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Ngathaweesuk Y, Hendrikse J, Groot-Mijnes JDFD, de Boer JH, Hettinga YM. Causes of infectious pediatric uveitis: A review. Surv Ophthalmol 2024; 69:483-494. [PMID: 38182040 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Infectious pediatric uveitis is a rare disease that can cause severe ocular damage if not detected rapidly and treated properly. Additionally, early identification of an infection can protect the child from life-threatening systemic infection. Infectious uveitis can be congenital or acquired and may manifest as a primary ocular infection or as a reactivation. Nevertheless, publications on infectious paediatric uveitis are usually limited to a small number of patients or a case report. So far, most studies on uveitis in children have focused primarily on noninfectious uveitis, and a systematic study on infectious uveitis is lacking. In this review, we summarize the literature on infectious uveitis in pediatric populations and report on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and treatment. We will describe the different possible pathogens causing uveitis in childhood by microbiological group (i.e. parasites, viruses, bacteria, and fungi). We aim to contribute to early diagnosis and management of infectious pediatric uveitis, which in turn might improve not only visual outcome, but also the general health outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaninsiri Ngathaweesuk
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jytte Hendrikse
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jolanda Dorothea Francisca de Groot-Mijnes
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joke Helena de Boer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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2
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Keck H, Eschbaumer M, Beer M, Hoffmann B. Comparison of Biosafety and Diagnostic Utility of Biosample Collection Cards. Viruses 2022; 14:2392. [PMID: 36366491 PMCID: PMC9697902 DOI: 10.3390/v14112392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Six different biosample collection cards, often collectively referred to as FTA (Flinders Technology Associates) cards, were compared for their ability to inactivate viruses and stabilize viral nucleic acid for molecular testing. The cards were tested with bluetongue virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), small ruminant morbillivirus (peste des petits ruminants virus), and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), encompassing non-enveloped and enveloped representatives of viruses with double-stranded and single-stranded RNA genomes, as well as an enveloped DNA virus. The cards were loaded with virus-containing cell culture supernatant and tested after one day, one week, and one month. The inactivation of the RNA viruses was successful for the majority of the cards and filters. Most of them completely inactivated the viruses within one day or one week at the latest, but the inactivation of LSDV presented a greater challenge. Three of the six cards inactivated LSDV within one day, but the others did not achieve this even after an incubation period of 30 days. Differences between the cards were also evident in the stabilization of nucleic acid. The amount of detectable viral genome on the cards remained approximately constant for all viruses and cards over an incubation period of one month. With some cards, however, a bigger loss of detectable nucleic acid compared with a directly extracted sample was observed. Using FMDV, it was confirmed that the material applied to the cards was sufficiently conserved to allow detailed molecular characterization by sequencing. Furthermore, it was possible to successfully recover infectious FMDV by chemical transfection from some cards, confirming the preservation of full-length RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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3
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Zar Kyaw T, Yamaguchi S, Imai C, Uematsu M, Sato N. The utility of post-test newborn blood spot screening cards for epigenetic association analyses: association between HIF3A methylation and birth weight-for-gestational age. J Hum Genet 2019; 64:795-801. [PMID: 31138846 PMCID: PMC6760750 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-019-0621-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Identification of disease-associated epigenetic markers in early life might be useful for pre-emptive intervention to prevent diseases. Epigenome-wide association analyses using newborn blood spot screening cards are an anticipated field of research in Japan. Here, in this study, post-test dried blood spot (DBS) samples were anonymized, with only three attributes of gender, gestational age, and birth weight identified. We isolated DNA from DBS (n = 300) archived for more than 3 years. The median DNA yield (ng) per individual was 429 (interquartile range 300–565). In a model epigenetic analysis, we conducted a confirmative study on the known association between birth weight and hypoxia-inducible factor 3A (HIF3A) gene methylation. DNA methylation levels and cis-acting SNP genotypes (rs8102595 and rs3826795) were measured using EpiTYPER and Taqman assays, respectively. HIF3A methylation was positively associated with birth weight-for-gestational age centile (p = 0.021). While HIF3A methylation was associated with cis-genotypes (rs8102595, p = 2.08E−13; rs3826795, p = 3.63E−09), the association with birth weight centile was retained after adjusting for cis-genotypes (p = 0.029). Thus, we successfully reproduced the results reported previously by others, and demonstrated the usefulness of archived DBS in secondary use for epigenetic association analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tay Zar Kyaw
- Department of Epigenetic Epidemiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Seiji Yamaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan
| | - Chihiro Imai
- Department of Epigenetic Epidemiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Marina Uematsu
- Department of Epigenetic Epidemiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Noriko Sato
- Department of Epigenetic Epidemiology/Molecular Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
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4
