Inna A. Agabekian
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (L.R.A.); (I.A.A.); (L.R.V.); (O.S.K.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Liia R. Valeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (L.R.A.); (I.A.A.); (L.R.V.); (O.S.K.); (M.R.S.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
| | - Olga S. Kozlova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (L.R.A.); (I.A.A.); (L.R.V.); (O.S.K.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Margarita R. Sharipova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia; (L.R.A.); (I.A.A.); (L.R.V.); (O.S.K.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Eugene V. Shakirov
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
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21
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Ongie L, Raj HA, Stevens KB. Genetic Counseling and Family Screening Recommendations in Patients with Telomere Biology Disorders. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2023; 18:273-283. [PMID: 37787873 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-023-00713-8] [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] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) encompass a spectrum of genetic diseases with a common pathogenesis of defects in telomerase function and telomere maintenance causing extremely short telomere lengths. Here, we review the current literature surrounding genetic testing strategies, cascade testing, reproductive implications, and the role of genetic counseling. RECENT FINDINGS The understanding of the genetic causes and clinical symptoms of TBDs continues to expand while genetic testing and telomere length testing are nuanced tools utilized in the diagnosis of this condition. Access to genetic counseling is becoming more abundant and is valuable in supporting patients and their families in making informed decisions. Patient resources and support groups are valuable to this community. Defining which populations should be offered genetic counseling and testing is imperative to provide proper diagnoses and medical management for not only the primary patient, but also their biological relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah A Raj
- Team Telomere, Inc., New York, NY, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
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22
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Ferrer A, Stephens ZD, Kocher JPA. Experimental and Computational Approaches to Measure Telomere Length: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2023; 18:284-291. [PMID: 37947937 PMCID: PMC10709248 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-023-00717-4] [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] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The length of telomeres, protective structures at the chromosome ends, is a well-established biomarker for pathological conditions including multisystemic syndromes called telomere biology disorders. Approaches to measure telomere length (TL) differ on whether they estimate average, distribution, or chromosome-specific TL, and each presents their own advantages and limitations. RECENT FINDINGS The development of long-read sequencing and publication of the telomere-to-telomere human genome reference has allowed for scalable and high-resolution TL estimation in pre-existing sequencing datasets but is still impractical as a dedicated TL test. As sequencing costs continue to fall and strategies for selectively enriching telomere regions prior to sequencing improve, these approaches may become a promising alternative to classic methods. Measurement methods rely on probe hybridization, qPCR or more recently, computational methods using sequencing data. Refinements of existing techniques and new approaches have been recently developed but a test that is accurate, simple, and scalable is still lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ferrer
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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23
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Coltell O, Asensio EM, Sorlí JV, Ortega-Azorín C, Fernández-Carrión R, Pascual EC, Barragán R, González JI, Estruch R, Alzate JF, Pérez-Fidalgo A, Portolés O, Ordovas JM, Corella D. Associations between the New DNA-Methylation-Based Telomere Length Estimator, the Mediterranean Diet and Genetics in a Spanish Population at High Cardiovascular Risk. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2004. [PMID: 38001857 PMCID: PMC10669035 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12112004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological aging is a relevant risk factor for chronic diseases, and several indicators for measuring this factor have been proposed, with telomere length (TL) among the most studied. Oxidative stress may regulate telomere shortening, which is implicated in the increased risk. Using a novel estimator for TL, we examined whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), a highly antioxidant-rich dietary pattern, is associated with longer TL. We determined TL using DNA methylation algorithms (DNAmTL) in 414 subjects at high cardiovascular risk from Spain. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed by a validated score, and genetic variants in candidate genes and at the genome-wide level were analyzed. We observed several significant associations (p < 0.05) between DNAmTL and candidate genes (TERT, TERF2, RTEL1, and DCAF4), contributing to the validity of DNAmTL as a biomarker in this population. Higher adherence to the MedDiet was associated with lower odds of having a shorter TL in the whole sample (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.85-0.99; p = 0.049 after fully multivariate adjustment). Nevertheless, this association was stronger in women than in men. Likewise, in women, we observed a direct association between adherence to the MedDiet score and DNAmTL as a continuous variable (beta = 0.015; SE: 0.005; p = 0.003), indicating that a one-point increase in adherence was related to an average increase of 0.015 ± 0.005 kb in TL. Upon examination of specific dietary items within the global score, we found that fruits, fish, "sofrito", and whole grains exhibited the strongest associations in women. The novel score combining these items was significantly associated in the whole population. In the genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified ten polymorphisms at the suggestive level of significance (p < 1 × 10-5) for DNAmTL (intergenics, in the IQSEC1, NCAPG2, and ABI3BP genes) and detected some gene-MedDiet modulations on DNAmTL. As this is the first study analyzing the DNAmTL estimator, genetics, and modulation by the MedDiet, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Coltell
- Department of Computer Languages and Systems, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
| | - Eva M. Asensio
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - José V. Sorlí
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carolina Ortega-Azorín
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Fernández-Carrión
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva C. Pascual
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rocío Barragán
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - José I. González
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ramon Estruch
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan F. Alzate
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica—CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria—SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Alejandro Pérez-Fidalgo
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.P.-F.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Cancer (CIBERONC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Olga Portolés
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose M. Ordovas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.P.-F.)
