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Basak S, Mallick R, Navya Sree B, Duttaroy AK. Placental Epigenome Impacts Fetal Development: Effects of Maternal Nutrients and Gut Microbiota. Nutrients 2024; 16:1860. [PMID: 38931215 PMCID: PMC11206482 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121860] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence is emerging on the role of maternal diet, gut microbiota, and other lifestyle factors in establishing lifelong health and disease, which are determined by transgenerationally inherited epigenetic modifications. Understanding epigenetic mechanisms may help identify novel biomarkers for gestation-related exposure, burden, or disease risk. Such biomarkers are essential for developing tools for the early detection of risk factors and exposure levels. It is necessary to establish an exposure threshold due to nutrient deficiencies or other environmental factors that can result in clinically relevant epigenetic alterations that modulate disease risks in the fetus. This narrative review summarizes the latest updates on the roles of maternal nutrients (n-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, vitamins) and gut microbiota on the placental epigenome and its impacts on fetal brain development. This review unravels the potential roles of the functional epigenome for targeted intervention to ensure optimal fetal brain development and its performance in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Basak
- Molecular Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad 500007, India; (S.B.); (B.N.S.)
| | - Rahul Mallick
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland;
| | - Boga Navya Sree
- Molecular Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad 500007, India; (S.B.); (B.N.S.)
| | - Asim K. Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway
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Zhang Y, Plessis C, Prunier J, Martin H, Labrecque R, Sirard MA. DNA methylation profiles in bovine sperm are associated with daughter fertility. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2280889. [PMID: 38016027 PMCID: PMC10732624 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2280889] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The current decline in dairy cattle fertility has resulted in significant financial losses for dairy farmers. In the past, most efforts to improve dairy cattle fertility have been focused on either management or genetics, while epigenetics have received less attention. In this study, 12 bulls were selected from a provided 100 bull list and studied (High daughter fertility = 6, Low daughter fertility = 6) for Enzymatic methylation sequencing in the Illumina HiSeq platform according to the Canadian daughter fertility index (DFI), sires with high and low daughter fertility have average DFI of 92 and 112.6, respectively. And the bull list provided shows a mean DFI of 103.4. 252 CpGs with methylation differences greater than 20% (q < 0.01) were identified, as well as the top 10 promising DMRs with a 15% methylation difference (q < 1.1e-26). Interestingly, the DMCs and DMRs were found to be distributed more on the X chromosome than on the autosome, and they were covered by gene clusters linked to germ cell formation and development. In conclusion, these findings could enhance our ability to make informed decisions when deciding on superior bulls and advance our understanding of paternal epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Pavillon INAF, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Clément Plessis
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Pavillon INAF, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Julien Prunier
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Pavillon INAF, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Hélène Martin
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Pavillon INAF, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Marc André Sirard
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Pavillon INAF, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Ashokan M, Jayanthi KV, Elango K, Sneha K, Ramesha KP, Reshma RS, Saravanan KA, Naveen KGS. Biological methylation: redefining the link between genotype and phenotype. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:3174-3186. [PMID: 35468300 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2065999] [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] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The central dogma of molecular biology is responsible for the crucial flow of genetic information from DNA to protein through the transcription and translation process. Although the sequence of DNA is constant in all organs, the difference in protein and variation in the phenotype is mainly due to the quality and quantity of tissue-specific gene expression and methylation pattern. The term methylation has been defined and redefined by various scientists in the last fifty years. There is always huge excitement around this field because the inheritance of something is beyond its DNA sequence. Advanced gene methylation studies have redefined molecular genetics and these tools are considered de novo in alleviating challenges of animal disease and production. Recent emerging evidence has shown that the impact of DNA, RNA, and protein methylation is crucial for embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and phenotype production. Currently, many researchers are focusing their work on methylation to understand its significant role in expression, disease-resistant traits, productivity, and longevity. The main aim of the present review is to provide an overview of DNA, RNA, and protein methylation, current research output from different sources, methodologies, factors responsible for methylation of genes, and future prospects in animal genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ashokan
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, Veterinary College, Hassan, KVAFSU, Karnataka, India
| | - K V Jayanthi
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, Veterinary College, Hassan, KVAFSU, Karnataka, India
| | - K Elango
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Kadimetla Sneha
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, Veterinary College, Hassan, KVAFSU, Karnataka, India
| | - K P Ramesha
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Raj S Reshma
- Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - K A Saravanan
- Division of Animal Genetics, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Kumar G S Naveen
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, Veterinary College, Hassan, KVAFSU, Karnataka, India
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Mogilicherla K, Roy A. Epigenetic regulations as drivers of insecticide resistance and resilience to climate change in arthropod pests. Front Genet 2023; 13:1044980. [PMID: 36685945 PMCID: PMC9853188 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1044980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropod pests are remarkably capable of rapidly adapting to novel forms of environmental stress, including insecticides and climate change. The dynamic interplay between epigenetics and genetics explains the largely unexplored reality underlying rapid climatic adaptation and the development of insecticide resistance in insects. Epigenetic regulation modulates gene expression by methylating DNA and acetylating histones that play an essential role in governing insecticide resistance and adaptation to climate change. This review summarises and discusses the significance of recent advances in epigenetic regulation that facilitate phenotypic plasticity in insects and their symbiotic microbes to cope with selection pressure implied by extensive insecticide applications and climate change. We also discuss how epigenetic changes are passed on to multiple generations through sexual recombination, which remains enigmatic. Finally, we explain how these epigenetic signatures can be utilized to manage insecticide resistance and pest resilience to climate change in Anthropocene.
