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Lavoro A, Falzone L, Gattuso G, Conti GN, Caltabiano R, Madonna G, Capone M, McCubrey JA, Ascierto PA, Libra M, Candido S. Identification of SLC22A17 DNA methylation hotspot as a potential biomarker in cutaneous melanoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:887. [PMID: 39358721 PMCID: PMC11445995 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05622-9] [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: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer onset and progression are driven by genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to oncogene activation and the silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Among epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methylation (methDNA) is gaining growing interest in cancer. Promoter hypomethylation is associated with oncogene activation while intragenic methDNA can be involved in transcriptional elongation, alternative spicing, and the activation of cryptic start sites. Several genes involved in the modulation of the tumor microenvironment are regulated by methDNA, including the Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 17 (SLC22A17), which is involved in iron trafficking and extracellular matrix remodeling cooperating with the Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) ligand. However, the exact role of intragenic methDNA in cancer has not been fully investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to explore the role of methDNA in the regulation of SLC22A17 in cutaneous melanoma (CM), used as a tumor model. METHODS Correlation and differential analyses between SLC22A17 expression and methDNA were performed using the data contained in The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Functional studies on melanoma cell lines treated with 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza) were conducted to assess the correlation between methDNA and SLC22A17 expression. A validation study on the diagnostic potential of the in silico-identified SLC22A17 methDNA hotspot was finally performed by analyzing tissue samples obtained from CM patients and healthy controls. RESULTS The computational analyses revealed that SLC22A17 was significantly downregulated in CM, and its expression was related to promoter hypomethylation and intragenic hypermethylation. Moreover, SLC22A17 overexpression and hypermethylation of two intragenic methDNA hotspots were associated with a better clinical outcome in CM patients. The correlation between SLC22A17 methDNA and expression was confirmed in 5-Aza-treated cells. In agreement with in silico analyses, the SLC22A17 promoter methylation hotspot showed higher methDNA levels in CM samples compared to nevi. In addition, the methDNA levels of this hotspot were positively correlated with advanced CM. CONCLUSIONS The SLC22A17 methDNA hotspot could represent a promising biomarker for CM, highlighting the regulatory role of methDNA on SLC22A17 expression. These results pave the way for the identification of novel epigenetic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the management of CM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Lavoro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, I-95123, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Giuseppe N Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Gabriele Madonna
- Melanoma Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, I-80131, Italy
| | - Mariaelena Capone
- Melanoma Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, I-80131, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Melanoma Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, I-80131, Italy
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, I-95123, Italy.
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, Catania, I- 95123, Italy.
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, I-95123, Italy
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, Catania, I- 95123, Italy
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Ma J, Subramaniam P, Yancey JR, Farrington AA, McGlade EC, Renshaw PF, Yurgelun-Todd DA. Elevated circulating soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25) level is associated with prefrontal excitatory-inhibitory imbalance in individuals with chronic pain: A proton MRS study. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 120:1-9. [PMID: 38772429 PMCID: PMC11269041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant neuronal excitability in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is implicated in cognitive and affective pain processing. Such excitability may be amplified by activated circulating immune cells, including T lymphocytes, that interact with the central nervous system. Here, we conducted a study of individuals with chronic pain using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to investigate the clinical evidence for the interaction between peripheral immune activation and prefrontal excitatory-inhibitory imbalance. In thirty individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain, we assessed markers of peripheral immune activation, including soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (sCD25) levels, as well as brain metabolites, including Glx (glutamate + glutamine) to GABA+ (γ-aminobutyric acid + macromolecules/homocarnosine) ratio in the ACC. We found that the circulating level of sCD25 was associated with prefrontal Glx/GABA+. Greater prefrontal Glx/GABA+ was associated with higher pain catastrophizing, evaluative pain ratings, and anxiodepressive symptoms. Further, the interaction effect of sCD25 and prefrontal Glx/GABA+ on pain catastrophizing was significant, indicating the joint association of these two markers with pain catastrophizing. Our results provide the first evidence suggesting that peripheral T cellular activation, as reflected by elevated circulating sCD25 levels, may be linked to prefrontal excitatory-inhibitory imbalance in individuals with chronic pain. The interaction between these two systems may play a role as a potential mechanism underlying pain catastrophizing. Further prospective and treatment studies are needed to elucidate the specific role of the immune and brain interaction in pain catastrophizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Punitha Subramaniam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - James R Yancey
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Amy A Farrington
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Erin C McGlade