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Walker RM, MacGillivray L, McCafferty S, Wrobel N, Murphy L, Kerr SM, Morris SW, Campbell A, McIntosh AM, Porteous DJ, Evans KL. Assessment of dried blood spots for DNA methylation profiling. Wellcome Open Res 2019; 4:44. [PMID: 30984878 PMCID: PMC6446498 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15136.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: DNA methylation reflects health-related environmental exposures and genetic risk, providing insights into aetiological mechanisms and potentially predicting disease onset, progression and treatment response. An increasingly recognised need for large-scale, longitudinally-profiled samples collected world-wide has made the development of efficient and straightforward sample collection and storage procedures a pressing issue. An alternative to the low-temperature storage of EDTA tubes of venous blood samples, which are frequently the source of the DNA used in such studies, is to collect and store at room temperature blood samples using purpose built filter paper, such as Whatman FTA® cards. Our goal was to determine whether DNA stored in this manner can be used to generate DNA methylation profiles comparable to those generated using blood samples frozen in EDTA tubes. Methods: DNA methylation profiles were obtained from matched EDTA tube and Whatman FTA® card whole-blood samples from 62 Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study participants using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Multiple quality control procedures were implemented, the relationship between the two sample types assessed, and epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) performed for smoking status, age and the interaction between these variables and sample storage method. Results: Dried blood spot (DBS) DNA methylation profiles were of good quality and DNA methylation profiles from matched DBS and EDTA tube samples were highly correlated (mean
r = 0.991) and could distinguish between participants. EWASs replicated established associations for smoking and age, with no evidence for moderation by storage method. Conclusions: Our results support the use of Whatman FTA® cards for collecting and storing blood samples for DNA methylation profiling. This approach is likely to be particularly beneficial for large-scale studies and those carried out in areas where freezer access is limited. Furthermore, our results will inform consideration of the use of newborn heel prick DBSs for research use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie M Walker
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK.,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Louise MacGillivray
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Sarah McCafferty
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Nicola Wrobel
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Lee Murphy
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Shona M Kerr
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK.,MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Stewart W Morris
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Archie Campbell
- Generation Scotland, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK.,Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - David J Porteous
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK.,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK.,Generation Scotland, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK.,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
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5
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Mohandas N, Bass-Stringer S, Maksimovic J, Crompton K, Loke YJ, Walstab J, Reid SM, Amor DJ, Reddihough D, Craig JM. Epigenome-wide analysis in newborn blood spots from monozygotic twins discordant for cerebral palsy reveals consistent regional differences in DNA methylation. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:25. [PMID: 29484035 PMCID: PMC5824607 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0457-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a clinical description for a group of motor disorders that are heterogeneous with respect to causes, symptoms and severity. A diagnosis of CP cannot usually be made at birth and in some cases may be delayed until 2–3 years of age. This limits opportunities for early intervention that could otherwise improve long-term outcomes. CP has been recorded in monozygotic twins discordant for the disorder, indicating a potential role of non-genetic factors such as intrauterine infection, hypoxia-ischaemia, haemorrhage and thrombosis. The aim of this exploratory study was to utilise the discordant monozygotic twin model to understand and measure epigenetic changes associated with the development of CP. Methods We performed a genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450 BeadChip array with DNA from newborn blood spots of 15 monozygotic twin pairs who later became discordant for CP. Quality control and data preprocessing were undertaken using the minfi R package. Differential methylation analysis was performed using the remove unwanted variation (RUVm) method, taking twin pairing into account in order to identify CP-specific differentially methylated probes (DMPs), and bumphunter was performed to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Results We identified 33 top-ranked DMPs based on a nominal p value cut-off of p < 1 × 10−4 and two DMRs (p < 1 × 10−3) associated with CP. The top-ranked probes related to 25 genes including HNRNPL, RASSF5, CD3D and KALRN involved in immune signalling pathways, in addition to TBC1D24, FBXO9 and VIPR2 previously linked to epileptic encephalopathy. Gene ontology and pathway analysis of top-ranked DMP-associated genes revealed enrichment of inflammatory signalling pathways, regulation of cytokine secretion and regulation of leukocyte-mediated immunity. We also identified two top-ranked DMRs including one on chromosome 6 within the promoter region of LTA gene encoding tumour necrosis factor-beta (TNF-β), an important regulator of inflammation and brain development. The second was within the transcription start site of the LIME1 gene, which plays a key role in inflammatory pathways such as MAPK signalling. CP-specific differential DNA methylation within one of our two top DMRs was validated using an independent platform, MassArray EpiTyper. Conclusions Ours is the first epigenome-wide association study of CP in disease-discordant monozygotic twin pairs and suggests a potential role for immune dysfunction in this condition. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-018-0457-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namitha Mohandas
- Environmental and Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Sebastian Bass-Stringer
- Environmental and Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Jovana Maksimovic