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Marín-Tello C, Jintaridth P, Sanchez F, González C, Zelada-Castillo L, Vásquez-Arqueros A, Guevara-Vásquez A, Vieira A. Epigenetic regulation by metabolites from the gut microbiome. Benef Microbes 2022; 13:437-444. [PMID: 36377583 DOI: 10.3920/bm2022.0006] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiome can metabolise food components, such as dietary fibres and various phytochemicals; and the microbiome can also synthesise some nutrients, for example B vitamins. The metabolites produced by bacteria and other micro-organisms in the colon can have implications for health and disease risk. Some of these metabolites are epigenetically active, and can contribute to changes in the chemical modification and structure of chromatin by affecting the activity and expression of epigenetically-active enzymes, for example histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases. The epigenetic activity of such gut microbiome metabolites is reviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Marín-Tello
- Food, Metabolism, and Physiology Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo 13008, Perú
| | - P Jintaridth
- Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, The Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rachavithi Road, Rachathevi, Payatai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - F Sanchez
- Instituto De Educacion Superior Tecnológico Público, 103, Lonya Grande 01556, Perú
| | - C González
- CITE Agroindustrial Chavimochic, Virú 044, Perú
| | - L Zelada-Castillo
- Food, Metabolism, and Physiology Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo 13008, Perú
| | - A Vásquez-Arqueros
- Food, Metabolism, and Physiology Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo 13008, Perú
| | - A Guevara-Vásquez
- Food, Metabolism, and Physiology Laboratory, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo 13008, Perú
| | - A Vieira
- Nutrition and Metabolism Research Laboratory, BPK-9625, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
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Cordovil K, Crivelli M, Calixto Lima L, S. Barbosa F, Fleury M. Predictive Equations Overestimated the Rest Energy Expenditure by Indirect Calorimetry in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease. THE NORTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH 2022; 6:94-106. [DOI: 10.51745/najfnr.6.14.94-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Background: Traditionally, hypermetabolism is described in sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite this, few studies have compared rest energy expenditure (REE) with estimated by predictive equations (EEE) in the assessment of adults with SCD. Aims: To compare REE values determined by indirect calorimetry (IC) with that EEE in adults with SCD. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with 46 individuals over 34 years old in the treatment from two reference centers for SCD located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and IC were used to assess BC and REE, respectively. Blood levels were measured to assess hemolytic and protein markers. Pearson’s correlation test was used in the univariate correlation. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman analysis were used in the comparison between EEE and IC. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Most participants were from the female sex, Hb SS genotype (80.4%) and with black color (52.2%). The mean age was 50 years old. Weight (r= 0.469; p=0,001), LM (r = 0.631; p=0.000), BMC (r = 0.508; p=0.000) and CRP(r=0.319; p = 0.002) correlated positively with the REE. There was no linear correlation between makers of hemolysis with REE. The REE was overestimated in the EEE when compared to IC (p<0.001). Conclusions: The prediction equations developed for healthy populations are not accurate enough to determine the energy requirements and more studies are needed to better understand how REE role in middle-aged and elderly adults with SCD.
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de la Rocha C, Rodríguez-Ríos D, Ramírez-Chávez E, Molina-Torres J, de Jesús Flores-Sierra J, Orozco-Castellanos LM, Galván-Chía JP, Sánchez AV, Zaina S, Lund G. Cumulative Metabolic and Epigenetic Effects of Paternal and/or Maternal Supplementation with Arachidonic Acid across Three Consecutive Generations in Mice. Cells 2022; 11:cells11061057. [PMID: 35326508 PMCID: PMC8947399 DOI: 10.3390/cells11061057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Apart from the known associations between arachidonic acid (AA), weight gain, and neurological and immune function, AA exposure leads to alterations in global and gene-specific DNA methylation (DNAm) and fatty acid (FA) content in human cultured cells. However, it is unknown as to whether the latter effects occur in vivo and are maintained over extended periods of time and across generations. To address this issue, we asked whether AA supplementation for three consecutive generations (prior to coitus in sires or in utero in dams) affected offspring growth phenotypes, in addition to liver DNAm and FA profiles in mice. Twelve-week-old BALB/c mice were exposed daily to AA dissolved in soybean oil (vehicle, VH), or VH only, for 10 days prior to mating or during the entire pregnancy (20 days). On average, 15 mice were supplemented per generation, followed by analysis of offspring body weight and liver traits (x average = 36 and 10 per generation, respectively). Body weight cumulatively increased in F2 and F3 offspring generations and positively correlated with milligrams of paternal or maternal offspring AA exposure. A concomitant increase in liver weight was observed. Notably, akin to AA-challenged cultured cells, global DNAm and cis-7-hexadecenoic acid (16:1n-9), an anti-inflammatory FA that is dependent on stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) activity, increased with milligrams of AA exposure. In accordance, liver Scd1 promoter methylation decreased with milligrams of germline AA exposure and was negatively correlated with liver weight. Our results show that mice retain cellular memories of AA exposure across generations that could potentially be beneficial to the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen de la Rocha
- Department of Genetic Engineering, CINVESTAV Irapuato Unit, Irapuato 36500, Mexico; (C.d.l.R.); (D.R.-R.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Dalia Rodríguez-Ríos
- Department of Genetic Engineering, CINVESTAV Irapuato Unit, Irapuato 36500, Mexico; (C.d.l.R.); (D.R.-R.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Enrique Ramírez-Chávez
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, CINVESTAV Irapuato Unit, Irapuato 36500, Mexico; (E.R.-C.); (J.M.-T.)
| | - Jorge Molina-Torres
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, CINVESTAV Irapuato Unit, Irapuato 36500, Mexico; (E.R.-C.); (J.M.-T.)
| | - José de Jesús Flores-Sierra
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, León Campus, University of Guanajuato, León 37000, Mexico; (J.d.J.F.-S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Luis M. Orozco-Castellanos
- Department of Pharmacology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, Guanajuato Campus, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36000, Mexico; (L.M.O.-C.); (J.P.G.-C.)
| | - Juan P. Galván-Chía
- Department of Pharmacology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, Guanajuato Campus, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36000, Mexico; (L.M.O.-C.); (J.P.G.-C.)