- Nutrition and Genomics, JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Nutritional Control of the Epigenome Group, Precision Nutrition and Obesity Program, IMDEA Food, UAM + CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Corella
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.A.); (C.O.-A.); (J.I.G.); (R.E.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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24
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Hoferichter F, Jentsch A, Maas L, Hageman G. Burnout among high school students is linked to their telomere length and relatedness with peers. Stress 2023; 26:2240909. [PMID: 37489893 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2240909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
School burnout is a serious concern, as it impairs students' health and academic success. According to the Conservation of Resources Theory, burnout results from the depletion of personal coping resources and can be counteracted by supportive social relationships. However, it is not yet clear how students' relatedness with their peers is linked to their burnout. Next to students' self-reported fatigue, biomarkers such as telomere length (TL), which presents an indicator of aging, complement stress research. To identify school-related factors that may prevent students from experiencing burnout and to link TL to students' self-reported burnout, the current study investigated how relatedness with peers as well as TL at the beginning of the school year explained students' burnout at the end of the school year. The sample included 78 students (Mage = 13.7 ± 0.7 years; 48% girls). Results of multilevel analysis in Mplus indicate that, over the school year, students with higher TL and those who experienced relatedness with their peers reported lower levels of burnout. Moreover, students who felt related to their peers exhibited a longer TL. The study implies that students' relatedness with their peers may be a promising setscrew to prevent students' burnout and support their physical health. This is one of the first studies to link TL with school-related variables such as burnout and relatedness to peers in a non-clinical student sample, providing a baseline for interventions and future interdisciplinary studies in the field of education and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Armin Jentsch
- Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Lou Maas
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Research Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Geja Hageman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Research Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, The Netherlands
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25
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Yegorov YE. Olovnikov, Telomeres, and Telomerase. Is It Possible to Prolong a Healthy Life? BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1704-1718. [PMID: 38105192 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923110032] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The science of telomeres and telomerase has made tremendous progress in recent decades. In this review, we consider it first in a historical context (the Carrel-Hayflick-Olovnikov-Blackburn chain of discoveries) and then review current knowledge on the telomere structure and dynamics in norm and pathology. Central to the review are consequences of the telomere shortening, including telomere position effects, DNA damage signaling, and increased genetic instability. Cell senescence and role of telomere length in its development are discussed separately. Therapeutic aspects and risks of telomere lengthening methods including use of telomerase and other approaches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yegor E Yegorov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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26
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Fenech MF, Bull CF, Van Klinken BJW. Protective Effects of Micronutrient Supplements, Phytochemicals and Phytochemical-Rich Beverages and Foods Against DNA Damage in Humans: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Prospective Studies. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:1337-1358. [PMID: 37573943 PMCID: PMC10721466 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage diminishes cellular health, increases risk of developmental and degenerative diseases, and accelerates aging. Optimizing nutrient intake can minimize accrual of DNA damage. The objectives of this review are to: 1) assemble and systematically analyze high-level evidence for the effect of supplementation with micronutrients and phytochemicals on baseline levels of DNA damage in humans, and 2) use this knowledge to identify which of these essential micronutrients or nonessential phytochemicals promote DNA integrity in vivo in humans. We conducted systematic literature searches of the PubMed database to identify interventional, prospective, cross-sectional, or in vitro studies that explored the association between nutrients and established biomarkers of DNA damage associated with developmental and degenerative disease risk. Biomarkers included lymphocyte chromosome aberrations, lymphocyte and buccal cell micronuclei, DNA methylation, lymphocyte/leukocyte DNA strand breaks, DNA oxidation, telomere length, telomerase activity, and mitochondrial DNA mutations. Only randomized, controlled interventions and uncontrolled longitudinal intervention studies conducted in humans were selected for evaluation and data extraction. These studies were ranked for the quality of their study design. In all, 96 of the 124 articles identified reported studies that achieved a quality assessment score ≥ 5 (from a maximum score of 7) and were included in the final review. Based on these studies, nutrients associated with protective effects included vitamin A and its precursor β-carotene, vitamins C, E, B1, B12, folate, minerals selenium and zinc, and phytochemicals such as curcumin (with piperine), lycopene, and proanthocyanidins. These findings highlight the importance of nutrients involved in (i) DNA metabolism and repair (folate, vitamin B12, and zinc) and (ii) prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation (vitamins A, C, E, lycopene, curcumin, proanthocyanidins, selenium, and zinc). Supplementation with certain micronutrients and their combinations may reduce DNA damage and promote cellular health by improving the maintenance of genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Fenech
- Molecular Diagnostics Solutions, CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Clinical and Health Sciences, Health and Biomedical Innovation, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Genome Health Foundation, North Brighton, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Caroline F Bull
- Molecular Diagnostics Solutions, CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - B Jan-Willem Van Klinken
- GSK Consumer Healthcare (now named Haleon), Warren, New Jersey, USA; Brightseed, San Francisco, CA, United States.
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27
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Zhang N, Baker EC, Welsh TH, Riley DG. Telomere Dynamics in Livestock. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1389. [PMID: 37997988 PMCID: PMC10669808 DOI: 10.3390/biology12111389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are repeated sequences of nucleotides at the end of chromosomes. They deteriorate across mitotic divisions of a cell. In Homo sapiens this process of lifetime reduction has been shown to correspond with aspects of organismal aging and exposure to stress or other insults. The early impetus to characterize telomere dynamics in livestock related to the concern that aged donor DNA would result in earlier cell senescence and overall aging in cloned animals. Telomere length investigations in dairy cows included breed effects, estimates of additive genetic control (heritability 0.12 to 0.46), and effects of external stressors on telomere degradation across animal life. Evaluation of telomeres with respect to aging has also been conducted in pigs and horses, and there are fewer reports of telomere biology in beef cattle, sheep, and goats. There were minimal associations of telomere length with animal productivity measures. Most, but not all, work in livestock has documented an inverse relationship between peripheral blood cell telomere length and age; that is, a longer telomere length was associated with younger age. Because livestock longevity affects productivity and profitability, the role of tissue-specific telomere attrition in aging may present alternative improvement strategies for genetic improvement while also providing translational biomedical knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (N.Z.); (T.H.W.J.)
