1
|
Opsahl JO, Fragoso-Bargas N, Lee Y, Carlsen EØ, Lekanova N, Qvigstad E, Sletner L, Jenum AK, Lee-Ødegård S, Prasad RB, Birkeland KI, Moen GH, Sommer C. Epigenome-wide association study of DNA methylation in maternal blood leukocytes with BMI in pregnancy and gestational weight gain. Int J Obes (Lond) 2024; 48:584-593. [PMID: 38219005 PMCID: PMC10978488 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-024-01458-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to discover CpG sites with differential DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes associated with body mass index (BMI) in pregnancy and gestational weight gain (GWG) in women of European and South Asian ancestry. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate how the identified sites were associated with methylation quantitative trait loci, gene ontology, and cardiometabolic parameters. METHODS In the Epigenetics in pregnancy (EPIPREG) sample we quantified maternal DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes in gestational week 28 with Illumina's MethylationEPIC BeadChip. In women with European (n = 303) and South Asian (n = 164) ancestry, we performed an epigenome-wide association study of BMI in gestational week 28 and GWG between gestational weeks 15 and 28 using a meta-analysis approach. Replication was performed in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study, the Study of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (MoBa-START) (n = 877, mainly European/Norwegian). RESULTS We identified one CpG site significantly associated with GWG (p 5.8 × 10-8) and five CpG sites associated with BMI at gestational week 28 (p from 4.0 × 10-8 to 2.1 × 10-10). Of these, we were able to replicate three in MoBa-START; cg02786370, cg19758958 and cg10472537. Two sites are located in genes previously associated with blood pressure and BMI. DNA methylation at the three replicated CpG sites were associated with levels of blood pressure, lipids and glucose in EPIPREG (p from 1.2 × 10-8 to 0.04). CONCLUSIONS We identified five CpG sites associated with BMI at gestational week 28, and one with GWG. Three of the sites were replicated in an independent cohort. Several genetic variants were associated with DNA methylation at cg02786379 and cg16733643 suggesting a genetic component influencing differential methylation. The identified CpG sites were associated with cardiometabolic traits. CLINICALTRIALS GOV REGISTRATION NO Not applicable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J O Opsahl
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - N Fragoso-Bargas
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Y Lee
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - E Ø Carlsen
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - N Lekanova
- Department of Biosciences, The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - E Qvigstad
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - L Sletner
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescents Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - A K Jenum
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Lee-Ødegård
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - R B Prasad
- Lund University Diabetes Centre, Malmö, Sweden
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K I Birkeland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - G-H Moen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - C Sommer
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Long Y, Mao C, Liu S, Tao Y, Xiao D. Epigenetic modifications in obesity-associated diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e496. [PMID: 38405061 PMCID: PMC10893559 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The global prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic levels, significantly elevating the susceptibility to various cardiometabolic conditions and certain types of cancer. In addition to causing metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance (IR), elevated blood glucose and lipids, and ectopic fat deposition, obesity can also damage pancreatic islet cells, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes through chronic inflammation, and even promote the development of a microenvironment conducive to cancer initiation. Improper dietary habits and lack of physical exercise are important behavioral factors that increase the risk of obesity, which can affect gene expression through epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic alterations can occur in early stage of obesity, some of which are reversible, while others persist over time and lead to obesity-related complications. Therefore, the dynamic adjustability of epigenetic modifications can be leveraged to reverse the development of obesity-associated diseases through behavioral interventions, drugs, and bariatric surgery. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the impact of epigenetic regulation on the initiation and development of obesity-associated cancers, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, establishing a theoretical basis for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqian Long
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathology, School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Chao Mao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathology, School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University), Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathology, School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medical Sciences, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Yongguang Tao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathology, School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University), Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precision Therapy in Lung Cancer, Department of Thoracic SurgerySecond Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Desheng Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathology, School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Keller M, Svensson SIA, Rohde-Zimmermann K, Kovacs P, Böttcher Y. Genetics and Epigenetics in Obesity: What Do We Know so Far? Curr Obes Rep 2023; 12:482-501. [PMID: 37819541 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-023-00526-z] [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] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Enormous progress has been made in understanding the genetic architecture of obesity and the correlation of epigenetic marks with obesity and related traits. This review highlights current research and its challenges in genetics and epigenetics of obesity. RECENT FINDINGS Recent progress in genetics of polygenic traits, particularly represented by genome-wide association studies, led to the discovery of hundreds of genetic variants associated with obesity, which allows constructing polygenic risk scores (PGS). In addition, epigenome-wide association studies helped identifying novel targets and methylation sites being important in the pathophysiology of obesity and which are essential for the generation of methylation risk scores (MRS). Despite their great potential for predicting the individual risk for obesity, the use of PGS and MRS remains challenging. Future research will likely discover more loci being involved in obesity, which will contribute to better understanding of the complex etiology of human obesity. The ultimate goal from a clinical perspective will be generating highly robust and accurate prediction scores allowing clinicians to predict obesity as well as individual responses to body weight loss-specific life-style interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Keller
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Medical Center, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Leipzig, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stina Ingrid Alice Svensson
- EpiGen, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kerstin Rohde-Zimmermann
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Medical Center, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Leipzig, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Kovacs
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Medical Center, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yvonne Böttcher
- EpiGen, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway.