| | - Atenea Vázquez Sánchez
- Department of Genetic Engineering, CINVESTAV Irapuato Unit, Irapuato 36500, Mexico; (C.d.l.R.); (D.R.-R.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Silvio Zaina
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, León Campus, University of Guanajuato, León 37000, Mexico; (J.d.J.F.-S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Gertrud Lund
- Department of Genetic Engineering, CINVESTAV Irapuato Unit, Irapuato 36500, Mexico; (C.d.l.R.); (D.R.-R.); (A.V.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-462-623-9664
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Cordovil K, Crivelli M, Brito FDSB, Fleury M. Body composition, energy expenditure, and markers of hemolysis in adults with sickle cell disease. THE NORTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH 2022; 6:55-65. [DOI: 10.51745/najfnr.6.13.55-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Background: Historically, malnutrition is described in individuals with SCD. However, more recent studies have shown a change in the profile of the nutritional status and distribution of body composition of SCD patients, mainly adult individuals. Aims: To assess the body composition (BC), resting energy expenditure (REE), and the biomarkers of hemolysis in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with 64 individuals over 39 years old in the treatment from two reference centers for SCD located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and indirect calorimetry were used to assess BC and REE, respectively. Blood levels of hemoglobin, reticulocytes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), leukocytes, platelets, total and direct bilirubin, total protein, and albumin were measured to assess the hemolysis and protein status. The descriptive and inferential analysis was composed of the different methods (one-way ANOVA with the multiple comparison test of Tukey, Student t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient). Were considered statistically significant when the p-values were ≤ 0.05. Results: Most participants with SCD were female sex, colored (brown/black), and mean age of 51.2 years old. The obesity prevalence was 70.7% according to the body fat (BF%), with a major mean among women (p < 0.0001). Men had a higher mean of lean mass (LM) (p=0.0005) and fat-free mass (FFM) (p=0.0007). There was no difference for REE in comparing the genotypes (p= 0.53), and genders (p=0.075). The hemolysis markers (LDH, reticulocytes, and TB) correlated inversely with BMI (p=0.013), FM (p=0.022), and FFM (p=0.034). Conclusions: The important change observed in body composition in people with sickle cell disease was characterized by a high percentage of fat body and a decrease in lean mass. The hemolysis markers LDH, reticulocytes, and BT correlated inversely with BMI, FM, and FFM indicating that high levels of hemolysis may affect nutritional status, without influencing the REE.
Keywords: sickle cell disease, body composition, fat mass, fat-free mass, energy expenditure, hemolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Cordovil
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Science, Medical Science College, State University of Rio de Janeiro. Professor Manoel de Abreu Avenue, 444, second floor, Vila Isabel. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Zip Code 20550-170
| | - Marise Crivelli
- Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Food and Health, Nutrition Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro. São Francisco Xavier Street, 900, João Lyra Filho Pavilion, Twelfth floor, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Zip Code 20550-000
| | - Flávia dos Santos Barbosa Brito
- Department Social Nutrition, Nutrition Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro. São Francisco Xavier Street, 900, João Lyra Filho Pavilion, Twelfth floor - Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Zip Code 20550-000
| | - Marcos Fleury
- Laboratory Clinical Analysis, Pharmacy College, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Carlos Chagas Filho Avenue, Block K, Room 50, Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Zip Code 21941-590
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Laporta J. ADSA Foundation Scholar Award: Early-life exposure to hyperthermia: Productive and physiological outcomes, costs, and opportunities. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:11337-11347. [PMID: 34419283 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Global rising temperature is a considerable threat to livestock production and an impediment to animal welfare. In fact, the 5 warmest years on record have occurred since 2016. Although the effect of heat stress on lactating cattle is well recognized and extensively studied, it is increasingly evident that rising temperatures will affect dairy cattle of all ages and lactation states. However, the extent and consequences of this effect are less understood and often overlooked in the literature and dairy industry. Early-life experiences, such as exposure to hyperthermia, can have life-long implications for health and productivity. This review highlights the body of work surrounding the effects of heat-stress exposure in young dairy cattle, including the prenatal fetus (in utero), postnatal calves (preweaning), and growing heifers, which are all categories that are typically not considered for heat-stress abatement on farm. Insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms that might explain the adverse phenotypic outcomes of heat-stress exposure at different stages of development are also discussed. The estimated economic loss of in utero hyperthermia is addressed, and the ties between biological findings and opportunities for the application of cooling management interventions on farm are also presented. Our research highlights the importance of heat-stress abatement strategies for dry-pregnant cows to ensure optimal multigenerational productivity and showcases the benefits of cooling neonatal calves and growing heifers. Understanding the implications of heat stress at all life stages from a physiological, molecular, economic, and welfare perspective will lead to the development of novel and refined practices and interventions to help overcome the long-lasting effects of climate change in the dairy industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Laporta
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
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Pankey CL, Odhiambo JF, Smith AM, Ford SP. Effects of maternal obesity in an ovine model on metabolic outcomes in F2 adults and F3 neonates. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2021; 76:106628. [PMID: 33895699 PMCID: PMC8169583 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that indications of metabolic syndrome can be inherited through the germline as a result of maternal obesity. We hypothesized that diet-induced maternal obesity during gestation would program metabolic consequences for multiple generations of offspring, even when first, second, and third generation offspring (F1, F2, F3, respectively) were fed only to requirements. Control (CON) and obese (OB) ewes (generation 0; F0) were bred to a single ram to produce the first generation of offspring (F1). From 60 d prior to conception through term, CONF0 ate 100% National Research Council recommendations (NRC), while OBF0 ewes ate 150% NRC. All F1, F2, and F3 ate 100% NRC after weaning. All mature F1 ewes were bred to a single ram to generate CONF2 (n = 6) and OBF2 (n = 10). All mature F2 ewes were bred to a single ram to produce CONF3 (n = 6) and OBF3 (n = 10). OBF2 ewes exhibited greater (P < 0.0001) plasma cortisol than CONF2 throughout gestation. A glucose tolerance test at 90% gestation revealed OBF2 ewes had higher (P < 0.05) insulin response with similar glucose, resulting in greater (P < 0.05) insulin resistance. OBF3 neonates had similar weight, lean mass, and body fat mass to CONF3 neonates. These data suggest that multigenerational programming of adverse metabolic phenotypes occur in association with F0 maternal obesity, yet adiposity may return to CON levels in F3 neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Pankey
- Department of Biomedical Science, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewisburg, WV, USA; Center for the Study of Fetal Programming, Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.
