1
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Balder P, Jones C, Coward K, Yeste M. Sperm chromatin: Evaluation, epigenetic signatures and relevance for embryo development and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151429. [PMID: 38905808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151429] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sperm chromatin is distinct from somatic cell chromatin, as a result of extensive remodeling during the final stages of spermatogenesis. In this process, the majority of histones is replaced with protamines. The chromatin is consequently highly condensed and inert, which facilitates protection of the DNA. The sperm epigenomic landscape is shaped by histone retention, histone and protamine modification, DNA methylation, and RNAs. In recent years, sperm chromatin integrity and its epigenetic marks have been increasingly studied, and the constitution of sperm chromatin is steadily being uncovered. This growing body of research prompts assessment of the frequently overlooked involvement of sperm in fertility and embryonic development. Moreover, numerous endogenous and exogenous factors are known to affect sperm chromatin, which may in turn impact the reproductive success. Concerns have been raised about the effects of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on the sperm epigenome, embryonic development and offspring health. This review examines the structure and epigenetic signatures of sperm chromatin in the context of fertility and early embryonic development. Additionally, sperm chromatin evaluation and causes of aberrant integrity are outlined. Building on the knowledge discussed in the current review, future research should aim to elucidate the intricate relationship between all aspects of sperm chromatin and embryo development. This could lead to the uncovering of new targets for treating infertility, as well as the acquisition of much needed insights into the possible reciprocal association between ART and sperm chromatin integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Balder
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Celine Jones
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Kevin Coward
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona ES-17003, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona ES-17003, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona ES-08010, Spain.
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2
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Wang Z, Fu G, Ma G, Wang C, Wang Q, Lu C, Fu L, Zhang X, Cong B, Li S. The association between DNA methylation and human height and a prospective model of DNA methylation-based height prediction. Hum Genet 2024; 143:401-421. [PMID: 38507014 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-024-02659-0] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
As a vital anthropometric characteristic, human height information not only helps to understand overall developmental status and genetic risk factors, but is also important for forensic DNA phenotyping. We utilized linear regression analysis to test the association between each CpG probe and the height phenotype. Next, we designed a methylation sequencing panel targeting 959 CpGs and subsequent height inference models were constructed for the Chinese population. A total of 11,730 height-associated sites were identified. By employing KPCA and deep neural networks, a prediction model was developed, of which the cross-validation RMSE, MAE and R2 were 5.62 cm, 4.45 cm and 0.64, respectively. Genetic factors could explain 39.4% of the methylation level variance of sites used in the height inference models. Collectively, we demonstrated an association between height and DNA methylation status through an EWAS analysis. Targeted methylation sequencing of only 959 CpGs combined with deep learning techniques could provide a model to estimate human height with higher accuracy than SNP-based prediction models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Guangping Fu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Guanju Ma
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Physical Examination Center of Shijiazhuang People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050011, Hebei, China
| | - Qian Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Chaolong Lu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Lihong Fu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Bin Cong
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Shujin Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China.