- 2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,Bioinformatics Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Kylie Crompton
- 2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,4Developmental Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,5Neurodevelopment and Disability, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Yuk J Loke
- Environmental and Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Janet Walstab
- 2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,4Developmental Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Susan M Reid
- 2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,4Developmental Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,5Neurodevelopment and Disability, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - David J Amor
- 2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,4Developmental Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,5Neurodevelopment and Disability, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Dinah Reddihough
- 2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,4Developmental Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,5Neurodevelopment and Disability, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Environmental and Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,2Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia.,6Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3220 Australia
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6
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Gul KA, Sonerud T, Fjærli HO, Nakstad B, Abrahamsen TG, Inchley CS. Thymus activity measured by T-cell receptor excision circles in patients with different severities of respiratory syncytial virus infection. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:18. [PMID: 28056841 PMCID: PMC5217228 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-2148-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is an important cause of hospitalization in previously healthy infants. Immunological mechanisms predisposing infants to severe disease are poorly understood. Early biomarkers for disease severity may assist clinical decisions. We investigated T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC), episomal DNA made during thymic T-cell receptor rearrangement, and a marker for thymus activity, both during disease and in neonatal screening cards as a risk factor for RSV disease severity. Methods One hundred thirteen patients hospitalized with RSV infection <12 months of age, grouped by disease severity, were available for this investigation, in which we conducted both a prospective and a case-control study. The prospective study included 47 RSV positive infants (mild n = 13, moderate n = 10, severe n = 24). TREC counts were determined by PCR of DNA extracted from EDTA-blood collected on hospitalization, and corrected for lymphocytes using ANCOVA. The case-control study included 85 newborns who later in infancy became RSV positive (mild n = 32, moderate n = 24, severe n = 29) and 47 newborns who never developed RSV disease as healthy controls included from health centres in the same catchment area. TRECs were measured using DNA extracted from dry blood spots from stored neonatal screening cards, followed by PCR. Student’s T-test compared patients with controls, ANOVA compared disease severity groups. Results During RSV infection patients in the severe disease group had significantly lower (p = 0.017) TREC/200 μL blood compared to the other two disease groups, after correction for lymphocyte count. Newborn TREC levels, were significantly higher in RSV patients compared to controls (p < 0.0001). No significant differences in TREC copies at birth were found between disease severities. Conclusion During acute RSV infection a lower number of TREC is found in the severe disease group. TREC has potential as an immunological marker for severe RSV infection. Higher neonatal TREC counts indicate that infants later presenting with severe RSV do not have reduced thymic activity at birth and probably no congenital T-cell defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Aftab Gul
- Department of Pediatric Research, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. .,Department of National Newborn Screening, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. .,Clinic of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Tonje Sonerud
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Department of Clinical Molecular Biology and Laboratory Sciences (EpiGen), University of Oslo, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Hans O Fjærli
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Britt Nakstad
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore Gunnar Abrahamsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Clinic of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christopher S Inchley
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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7
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DNA quality and quantity from up to 16 years old post-mortem blood stored on FTA cards. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 261:148-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Loke YJ, Hannan AJ, Craig JM. The Role of Epigenetic Change in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurol 2015; 6:107. [PMID: 26074864 PMCID: PMC4443738 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by problems with social communication, social interaction, and repetitive or restricted behaviors. ASD are comorbid with other disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, Rett syndrome, and Fragile X syndrome. Neither the genetic nor the environmental components have been characterized well enough to aid diagnosis or treatment of non-syndromic ASD. However, genome-wide association studies have amassed evidence suggesting involvement of hundreds of genes and a variety of associated genetic pathways. Recently, investigators have turned to epigenetics, a prime mediator of environmental effects on genomes and phenotype, to characterize changes in ASD that constitute a molecular level on top of DNA sequence. Though in their infancy, such studies have the potential to increase our understanding of the etiology of ASD and may assist in the development of biomarkers for its prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and eventually in its prevention and intervention. This review focuses on the first few epigenome-wide association studies of ASD and discusses future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuk Jing Loke