| | - J F Odhiambo
- Center for the Study of Fetal Programming, Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - A M Smith
- Center for the Study of Fetal Programming, Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - S P Ford
- Center for the Study of Fetal Programming, Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
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Catania F, Baedke J, Fábregas-Tejeda A, Nieves Delgado A, Vitali V, Long LAN. Global climate change, diet, and the complex relationship between human host and microbiome: Towards an integrated picture. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100049. [PMID: 33829521 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dietary changes can alter the human microbiome with potential detrimental consequences for health. Given that environment, health, and evolution are interconnected, we ask: Could diet-driven microbiome perturbations have consequences that extend beyond their immediate impact on human health? We address this question in the context of the urgent health challenges posed by global climate change. Drawing on recent studies, we propose that not only can diet-driven microbiome changes lead to dysbiosis, they can also shape life-history traits and fuel human evolution. We posit that dietary shifts prompt mismatched microbiome-host genetics configurations that modulate human longevity and reproductive success. These mismatches can also induce a heritable intra-holobiont stress response, which encourages the holobiont to re-establish equilibrium within the changed nutritional environment. Thus, while mismatches between climate change-related genetic and epigenetic configurations within the holobiont increase the risk and severity of diseases, they may also affect life-history traits and facilitate adaptive responses. These propositions form a framework that can help systematize and address climate-related dietary challenges for policy and health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Catania
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan Baedke
- Department of Philosophy I, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Abigail Nieves Delgado
- Knowledge, Technology & Innovation, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Valerio Vitali
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Le Anh Nguyen Long
- Department of Public Administration, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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12
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Skinner MK, Nilsson EE. Role of environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance in evolutionary biology: Unified Evolution Theory. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2021; 7:dvab012. [PMID: 34729214 PMCID: PMC8557805 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The current evolutionary biology theory primarily involves genetic alterations and random DNA sequence mutations to generate the phenotypic variation required for Darwinian natural selection to act. This neo-Darwinian evolution is termed the Modern Evolution Synthesis and has been the primary paradigm for nearly 100 years. Although environmental factors have a role in neo-Darwinian natural selection, Modern Evolution Synthesis does not consider environment to impact the basic molecular processes involved in evolution. An Extended Evolutionary Synthesis has recently developed that extends the modern synthesis to consider non-genetic processes. Over the past few decades, environmental epigenetics research has been demonstrated to regulate genetic processes and directly generate phenotypic variation independent of genetic sequence alterations. Therefore, the environment can on a molecular level through non-genetic (i.e. epigenetic) mechanisms directly influence phenotypic variation, genetic variation, inheritance and adaptation. This direct action of the environment to alter phenotype that is heritable is a neo-Lamarckian concept that can facilitate neo-Darwinian (i.e. Modern Synthesis) evolution. The integration of genetics, epigenetics, Darwinian theory, Lamarckian concepts, environment, and epigenetic inheritance provides a paradigm shift in evolution theory. The role of environmental-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance in evolution is presented to describe a more unified theory of evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Skinner
- **Correspondence address. Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA. Tel: +1 509-335-1524; E-mail:
| | - Eric E Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
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Jayalekshmi VS, Ramachandran S. Maternal cholesterol levels during gestation: boon or bane for the offspring? Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 476:401-416. [PMID: 32964393 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03916-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
An increase in cholesterol levels is perceived during pregnancy and is considered as a normal adaptive response to the development of the fetus. In some pregnancies, excessive increase in total cholesterol with high levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein leads to maladaptation by the fetus to cholesterol demands, resulting in a pathological condition termed as maternal hypercholesterolemia (MH). MH is considered clinically irrelevant and therefore cholesterol levels are not routinely checked during pregnancy, as a consequence of which there is scarce information on its global prevalence in pregnant women. Studies have reported that MH during pregnancy can cause atherogenesis in adults emphasizing the concept of in utero programming of fetus. Moreover, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are potential risk factors which strengthen combined pathologies in placenta and fetuses of mothers with MH. However, lack of conclusive evidence on cholesterol transport and underlying programming demand substantial research to develop population-based life style strategies for women in their childbearing years. The current review focuses on the mechanisms and outcomes of MH from existing epidemiological as well as experimental data and presents a detailed insight on this novel risk factor of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- V S Jayalekshmi
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.,PhD Program in Biotechnology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Surya Ramachandran
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
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14
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Zhu QS, Wang J, He S, Liang XF, Xie S, Xiao QQ. Early leucine programming on protein utilization and mTOR signaling by DNA methylation in zebrafish ( Danio rerio). Nutr Metab (Lond) 2020; 17:67. [PMID: 32818036 PMCID: PMC7427859 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-020-00487-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early nutritional programming affects a series of metabolism, growth and development in mammals. Fish also exhibit the developmental plasticity by early nutritional programming. However, little is known about the effect of early amino acid programming on growth and metabolism. Methods In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used as the experimental animal to study whether early leucine stimulation can programmatically affect the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, growth and metabolism in the later life, and to undercover the mechanism of epigenetic regulation. Zebrafish larvas at 3 days post hatching (dph) were raised with 1.0% leucine from 3 to 13 dph during the critical developmental stage, then back to normal water for 70 days (83 dph). Results The growth performance and crude protein content of zebrafish in the early leucine programming group were increased, and consistent with the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway and the high expression of genes involved in the metabolism of amino acid and glycolipid. Furthermore, we compared the DNA methylation profiles between the control and leucine-stimulated zebrafish, and found that the methylation levels of CG-differentially methylated regions (DMGs) and CHH-DMGs of genes involved in mTOR signaling pathway were different between the two groups. With quantitative PCR analysis, the decreased methylation levels of CG type of Growth factor receptor-bound protein 10 (Grb10), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and mTOR genes of mTOR signaling pathway in the leucine programming group, might contribute to the enhanced gene expression. Conclusions The early leucine programming could improve the protein synthesis and growth, which might be attributed to the methylation of genes in mTOR pathway and the expression of genes involved in protein synthesis and glycolipid metabolism in zebrafish. These results could be beneficial for better understanding of the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of early nutritional programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang-Sheng Zhu
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China.,Innovation Base for Chinese Perch Breeding, Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, 430070 China
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China.,Innovation Base for Chinese Perch Breeding, Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, 430070 China
| | - Shan He
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China.,Innovation Base for Chinese Perch Breeding, Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, 430070 China
| | - Xu-Fang Liang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China.,Innovation Base for Chinese Perch Breeding, Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, 430070 China
| | - Shuang Xie
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China.,Innovation Base for Chinese Perch Breeding, Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, 430070 China
| | - Qian-Qian Xiao
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China.,Innovation Base for Chinese Perch Breeding, Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, 430070 China
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Guo T, Luo F, Lin Q. You are affected by what your parents eat: Diet, epigenetics, transgeneration and intergeneration. Trends Food Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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16
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Lei J, Nie Q, Chen DB. A single-cell epigenetic model for paternal psychological stress-induced transgenerational reprogramming in offspring. Biol Reprod 2019; 98:846-855. [PMID: 29506130 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental evidence shows that parental psychological stress affects the long-term health of offspring in an inheritable fashion. Although epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, miRNA, and histone modifications, are involved in transgenerational programming, the underlining mechanisms of transgenerational inheritance remain unsolved. Here, we present a single-cell-based computational model for transgenerational inheritance for investigating the long-term dynamics of phenotype changes in response to parental stress. The model is based on a recent study that has identified the imprinted sperm gene Sfmbt2 as a key target, and incorporates crosstalks among drastically different time scales in mammalian development, including DNA methylation, transcription, cell division, and population dynamics. Computational analysis of the model suggests a positive feedback to DNA methylation in the promoter region of sperm Sfmbt2 gene that provides a possible mechanism to mediate the parental psychological stress reprogramming in offspring. This approach provides a modeling framework for the understanding of the roles that epigenetics play in transgenerational inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhi Lei
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied Mathematics, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Nie
- Department of Mathematics, Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Center for Mathematical and Computational Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Dong-Bao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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17
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Fuso A, Lucarelli M. CpG and Non-CpG Methylation in the Diet–Epigenetics–Neurodegeneration Connection. Curr Nutr Rep 2019; 8:74-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s13668-019-0266-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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18
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Primers on nutrigenetics and nutri(epi)genomics: Origins and development of precision nutrition. Biochimie 2019; 160:156-171. [PMID: 30878492 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype is a central goal not just for genetics but also for medicine and biological sciences. Despite outstanding technological progresses, genetics alone is not able to completely explain phenotypes, in particular for complex diseases. Given the existence of a "missing heritability", growing attention has been given to non-mendelian mechanisms of inheritance and to the role of the environment. The study of interaction between gene and environment represents a challenging but also a promising field with high potential for health prevention, and epigenetics has been suggested as one of the best candidate to mediate environmental effects on the genome. Among environmental factors able to interact with both genome and epigenome, nutrition is one of the most impacting. Not just our genome influences the responsiveness to food and nutrients, but vice versa, nutrition can also modify gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. In this complex picture, nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics represent appealing disciplines aimed to define new prospectives of personalized nutrition. This review introduces to the study of gene-environment interactions and describes how nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics modulate health, promoting or affecting healthiness through life-style, thus playing a pivotal role in modulating the effect of genetic predispositions.