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Perry F Renshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Deborah A Yurgelun-Todd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Xiong HY, Wyns A, Campenhout JV, Hendrix J, De Bruyne E, Godderis L, Schabrun S, Nijs J, Polli A. Epigenetic Landscapes of Pain: DNA Methylation Dynamics in Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8324. [PMID: 39125894 PMCID: PMC11312850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158324] [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: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a prevalent condition with a multifaceted pathogenesis, where epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, might play an important role. This review delves into the intricate mechanisms by which DNA methylation and demethylation regulate genes associated with nociception and pain perception in nociceptive pathways. We explore the dynamic nature of these epigenetic processes, mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes, which modulate the expression of pro- and anti-nociceptive genes. Aberrant DNA methylation profiles have been observed in patients with various chronic pain syndromes, correlating with hypersensitivity to painful stimuli, neuronal hyperexcitability, and inflammatory responses. Genome-wide analyses shed light on differentially methylated regions and genes that could serve as potential biomarkers for chronic pain in the epigenetic landscape. The transition from acute to chronic pain is marked by rapid DNA methylation reprogramming, suggesting its potential role in pain chronicity. This review highlights the importance of understanding the temporal dynamics of DNA methylation during this transition to develop targeted therapeutic interventions. Reversing pathological DNA methylation patterns through epigenetic therapies emerges as a promising strategy for pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Yu Xiong
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Arne Wyns
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Jente Van Campenhout
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Jolien Hendrix
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Siobhan Schabrun
- The School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
- The Gray Centre for Mobility and Activity, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital Brussels, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41390 Göterbog, Sweden
| | - Andrea Polli
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
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Ao X, Parisien M, Fillingim RB, Ohrbach R, Slade GD, Diatchenko L, Smith SB. Whole-genome methylation profiling reveals regions associated with painful temporomandibular disorders and active recovery processes. Pain 2024; 165:1060-1073. [PMID: 38015635 PMCID: PMC11018476 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003104] [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] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), collectively representing one of the most common chronic pain conditions, have a substantial genetic component, but genetic variation alone has not fully explained the heritability of TMD risk. Reasoning that the unexplained heritability may be because of DNA methylation, an epigenetic phenomenon, we measured genome-wide DNA methylation using the Illumina MethylationEPIC platform with blood samples from participants in the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study. Associations with chronic TMD used methylation data from 496 chronic painful TMD cases and 452 TMD-free controls. Changes in methylation between enrollment and a 6-month follow-up visit were determined for a separate sample of 62 people with recent-onset painful TMD. More than 750,000 individual CpG sites were examined for association with chronic painful TMD. Six differentially methylated regions were significantly ( P < 5 × 10 -8 ) associated with chronic painful TMD, including loci near genes involved in the regulation of inflammatory and neuronal response. A majority of loci were similarly differentially methylated in acute TMD consistent with observed transience or persistence of symptoms at follow-up. Functional characterization of the identified regions found relationships between methylation at these loci and nearby genetic variation contributing to chronic painful TMD and with gene expression of proximal genes. These findings reveal epigenetic contributions to chronic painful TMD through methylation of the genes FMOD , PM20D1 , ZNF718 , ZFP57 , and RNF39 , following the development of acute painful TMD. Epigenetic regulation of these genes likely contributes to the trajectory of transcriptional events in affected tissues leading to resolution or chronicity of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Ao
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences; Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain; McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marc Parisien
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences; Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain; McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Roger B. Fillingim
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Richard Ohrbach
- Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Gary D. Slade
- Division of Pediatric and Public Health, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Luda Diatchenko
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences; Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain; McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Shad B. Smith
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Waheed A, Rai MF. Osteoarthritis year in review 2023: genetics, genomics, and epigenetics. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2024; 32:128-137. [PMID: 37979669 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.11.006] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To elucidate the scientific advances made in the last 12 months within the realm of osteoarthritis genetics, genomics, and epigenetics. This review paper highlights major research publications that enhance our current understanding of the role of genetics, genomics, and epigenetics in osteoarthritis. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov on "March 17, 2023", using the following keywords: "osteoarthritis" in combination with any of these terms: "genetic(s)", "mutation(s)", "genomic(s)", "epigenetic(s)", "DNA methylation", "noncoding RNA", "lncRNA", "circular RNA", "microRNA", "transcriptomic(s)", "RNA sequencing", "single cell RNA sequencing", or "single nucleus RNA sequencing". The selection comprised original research articles published in the English language between the OARSI congresses of 2022 and 2023. RESULTS A total of 2178 research articles were identified, which subsequently reduced to 67 unique articles relevant to the field. Current trends in osteoarthritis genetics research involve meta-analyses of various cohorts to explore the impact of gene variants on osteoarthritis-related outcomes, such as pain. Early developmental changes within the joint were also found to influence osteoarthritis through genetic variations. Researchers also prioritize testing the mechanisms and functions of miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs. Potential drug targets began to emerge; however, independent validation studies are lacking. Single cell RNA sequencing studies revealed unique immune cell populations in the knee; however, no study reported single nucleus RNA sequencing analysis. CONCLUSIONS This review focused on recent advances in the above-mentioned themes within the field of osteoarthritis. These advances improve our understanding of the disease's complexity and guide us toward functional assessments of genetic/epigenetic outcomes and toward their translational and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Waheed
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Muhammad Farooq Rai
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Saint Louis University School of Science and Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States.