- EpiGen, Medical Division, Akershus University Hospital, 1478, Lørenskog, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tian H, Qiao H, Han F, Kong X, Zhu S, Xing F, Duan H, Li W, Wang W, Zhang D, Wu Y. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of body composition in Chinese monozygotic twins. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e14055. [PMID: 37392072 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is currently known about epigenetic alterations associated with body composition in obesity. Thus, we aimed to explore epigenetic relationships between genome-wide DNA methylation levels and three common traits of body composition as measured by body fat percentage (BF%), fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) among Chinese monozygotic twins. METHODS Generalized estimated equation model was used to regress the methylation level of CpG sites on body composition. Inference about Causation Through Examination Of Familial Confounding was used to explore the evidence of a causal relationship. Gene expression analysis was further performed to validate the results of differentially methylated genes. RESULTS We identified 32, 22 and 28 differentially methylated CpG sites (p < 10-5 ) as well as 20, 17 and eight differentially methylated regions (slk-corrected p < 0.05) significantly associated with BF%, FM and LBM which were annotated to 65 genes, showing partially overlapping. Causal inference demonstrated bidirectional causality between DNA methylation and body composition (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed significant correlations between expression levels of five differentially methylated genes and body composition (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These DNA methylation signatures will contribute to increased knowledge about the epigenetic basis of body composition and provide new strategies for early prevention and treatment of obesity and its related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Tian
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haofei Qiao
- Qingdao Mental Health Centre, Qingdao, China
| | - Fulei Han
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiangjie Kong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuai Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fangjie Xing
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haiping Duan
- Qingdao Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Weilong Li
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Weijing Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dongfeng Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yili Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yaskolka Meir A, Yun H, Stampfer MJ, Liang L, Hu FB. Nutrition, DNA methylation and obesity across life stages and generations. Epigenomics 2023; 15:991-1015. [PMID: 37933548 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0172] [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: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a complex multifactorial condition that often manifests in early life with a lifelong burden on metabolic health. Diet, including pre-pregnancy maternal diet, in utero nutrition and dietary patterns in early and late life, can shape obesity development. Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation, might mediate or accompany these effects across life stages and generations. By reviewing human observational and intervention studies conducted over the past 10 years, this work provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence linking nutrition to DNA methylation and its association with obesity across different age periods, spanning from preconception to adulthood and identify future research directions in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anat Yaskolka Meir
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Huan Yun
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Meir J Stampfer
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Liming Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Frank B Hu
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Do WL, Sun D, Meeks K, Dugué PA, Demerath E, Guan W, Li S, Chen W, Milne R, Adeyemo A, Agyemang C, Nassir R, Manson JE, Shadyab AH, Hou L, Horvath S, Assimes TL, Bhatti P, Jordahl KM, Baccarelli AA, Smith AK, Staimez LR, Stein AD, Whitsel EA, Narayan KV, Conneely KN. Epigenome-wide meta-analysis of BMI in nine cohorts: Examining the utility of epigenetically predicted BMI. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:273-283. [PMID: 36649705 PMCID: PMC9943731 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.12.014] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This study sought to examine the association between DNA methylation and body mass index (BMI) and the potential of BMI-associated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites to provide information about metabolic health. We pooled summary statistics from six trans-ethnic epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) of BMI representing nine cohorts (n = 17,034), replicated these findings in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI, n = 4,822), and developed an epigenetic prediction score of BMI. In the pooled EWASs, 1,265 CpG sites were associated with BMI (p < 1E-7) and 1,238 replicated in the WHI (FDR < 0.05). We performed several stratified analyses to examine whether these associations differed between individuals of European and African descent, as defined by self-reported race/ethnicity. We found that five CpG sites had a significant interaction with BMI by race/ethnicity. To examine the utility of the significant CpG sites in predicting BMI, we used elastic net regression to predict log-normalized BMI in the WHI (80% training/20% testing). This model found that 397 sites could explain 32% of the variance in BMI in the WHI test set. Individuals whose methylome-predicted BMI overestimated their BMI (high epigenetic BMI) had significantly higher glucose and triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared to accurately predicted BMI. Individuals whose methylome-predicted BMI underestimated their BMI (low epigenetic BMI) had significantly higher HDL cholesterol and lower glucose and triglycerides. This study confirmed 553 and identified 685 CpG sites associated with BMI. Participants with high epigenetic BMI had poorer metabolic health, suggesting that the overestimation may be driven in part by cardiometabolic derangements characteristic of metabolic syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Whitney L. Do
- Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dianjianyi Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Karlijn Meeks
- Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA,Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pierre-Antoine Dugué
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences At Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia,Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3051, Australia
| | - Ellen Demerath
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Weihua Guan
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Shengxu Li
- Children’s Minnesota Research Institute, Childrens Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Roger Milne
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences At Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia,Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3051, Australia
| | - Abedowale Adeyemo
- Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Charles Agyemang
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rami Nassir
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - JoAnn E. Manson
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aladdin H. Shadyab
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lifang Hou
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Parveen Bhatti
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Andrea A. Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lisa R. Staimez
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aryeh D. Stein
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eric A. Whitsel
- Departments of Epidemiology and Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - K.M. Venkat Narayan
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Nowadays, obesity is one of the largest public health problems worldwide. In the last few decades, there has been a marked increase in the obesity epidemic and its related comorbidities. Worldwide, more than 2.2 billion people (33%) are affected by overweight or obesity (712 million, 10%) and its associated metabolic complications. Although a high heritability of obesity has been estimated, the genetic variants conducted from genetic association studies only partially explain the variation of body mass index. This has led to a growing interest in understanding the potential role of epigenetics as a key regulator of gene-environment interactions on the development of obesity and its associated complications. Rapid advances in epigenetic research methods and reduced costs of epigenome-wide association studies have led to a great expansion of population-based studies. The field of epigenetics and metabolic diseases such as obesity has advanced rapidly in a short period of time. The main epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNA (miRNA)-mediated regulation and so on. DNA methylation is the most investigated epigenetic mechanism. Preliminary evidence from animal and human studies supports the effect of epigenetics on obesity. Studies of epigenome-wide association studies and genome-wide histone modifications from different biological specimens such as blood samples (newborn, children, adolescent, youth, woman, man, twin, race, and meta-analysis), adipose tissues, skeletal muscle cells, placenta, and saliva have reported the differential expression status of multiple genes before and after obesity interventions and have identified multiple candidate genes and biological markers. These findings may improve the understanding of the complex etiology of obesity and its related comorbidities, and help to predict an individual's risk of obesity at a young age and open possibilities for introducing targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Yao Wu
- Department of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, Affiliated Infectious Disease Hospital of Nanning (The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning), Guangxi Medical University, No. 1 Erli, Changgang Road, Nanning, 530023 Guangxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui-Xing Yin
- Department of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, Affiliated Infectious Disease Hospital of Nanning (The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning), Guangxi Medical University, No. 1 Erli, Changgang Road, Nanning, 530023 Guangxi People’s Republic of China
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021 Guangxi People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rodrigues KF, Yong WTL, Bhuiyan MSA, Siddiquee S, Shah MD, Venmathi Maran BA. Current Understanding on the Genetic Basis of Key Metabolic Disorders: A Review. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091308. [PMID: 36138787 PMCID: PMC9495729 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Metabolic disorders (MD) are a challenge to healthcare systems; the emergence of the modern socio-economic system has led to a profound change in lifestyles in terms of dietary habits, exercise regimens, and behavior, all of which complement the genetic factors associated with MD. Diabetes Mellitus and Familial hypercholesterolemia are two of the 14 most widely researched MD, as they pose the greatest challenge to the public healthcare system and have an impact on productivity and the economy. Research findings have led to the development of new therapeutic molecules for the mitigation of MD as well as the invention of experimental strategies, which target the genes themselves via gene editing and RNA interference. Although these approaches may herald the emergence of a new toolbox to treat MD, the current therapeutic approaches still heavily depend on substrate reduction, dietary restrictions