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC , Australia
| | - Anthony John Hannan
- Melbourne Brain Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC , Australia
| | - Jeffrey Mark Craig
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC , Australia
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9
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Neonatal Levels of T-cell Receptor Excision Circles (TREC) in Patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Later Disease Features. J Clin Immunol 2015; 35:408-15. [DOI: 10.1007/s10875-015-0153-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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10
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Ignjatovic V, Pitt J, Monagle P, Craig JM. The utility of dried blood spots for proteomic studies: looking forward to looking back. Proteomics Clin Appl 2014; 8:896-900. [PMID: 25220422 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201400042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The possibility to detect biomarkers of adult disease in early life and particularly in newborns holds enormous promise for early disease detection and prevention. Early detection of disease or potential for future disease would allow for prevention or amelioration of disease before overt symptoms develop, by lifestyle modifications, appropriate medication and monitoring. It is now increasingly important to develop the technologies that allow dried blood spots (DBS) to be utilized for protein-based studies. The use of DBS in proteome wide association studies (PWAS) may in turn allow for detection of major diseases of adulthood at the earliest possible time. This review focuses on the utility of DBS in proteomics, the main challenges, as well as the latest approaches for overcoming those, facilitating the use of DBS for detection of major diseases of adulthood at the earliest possible time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Ignjatovic
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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11
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DNA methylation biomarkers: cancer and beyond. Genes (Basel) 2014; 5:821-64. [PMID: 25229548 PMCID: PMC4198933 DOI: 10.3390/genes5030821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Revised: 08/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are naturally-occurring characteristics by which a particular pathological process or disease can be identified or monitored. They can reflect past environmental exposures, predict disease onset or course, or determine a patient's response to therapy. Epigenetic changes are such characteristics, with most epigenetic biomarkers discovered to date based on the epigenetic mark of DNA methylation. Many tissue types are suitable for the discovery of DNA methylation biomarkers including cell-based samples such as blood and tumor material and cell-free DNA samples such as plasma. DNA methylation biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic and predictive power are already in clinical trials or in a clinical setting for cancer. Outside cancer, strong evidence that complex disease originates in early life is opening up exciting new avenues for the detection of DNA methylation biomarkers for adverse early life environment and for estimation of future disease risk. However, there are a number of limitations to overcome before such biomarkers reach the clinic. Nevertheless, DNA methylation biomarkers have great potential to contribute to personalized medicine throughout life. We review the current state of play for DNA methylation biomarkers, discuss the barriers that must be crossed on the way to implementation in a clinical setting, and predict their future use for human disease.
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12
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Ghantous A, Saffery R, Cros MP, Ponsonby AL, Hirschfeld S, Kasten C, Dwyer T, Herceg Z, Hernandez-Vargas H. Optimized DNA extraction from neonatal dried blood spots: application in methylome profiling. BMC Biotechnol 2014; 14:60. [PMID: 24980254 PMCID: PMC4086704 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-14-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal dried blood spots (DBS) represent an inexpensive method for long-term biobanking worldwide and are considered gold mines for research for several human diseases, including those of metabolic, infectious, genetic and epigenetic origin. However, the utility of DBS is restricted by the limited amount and quality of extractable biomolecules (including DNA), especially for genome wide profiling. Degradation of DNA in DBS often occurs during storage and extraction. Moreover, amplifying small quantities of DNA often leads to a bias in subsequent data, particularly in methylome profiles. Thus it is important to develop methodologies that maximize both the yield and quality of DNA from DBS for downstream analyses. RESULTS Using combinations of in-house-derived and modified commercial extraction kits, we developed a robust and efficient protocol, compatible with methylome studies, many of which require stringent bisulfite conversion steps. Several parameters were tested in a step-wise manner, including blood extraction, cell lysis, protein digestion, and DNA precipitation, purification and elution. DNA quality was assessed based on spectrophotometric measurements, DNA detectability by PCR, and DNA integrity by gel electrophoresis and bioanalyzer analyses. Genome scale Infinium HumanMethylation450 and locus-specific pyrosequencing data generated using the refined DBS extraction protocol were of high quality, reproducible and consistent. CONCLUSIONS This study may prove useful to meet the increased demand for research on prenatal, particularly epigenetic, origins of human diseases and for newborn screening programs, all of which are often based on DNA extracted from DBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Ghantous
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 rue Albert-Thomas, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Richard Saffery
- Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Marie-Pierre Cros
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 rue Albert-Thomas, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Anne-Louise Ponsonby
- Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Steven Hirschfeld
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Children’s Study, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health U.S., 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 3A01, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Carol Kasten