| | - Emilie C. Baker
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016, USA;
| | - Thomas H. Welsh
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (N.Z.); (T.H.W.J.)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - David G. Riley
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (N.Z.); (T.H.W.J.)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Liu X, Ma T, Yang C, Li J, Zhang Y, Zhao Y. Persistent dyslipidemia increases the longitudinal changes in telomere length. Lipids Health Dis 2023; 22:173. [PMID: 37853446 PMCID: PMC10585729 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01938-5] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as a 'biological clock' of aging is closely related to human health, its association with an aging-related disease, dyslipidemia, has been less studied and mainly focused on cross-sectional investigations. METHODS Two rounds of information and blood collections were conducted on a cohort of 1624 individuals residing in rural Ningxia, located in northwest China, with an average time gap of 9.8 years. The relative telomere length (RTL) of peripheral blood leukocytes was assessed using real-time quantitative PCR. To investigate the association between dyslipidemia, blood lipid levels, and alterations in RTL, multiple linear regression and generalized linear models were employed. RESULTS After conducting the follow-up analysis, it was observed that 83.3% of the participants in the study exhibited a reduction in telomere length, while 16.7% experienced an increase in telomere length. The results suggested that dyslipidemia at baseline or follow-up may increase longitudinal changes in telomere length, but it was more significant in the healthy group, especially in those aged ≥ 60 years. Furthermore, HDL-C levels in baseline and follow-up were found to be associated with longitudinal changes in telomere length, and lower HDL-C levels may be associated with increased longitudinal changes in telomere length. CONCLUSIONS The change in telomere length is correlated with dyslipidemia and its lipid indicators especially HDL-C. Persistent dyslipidemia and a reduction in HDL-C levels may be associated with elevated longitudinal fluctuations in telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Liu
- Public Health School, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Tao Ma
- Public Health School, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Chan Yang
- School of Nursing, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Juan Li
- Public Health School, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Yuhong Zhang
- Public Health School, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
| | - Yi Zhao
- Public Health School, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
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Waziry R, Gu Y, Williams O, Hägg S. Connections between cross-tissue and intra-tissue biomarkers of aging biology in older adults. EPIGENETICS COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:7. [PMID: 38037563 PMCID: PMC10688599 DOI: 10.1186/s43682-023-00022-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Saliva measures are generally more accessible than blood, especially in vulnerable populations. However, connections between aging biology biomarkers in different body tissues remain unknown. Methods The present study included individuals (N = 2406) who consented for saliva and blood draw in the Health and Retirement Telomere length study in 2008 and the Venous blood study in 2016 who had complete data for both tissues. We assessed biological aging based on telomere length in saliva and DNA methylation and physiology measures in blood. DNA methylation clocks combine information from CpGs to produce the aging measures representative of epigenetic aging in humans. We analyzed DNA methylation clocks proposed by Horvath (353 CpG sites), Hannum (71 CpG sites), Levine or PhenoAge, (513 CpG sites), GrimAge, (epigenetic surrogate markers for select plasma proteins), Horvath skin and blood (391 CpG sites), Lin (99 CpG sites), Weidner (3 CpG sites), and VidalBralo (8 CpG sites). Physiology measures (referred to as phenotypic age) included albumin, creatinine, glucose, [log] C-reactive protein, lymphocyte percent, mean cell volume, red blood cell distribution width, alkaline phosphatase, and white blood cell count. The phenotypic age algorithm is based on parametrization of Gompertz proportional hazard models. Average telomere length was assayed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) by comparing the telomere sequence copy number in each patient's sample (T) to a single-copy gene copy number (S). The resulting T/S ratio was proportional to telomere length, mean. Within individual, relationships between aging biology measures in blood and saliva and variations according to sex were assessed. Results Saliva-based telomere length showed inverse associations with both physiology-based and DNA methylation-based aging biology biomarkers in blood. Longer saliva-based telomere length was associated with 1 to 4 years slower biological aging based on blood-based biomarkers with the highest magnitude being Weidner (β = - 3.97, P = 0.005), GrimAge (β = - 3.33, P < 0.001), and Lin (β = - 3.45, P = 0.008) biomarkers of DNA methylation. Conclusions There are strong connections between aging biology biomarkers in saliva and blood in older adults. Changes in telomere length vary with changes in DNA methylation and physiology biomarkers of aging biology. We observed variations in the relationship between each body system represented by physiology biomarkers and biological aging, particularly at the DNA methylation level. These observations provide novel opportunities for integration of both blood-based and saliva-based biomarkers in clinical care of vulnerable and clinically difficult to reach populations where either or both tissues would be accessible for clinical monitoring purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Waziry
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Y. Gu
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- The Taub Institute for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- G.H. Sergievsky Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- The Department of Epidemiology, Joseph P. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - O. Williams
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - S. Hägg
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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Petermann-Rocha F, Valera-Gran D, Prieto-Botella D, Martens DS, Gonzalez-Palacios S, Riaño-Galán I, Murcia M, Irizar A, Julvez J, Santa-Marina L, Tardón A, Sunyer J, Vioque J, Nawrot T, Navarrete-Muñoz EM. Folic Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy and Its Association with Telomere Length in Children at Four Years: Results from the INMA Birth Cohort Study. Nutrients 2023; 15:4303. [PMID: 37836587 PMCID: PMC10574547 DOI: 10.3390/nu15194303] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined the association between folic acid supplements (FAs) during different periods of pregnancy and offspring telomere length (TL) at age four in 666 children from the INMA study. FAs were self-reported using food-structured questionnaires during three periods of pregnancy (the first three months of pregnancy, from month fourth onward, and the whole pregnancy). For each period, the average daily dosage of FAs was categorised into (i) <400 μg/d, (ii) ≥400 to 999 μg/d, (iii) ≥1000 to 4999 μg/d, and (iv) ≥5000 μg/d. Leucocyte TL at age four was measured using quantitative PCR methods. Multiple robust linear log-level regression models were used to report the % difference among FA categories. During the first period, and compared with children whose mothers were classified in the reference group (<400 μg/d), children whose mothers took higher dosages of FAs showed shorter TL at age four (≥5000 μg/d). When the first and the second periods were mutually adjusted, children whose mothers self-reported ≥5000 μg/d during the first period of pregnancy had a statistically significant shorter TL than their counterparts (% difference: -7.28% [95% CI: -14.42 to -0.13]). Similar trends were observed for the whole period of pregnancy. When the analysis was stratified by sex, the association was more evident in boys (% difference: -13.5% [95% CI: -23.0 to -4.04]), whereas no association was observed in girls. This study suggests that high dosages of FAs in the first pregnancy period may be associated with a shorter TL in children at age four, particularly among boys. Further studies should confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Petermann-Rocha
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago 8370109, Chile;
| | - Desirée Valera-Gran
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Miguel Hernandez University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.P.-B.); (E.-M.N.-M.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernandez University, 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández (ISABIAL-UMH), 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.G.-P.); (J.V.)
