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Fuhr K, Bender A, Wiegand A, Janouch P, Drujan M, Cyrny B, Schweizer C, Kreifelts B, Nieratschker V, Batra A. Hypnotherapy for agoraphobia-Feasibility and efficacy investigated in a pilot study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1213792. [PMID: 37637902 PMCID: PMC10448829 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1213792] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of case studies describing hypnotherapy in the treatment of anxiety disorder patients have already been published. Only a few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the efficacy of hypnotherapy but focused mainly on symptoms rather than specific mental disorders. The goal of this study was to investigate whether hypnotherapy (HT) was superior to a waitlist control group (WL) in the reduction of agoraphobia-related symptoms. Further goals were to report the feasibility of hypnotherapy as well as attrition and completion rates and detect (epi-)genetic variables, which might play a role in treatment outcome. This pilot study was based on a monocentric two-armed randomized controlled rater-blind clinical trial that was conducted between 2018 and 2020 with a waitlist control group. A total of 36 patients diagnosed with agoraphobia were randomized to either HT or WL. Patients in HT received individual outpatient treatment with hypnotherapy with 8 to 12 sessions for a period of 3 months. Patients in WL received HT after 3 months. Agoraphobia-related symptoms were assessed at baseline, after the treatment, and 3 months later in both groups with a clinician rating. The primary hypothesis concerning the difference between groups in the individual percentage symptom reduction could be confirmed in the intention-to-treat, not the per-protocol sample. Additionally, we applied repeated-measures analyses of variance and found a higher symptom decrease in HT compared with WL patients in three of the five imputed datasets. The dropout rate was low, and satisfaction with the treatment was high. HT patients experienced a strong symptom reduction after receiving hypnotherapy. WL patients improved slightly during the waiting period. The COMT Val108/158Met genotype had an effect on the agoraphobia-related symptoms as well as on COMT DNA methylation levels. This is the first study to indicate that hypnotherapy performed better than a waitlist control group regarding the reduction in anxiety symptoms in an RCT. Future studies should confirm the efficacy of hypnotherapy and compare the treatment with a standard treatment for anxiety disorders in a larger trial. Future studies should also investigate whether hypnotic susceptibility is associated with COMT Val108/158Met genotype and could predict treatment success for HT. Clinical trial registration https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03684577, identifier: NCT03684577.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Fuhr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika Bender
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ariane Wiegand
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Max Planck Fellow Group Precision Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Janouch
- Outpatient Psychotherapy Practice, Bad Salzuflen, Germany
| | - Marta Drujan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Barbara Cyrny
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cornelie Schweizer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Kreifelts
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit), University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anil Batra
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit), University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Wyns A, Hendrix J, Lahousse A, De Bruyne E, Nijs J, Godderis L, Polli A. The Biology of Stress Intolerance in Patients with Chronic Pain—State of the Art and Future Directions. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062245. [PMID: 36983246 PMCID: PMC10057496 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress has been consistently linked to negative impacts on physical and mental health. More specifically, patients with chronic pain experience stress intolerance, which is an exacerbation or occurrence of symptoms in response to any type of stress. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unsolved. In this state-of-the-art paper, we summarised the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the two major stress response systems in stress intolerance. We provided insights into such mechanisms based on evidence from clinical studies in both patients with chronic pain, showing dysregulated stress systems, and healthy controls supported by preclinical studies, highlighting the link between these systems and symptoms of stress intolerance. Furthermore, we explored the possible regulating role for (epi)genetic mechanisms influencing the ANS and HPA axis. The link between stress and chronic pain has become an important area of research as it has the potential to inform the development of interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain. As stress has become a prevalent concern in modern society, understanding the connection between stress, HPA axis, ANS, and chronic health conditions such as chronic pain is crucial to improve public health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Wyns
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
| | - Jolien Hendrix
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Astrid Lahousse
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Rehabilitation Research (RERE) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy (KIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Unit of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, IDEWE, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Andrea Polli
