1
|
Papageorgiou L, Alkenaris H, Zervou MI, Vlachakis D, Matalliotakis I, Spandidos DA, Bertsias G, Goulielmos GN, Eliopoulos E. Epione application: An integrated web‑toolkit of clinical genomics and personalized medicine in systemic lupus erythematosus. Int J Mol Med 2021; 49:8. [PMID: 34791504 PMCID: PMC8612305 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.5063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified autoimmune disease-associated loci, a number of which are involved in numerous disease-associated pathways. However, much of the underlying genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, highly heterogeneous auto-immune disease, characterized by differences in autoantibody profile, serum cytokines and a multi-system involvement. This study presents the Epione application, an integrated bioinformatics web-toolkit, designed to assist medical experts and researchers in more accurately diagnosing SLE. The application aims to identify the most credible gene variants and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SLE susceptibility, by using patient's genomic data to aid the medical expert in SLE diagnosis. The application contains useful knowledge of >70,000 SLE-related publications that have been analyzed, using data mining and semantic techniques, towards extracting the SLE-related genes and the corresponding SNPs. Probable genes associated with the patient's genomic profile are visualized with several graphs, including chromosome ideograms, statistic bars and regulatory networks through data mining studies with relative publications, to obtain a representative number of the most credible candidate genes and biological pathways associated with the SLE. Furthermore, an evaluation study was performed on a patient diagnosed with SLE and is presented herein. Epione has also been expanded in family-related candidate patients to evaluate its predictive power. All the recognized gene variants that were previously considered to be associated with SLE were accurately identified in the output profile of the patient, and by comparing the results, novel findings have emerged. The Epione application may assist and facilitate in early stage diagnosis by using the patients' genomic profile to compare against the list of the most predictable candidate gene variants related to SLE. Its diagnosis-oriented output presents the user with a structured set of results on variant association, position in genome and links to specific bibliography and gene network associations. The overall aim of the present study was to provide a reliable tool for the most effective study of SLE. This novel and accessible webserver tool of SLE is available at http://geneticslab.aua.gr/epione/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Haris Alkenaris
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria I Zervou
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dimitriοs Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Matalliotakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Venizeleio and Pananio General Hospital of Heraklion, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Bertsias
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George N Goulielmos
- Section of Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kononova S, Vinokurova D, Barashkov NA, Semenova A, Sofronova S, Oksana S, Tatiana D, Struchkov V, Burtseva T, Romanova A, Fedorova S. The attitude of young people in the city of Yakutsk to DNA-testing. Int J Circumpolar Health 2021; 80:1973697. [PMID: 34544327 PMCID: PMC8462860 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2021.1973697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This pilot research was one of the first sociological studies with general questions on genetic testing with 300 participants, 75% of which were representatives of one people - the Sakha. A quantitative method was used: a sociological survey with quota sampling (Δ ± 5%), held in February - March 2018 in the City of Yakutsk (n = 350).Analysis of the survey results have shown that the respondents have low levels of awareness about the DNA-testing method: 72.3% "do not know about the method". Only 18.7% of respondents knew that since 2000 the Medical-Genetic Centre of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) conducts DNA diagnostics for hereditary diseases, with 81.0% replying that they didn't know that. The questionnaire has shown that 90.3% of participants would like to undergo DNA-testing to identify their susceptibility to genetic diseases. Our questionnaire has shown high levels of self-identity among the young Sakha and their desire to learn about their belonging to a specific ethnicity (49.3%) with the assistance of DNA-testing. Furthermore, based on the answers relating to motivations for undergoing DNA-testing, we can say that the respondents have confirmed the peculiarities of their national mindset, specifically, high value of children for a family: "concern for the health of my future children" was a great motivator for taking the test (50.3%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sardana Kononova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Dekabrina Vinokurova
- Department of Psychology and Social Sciences, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay A Barashkov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Ariadna Semenova
- Department of Psychology and Social Sciences, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Sargylana Sofronova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Sidorova Oksana
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Davydova Tatiana
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Valentin Struchkov
- Department of Modern Languages and International Studies Translation, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Burtseva
- Department of Pediatrics and pediatric surgery, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Anna Romanova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Sardana Fedorova
- Department of Molecular Biology, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ballard LM, Horton RH, Fenwick A, Lucassen AM. Genome sequencing in healthcare: understanding the UK general public's views and implications for clinical practice. Eur J Hum Genet 2019; 28:155-164. [PMID: 31527856 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0504-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological advances have seen the offer of genome sequencing becoming part of mainstream medical practice. Research has elicited patient and health professional views on the ethical issues genome sequencing raises, however, we know little about the general public's views. These views offer an insight into people's faith in such technologies, informing discussion regarding the approach to consent in clinic. We aimed to garner public views regarding genome sequencing, incidental findings (IFs), and sharing genetic information with relatives. Participants (n = 1954) from the British general public completed a survey, distributed via email. Overall, the public had a positive view of genomic sequencing, choosing 'informative' as the most popular word (52%) and 'family legacy' as the most popular analogy (33%) representing genomic sequencing for them. Fifty-three percent agree that their relative had the right to be told about genetic information relevant to them. Fifty-four percent would expect to be told about IFs whether they had asked for them or not. Clinical practice needs to acknowledge these perspectives and expectations in order to facilitate meaningful discussion during the consent process for genomic tests. We suggest that: (a) optimistic perspectives on the usefulness of genomic tests need to be tempered by discussion in clinic about the likelihood that genomic results might be uninformative, uncertain or unexpected; (b) discussions regarding the familial nature of results are needed before testing: the majority of patients will welcome this and any concerns can be explored further; and (c) a wider discussion is required regarding the consent approach for genomic testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Ballard
- Clinical Ethics and Law at Southampton (CELS), Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, School of Medicine, Southampton, UK.