| | - Daniel Prieto-Botella
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Miguel Hernandez University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.P.-B.); (E.-M.N.-M.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernandez University, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium; (D.S.M.)
| | - Sandra Gonzalez-Palacios
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández (ISABIAL-UMH), 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.G.-P.); (J.V.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Unidad de Epidemiología de la Nutrición (EPINUT), Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Isolina Riaño-Galán
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain
- Pediatrics Unit, Central University Hospital of Asturias, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Servicio de Análisis de Sistemas de Información Sanitaria, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Amaia Irizar
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Biodonostia Health Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Julvez
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience Group (NeuroÈpia), Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Global (ISGlobal) de Barcelona Campus MAR, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Loreto Santa-Marina
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Biodonostia Health Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
- Health Department of Basque Government, Sub-Directorate of Public Health of Gipuzkoa, 20013 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Adonina Tardón
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología Del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Departamento de Medicina, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Instituto de Salud Global (ISGlobal) de Barcelona Campus MAR, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Vioque
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández (ISABIAL-UMH), 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.G.-P.); (J.V.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (I.R.-G.); (M.M.); (A.I.); (J.J.); (L.S.-M.); (A.T.); (J.S.)
- Unidad de Epidemiología de la Nutrición (EPINUT), Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium; (D.S.M.)
| | - Eva-María Navarrete-Muñoz
- Department of Surgery and Pathology, Miguel Hernandez University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.P.-B.); (E.-M.N.-M.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernandez University, 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández (ISABIAL-UMH), 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.G.-P.); (J.V.)
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Mutz J, Lewis CM. Telomere Length Associations With Clinical Diagnosis, Age, and Polygenic Risk Scores for Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and Bipolar Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:1012-1020. [PMID: 37881560 PMCID: PMC10593885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accelerated biological aging might contribute to the lower life expectancy of individuals with mental disorders. The aim of this study was to characterize telomere length, a biological hallmark of aging, in individuals with mental disorders. Methods The UK Biobank is a multicenter community-based observational study that recruited >500,000 middle-aged and older adults. Average leukocyte telomere length (telomere repeat copy number/single-copy gene ratio) was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated for individuals of European ancestry. We estimated differences in telomere length between individuals with anxiety disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder and people without mental disorders and examined associations with psychotropic medication use, age, and PRSs for these 3 disorders. Results The analyses included up to 308,725 participants. Individuals with depression had shorter telomeres than people without mental disorders (β = -0.011, 95% CI, -0.019 to -0.004, Bonferroni-corrected p = .027). Associations between bipolar disorder and telomere length differed by lithium use. There was limited evidence that individuals with an anxiety disorder had shorter telomeres. There was no evidence that associations between age and telomere length differed between individuals with and without these disorders. PRSs for depression, but not anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder, were associated with shorter telomeres (β = -0.006, 95% CI, -0.010 to -0.003, Bonferroni-corrected p = .001). Conclusions Differences in telomere length were observed primarily for individuals with depression or bipolar disorder and in individuals with a higher PRS for depression. There was no evidence that the association between age and telomere length differed between individuals with and without an anxiety disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Mutz
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cathryn M. Lewis
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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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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Ni X, Zhao H, Li R, Su H, Jiao J, Yang Z, Lv Y, Pang G, Sun M, Hu C, Yuan H. Development of a model for the prediction of biological age. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 240:107686. [PMID: 37421874 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107686] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Rates of aging vary markedly among individuals, and biological age serves as a more reliable predictor of current health status than does chronological age. As such, the ability to predict biological age can support appropriate and timely active interventions aimed at improving coping with the aging process. However, the aging process is highly complex and multifactorial. Therefore, it is more scientific to construct a prediction model for biological age from multiple dimensions systematically. METHODS Physiological and biochemical parameters were evaluated to gage individual health status. Then, age-related indices were screened for inclusion in a model capable of predicting biological age. For subsequent modeling analyses, samples were divided into training and validation sets for subsequent deep learning model-based analyses (e.g. linear regression, lasso model, ridge regression, bayesian ridge regression, elasticity network, k-nearest neighbor, linear support vector machine, support vector machine, and decision tree models, and so on), with the model exhibiting the best ability to predict biological age thereby being identified. RESULTS First, we defined the individual biological age according to the individual health status. Then, after 22 candidate indices (DNA methylation, leukocyte telomere length, and specific physiological and biochemical indicators) were screened for inclusion in a model capable of predicting biological age, 14 age-related indices and gender were used to construct a model via the Bagged Trees method, which was found to be the most reliable qualitative prediction model for biological age (accuracy=75.6%, AUC=0.84) by comparing 30 different classification algorithm models. The most reliable quantitative predictive model for biological age was found to be the model developed using the Rational Quadratic method (R2=0.85, RMSE=8.731 years) by comparing 24 regression algorithm models. CONCLUSIONS Both qualitative model and quantitative model of biological age were successfully constructed from a multi-dimensional and systematic perspective. The predictive performance of our models was similar in both smaller and larger datasets, making it well-suited to predicting a given individual's biological age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Ni
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Hanqing Zhao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, 071000, PR China
| | - Rongqiao Li
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Huabin Su
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Juan Jiao
- Clinical Lab, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ze Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Yuan Lv
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Guofang Pang
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, PR China
| | - Meiqi Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, 071000, PR China
| | - Caiyou Hu
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, PR China.
| | - Huiping Yuan
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China.