based on genetic factors, exercise, and the maintenance of good mental health. The development of orphan drugs for the less common MD such as Krabbe, Farber, Fabry, and Gaucher diseases, remains in its infancy, owing to the lack of investment in research and development, and this has driven the development of personalized therapeutics based on gene silencing and related technologies. Abstract Advances in data acquisition via high resolution genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic platforms have driven the discovery of the underlying factors associated with metabolic disorders (MD) and led to interventions that target the underlying genetic causes as well as lifestyle changes and dietary regulation. The review focuses on fourteen of the most widely studied inherited MD, which are familial hypercholesterolemia, Gaucher disease, Hunter syndrome, Krabbe disease, Maple syrup urine disease, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Mitochondrial encephalopathy lactic acidosis stroke-like episodes (MELAS), Niemann-Pick disease, Phenylketonuria (PKU), Porphyria, Tay-Sachs disease, Wilson’s disease, Familial hypertriglyceridemia (F-HTG) and Galactosemia based on genome wide association studies, epigenetic factors, transcript regulation, post-translational genetic modifications and biomarker discovery through metabolomic studies. We will delve into the current approaches being undertaken to analyze metadata using bioinformatic approaches and the emerging interventions using genome editing platforms as applied to animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Francis Rodrigues
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (K.F.R.); (B.A.V.M.); Tel.: +60-16-2096905 (B.A.V.M.)
| | - Wilson Thau Lym Yong
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Muhammad Dawood Shah
- Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
| | - Balu Alagar Venmathi Maran
- Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (K.F.R.); (B.A.V.M.); Tel.: +60-16-2096905 (B.A.V.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that has consistently been shown to be linked with a variety of human traits and diseases. Because DNA methylation is dynamic and potentially reversible in nature and can reflect environmental exposures and predict the onset of diseases, it has piqued interest as a potential disease biomarker. DNA methylation patterns are more stable than transcriptomic or proteomic patterns, and they are relatively easy to measure to track exposure to different environments and risk factors. Importantly, technologies for DNA methylation quantification have become increasingly cost effective-accelerating new research in the field-and have enabled the development of novel DNA methylation biomarkers. Quite a few DNA methylation-based predictors for a number of traits and diseases already exist. Such predictors show potential for being more accurate than self-reported or measured phenotypes (such as smoking behavior and body mass index) and may even hold potential for applications in clinics. In this review, we will first discuss the advantages and challenges of DNA methylation biomarkers in general. We will then review the current state and future potential of DNA methylation biomarkers in two human traits that show rather consistent alterations in methylome-obesity and smoking. Lastly, we will briefly speculate about the future prospects of DNA methylation biomarkers, and possible ways to achieve them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aino Heikkinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sailalitha Bollepalli
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miina Ollikainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ling C, Bacos K, Rönn T. Epigenetics of type 2 diabetes mellitus and weight change - a tool for precision medicine? Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:433-448. [PMID: 35513492 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00671-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pioneering studies performed over the past few decades demonstrate links between epigenetics and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the metabolic disorder with the most rapidly increasing prevalence in the world. Importantly, these studies identified epigenetic modifications, including altered DNA methylation, in pancreatic islets, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and the liver from individuals with T2DM. As non-genetic factors that affect the risk of T2DM, such as obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, ageing and the intrauterine environment, have been associated with epigenetic modifications in healthy individuals, epigenetics probably also contributes to T2DM development. In addition, genetic factors associated with T2DM and obesity affect the epigenome in human tissues. Notably, causal mediation analyses found DNA methylation to be a potential mediator of genetic associations with metabolic traits and disease. In the past few years, translational studies have identified blood-based epigenetic markers that might be further developed and used for precision medicine to help patients with T2DM receive optimal therapy and to identify patients at risk of complications. This Review focuses on epigenetic mechanisms in the development of T2DM and the regulation of body weight in humans, with a special focus on precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Ling
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Karl Bacos
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Tina Rönn