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Strath LJ, Meng L, Rani A, Huo Z, Foster TC, Fillingim RB, Cruz-Almeida Y. Vitamin D Metabolism Genes Are Differentially Methylated in Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain. Lifestyle Genom 2023; 16:98-105. [PMID: 36854277 PMCID: PMC10493864 DOI: 10.1159/000529823] [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: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent evidence suggests that vitamin D may interact with the epigenome and play a role in the pain experience. In order for proper functioning to occur, there must be an adequate level of vitamin D present, made possible by enzymatic reactions that allow vitamin D to be biologically active. The purpose of this study was to explore the epigenetic landscape of genes involved in vitamin D metabolism in individuals with and without chronic knee pain. METHODS Community-dwelling individuals recruited as part of a larger study focused on knee pain provided demographic, clinical, and pain-related information, as well as an intravenous blood sample to determine DNA methylation levels at CpG sites. RESULTS There were differences in DNA methylation between those with and without pain in genes that code for enzymes related to vitamin D metabolism: CYP27B1 (1-α-hydroxylase). There was also hypermethylation on the gene that codes for the vitamin D receptor (VDR). CONCLUSIONS The presence of chronic pain is associated with epigenetic modifications in genes responsible for the expression of enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism and cellular function. These results lay groundwork in understanding the mechanism underlying the association between vitamin D and chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa J Strath
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE) at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA,
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA,
| | - Lingsong Meng
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Asha Rani
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Thomas C Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Roger B Fillingim
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE) at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yenisel Cruz-Almeida
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE) at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Montesino-Goicolea S, Meng L, Rani A, Huo Z, Foster TC, Fillingim RB, Cruz-Almeida Y. Enrichment of genomic pathways based on differential DNA methylation profiles associated with knee osteoarthritis pain. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2022; 12:100107. [PMID: 36531611 PMCID: PMC9755025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2022.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Our study aimed to identify differentially methylated regions (i.e., genomic region where multiple adjacent CpG sites show differential methylation) and their enriched genomic pathways associated with knee osteoarthritis pain (KOA). We recruited cognitively healthy middle to older aged (age 45-85) adults with (n = 182) and without (n = 31) self-reported KOA pain. We also extracted DNA from peripheral blood that was analyzed using MethylationEPIC arrays. The R package minfi (Aryee et al., 2014) was used to perform methylation data preprocessing and quality control. To investigate biological pathways impacted by differential methylation, we performed pathway enrichment analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to identify canonical pathways and upstream regulators. Annotated genes within ± 5 kb of the putative differentially methylated regions (DMRs, p < 0.05) were subjected to the IPA analysis. There was no significant difference in age, sex, study site between no pain and pain group (p > 0.05). Non-Hispanic black individuals were overrepresented in the pain group (p = 0.003). At raw p < 0.05 cutoff, we identified a total of 19,710 CpG probes, including 13,951 hypermethylated CpG probes, for which DNA methylation level was higher in the groups with highest pain grades. We also identified 5,759 hypomethylated CpG probes for which DNA methylation level was lower in the pain groups with higher pain grades. IPA revealed that pain-related DMRs were enriched across multiple pathways and upstream regulators. The top 10 canonical pathways were linked to cellular signaling processes related to immune responses (i.e., antigen presentation, PD-1, PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy, B cell development, IL-4 signaling, Th1 and Th2 activation pathway, and phagosome maturation). Moreover, in terms of upstream regulators, NDUFAF3 was the most significant (p = 8.6E-04) upstream regulator. Our findings support previous preliminary work suggesting the importance of epigenetic regulation of the immune system in knee pain and the need for future work to understand the epigenetic contributions to chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soamy Montesino-Goicolea
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging & Memory, McKnight Brain Foundation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Community Dentistry & Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lingsong Meng
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health & Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Asha Rani
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health & Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas C. Foster
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health & Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Roger B. Fillingim
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Yenisel Cruz-Almeida
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging & Memory, McKnight Brain Foundation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health & Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Community Dentistry & Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Corresponding author at: PO Box 103628, 1329 SW 16th Street, Ste 5180 (zip 32608), Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. https://price.ctsi.ufl.edu/about-the-center/staff/yenisel-cruz-almeida/