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Allaire P, He J, Mayer J, Moat L, Gerstenberger P, Wilhorn R, Strutz S, Kim DS, Zeng C, Cox N, Shay JW, Denny J, Bastarache L, Hebbring S. Genetic and clinical determinants of telomere length. HGG ADVANCES 2023; 4:100201. [PMID: 37216007 PMCID: PMC10199259 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Many epidemiologic studies have identified important relationships between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with genetics and health. Most of these studies have been significantly limited in scope by focusing predominantly on individual diseases or restricted to GWAS analysis. Using two large patient populations derived from Vanderbilt University and Marshfield Clinic biobanks linked to genomic and phenomic data from medical records, we investigated the inter-relationship between LTL, genomics, and human health. Our GWAS confirmed 11 genetic loci previously associated with LTL and two novel loci in SCNN1D and PITPNM1. PheWAS of LTL identified 67 distinct clinical phenotypes associated with both short and long LTL. We demonstrated that several diseases associated with LTL were related to one another but were largely independent from LTL genetics. Age of death was correlated with LTL independent of age. Those with very short LTL (<-1.5 standard deviation [SD]) died 10.4 years (p < 0.0001) younger than those with average LTL (±0.5 SD; mean age of death = 74.2 years). Likewise, those with very long LTL (>1.5 SD) died 1.9 years (p = 0.0175) younger than those with average LTL. This is consistent with the PheWAS results showing diseases associating with both short and long LTL. Finally, we estimated that the genome (12.8%) and age (8.5%) explain the largest proportion of LTL variance, whereas the phenome (1.5%) and sex (0.9%) explained a smaller fraction. In total, 23.7% of LTL variance was explained. These observations provide the rationale for expanded research to understand the multifaceted correlations between TL biology and human health over time, leading to effective LTL usage in medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Allaire
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Jing He
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John Mayer
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Office of Research Computing and Analytics, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Luke Moat
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Peter Gerstenberger
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Reynor Wilhorn
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Sierra Strutz
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - David S.L. Kim
- Marshfield Clinic Health System, Pathology, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Chenjie Zeng
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nancy Cox
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jerry W. Shay
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology and the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Joshua Denny
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Bastarache
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Scott Hebbring
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield, WI, USA
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Gao P, Yao F, Pang J, Yin K, Zhu X. m 6A methylation in cellular senescence of age-associated diseases. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1168-1183. [PMID: 37394885 PMCID: PMC10449638 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible cellular growth arrest that occurs in response to various stresses. In addition to exiting the cell cycle, senescent cells undergo many phenotypic alterations, including metabolic reprogramming, chromatin rearrangement, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) development. Furthermore, senescent cells can affect most physiological and pathological processes, such as physiological development; tissue homeostasis; tumour regression; and age-associated disease progression, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension. Although corresponding anti-senescence therapies are actively being explored for the treatment of age-associated diseases, the specific regulatory mechanisms of senescence remain unclear. N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A), a chemical modification commonly distributed in eukaryotic RNA, plays an important role in biological processes such as translation, shearing, and RNA transcription. Numerous studies have shown that m 6A plays an important regulatory role in cellular senescence and aging-related disease. In this review, we systematically summarize the role of m 6A modifications in cellular senescence with regard to oxidative stress, DNA damage, telomere alterations, and SASP development. Additionally, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease regulation via m 6A-mediated cellular senescence is discussed. We further discuss the challenges and prospects of m 6A in cellular senescence and age-associated diseases with the aim of providing rational strategies for the treatment of these age-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Gao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems MedicineGuilin Medical UniversityGuilin541100China
| | - Feng Yao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems MedicineGuilin Medical UniversityGuilin541100China
| | - Jin Pang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems MedicineGuilin Medical UniversityGuilin541100China
| | - Kai Yin
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510900China
| | - Xiao Zhu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems MedicineGuilin Medical UniversityGuilin541100China
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36
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Raseley K, Jinwala Z, Zhang D, Xiao M. Single-Molecule Telomere Assay via Optical Mapping (SMTA-OM) Can Potentially Define the ALT Positivity of Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1278. [PMID: 37372458 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061278] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres play an essential role in protecting the ends of linear chromosomes and maintaining the integrity of the human genome. One of the key hallmarks of cancers is their replicative immortality. As many as 85-90% of cancers activate the expression of telomerase (TEL+) as the telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM), and 10-15% of cancers utilize the homology-dependent repair (HDR)-based Alternative Lengthening of Telomere (ALT+) pathway. Here, we performed statistical analysis of our previously reported telomere profiling results from Single Molecule Telomere Assay via Optical Mapping (SMTA-OM), which is capable of quantifying individual telomeres from single molecules across all chromosomes. By comparing the telomeric features from SMTA-OM in TEL+ and ALT+ cancer cells, we demonstrated that ALT+ cancer cells display certain unique telomeric profiles, including increased fusions/internal telomere-like sequence (ITS+), fusions/internal telomere-like sequence loss (ITS-), telomere-free ends (TFE), super-long telomeres, and telomere length heterogeneity, compared to TEL+ cancer cells. Therefore, we propose that ALT+ cancer cells can be differentiated from TEL+ cancer cells using the SMTA-OM readouts as biomarkers. In addition, we observed variations in SMTA-OM readouts between different ALT+ cell lines that may potentially be used as biomarkers for discerning subtypes of ALT+ cancer and monitoring the response to cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Raseley
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zeal Jinwala
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
| | - Ming Xiao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences and Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
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37
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Rosen RS, Yarmush ML. Current Trends in Anti-Aging Strategies. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2023; 25:363-385. [PMID: 37289554 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-120122-123054] [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] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The process of aging manifests from a highly interconnected network of biological cascades resulting in the degradation and breakdown of every living organism over time. This natural development increases risk for numerous diseases and can be debilitating. Academic and industrial investigators have long sought to impede, or potentially reverse, aging in the hopes of alleviating clinical burden, restoring functionality, and promoting longevity. Despite widespread investigation, identifying impactful therapeutics has been hindered by narrow experimental validation and the lack of rigorous study design. In this review, we explore the current understanding of the biological mechanisms of aging and how this understanding both informs and limits interpreting data from experimental models based on these mechanisms. We also discuss select therapeutic strategies that have yielded promising data in these model systems with potential clinical translation. Lastly, we propose a unifying approach needed to rigorously vet current and future therapeutics and guide evaluation toward efficacious therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Rosen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA;