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Children’s Study, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health U.S., 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 3A01, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Terence Dwyer
- Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia
- Chair, Steering Committtee, International Childhood Cancer Cohort Consortium (I4C
| | - Zdenko Herceg
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 rue Albert-Thomas, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Hector Hernandez-Vargas
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 rue Albert-Thomas, 69008 Lyon, France
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13
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Mundy LK, Simmons JG, Allen NB, Viner RM, Bayer JK, Olds T, Williams J, Olsson C, Romaniuk H, Mensah F, Sawyer SM, Degenhardt L, Alati R, Wake M, Jacka F, Patton GC. Study protocol: the Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (CATS). BMC Pediatr 2013; 13:160. [PMID: 24103080 PMCID: PMC3852285 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Puberty is a multifaceted developmental process that begins in late-childhood with a cascade of endocrine changes that ultimately lead to sexual maturation and reproductive capability. The transition through puberty is marked by an increased risk for the onset of a range of health problems, particularly those related to the control of behaviour and emotion. Early onset puberty is associated with a greater risk of cancers of the reproductive tract and cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have had methodological limitations and have tended to view puberty as a unitary process, with little distinction between adrenarche, gonadarche and linear growth. The Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (CATS) aims to prospectively examine associations between the timing and stage of the different hormonally-mediated changes, as well as the onset and course of common health and behavioural problems that emerge in the transition from childhood to adolescence. The initial focus of CATS is on adrenarche, the first hormonal process in the pubertal cascade, which begins for most children at around 8 years of age. Methods/Design CATS is a longitudinal population-based cohort study. All Grade 3 students (8–9 years of age) from a stratified cluster sample of schools in Melbourne, Australia were invited to take part. In total, 1239 students and a parent/guardian were recruited to participate in the study. Measures are repeated annually and comprise student, parent and teacher questionnaires, and student anthropometric measurements. A saliva sample was collected from students at baseline and will be repeated at later waves, with the primary purpose of measuring hormonal indices of adrenarche and gonadarche. Discussion CATS is uniquely placed to capture biological and phenotypic indices of the pubertal process from its earliest manifestations, together with anthropometric measures and assessment of child health and development. The cohort will provide rich detail of the development, lifestyle, external circumstances and health of children during the transition from childhood through to adolescence. Baseline associations between the hormonal measures and measures of mental health and behaviour will initially be examined cross-sectionally, and then in later waves longitudinally. CATS will make a unique contribution to the understanding of adrenarche and puberty in children’s health and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K Mundy
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
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14
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to interpret the current literature on the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in susceptibility to neonatal infection, a leading cause of early life mortality and morbidity. RECENT FINDINGS Epidemiological data indicate that the differential susceptibility to infection is partly heritable. To date there have been relatively few studies on genetic determinants of susceptibility to neonatal infection and many of these have methodological shortcomings. Most studies predominantly focus on the innate immune system. There is growing interest in the potential role of epigenetic mechanisms in disease susceptibility and data are emerging on the role of epigenetics in the maturation of the immune system in early life. SUMMARY Infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in preterm infants, but it remains unclear why neonates are so susceptible or what mediates differential risk. Genetic and epigenetic epidemiologic studies may assist in the identification of critical protective and pathogenic pathways. Despite the current relative lack of robust data, such studies may facilitate the development of interventions that ultimately decrease the significant morbidity and mortality of this highly vulnerable population.
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15
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Joo JE, Wong EM, Baglietto L, Jung CH, Tsimiklis H, Park DJ, Wong NC, English DR, Hopper JL, Severi G, Giles GG, Southey MC. The use of DNA from archival dried blood spots with the Infinium HumanMethylation450 array. BMC Biotechnol 2013; 13:23. [PMID: 23497093 PMCID: PMC3610215 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-13-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dried blood (Guthrie card) spots provide an efficient way to collect and store blood specimens. DNA from this source has been utilised for a number of molecular analyses including genome-wide association studies, but only few studies have tested the feasibility of using it for epigenetic applications, particularly at a genome-wide level. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrate the successful use of DNA isolated from archived dried blood spots for the Infinium HumanMethylation450 Beadchip, along with DNA from matched frozen buffy coats. We obtained high quality and reproducible genome-wide DNA methylation profiles using both sample types. We also report high correlations (r > 0.9907) between DNA obtained from matched dried blood spots and frozen buffy coats, sufficient to distinguish between unrelated individuals. CONCLUSIONS We, thus, demonstrate that DNA from archived dried blood spots is suitable for genome-wide DNA methylation profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiHoon E Joo
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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