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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Smederevac S, Delgado-Cruzata L, Mitrović D, Dinić BM, Bravo TAT, Delgado M, Bugarski Ignjatović V, Sadiković S, Milovanović I, Vučinić N, Branovački B, Prinz M, Budimlija Z, Kušić‐Tišma J, Nikolašević Ž. Differences in MB-COMT DNA methylation in monozygotic twins on phenotypic indicators of impulsivity. Front Genet 2023; 13:1067276. [PMID: 36685886 PMCID: PMC9852709 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1067276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications of the membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT) gene may affect the enzymatic degradation of dopamine, and consequently, human behavior. This study investigated the association between membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNA methylation (DNAm) differences in 92 monozygotic (MZ) twins with phenotypic manifestations of cognitive, behavioral, and personality indicators associated with reward-related behaviors and lack of control. We used pyrosequencing to determine DNAm of the regulatory region of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase in saliva DNA. Results of intrapair differences in the percentage of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm at each of five CpG sites show that there are associations between phenotypic indicators of lack of control and membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm differences on CpG1, CpG2 and CpG4, suggesting the common epigenetic patterns for personality traits, cognitive functions, and risk behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snežana Smederevac
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia,*Correspondence: Selka Sadiković, ; Snežana Smederevac,
| | | | - Dušanka Mitrović
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Bojana M. Dinić
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Maria Delgado
- Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, United States
| | | | - Selka Sadiković
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia,*Correspondence: Selka Sadiković, ; Snežana Smederevac,
| | - Ilija Milovanović
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nataša Vučinić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Bojan Branovački
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mechthild Prinz
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zoran Budimlija
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Jelena Kušić‐Tišma
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Feng L, Ning J, Tian X, Wang C, Zhang L, Ma X, James TD. Fluorescent probes for bioactive detection and imaging of phase II metabolic enzymes. Coord Chem Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2019.213026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Thomas M, Banet N, Wallisch A, Glowacz K, Becker-Sadzio J, Gundel F, Nieratschker V. Differential COMT DNA methylation in patients with Borderline Personality Disorder: Genotype matters. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1295-1300. [PMID: 31587837 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Differential DNA methylation in peripheral tissues has been associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Alterations have been found in several genes, among them the Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene. COMT is a known neuropsychiatric candidate gene, which contains a genotype variant (Val108/158Met) that affects protein function and has been found associated with several psychiatric disorders. In addition, this variant also affects COMT DNA methylation. However, in previous epigenetic studies, the DNA methylation results have not always been controlled for genotype, even though overrepresentation of the Met allele has been frequently reported in cohorts of BPD patients. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether alteration of COMT DNA methylation in BPD patients is indeed associated with mental health status or merely influenced by a differential distribution of the COMT genotype between BPD patients and healthy control individuals. We found significant group differences, as well as a strong effect of genotype on COMT DNA methylation. While the direction of effect was different compared to a previous study, our study supports the finding of altered COMT DNA methylation in patients with BPD and reinforces the need to include genotype information in future DNA methylation studies of COMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Nora Banet
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Annalena Wallisch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Glowacz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julia Becker-Sadzio
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Friederike Gundel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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Catechol-O-Methyltransferase and UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases in the Metabolism of Baicalein in Different Species. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2018; 42:981-992. [PMID: 28536775 DOI: 10.1007/s13318-017-0419-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baicalein is the major bioactive flavonoid in some herb medicines and dietary plants; however, the detailed metabolism pathway of its major metabolite oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide in human was not clear. It was important to illustrate the major metabolic enzymes that participate in its elimination for the clinic use of baicalein. OBJECTIVES We first revealed a two-step metabolism profile for baicalein and illustrated the combination of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) in drug metabolism, further evaluated its bioactivity variation during drug metabolism. METHODS The metabolism profiles were systematically characterized in different human biology preparations; after then, the anti-inflammatory activities of metabolites were evaluated in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell. RESULTS The first-step metabolite of baicalein was isolated and identified as oroxylin A; soluble-bound COMT (S-COMT) was the major enzyme responsible for its biotransformation. Specially, position 108 mutation of S-COMT significantly decreases the elimination. Meantime, oroxylin A was rapidly metabolized by UGTs, UGT1A1, -1A3, -1A6, -1A7, -1A8, -1A9, and -1A10 which were involved in the glucuronidation. Considerable species differences were observed with 1060-fold K m (3.05 ± 1.86-3234 ± 475 μM) and 330-fold CLint (5.93-1973 μL/min/mg) variations for baicalein metabolism. Finally, the middle metabolite oroxylin A exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory activity with the IC50 value of 28 μM. CONCLUSION The detailed kinetic parameters indicated that COMT provide convenience for the next glucuronidation; monkey would be a preferred animal model for the preclinical investigation of baicalein. Importantly, oroxylin A should be reconsidered in evaluating baicalein efficacy against inflammatory diseases.