| | - Martin L Yarmush
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA;
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38
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Pepke ML, Ringsby TH, Eisenberg DTA. The evolution of early-life telomere length, pace-of-life and telomere-chromosome length dynamics in birds. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2898-2912. [PMID: 36847070 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres, the short DNA sequences that protect chromosome ends, are an ancient molecular structure, which is highly conserved across most eukaryotes. Species differ in their telomere lengths, but the causes of this variation are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that mean early-life telomere length is an evolutionary labile trait across 57 bird species (representing 35 families in 12 orders) with the greatest trait diversity found among passerines. Among these species, telomeres are significantly shorter in fast-lived than in slow-lived species, suggesting that telomere length may have evolved to mediate trade-offs between physiological requirements underlying the diversity of pace-of-life strategies in birds. This association was attenuated when excluding studies that may include interstitial telomeres in the estimation of mean telomere length. Curiously, within some species, larger individual chromosome size predicts longer telomere lengths on that chromosome, leading to the hypothesis that telomere length also covaries with chromosome length across species. We show that longer mean chromosome length or genome size tends to be associated with longer mean early-life telomere length (measured across all chromosomes) within a phylogenetic framework constituting up to 31 bird species. These associations were strengthened when excluding highly influential outliers. However, sensitivity analyses suggested that they were susceptible to sample size effects and not robust to the exclusion of studies that may include interstitial telomeres. Combined, our analyses generalize patterns previously found within a few species and provide potential adaptive explanations for the 10-fold variation in telomere lengths observed among birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Le Pepke
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thor Harald Ringsby
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dan T A Eisenberg
- Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Centre for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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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40
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Molecular Cytogenetics in Domestic Bovids: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050944. [PMID: 36899801 PMCID: PMC10000107 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the Robertsonian translocation (rob) involving cattle chromosomes 1 and 29 and the demonstration of its deleterious effects on fertility focused the interest of many scientific groups on using chromosome banding techniques to reveal chromosome abnormalities and verify their effects on fertility in domestic animals. At the same time, comparative banding studies among various species of domestic or wild animals were found useful for delineating chromosome evolution among species. The advent of molecular cytogenetics, particularly the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), has allowed a deeper investigation of the chromosomes of domestic animals through: (a) the physical mapping of specific DNA sequences on chromosome regions; (b) the use of specific chromosome markers for the identification of the chromosomes or chromosome regions involved in chromosome abnormalities, especially when poor banding patterns are produced; (c) better anchoring of radiation hybrid and genetic maps to specific chromosome regions; (d) better comparisons of related and unrelated species by comparative FISH mapping and/or Zoo-FISH techniques; (e) the study of meiotic segregation, especially by sperm-FISH, in some chromosome abnormalities; (f) better demonstration of conserved or lost DNA sequences in chromosome abnormalities; (g) the use of informatic and genomic reconstructions, in addition to CGH arrays, to predict conserved or lost chromosome regions in related species; and (h) the study of some chromosome abnormalities and genomic stability using PCR applications. This review summarizes the most important applications of molecular cytogenetics in domestic bovids, with an emphasis on FISH mapping applications.
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41
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Fattet AJ, Chaillot M, Koscinski I. Telomere Length, a New Biomarker of Male (in)Fertility? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:425. [PMID: 36833352 PMCID: PMC9957201 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Male factors are suspected in around half cases of infertility, of which up to 40% are diagnosed as idiopathic. In the context of a continuously increased resort to ART and increased decline of semen parameters, it is of greatest interest to evaluate an additional potential biomarker of sperm quality. According to PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of the literature selected studies evaluating telomere length in sperm and/or in leukocytes as a potential male fertility biomarker. Twenty-two publications (3168 participants) were included in this review of experimental evidence. For each study, authors determined if there was a correlation between telomere length and semen parameters or fertility outcomes. Of the 13 studies concerning sperm telomere length (STL) and semen parameters, ten found an association between short STL and altered parameters. Concerning the impact of STL on ART results, the data are conflicting. However, eight of the 13 included studies about fertility found significantly longer sperm telomeres in fertile men than in infertile men. In leukocytes, the seven studies reported conflicting findings. Shorter sperm telomeres appear to be associated with altered semen parameters or male infertility. Telomere length may be considered as a new molecular marker of spermatogenesis and sperm quality, and thus is related to male fertility potential. However, additional studies are needed to define the place of the STL in the assessment of individual fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Julie Fattet
- Centre d’AMP Majorelle-Atoutbio, 95 Rue Ambroise Paré, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Maxime Chaillot
- Service de Médecine et Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, 38 Boulevard Jean Monnet, 44000 Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Koscinski
- Inserm U1256, Nutrition Genetics Environmental Risks Exposure (NGERE), Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
- Centre d’AMP Hôpital Saint Joseph, 26 Bd de Louvain, 13008 Marseille, France
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Revy P, Kannengiesser C, Bertuch AA. Genetics of human telomere biology disorders. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:86-108. [PMID: 36151328 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes that prevent the activation of DNA damage response and repair pathways. Numerous factors localize at telomeres to regulate their length, structure and function, to avert replicative senescence or genome instability and cell death. In humans, Mendelian defects in several of these factors can result in abnormally short or dysfunctional telomeres, causing a group of rare heterogeneous premature-ageing diseases, termed telomeropathies, short-telomere syndromes or telomere biology disorders (TBDs). Here, we review the TBD-causing genes identified so far and describe their main functions associated with telomere biology. We present molecular aspects of TBDs, including genetic anticipation, phenocopy, incomplete penetrance and somatic genetic rescue, which underlie the complexity of these diseases. We also discuss the implications of phenotypic and genetic features of TBDs on fundamental aspects related to human telomere biology, ageing and cancer, as well as on diagnostic, therapeutic and clinical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Revy
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Genome Dynamics in the Immune System, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.