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3
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Xiao C, Li Y, Chen M, Yi S, Huang D. Improved age estimation from semen using sperm-specific age-related CpG markers. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 67:102941. [PMID: 37820545 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102941] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Accurate age estimation from semen has the potential to greatly narrow the pool of unidentified suspects in sexual assault investigations. However, previous efforts utilizing semen age-related CpG (AR-CpG) markers have shown lower accuracy compared to blood AR-CpG-based methods. This discrepancy may be attributed to DNA methylation (DNAm) interferences from "round cells" such as leukocytes and immature sperm cells in semen. This study aimed to develop age calculators based on sperm-specific AR-CpG markers and to achieve performance-improved age estimates from sperm DNA. Through an analysis of publicly available MethylationEPIC microarray data from 90 sperm samples of healthy males aged 22-51 years, we identified 31 sperm-specific AR-CpG markers with absolute Pearson's R values > 0.5 and Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted p values < 0.013. The top 19 AR-CpG markers with the largest absolute R values and beta ranges > 0.10, along with 3 reported semen AR-CpG markers (cg06304190, cg06979108, and cg12837463), were integrated into two methylation SNaPshot panels (Ⅰ and Ⅱ), each containing 11 markers. The 21 qualified AR-CpG markers showed absolute R values ≥ 0.427 in an independent validation cohort of 253 sperm DNA samples (22-67 years), with cg21843517 exhibiting the strongest age correlation (R = 0.853). The optimal models, constructed using sperm DNAm data of the training set (n = 214, 22-67 years) and markers from panel Ⅰ (n = 11), panel Ⅱ (n = 10), or both panels, achieved mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 2.526-4.746, 3.890-5.715, and > 9.800 years on the test sets of sperm (n = 39, 23-64 years), semen (same donors as the sperm test set), and whole blood (n = 40, 22-65 years), respectively. The simplified models incorporating 3, 5, 9, or 14 AR-CpG markers (MAE = 2.918-4.139 years for sperm) still outperformed the Lee et al. original model (MAE = 6.444 years for semen) and the reconstructed panel Lee model (MAE = 6.011 years for sperm). The final models, utilizing all sperm DNAm data (n = 253) and markers from panel Ⅰ, panel Ⅱ, or both panels, yielded mean MAEs of 2.587, 2.766, and 2.200 years, respectively, on the 50 test sets generated by 5 repeats of 10-fold cross-validations. Additionally, multiple markers in both panels demonstrated the ability to discern sperm or semen from blood with 100% accuracy. In summary, our study substantiates the potential of sperm-specific AR-CpG markers for precise age estimation from sperm DNA, providing an improved toolset for forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xiao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of the Forensic Science, Hubei University of Police, Wuhan, Hubei 430035, PR China.
| | - Ya Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Maomin Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Shaohua Yi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Daixin Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
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4
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Dachs N, Upadhyay M, Hannemann E, Hauser A, Krebs S, Seichter D, Russ I, Gehrke LJ, Thaller G, Medugorac I. Quantitative trait locus for calving traits on Bos taurus autosome 18 in Holstein cattle is embedded in a complex genomic region. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:1925-1941. [PMID: 36710189 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Although the quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 18 (BTA18) associated with paternal calving ease and stillbirth in Holstein Friesian cattle and its cross has been known for over 20 years, to our knowledge, the exact causal genetic sequence has yet escaped identification. The aim of this study was to re-examine the region of the published QTL on BTA18 and to investigate the possible reasons behind this elusiveness. For this purpose, we carried out a combined linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis using genotyping data of 2,697 German Holstein Friesian (HF) animals and subsequent whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data analyses and genome assembly of HF samples. We confirmed the known QTL in the 95% confidence interval of 1.089 Mbp between 58.34 and 59.43 Mbp on BTA18. Additionally, these 4 SNPs in the near-perfect linkage disequilibrium with the QTL haplotype were identified: rs381577268 (on 57,816,137 bp, C/T), rs381878735 (on 59,574,329 bp, A/T), rs464221818 (on 59,329,176 bp, C/T), and rs472502785 (on 59,345,689 bp, T/C). Search for the causal mutation using short and long-read sequences, and methylation data of the BTA18 QTL region did not reveal any candidates though. The assembly showed problems in the region, as well as an abundance of segmental duplications within and around the region. Taking the QTL of BTA18 in Holstein cattle as an example, the data presented in this study comprehensively characterize the genomic features that could also be relevant for other such elusive QTL in various other cattle breeds and livestock species as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Dachs
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152 Martinsried, Germany; Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str, 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - Maulik Upadhyay
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hannemann
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andreas Hauser
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Krebs
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Doris Seichter
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str, 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - Ingolf Russ
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str, 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - Lilian Johanna Gehrke
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany; Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung w.V. (vit) Verden, Heinrich-Schröder-Weg 1, 27283 Verden (Aller), Germany
| | - Georg Thaller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Ivica Medugorac
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
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5