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Ghosh S, Sinha JK, Khandelwal N, Chakravarty S, Kumar A, Raghunath M. Increased stress and altered expression of histone modifying enzymes in brain are associated with aberrant behaviour in vitamin B12 deficient female mice. Nutr Neurosci 2018; 23:714-723. [PMID: 30474509 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2018.1548676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A sub-optimal nutritional environment from early life can be envisaged as a stressor that translates into mental health problems in adulthood. After considering (a) the widespread prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency especially amongst women in developing countries and (b) the importance of vitamin B12 in normal brain function, in this study we have elucidated the behavioural correlates of chronic severe and moderate vitamin B12 deficiency in C57BL/6 mice. Female weanling mice were assigned to three dietary groups: (a) control AIN-76A diet with cellulose as dietary fibre (b) vitamin B12 restricted AIN-76A diet with pectin as dietary fibre (severe deficiency group) and (c) vitamin B12 restricted AIN-76A diet with cellulose as dietary fibre (moderate deficiency group). The mice received these diets throughout pregnancy, lactation and thereafter. Nest-building, maternal care, anxiety and depressive behaviours were evaluated. Oxidative stress, activities of antioxidant enzymes and expression of various histone modifying enzymes in brain were investigated to unravel the probable underlying mechanisms. Our data suggests that both severe and moderate vitamin B12 deficiency induced anxiety and impaired maternal care. However, only severe vitamin B12 deficiency induced depression. Oxidative stress and poor antioxidant defense underlie the deleterious effects of both severe and moderate vitamin B12 deficiency. Altered expression of histone modifying enzymes in the brain of severely deficient mice is suggestive of epigenetic reprogramming. This study suggests that chronic vitamin B12 deficiency leads to behavioural anomalies in female C57BL/6 mice and the severity of these outcomes can be correlated to the level of deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shampa Ghosh
- National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar Sinha
- National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, Hyderabad 500007, India.,CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India.,Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences (AINN), Amity University UP, Noida 201303, India
| | - Nitin Khandelwal
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | | | - Arvind Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India
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20
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Veron V, Marandel L, Liu J, Vélez EJ, Lepais O, Panserat S, Skiba S, Seiliez I. DNA methylation of the promoter region of bnip3 and bnip3l genes induced by metabolic programming. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:677. [PMID: 30223788 PMCID: PMC6142374 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5048-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental changes of biotic or abiotic nature during critical periods of early development may exert a profound influence on physiological functions later in life. This process, named developmental programming can also be driven through parental nutrition. At molecular level, epigenetic modifications are the most likely candidate for persistent modulation of genes expression in later life. RESULTS In order to investigate epigenetic modifications induced by programming in rainbow trout, we focused on bnip3 and bnip3l paralogous genes known to be sensitive to environmental changes but also regulated by epigenetic modifications. Two specific stimuli were used: (i) early acute hypoxia applied at embryo stage and (ii) broodstock and fry methionine deficient diet, considering methionine as one of the main methyl-group donor needed for DNA methylation. We observed a programming effect of hypoxia with an increase of bnip3a and the four paralogs of bnip3l expression level in fry. In addition, parental methionine nutrition was correlated to bnip3a and bnip3lb1 expression showing evidence for early fry programming. We highlighted that both stimuli modified DNA methylation levels at some specific loci of bnip3a and bnip3lb1. CONCLUSION Overall, these data demonstrate that methionine level and hypoxia stimulus can be of critical importance in metabolic programming. Both stimuli affected DNA methylation of specific loci, among them, an interesting CpG site have been identified, namely - 884 bp site of bnip3a, and may be positively related with mRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Veron
- INRA, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Lucie Marandel
- INRA, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Jingwei Liu
- INRA, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Emilio J Vélez
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olivier Lepais
- INRA, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, UMR Ecobiop, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Stéphane Panserat
- INRA, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Sandrine Skiba
- INRA, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Iban Seiliez
- INRA, Univ Pau & Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, F-64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France.