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Lund University, Scania University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Klemp I, Hoffmann A, Müller L, Hagemann T, Horn K, Rohde-Zimmermann K, Tönjes A, Thiery J, Löffler M, Burkhardt R, Böttcher Y, Stumvoll M, Blüher M, Krohn K, Scholz M, Baber R, Franks PW, Kovacs P, Keller M. DNA methylation patterns reflect individual's lifestyle independent of obesity. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e851. [PMID: 35692099 PMCID: PMC9189420 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity is driven by modifiable lifestyle factors whose effects may be mediated by epigenetics. Therefore, we investigated lifestyle effects on blood DNA methylation in participants of the LIFE-Adult study, a well-characterised population-based cohort from Germany. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Lifestyle scores (LS) based on diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol intake were calculated in 4107 participants of the LIFE-Adult study. Fifty subjects with an extremely healthy lifestyle and 50 with an extremely unhealthy lifestyle (5th and 95th percentiles LS) were selected for genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in blood samples employing Illumina Infinium® Methylation EPIC BeadChip system technology. RESULTS Differences in DNA methylation patterns between body mass index groups (<25 vs. >30 kg/m2 ) were rather marginal compared to inter-lifestyle differences (0 vs. 145 differentially methylated positions [DMPs]), which identified 4682 differentially methylated regions (DMRs; false discovery rate [FDR <5%) annotated to 4426 unique genes. A DMR annotated to the glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 2 (GFPT2) locus showed the strongest hypomethylation (∼6.9%), and one annotated to glutamate rich 1 (ERICH1) showed the strongest hypermethylation (∼5.4%) in healthy compared to unhealthy lifestyle individuals. Intersection analysis showed that diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol intake equally contributed to the observed differences, which affected, among others, pathways related to glutamatergic synapses (adj. p < .01) and axon guidance (adj. p < .05). We showed that methylation age correlates with chronological age and waist-to-hip ratio with lower DNA methylation age (DNAmAge) acceleration distances in participants with healthy lifestyles. Finally, two identified top DMPs for the alanyl aminopeptidase (ANPEP) locus also showed the strongest expression quantitative trait methylation in blood. CONCLUSIONS DNA methylation patterns help discriminate individuals with a healthy versus unhealthy lifestyle, which may mask subtle methylation differences derived from obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ireen Klemp
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anne Hoffmann
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luise Müller
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tobias Hagemann
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kathrin Horn
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerstin Rohde-Zimmermann
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anke Tönjes
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Markus Löffler
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Böttcher
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Medical Division, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Michael Stumvoll
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Knut Krohn
- Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Scholz
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ronny Baber
- Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paul W Franks
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Peter Kovacs
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Keller
- Medical Department III-Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Barbosa P, Landes RD, Graw S, Byrum SD, Bennuri S, Delhey L, Randolph C, MacLeod S, Reis A, Børsheim E, Rose S, Carvalho E. Effect of excess weight and insulin resistance on DNA methylation in prepubertal children. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8430. [PMID: 35589784 PMCID: PMC9120504 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12325-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, regulate gene expression and play a role in the development of insulin resistance. This study evaluates how the BMI z-score (BMIz) and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), alone or in combination, relate to clinical outcomes and DNA methylation patterns in prepubertal children. DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and clinical outcomes were measured in a cohort of 41 prepubertal children. Children with higher HOMA-IR had higher blood pressure and plasma lactate levels while children with higher BMIz had higher triglycerides levels. Moreover, the DNA methylation analysis demonstrated that a 1 unit increase in the BMIz was associated with a 0.41 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.53) increase in methylation of a CpG near the PPP6R2 gene. This gene is important in the regulation of NF-kB expression. However, there was no strong evidence that the BMIz and the HOMA-IR were synergistically related to any clinical or DNA methylation outcomes. In summary, the results suggest that obesity and insulin resistance may impact metabolic health both independently in prepubertal children. In addition, obesity also has an impact on the DNA methylation of the PPP6R2 gene. This may be a novel underlying starting point for the systemic inflammation associated with obesity and insulin resistance, in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Barbosa
- PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Reid D Landes
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Stefan Graw
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Everest Clinical Research Corporation, Markham, ON, Canada
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Sirish Bennuri
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Leanna Delhey
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Chris Randolph
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Stewart MacLeod
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Andreia Reis
- Department of Medical Sciences (DCM), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Elisabet Børsheim
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Shannon Rose
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Eugenia Carvalho
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA. .,Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| |
Collapse
|