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Stenz L, Carré JL, Luthi F, Vuistiner P, Burrus C, Paoloni-Giacobino A, Léger B. Genome-Wide Epigenomic Analyses in Patients With Nociceptive and Neuropathic Chronic Pain Subtypes Reveals Alterations in Methylation of Genes Involved in the Neuro-Musculoskeletal System. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 23:326-336. [PMID: 34547430 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nociceptive pain involves the activation of nociceptors without damage to the nervous system, whereas neuropathic pain is related to an alteration in the central or peripheral nervous system. Chronic pain itself and the transition from acute to chronic pain may be epigenetically controlled. In this cross-sectional study, a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed using the blood DNA reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) technique. Three prospective cohorts including 20 healthy controls (CTL), 18 patients with chronic nociceptive pain (NOCI), and 19 patients with chronic neuropathic pain (NEURO) were compared at both the single CpG and differentially methylated region (DMR) levels. Genes with DMRs were seen in the NOCI and NEURO groups belonged to the neuro-musculoskeletal system and differed between NOCI and NEURO patients. Our results demonstrate that the epigenetic disturbances accompanying nociceptive pain are very different from those accompanying neuropathic pain. In the former, among others, the epigenetic disturbance observed would affect the function of the opioid analgesic system, whereas in the latter it would affect that of the GABAergic reward system. This study presents biological findings that help to characterize NOCI- and NEURO-affected pathways and opens the possibility of developing epigenetic diagnostic assays. PERSPECTIVE: Our results help to explain the various biological pathways modifications underlying the different clinical manifestations of nociceptive and neuropathic pains. Furthermore, the new targets identified in our study might help to discover more specific treatments for nociceptive or neuropathic pains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludwig Stenz
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Geneva University, Medicine Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joane Le Carré
- Institute for Research in Rehabilitation, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland; Department of Medical Research, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - François Luthi
- Institute for Research in Rehabilitation, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland; Department of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopaedic Hospital, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Vuistiner
- Institute for Research in Rehabilitation, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland; Department of Medical Research, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Cyrille Burrus
- Institute for Research in Rehabilitation, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland; Department of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Ariane Paoloni-Giacobino
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Geneva University, Medicine Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bertrand Léger
- Institute for Research in Rehabilitation, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland; Department of Medical Research, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland.
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Aroke EN, Jackson P, Meng L, Huo Z, Overstreet DS, Penn TM, Quinn TL, Cruz-Almeida Y, Goodin BR. Differential DNA methylation in Black and White individuals with chronic low back pain enrich different genomic pathways. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2022; 11:100086. [PMID: 35243180 PMCID: PMC8885563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2022.100086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), individuals who self-identify as Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) in the United States experience more severe and disabling chronic low back pain (cLBP). We hypothesized that differences in DNA methylation (DNAm) play a role in racial disparities in cLBP. PURPOSE To determine the relationship between DNAm levels and racial group differences in adults with cLBP. Our study's secondary purpose was to perform a race-stratified comparison of adults with cLBP and pain-free controls and identify functional genomic pathways enriched by annotated differentially methylated genes. PATIENTS AND METHODS We recruited 49 NHBs and 49 NHWs (49 cLBP and 49 pain-free controls, PFCs), analyzed DNAm from whole blood using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, and identified enriched genomic pathways. RESULTS Among participants with cLBP, we identified 2873 differentially methylated loci (DML; methylation differences of at least 10% and p < 0.0001), many of which were annotated to genes of importance to pain pathology. These DMLs significantly enriched pathways to involved in nociception/pain processing (Dopamine-DARPP32 Feedback in cAMP signaling, GABA Receptor Signaling, Opioid Signaling) and neuronal differentiation (e.g., Calcium Signaling, Axon Guidance Signaling, and Endocannabinoid Neuronal Synapse). Our race stratified analyses of individuals with cLBP versus PFCs revealed 2356 DMLs in NHBs and 772 DMLs in NHWs with p < 0.0001 and > 10% methylation difference. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that many pathways of significance to pain such as Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Signaling, White Adipose Tissue Browning, and GABA Receptor Signaling pathways, were more significant in NHBs than NHWs. CONCLUSION Even though an individual's self-identified race is a social construct, not a biological variable, racism associated with that classification affects virtually every aspect of life, including disease risk. DNAm induced alterations in stress signaling pathways may explain worse pain outcomes in NHBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin N. Aroke
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Pamela Jackson
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lingsong Meng
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Terence M. Penn
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Tammie L. Quinn
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yenisel Cruz-Almeida
- College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Burel R. Goodin
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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