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21
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Fathi Dizaji B. The investigations of genetic determinants of the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2018; 12:783-789. [PMID: 29673926 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is the aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Family and twin studies, heritability spectrum for its components and different prevalence among ethnicities, have provided genetic susceptibility to the metabolic syndrome. The investigations of genetic base for the disorder have recognized numerous chromosomes, various DNA polymorphisms in candidate genes and many gene variants, that are associated with metabolic syndrome as an entity or its traits, which mostly are related to lipid metabolism. In addition, recent finding of the role of rare variants, epigenetic mechanisms, non-coding RNAs and evaluating the function of genes in molecular networks have improved our knowledge. However, a common genetic basis explaining the co-occurrence of its components has not been identified and more researches are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behdokht Fathi Dizaji
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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22
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Curtis EM, Suderman M, Phillips CM, Relton C, Harvey NC. Early-life dietary and epigenetic influences on childhood musculoskeletal health: Update on the UK component of the ALPHABET project. NUTR BULL 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/nbu.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. M. Curtis
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton; Southampton UK
| | - M. Suderman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol; Bristol UK
| | - C. M. Phillips
- HRB Centre for Diet and Health Research, University College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
| | - C. Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol; Bristol UK
| | - N. C. Harvey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton; Southampton UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; Southampton UK
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23
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Czaja AJ. Epigenetic changes and their implications in autoimmune hepatitis. Eur J Clin Invest 2018; 48. [PMID: 29383703 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic risk of autoimmune hepatitis is insufficient to explain the observed risk, and epigenetic changes may explain disparities in disease occurrence in different populations within and between countries. The goal of this review was to examine how epigenetic changes induced by the environment or inherited as a phenotypic trait may affect autoimmune hepatitis and be amenable to therapeutic intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pertinent abstracts were identified in PubMed by multiple search terms. The number of abstracts reviewed was 1689, and the number of full-length articles reviewed exceeded 150. RESULTS Activation of pro-inflammatory genes in autoimmune disease is associated with hypomethylation of deoxyribonucleic acid and modification of histones within chromatin. Organ-specific microribonucleic acids can silence genes by marking messenger ribonucleic acids for degradation, and they can promote inflammatory activity or immunosuppression. High circulating levels of the microribonucleic acids 21 and 122 have been demonstrated in autoimmune hepatitis, and they may increase production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Microribonucleic acids are also essential for maintaining regulatory T cells. Drugs, pollutants, infections, diet and ageing can induce inheritable epigenetic changes favouring autoimmunity. Reversal is feasible by manipulating enzymes, transcription factors, gene-silencing molecules and toxic exposures or by administering methyl donors and correcting vitamin D deficiency. Gene targets, site specificity, efficacy and consequences are uncertain. CONCLUSIONS Potentially reversible epigenetic changes may affect the occurrence and outcome of autoimmune hepatitis, and investigations are warranted to determine the nature of these changes, key genomic targets, and feasible interventions and their consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
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24
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Skinner MK, Ben Maamar M, Sadler-Riggleman I, Beck D, Nilsson E, McBirney M, Klukovich R, Xie Y, Tang C, Yan W. Alterations in sperm DNA methylation, non-coding RNA and histone retention associate with DDT-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease. Epigenetics Chromatin 2018; 11:8. [PMID: 29482626 PMCID: PMC5827984 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-018-0178-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental toxicants such as DDT have been shown to induce the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease (e.g., obesity) through the germline. The current study was designed to investigate the DDT-induced concurrent alterations of a number of different epigenetic processes including DNA methylation, non-coding RNA (ncRNA) and histone retention in sperm. METHODS Gestating females were exposed transiently to DDT during fetal gonadal development, and then, the directly exposed F1 generation, the directly exposed germline F2 generation and the transgenerational F3 generation sperm were investigated. RESULTS DNA methylation and ncRNA were altered in each generation sperm with the direct exposure F1 and F2 generations being predominantly distinct from the F3 generation epimutations. The piRNA and small tRNA were the most predominant classes of ncRNA altered. A highly conserved set of histone retention sites were found in the control lineage generations which was not significantly altered between generations, but a large number of new histone retention sites were found only in the transgenerational generation DDT lineage sperm. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, all three different epigenetic processes were concurrently altered as DDT induced the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of sperm epimutations. The direct exposure generations sperm epigenetic alterations were distinct from the transgenerational sperm epimutations. The genomic features and gene associations with the epimutations were investigated to help elucidate the integration of these different epigenetic processes. Observations demonstrate all three epigenetic processes are involved in transgenerational inheritance. The different epigenetic processes appear to be integrated in mediating the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA.
| | - Millissia Ben Maamar
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Ingrid Sadler-Riggleman
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Daniel Beck
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Eric Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Margaux McBirney
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Rachel Klukovich
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Yeming Xie
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Chong Tang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
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Pinos H, Carrillo B, Díaz F, Chowen JA, Collado P. Differential vulnerability to adverse nutritional conditions in male and female rats: Modulatory role of estradiol during development. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 48:13-22. [PMID: 28754628 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have shown the importance of an adequate nutritional environment during development to optimally establish the neurohormonal circuits that regulate feeding behavior. Under- or over-nutrition during early stages of life can lead to alterations in the physiology and brain networks that control food intake, resulting in a greater vulnerability to suffer maladjustments in energy metabolism in adulthood. These alterations produced by under- or over-nourishment during development differ between males and females, as does the modulatory action that estradiol exerts on the alterations produced by malnutrition. Estradiol regulates metabolism and brain metabolic circuits through the same transcription factor pathway, STAT3, that leptin and ghrelin use to program feeding circuits. Although more research is needed to disentangle the actual role of estradiol during development on the programming of feeding circuits, a synergistic role together with leptin and/or ghrelin might be hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Pinos
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/ Juan del Rosal n° 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto Mixto de Investigación-Escuela Nacional de Sanidad (IMIENS), Spain
| | - Beatriz Carrillo
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/ Juan del Rosal n° 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto Mixto de Investigación-Escuela Nacional de Sanidad (IMIENS), Spain
| | - Francisca Díaz
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación La Princesa, Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo, N° 65, 28009 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julie A Chowen
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación La Princesa, Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avda. Menéndez Pelayo, N° 65, 28009 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Collado
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/ Juan del Rosal n° 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto Mixto de Investigación-Escuela Nacional de Sanidad (IMIENS), Spain.