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Greeson KW, Crow KMS, Edenfield RC, Easley CA. Inheritance of paternal lifestyles and exposures through sperm DNA methylation. Nat Rev Urol 2023:10.1038/s41585-022-00708-9. [PMID: 36653672 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00708-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Many different lifestyle factors and chemicals present in the environment are a threat to the reproductive tracts of humans. The potential for parental preconception exposure to alter gametes and for these alterations to be passed on to offspring and negatively affect embryo growth and development is of concern. The connection between maternal exposures and offspring health is a frequent focus in epidemiological studies, but paternal preconception exposures are much less frequently considered and are also very important determinants of offspring health. Several environmental and lifestyle factors in men have been found to alter sperm epigenetics, which can regulate gene expression during early embryonic development. Epigenetic information is thought to be a mechanism that evolved for organisms to pass on information about their lived experiences to offspring. DNA methylation is a well-studied epigenetic regulator that is sensitive to environmental exposures in somatic cells and sperm. The continuous production of sperm from spermatogonial stem cells throughout a man's adult life and the presence of spermatogonial stem cells outside of the blood-testis barrier makes them susceptible to environmental insults. Furthermore, altered sperm DNA methylation patterns can be maintained throughout development and ultimately result in impairments, which could predispose offspring to disease. Innovations in human stem cell-based spermatogenic models can be used to elucidate the paternal origins of health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Greeson
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Krista M S Crow
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - R Clayton Edenfield
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Charles A Easley
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. .,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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6
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Marttila S, Tamminen H, Rajić S, Mishra PP, Lehtimäki T, Raitakari O, Kähönen M, Kananen L, Jylhävä J, Hägg S, Delerue T, Peters A, Waldenberger M, Kleber ME, März W, Luoto R, Raitanen J, Sillanpää E, Laakkonen EK, Heikkinen A, Ollikainen M, Raitoharju E. Methylation status of VTRNA2-1/ nc886 is stable across populations, monozygotic twin pairs and in majority of tissues. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1105-1124. [PMID: 36200237 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims & methods: The aim of this study was to characterize the methylation level of a polymorphically imprinted gene, VTRNA2-1/nc886, in human populations and somatic tissues.48 datasets, consisting of more than 30 tissues and >30,000 individuals, were used. Results: nc886 methylation status is associated with twin status and ethnic background, but the variation between populations is limited. Monozygotic twin pairs present concordant methylation, whereas ∼30% of dizygotic twin pairs present discordant methylation in the nc886 locus. The methylation levels of nc886 are uniform across somatic tissues, except in cerebellum and skeletal muscle. Conclusion: The nc886 imprint may be established in the oocyte, and, after implantation, the methylation status is stable, excluding a few specific tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Marttila
- Molecular Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland.,Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Hely Tamminen
- Molecular Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Sonja Rajić
- Molecular Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Pashupati P Mishra
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland.,Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, Arvo Ylpön katu 4, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland.,Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, Arvo Ylpön katu 4, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Olli Raitakari
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku & Turku University Hospital, Turku, 20014, Finland.,Research Centre of Applied & Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, 20014, Finland.,Department of Clinical Physiology & Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, 20014, Finland
| | - Mika Kähönen
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland.,Department of Clinical Physiology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, 33521, Finland
| | - Laura Kananen
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, & Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520,Finland.,Department of Medical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden.,Faculty of Social Sciences (Health Sciences), & Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Juulia Jylhävä
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden.,Faculty of Social Sciences (Health Sciences), & Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Sara Hägg
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Thomas Delerue
- Research Unit Molecular Epidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Bavaria, D-85764,, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Bavaria, D-85764, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Waldenberger
- Research Unit Molecular Epidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Bavaria, D-85764,, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcus E Kleber
- Vth Department of Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, 68167, Germany.,SYNLAB MVZ Humangenetik Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Winfried März
- Vth Department of Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, 68167, Germany.,Competence Cluster for Nutrition & Cardiovascular Health (nutriCARD) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Jena, 07743, Germany.,SYNLAB Academy, SYNLAB Holding Deutschland GmbH, Augsburg, 86156, Germany.,Clinical Institute of Medical & Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Riitta Luoto
- The Social Insurance Institute of Finland (Kela), Helsinki, 00250, Finland.,The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Kaupinpuistonkatu 1, Tampere, 33500, Finland
| | - Jani Raitanen
- The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Kaupinpuistonkatu 1, Tampere, 33500, Finland.,Faculty of Social Sciences (Health Sciences), Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Elina Sillanpää