| | - Caroline Kannengiesser
- APHP Service de Génétique, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
- Inserm U1152, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Alison A Bertuch
- Departments of Paediatrics and Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Lyčka M, Fajkus P, Jenner LP, Sýkorová E, Fojtová M, Peska V. Identification of the Sequence and the Length of Telomere DNA. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2672:285-302. [PMID: 37335484 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3226-0_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are essential nucleoprotein structures at the very ends of linear eukaryote chromosomes. They shelter the terminal genome territories against degradation and prevent the natural chromosome ends from being recognized by repair mechanisms as double-strand DNA breaks.There are two basic characteristics of telomeric DNA, its sequence and its length. The telomere sequence is important as a "landing area" for specific telomere-binding proteins, which function as signals and moderate the interactions required for correct telomere function. While the sequence forms the proper "landing surface" of telomeric DNA, its length is similarly important. Too short or exceptionally long telomere DNA cannot perform its function properly. In this chapter, methods for the investigation of these two basic telomere DNA characteristics are described, namely, telomere motif identification and telomere length measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Lyčka
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Fajkus
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Leon P Jenner
- Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Sýkorová
- Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miloslava Fojtová
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Vratislav Peska
- Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Alonso-Gonzalez A, Tosco-Herrera E, Molina-Molina M, Flores C. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the role of genetics in the era of precision medicine. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1152211. [PMID: 37181377 PMCID: PMC10172674 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1152211] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, rare progressive lung disease, characterized by lung scarring and the irreversible loss of lung function. Two anti-fibrotic drugs, nintedanib and pirfenidone, have been demonstrated to slow down disease progression, although IPF mortality remains a challenge and the patients die after a few years from diagnosis. Rare pathogenic variants in genes that are involved in the surfactant metabolism and telomere maintenance, among others, have a high penetrance and tend to co-segregate with the disease in families. Common recurrent variants in the population with modest effect sizes have been also associated with the disease risk and progression. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) support at least 23 genetic risk loci, linking the disease pathogenesis with unexpected molecular pathways including cellular adhesion and signaling, wound healing, barrier function, airway clearance, and innate immunity and host defense, besides the surfactant metabolism and telomere biology. As the cost of high-throughput genomic technologies continuously decreases and new technologies and approaches arise, their widespread use by clinicians and researchers is efficiently contributing to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Here we provide an overview of the genetic factors known to be involved in IPF pathogenesis and discuss how they will continue to further advance in this field. We also discuss how genomic technologies could help to further improve IPF diagnosis and prognosis as well as for assessing genetic risk in unaffected relatives. The development and validation of evidence-based guidelines for genetic-based screening of IPF will allow redefining and classifying this disease relying on molecular characteristics and contribute to the implementation of precision medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitana Alonso-Gonzalez
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Eva Tosco-Herrera
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Maria Molina-Molina
- Servei de Pneumologia, Laboratori de Pneumologia Experimental, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Flores
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- *Correspondence: Carlos Flores,
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45
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Telomere Length: Implications for Atherogenesis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:95-103. [PMID: 36689071 PMCID: PMC9947063 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01082-6] [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] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of the study is to explore the evidence linking telomere length with atherosclerotic ischemic disease. RECENT FINDINGS There has been a recent expansion in strategies for measuring telomere length, including analyzing genome sequence data and capitalizing on genomic loci that associate with telomere length. These, together with more established approaches, have been used to generate a more complete picture of telomere length relationships with ischemic disease. Whereas earlier meta-analyses suggested an association between short leukocyte telomeres and ischemic disease, several recent large population studies now provide particularly compelling data, including an association with cardiovascular mortality. In addition, whether short leukocyte telomeres might be causally related to ischemic disease has been interrogated using Mendelian randomization strategies, which point to shorter leukocyte telomeres as a determining risk factor. Importantly however, the wide, interindividual variability in telomere length still means that a single assessment of leukocyte telomere length in an individual does not reliably report on a biological aging process. In this regard, recent multi-tissue analyses of telomere length dynamics are providing both new mechanistic insights into how telomere length and shortening rates may participate in atherogenesis and risk prediction opportunities. The balance of evidence indicates that short leukocyte telomeres confer a risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Moreover, an integrated analysis of telomere lengths in leukocytes and other tissues may provide a window into individualized telomere dynamics, raising new prospects for risk management.
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46
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Yang X, Benny PA, Cervera-Marzal E, Wu B, Lassiter CB, Astern J, Garmire LX. Placental telomere length shortening is not associated with severe preeclampsia but the gestational age. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 15:353-370. [PMID: 36575046 PMCID: PMC9925682 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Variations in telomere length (TL) have been associated with aging, stress, and many diseases. Placenta TL is an essential molecular component influencing the outcome of birth. Previous investigations into the relationship between placenta TL and preeclampsia (PE) have produced conflicting findings. We conducted a retrospective case-control analysis in this study to address the disparity. We used placenta samples from 224 births received from Hawaii Biorepository (HiBR) between 2006 and 2013, comprising 129 healthy full-term controls and 95 severe PE samples. The average absolute placental TL was calculated using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique. We utilized multiple linear regressions to associate placental TL with severe PE and other demographic, clinical and physiological data. The outcome demonstrates that the placental TL of severe PE cases did not significantly differ from that of healthy controls. Instead, there is a strong correlation between gestational age and placenta TL shortening. Placental TL also exhibits racial differences: (1) Latino moms' TL is significantly longer than non-Latino mothers' (p=0.009). (2) Caucasian patients with severe PE have shorter TL than non-Caucasian patients (p=0.0037). This work puts the long-standing question of whether severe PE influences placental TL to rest. Placental TL is not related to severe PE but is negatively associated with gestational age and is also affected by race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Yang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Paula A. Benny
- Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Elorri Cervera-Marzal
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Biyu Wu
- Department of Nutritional Science, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Cameron B. Lassiter
- Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Joshua Astern
- University of Hawai’i Biorepository John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Lana X. Garmire