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26
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Czaja AJ. Review article: next-generation transformative advances in the pathogenesis and management of autoimmune hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 46:920-937. [PMID: 28901565 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in autoimmune hepatitis that transform current concepts of pathogenesis and management can be anticipated as products of ongoing investigations driven by unmet clinical needs and an evolving biotechnology. AIM To describe the advances that are likely to become transformative in autoimmune hepatitis, based on the direction of current investigations. METHODS Pertinent abstracts were identified in PubMed by multiple search terms. Full-length articles were selected for review, and a secondary bibliography was developed. The discovery process was repeated, and a tertiary bibliography was identified. The number of abstracts reviewed was 2830, and the number of full-length articles reviewed exceeded 150. RESULTS Risk-laden allelic variants outside the major histocompatibility complex (rs3184504, r36000782) are being identified by genome-wide association studies, and their gene products are potential therapeutic targets. Epigenetic changes associated with environmental cues can enhance the transcriptional activity of genes, and chromatin re-structuring and antagonists of noncoding molecules of ribonucleic acid are feasible interventions. The intestinal microbiome is a discovery field for microbial products and activated immune cells that may translocate to the periphery and respond to manipulation. Epidemiological studies and controlled interview-based surveys may implicate environmental and xenobiotic factors that warrant evidence-based changes in lifestyle, and site-directed molecular and cellular interventions promise to change the paradigm of treatment from one of blanket immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS Advances in genetics, epigenetics, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and site-directed molecular and cellular interventions constitute the next generation of transformative advances in autoimmune hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
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Connecting the Dots Between Fatty Acids, Mitochondrial Function, and DNA Methylation in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2017; 19:36. [PMID: 28735349 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-017-0673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The quest for factors and mechanisms responsible for aberrant DNA methylation in human disease-including atherosclerosis-is a promising area of research. This review focuses on the role of fatty acids (FAs) as modulators of DNA methylation-in particular the role of mitochondrial beta-oxidation in FA-induced changes in DNA methylation during the progression of atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS Recent publications have advanced the knowledge in all areas touched by this review: the causal role of lipids in shaping the DNA methylome, the associations between chronic degenerative disease and mitochondrial function, the lipid composition of the atheroma, and the relevance of DNA hypermethylation in atherosclerosis. Evidence is beginning to emerge, linking the dynamics of FA type abundance, mitochondrial function, and DNA methylation in the atheroma and systemically. In particular, this review highlights mitochondrial beta-oxidation as an important regulator of DNA methylation in metabolic disease. Despite the many questions still unanswered, this area of research promises to identify mechanisms and molecular factors that establish a pathological gene expression pattern in atherosclerosis.
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Warburton EM, Khokhlova IS, Dlugosz EM, Der Mescht LV, Krasnov BR. Effects of parasitism on host reproductive investment in a rodent–flea system: host litter size matters. Parasitol Res 2016; 116:703-710. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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29
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Marandel L, Lepais O, Arbenoits E, Véron V, Dias K, Zion M, Panserat S. Remodelling of the hepatic epigenetic landscape of glucose-intolerant rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by nutritional status and dietary carbohydrates. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32187. [PMID: 27561320 PMCID: PMC4999891 DOI: 10.1038/srep32187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The rainbow trout, a carnivorous fish, displays a 'glucose-intolerant' phenotype revealed by persistent hyperglycaemia when fed a high carbohydrate diet (HighCHO). Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene activity and is closely related to environmental changes and thus to metabolism adjustments governed by nutrition. In this study we first assessed in the trout liver whether and how nutritional status affects global epigenome modifications by targeting DNA methylation and histone marks previously reported to be affected in metabolic diseases. We then examined whether dietary carbohydrates could affect the epigenetic landscape of duplicated gluconeogenic genes previously reported to display changes in mRNA levels in trout fed a high carbohydrate diet. We specifically highlighted global hypomethylation of DNA and hypoacetylation of H3K9 in trout fed a HighCHO diet, a well-described phenotype in diabetes. g6pcb2 ohnologs were also hypomethylated at specific CpG sites in these animals according to their up-regulation. Our findings demonstrated that the hepatic epigenetic landscape can be affected by both nutritional status and dietary carbohydrates in trout. The mechanism underlying the setting up of these epigenetic modifications has now to be explored in order to improve understanding of its impact on the glucose intolerant phenotype in carnivorous teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Marandel
- INRA, Univ Pau &Pays Adour, UMR 1419, Nutrition, Metabolism and Aquaculture, Saint Pée sur Nivelle, F-64310, France
| | - Olivier Lepais
- INRA, UMR 1224, Ecologie Comportementale et Biologie des Populations de Poissons, Saint Pée sur Nivelle, F-64310, France.,Univ Pau &Pays Adour, UMR 1224, Ecologie Comportementale et Biologie des Populations de Poissons, UFR Sciences et Techniques de la Côte Basque, Anglet, F-64600, France, Anglet, F-64600, France
| | - Eva Arbenoits
- INRA, Univ Pau &Pays Adour, UMR 1419, Nutrition, Metabolism and Aquaculture, Saint Pée sur Nivelle, F-64310, France
| | - Vincent Véron
- INRA, Univ Pau &Pays Adour, UMR 1419, Nutrition, Metabolism and Aquaculture, Saint Pée sur Nivelle, F-64310, France
| | - Karine Dias
- INRA, Univ Pau &Pays Adour, UMR 1419, Nutrition, Metabolism and Aquaculture, Saint Pée sur Nivelle, F-64310, France
| | - Marie Zion
- INRA, Univ Pau &Pays Adour, UMR 1419, Nutrition, Metabolism and Aquaculture, Saint Pée sur Nivelle, F-64310, France
| | - Stéphane Panserat
- INRA, Univ Pau &Pays Adour, UMR 1419, Nutrition, Metabolism and Aquaculture, Saint Pée sur Nivelle, F-64310, France
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30
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Alonso-Magdalena P, Rivera FJ, Guerrero-Bosagna C. Bisphenol-A and metabolic diseases: epigenetic, developmental and transgenerational basis. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvw022. [PMID: 29492299 PMCID: PMC5804535 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvw022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental toxicants is now accepted as a factor contributing to the increasing incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases around the world. Such environmental compounds are known as 'obesogens'. Among them, bisphenol-A (BPA) is the most widespread and ubiquitous compound affecting humans and animals. Laboratory animal work has provided conclusive evidence that early-life exposure to BPA is particularly effective in predisposing individuals to weight gain. Embryonic exposure to BPA is reported to generate metabolic disturbances later in life, such as obesity and diabetes. When BPA administration is combined with a high-fat diet, there is an exacerbation in the development of metabolic disorders. Remarkably, upon BPA exposure of gestating females, metabolic disturbances have been found both in the offspring and later in life in the mothers themselves. When considering the metabolic effects generated by an early developmental exposure to BPA, one of the questions that arises is the role of precursor cells in the etiology of metabolic disorders. Current evidence shows that BPA and other endocrine disruptors have the ability to alter fat tissue development and growth by affecting the capacity to generate functional adipocytes, as well as their rate of differentiation to specific cell types. Epigenetic mechanisms seem to be involved in the BPA-induced effects related to obesity, as they have been described in both in vitro and in vivo models. Moreover, recent reports also show that developmental exposure to BPA generates abnormalities that can be transmitted to future generations, in a process called as transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco J. Rivera
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Institute for Molecular Regenerative Medicine and Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna