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Chung JH, Cai J, Suskin BG, Zhang Z, Coleman K, Morrow BE. Whole-Genome Sequencing and Integrative Genomic Analysis Approach on Two 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Family Trios for Genotype to Phenotype Correlations. Hum Mutat 2015; 36:797-807. [PMID: 25981510 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) affects 1:4,000 live births and presents with highly variable phenotype expressivity. In this study, we developed an analytical approach utilizing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and integrative analysis to discover genetic modifiers. Our pipeline combined available tools in order to prioritize rare, predicted deleterious, coding and noncoding single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), and insertion/deletions from WGS. We sequenced two unrelated probands with 22q11DS, with contrasting clinical findings, and their unaffected parents. Proband P1 had cognitive impairment, psychotic episodes, anxiety, and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), whereas proband P2 had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis but no other major clinical findings. In P1, we identified common variants in COMT and PRODH on 22q11.2 as well as rare potentially deleterious DNA variants in other behavioral/neurocognitive genes. We also identified a de novo SNV in ADNP2 (NM_014913.3:c.2243G>C), encoding a neuroprotective protein that may be involved in behavioral disorders. In P2, we identified a novel nonsynonymous SNV in ZFPM2 (NM_012082.3:c.1576C>T), a known causative gene for TOF, which may act as a protective variant downstream of TBX1, haploinsufficiency of which is responsible for congenital heart disease in individuals with 22q11DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Chung
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Jinlu Cai
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Barrie G Suskin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Zhengdong Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Karlene Coleman
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bernice E Morrow
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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Schreiner F, Gohlke B, Stutte S, Bartmann P, Hecher K, Oldenburg J, El-Maarri O, Woelfle J. 11p15 DNA-methylation analysis in monozygotic twins with discordant intrauterine development due to severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Clin Epigenetics 2014; 6:6. [PMID: 24678997 PMCID: PMC3986638 DOI: 10.1186/1868-7083-6-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal growth restriction and low birth weight have been linked to long-term alterations of health, presumably via adaptive modifications of the epigenome. Recent studies indicate a plasticity of the 11p15 epigenotype in response to environmental changes during early stages of human development. STUDY DESIGN We analyzed methylation levels at different 11p15 loci in 20 growth-discordant monozygotic twin pairs. Intrauterine development was discordant due to severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which was treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation of communicating vessels before 25 weeks of gestation. Methylation levels at age 4 were determined in blood and buccal cell-derived DNA by the single nucleotide primer extension reaction ion pair reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (SNuPE IP RP HPLC) assay. Methylation at LINE-1 repeats was analyzed as an estimate of global methylation. RESULTS In general, variance of locus-specific methylation levels appeared to be higher in buccal cell- as compared to blood cell-derived DNA samples. Paired analyses within the twin pairs revealed significant differences at only one CpG site (IGF2 dmr0 SN3 (blood), +1.9% in donors; P = 0.013). When plotting the twin pair-discordance in birth weight against the degree of discordance in site-specific methylation at age 4, only a few CpGs were found to interact (one CpG site each at IGF2dmr0 in blood/saliva DNA, one CpG at LINE-1 repeats in saliva DNA), with 26 to 36% of the intra-twin pair divergence at these sites explained by prenatal growth discordance. However, across the entire cohort of 40 children, site-specific methylation did not correlate with SD-scores for weight or length at birth. Insulin-like growth factor-II serum concentrations showed significant within-twin pair correlations at birth (R = 0.57) and at age 4 (R = 0.79), but did not differ between donors and recipients. They also did not correlate with the analyzed 11p15 methylation parameters. CONCLUSION In a cohort of 20 growth-discordant monozygotic twin pairs, severe alteration in placental blood supply due to TTTS appears to leave only weak, if any, epigenetic marks at the analyzed CpG sites at 11p15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Schreiner
- Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Children's Hospital, University of Bonn, Adenauerallee 119, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
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Swift-Scanlan T, Smith CT, Bardowell SA, Boettiger CA. Comprehensive interrogation of CpG island methylation in the gene encoding COMT, a key estrogen and catecholamine regulator. BMC Med Genomics 2014; 7:5. [PMID: 24460628 PMCID: PMC3910242 DOI: 10.1186/1755-8794-7-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme has been widely studied due to its multiple roles in neurological functioning, estrogen biology, and methylation metabolic pathways. Numerous studies have investigated variation in the large COMT gene, with the majority focusing on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This body of work has linked COMT genetic variation with a vast array of conditions, including several neurobehavioral disorders, pain sensitivity, and multiple human cancers. Based on COMT's numerous biological roles and recent studies suggesting that methylation of the COMT gene impacts COMT gene expression, we comprehensively interrogated methylation in over 200 CpG dinucleotide sequences spanning the length of the COMT gene. METHODS Using saliva-derived DNA from a non-clinical sample of human subjects, we tested for associations between COMT CpG methylation and factors reported to interact with COMT genetic effects, including demographic factors and alcohol use. Finally, we tested associations between COMT CpG methylation state and COMT gene expression in breast cancer cell lines. We interrogated >200 CpGs in 13 amplicons spanning the 5' UTR to the last exon of the CpG dinucleotide-rich COMT gene in n = 48 subjects, n = 11 cell lines and 1 endogenous 18S rRNA control. RESULTS With the exception of the CpG island in the 5'UTR and 1st exon, all other CpG islands were strongly methylated with typical dynamic ranges between 50-90%. In the saliva samples, methylation of multiple COMT loci was associated with socioeconomic status or ethnicity. We found associations between methylation at numerous loci and genotype at the functional Val158Met SNP (rs4680), and most of the correlations between methylation and demographic and alcohol use factors were Val158Met allele-specific. Methylation at several of these loci also associated with COMT gene expression in breast cancer cell lines. CONCLUSIONS We report the first comprehensive interrogation of COMT methylation. We corroborate previous findings of variation in COMT methylation with gene expression and the Val158Met genotype, and also report novel associations with socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity at several methylated loci. These results point to novel mechanisms for COMT regulation, which may have broad therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Swift-Scanlan
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Carrington Hall, CB #7460, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, 450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher T Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall, CB #3270, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sabrina A Bardowell
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Carrington Hall, CB #7460, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Charlotte A Boettiger
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall, CB #3270, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Department of Psychology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Davie Hall, CB #3270, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Kanasaki K, Kanasaki M. Angiogenic defects in preeclampsia: What is known, and how are such defects relevant to preeclampsia pathogenesis? HYPERTENSION RESEARCH IN PREGNANCY 2013. [DOI: 10.14390/jsshp.1.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keizo Kanasaki
- Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Kanazawa Medical University
| | - Megumi Kanasaki
- Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Kanazawa Medical University
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