| | - Rachel H Horton
- Clinical Ethics and Law at Southampton (CELS), Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, School of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Angela Fenwick
- Clinical Ethics and Law at Southampton (CELS), Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, School of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Anneke M Lucassen
- Clinical Ethics and Law at Southampton (CELS), Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, School of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Savard J, Hickerton C, Tytherleigh R, Terrill B, Turbitt E, Newson AJ, Wilson B, Gray K, Gaff C, Middleton A, Stackpoole E, Metcalfe SA. Australians' views and experience of personal genomic testing: survey findings from the Genioz study. Eur J Hum Genet 2019; 27:711-720. [PMID: 30666046 PMCID: PMC6461785 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-018-0325-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Personal genomic tests (PGTs) for multiple purposes are marketed to ostensibly healthy people in Australia. These tests are generally marketed and purchased online commercially or can be ordered through a health professional. There has been minimal engagement with Australians about their interest in and experience with ordering a PGT. As part of a multistage, interdisciplinary project, an online survey (Stage 2 of the Genioz study) was available from May 2016 to May 2017. In total, 3253 respondents attempted the survey, with 2395 completed Australian responses from people with and without experience of having a PGT: 72% were female; 59% of the whole sample were undertaking/or had a university education; and, overall, age ranged from 18—over 80. A total of 571 respondents reported having had a genetic test, 373 of these classifiable as a PGT. A bivariate analysis suggests people who have undergone PGT in our sample were: women aged 25 and over; or in a high socioeconomic group, or have a personal or family diagnosis of a genetic condition (P ≤ 0.03). After a multivariate analysis, socioeconomic status and a genetic condition in the family were not of significance. The most common types of PGT reported were for carrier status and ancestry. Findings suggest greater awareness of, and an increasing demand for non-health related PGT in Australia. To support both consumers and health care professionals with understanding PGT results, there is a need for appropriate support and resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Savard
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chriselle Hickerton
- Genetics Education and Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rigan Tytherleigh
- Genetics Education and Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Terrill
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.,Genome.One, Sydney, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, University NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Erin Turbitt
- Genetics Education and Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brenda Wilson
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Memorial Hospital, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Kathleen Gray
- Health and Biomedical Informatics Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Clara Gaff
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anna Middleton
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elaine Stackpoole
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Genetic Services of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia
| | - Sylvia A Metcalfe
- Genetics Education and Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Middleton A. Society and personal genome data. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:R8-R13. [PMID: 29522190 PMCID: PMC5946868 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic data offer a goldmine of information for understanding the contribution of genetic variation makes to health and disease. The potential of genomic medicine, to predict, diagnose, manage and treat genetic disease, is underpinned by accurate variant interpretation. This in itself hinges on the ability to access large and varied genomic databases. There is now recognition that international collaboration between research and healthcare systems are paramount to delivering the scale of genomic data required. No single research group, institute or country will liberate our understanding, it is only through global cooperation, together with super computing power, will we truly make sense of how genotype and phenotype correlate. Whilst it is logistically possible to create computing systems that talk to each other and aggregate datasets ready to reveal novel correlations, the bottom line is that this will only happen if people (whether they be scientists, clinicians, patients, research participants, policy makers, politicians, law makers) support the principle that we should be donating, accessing and sharing our DNA data in this way. And in order to make the most sense of genomics, given the geographical and ancestral variation between us, such people are likely to be the majority of society. Within this review, a perspective is proffered on the human story that underpins genomic 'big data' access and how we are at a tipping point as a society-we need to decide collectively, are we in? and if so, what needs to be in place to protect us? or are we out?
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Middleton
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|