- Gerontology Research Center & Faculty of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, 40014, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Eija K Laakkonen
- Gerontology Research Center & Faculty of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, 40014, Finland
| | - Aino Heikkinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Miina Ollikainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Emma Raitoharju
- Molecular Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland.,Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere, 33520, Finland
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7
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Cao X, Li W, Wang T, Ran D, Davalos V, Planas-Serra L, Pujol A, Esteller M, Wang X, Yu H. Accelerated biological aging in COVID-19 patients. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2135. [PMID: 35440567 PMCID: PMC9018863 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29801-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronological age is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. Previous findings indicate that epigenetic age could be altered in viral infection. However, the epigenetic aging in COVID-19 has not been well studied. In this study, DNA methylation of the blood samples from 232 healthy individuals and 413 COVID-19 patients is profiled using EPIC methylation array. Epigenetic ages of each individual are determined by applying epigenetic clocks and telomere length estimator to the methylation profile of the individual. Epigenetic age acceleration is calculated and compared between groups. We observe strong correlations between the epigenetic clocks and individual's chronological age (r > 0.8, p < 0.0001). We also find the increasing acceleration of epigenetic aging and telomere attrition in the sequential blood samples from healthy individuals and infected patients developing non-severe and severe COVID-19. In addition, the longitudinal DNA methylation profiling analysis find that the accumulation of epigenetic aging from COVID-19 syndrome could be partly reversed at late clinic phases in some patients. In conclusion, accelerated epigenetic aging is associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and developing severe COVID-19. In addition, the accumulation of epigenetic aging from COVID-19 may contribute to the post-COVID-19 syndrome among survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Cao
- Department of Oncology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjuan Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Research & Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dongzhi Ran
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Veronica Davalos
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laura Planas-Serra
- Neurometabolic Diseases Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aurora Pujol
- Neurometabolic Diseases Laboratory, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huichuan Yu
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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8
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Rotondo JC, Lanzillotti C, Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F. Epigenetics of Male Infertility: The Role of DNA Methylation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:689624. [PMID: 34368137 PMCID: PMC8339558 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.689624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, a number of studies focused on the role of epigenetics, including DNA methylation, in spermatogenesis and male infertility. We aimed to provide an overview of the knowledge concerning the gene and genome methylation and its regulation during spermatogenesis, specifically in the context of male infertility etiopathogenesis. Overall, the findings support the hypothesis that sperm DNA methylation is associated with sperm alterations and infertility. Several genes have been found to be differentially methylated in relation to impaired spermatogenesis and/or reproductive dysfunction. Particularly, DNA methylation defects of MEST and H19 within imprinted genes and MTHFR within non-imprinted genes have been repeatedly linked with male infertility. A deep knowledge of sperm DNA methylation status in association with reduced reproductive potential could improve the development of novel diagnostic tools for this disease. Further studies are needed to better elucidate the mechanisms affecting methylation in sperm and their impact on male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Charles Rotondo
- Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carmen Lanzillotti
- Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Mazziotta
- Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mauro Tognon
- Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fernanda Martini
- Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Maden SK, Thompson RF, Hansen KD, Nellore A. Human methylome variation across Infinium 450K data on the Gene Expression Omnibus. NAR Genom Bioinform 2021; 3:lqab025. [PMID: 33937763 PMCID: PMC8061458 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While DNA methylation (DNAm) is the most-studied epigenetic mark, few recent studies probe the breadth of publicly available DNAm array samples. We collectively analyzed 35 360 Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450K DNAm array samples published on the Gene Expression Omnibus. We learned a controlled vocabulary of sample labels by applying regular expressions to metadata and used existing models to predict various sample properties including epigenetic age. We found approximately two-thirds of samples were from blood, one-quarter were from brain and one-third were from cancer patients. About 19% of samples failed at least one of Illumina's 17 prescribed quality assessments; signal distributions across samples suggest modifying manufacturer-recommended thresholds for failure would make these assessments more informative. We further analyzed DNAm variances in seven tissues (adipose, nasal, blood, brain, buccal, sperm and liver) and characterized specific probes distinguishing them. Finally, we compiled DNAm array data and metadata, including our learned and predicted sample labels, into database files accessible via the recountmethylation R/Bioconductor companion package. Its vignettes walk the user through some analyses contained in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean K Maden
- Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Reid F Thompson
- Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Kasper D Hansen
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Abhinav Nellore
- Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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