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Reichard M, Giannetti K, Ferreira T, Maouche A, Vrtílek M, Polačik M, Blažek R, Ferreira MG. Lifespan and telomere length variation across populations of wild-derived African killifish. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5979-5992. [PMID: 34826177 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres and telomerase prevent the continuous erosion of chromosome-ends caused by lifelong cell division. Shortened telomeres are associated with age-related pathologies. While short telomere length is positively correlated with increased lethality at the individual level, in comparisons across species short telomeres are associated with long (and not short) lifespans. Here, we tested this contradiction between individual and evolutionary patterns in telomere length using African annual killifish. We analysed lifespan and telomere length in a set of captive strains derived from well-defined wild populations of Nothobranchius furzeri and its sister species, N. kadleci, from sites along a strong gradient of aridity which ultimately determines maximum natural lifespan. Overall, males were shorter-lived than females, and also had shorter telomeres. Male lifespan (measured in controlled laboratory conditions) was positively associated with the amount of annual rainfall in the site of strain origin. However, fish from wetter climates had shorter telomeres. In addition, individual fish which grew largest over the juvenile period possessed shorter telomeres at the onset of adulthood. This demonstrates that individual condition and environmentally-driven selection indeed modulate the relationship between telomere length and lifespan in opposite directions, validating the existence of inverse trends within a single taxon. Intraindividual heterogeneity of telomere length (capable to detect very short telomeres) was not associated with mean telomere length, suggesting that the shortest telomeres are controlled by regulatory pathways other than those that determine mean telomere length. The substantial variation in telomere length between strains from different environments identifies killifish as a powerful system in understanding the adaptive value of telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Reichard
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Ahmed Maouche
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), UMR7284 U1081 Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Milan Vrtílek
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Polačik
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Blažek
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miguel Godinho Ferreira
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.,Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), UMR7284 U1081 Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
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48
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Bloom SI, Tucker JR, Lim J, Thomas TG, Stoddard GJ, Lesniewski LA, Donato AJ. Aging results in DNA damage and telomere dysfunction that is greater in endothelial versus vascular smooth muscle cells and is exacerbated in atheroprone regions. GeroScience 2022; 44:2741-2755. [PMID: 36350415 PMCID: PMC9768045 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00681-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease which is associated with arterial senescence; however, the mechanisms responsible for the development of cellular senescence in endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remain elusive. Here, we study the effect of aging on arterial DNA damage and telomere dysfunction. Aging resulted in greater DNA damage in ECs than VSMCs. Further, telomere dysfunction-associated DNA damage foci (TAF: DNA damage signaling at telomeres) were elevated with aging in ECs but not VMSCs. Telomere length was modestly reduced in ECs with aging and not sufficient to induce telomere dysfunction. DNA damage and telomere dysfunction were greatest in atheroprone regions (aortic minor arch) versus non-atheroprone regions (thoracic aorta). Collectively, these data demonstrate that aging results in DNA damage and telomere dysfunction that is greater in ECs than VSMCs and elevated in atheroprone aortic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel I Bloom
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jordan R Tucker
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Utah, VA Medical Center-SLC, GRECC Building 2, Rm 2D15A, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jisok Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Utah, VA Medical Center-SLC, GRECC Building 2, Rm 2D15A, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tyler G Thomas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Utah, VA Medical Center-SLC, GRECC Building 2, Rm 2D15A, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Gregory J Stoddard
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Utah, VA Medical Center-SLC, GRECC Building 2, Rm 2D15A, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Lisa A Lesniewski
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Utah, VA Medical Center-SLC, GRECC Building 2, Rm 2D15A, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Geriatric Research and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center-Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Anthony J Donato
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Utah, VA Medical Center-SLC, GRECC Building 2, Rm 2D15A, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Geriatric Research and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center-Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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49
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Remot F, Ronget V, Froy H, Rey B, Gaillard JM, Nussey DH, Lemaitre JF. Decline in telomere length with increasing age across nonhuman vertebrates: A meta-analysis. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5917-5932. [PMID: 34437736 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The prediction that telomere length (TL) shortens with increasing age is a major element in considering the role of telomeres as a key player in evolution. While telomere attrition is found in humans both in vitro and in vivo, the increasing number of studies reporting diverse age-specific patterns of TL challenges the hypothesis of a universal decline of TL with increasing age. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the relationship between TL and age across 175 estimates encompassing 98 species of vertebrates. We found that, on average, TL does decline with increasing age during adulthood. However, this decline was weak and variable across vertebrate classes, and we also found evidence for a publication bias that might weaken our current evidence of decreasing TL with increasing age. We found no evidence for a faster decline in TL with increasing age when considering the juvenile stage (from birth to age at first reproduction) compared to the adult stage. Heterogeneity in TL ageing rates was explained by the method used to measure telomeres: detectable TL declines with increasing age were found only among studies using TRF with in-gel hybridisation and qFISH methods, but not in studies using qPCR and Southern blot-based TRF methods. While we confirmed that TL declines with increasing age in most adult vertebrates, our results identify an influence of telomere measurement methodology, which highlights the need to examine more thoroughly the effect of the method of measurement on TL estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentin Remot
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Victor Ronget
- Unité Eco-anthropologie (EA), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Hannah Froy
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Benjamin Rey
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean-Michel Gaillard
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Daniel H Nussey
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jean-François Lemaitre
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
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50
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Kärkkäinen T, Briga M, Laaksonen T, Stier A. Within-individual repeatability in telomere length: A meta-analysis in nonmammalian vertebrates. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6339-6359. [PMID: 34455645 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length is increasingly used as a biomarker of long-term somatic state and future survival prospects. While most studies have overlooked this aspect, biological interpretations based on a given telomere length will benefit from considering the level of within-individual repeatability of telomere length through time. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis on 74 longitudinal studies in nonmammalian vertebrates, with the aim to establish the current pattern of within-individual repeatability in telomere length and to identify the methodological (e.g., qPCR/TRF) and biological factors (e.g., age class, phylogeny) that may affect it. While the median within-individual repeatability of telomere length was moderate to high (R = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.05-0.95; N = 82), marked heterogeneity between studies was evident. Measurement method affected the repeatability estimate strongly, with TRF-based studies exhibiting high repeatability (R = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.34-0.96; N = 25), while repeatability of qPCR-based studies was markedly lower and more variable (R = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.04-0.82; N = 57). While phylogeny explained some variance in repeatability, phylogenetic signal was not significant (λ = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.00-0.83). None of the biological factors investigated here significantly explained variation in the repeatability of telomere length, being potentially obscured by methodological differences. Our meta-analysis highlights the high variability in within-individual repeatability estimates between studies and the need to put more effort into separating technical and biological explanations. This is important to better understand to what extent biological factors can affect the repeatability of telomere length and thus the interpretation of telomere length data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Briga
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Toni Laaksonen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Antoine Stier
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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