- Avian Behavioral Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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31
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Ghosh S, Sinha JK, Raghunath M. Epigenomic maintenance through dietary intervention can facilitate DNA repair process to slow down the progress of premature aging. IUBMB Life 2016; 68:717-21. [PMID: 27364681 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
DNA damage caused by various sources remains one of the most researched topics in the area of aging and neurodegeneration. Increased DNA damage causes premature aging. Aging is plastic and is characterised by the decline in the ability of a cell/organism to maintain genomic stability. Lifespan can be modulated by various interventions like calorie restriction, a balanced diet of macro and micronutrients or supplementation with nutrients/nutrient formulations such as Amalaki rasayana, docosahexaenoic acid, resveratrol, curcumin, etc. Increased levels of DNA damage in the form of double stranded and single stranded breaks are associated with decreased longevity in animal models like WNIN/Ob obese rats. Erroneous DNA repair can result in accumulation of DNA damage products, which in turn result in premature aging disorders such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. Epigenomic studies of the aging process have opened a completely new arena for research and development of drugs and therapeutic agents. We propose here that agents or interventions that can maintain epigenomic stability and facilitate the DNA repair process can slow down the progress of premature aging, if not completely prevent it. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(9):717-721, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shampa Ghosh
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar Sinha
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad, 500007, India.,Epigenetics and Neuropsychiatric Disease Laboratory, CSIR - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Manchala Raghunath
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad, 500007, India
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32
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Aiken CE, Tarry-Adkins JL, Ozanne SE. Transgenerational effects of maternal diet on metabolic and reproductive ageing. Mamm Genome 2016; 27:430-9. [PMID: 27114382 PMCID: PMC4935748 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-016-9631-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The early-life environment, in particular maternal diet during pregnancy, influences a wide range of organs and systems in adult offspring. Mounting evidence suggests that developmental programming can also influence health and disease in grand-offspring. Transgenerational effects can be defined as those persisting into an F2 generation, where the F0 mother experiences suboptimal diet during her pregnancy. In this review, we critically examine evidence for transgenerational developmental programming effects in human populations, focusing on metabolic and reproductive outcomes. We discuss evidence from historical cohorts suggesting that grandchildren of women exposed to famine and other dietary alterations during pregnancy may experience increased rates of later health complications than their control counterparts. The methodological difficulties with transgenerational studies in human cohorts are explored. In particular, the problems with assessing reproductive outcomes in human populations are discussed. In light of the relative paucity of evidence available from human cohorts, we consider key insights from transgenerational experimental animal models of developmental programming by maternal diet; data are drawn from a range of rodent models, as well as the guinea-pig and the sheep. The evidence for different potential mechanisms of transgenerational inheritance or re-propagation of developmental programming effects is evaluated. Transgenerational effects could be transmitted through methylation of the gametes via the paternal and maternal lineage, as well as other possible mechanisms via the maternal lineage. Finally, future directions for exploring these underlying mechanisms further are proposed, including utilizing large, well-characterized, prospective pregnancy cohorts that include biobanks, which have been established in various populations during the last few decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Aiken
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Rosie Hospital and NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Box 223, Cambridge, CB2 0SW, UK
| | - Jane L Tarry-Adkins
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
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33
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Vansant G. Effect of Maternal and Paternal Nutrition on DNA Methylation in the Offspring: A Systematic Review of Human and Animal Studies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.15406/aowmc.2016.04.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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34
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Hanson MA, Skinner MK. Developmental origins of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvw002. [PMID: 27390622 PMCID: PMC4933018 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvw002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors can induce epigenetic alterations in the germ cells that can potentially be transmitted transgenerationally. This non-genetic form of inheritance is termed epigenetic transgenerational inheritance and has been shown in a variety of species including plants, flies, worms, fish, rodents, pigs, and humans. This phenomenon operates during specific critical windows of exposure, linked to the developmental biology of the germ cells (sperm and eggs). Therefore, concepts of the developmental origins of transgenerational inheritance of phenotypic variation and subsequent disease risk need to include epigenetic processes affecting the developmental biology of the germ cell. These developmental impacts on epigenetic transgenerational inheritance, in contrast to multigenerational exposures, are the focus of this Perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Hanson
- Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton and NIHR Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO 16 6YD, UK
| | - Michael K. Skinner
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
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35
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Remely M, de la Garza AL, Magnet U, Aumueller E, Haslberger AG. Obesity: epigenetic regulation – recent observations. Biomol Concepts 2016; 6:163-75. [PMID: 26061622 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2015-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic and environmental factors, especially nutrition and lifestyle, have been discussed in the literature for their relevance to epidemic obesity. Gene-environment interactions may need to be understood for an improved understanding of the causes of obesity, and epigenetic mechanisms are of special importance. Consequences of epigenetic mechanisms seem to be particularly important during certain periods of life: prenatal, postnatal and intergenerational, transgenerational inheritance are discussed with relevance to obesity. This review focuses on nutrients, diet and habits influencing intergenerational, transgenerational, prenatal and postnatal epigenetics; on evidence of epigenetic modifiers in adulthood; and on animal models for the study of obesity.
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36
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Nilsson EE, Skinner MK. Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance of Reproductive Disease. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:145. [PMID: 26510870 PMCID: PMC6058737 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.134817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive disease and fertility issues have dramatically increased in the human population over the last several decades, suggesting environmental impacts. Epigenetics provides a mechanistic link by which an organism can respond to environmental factors. Interestingly, environmentally induced epigenetic alterations in the germ line can promote aberrant gene expression and disease generationally. Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance is defined as germ-line transmission of altered epigenetic information between generations in the absence of continued environmental exposures. This form of nongenetic inheritance has been shown to directly influence fertility and reproductive disease. This review describes the studies in a variety of species that impact reproductive disease and abnormalities. Observations suggest serious attention be paid to the possibility that ancestral exposures to environmental insults promotes transgenerational inheritance of reproductive disease susceptibility. Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance appears to be an important contributing factor to reproductive disease in many organisms, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric E Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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37
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Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of diabetes risk as a consequence of early nutritional imbalances. Proc Nutr Soc 2015; 75:78-89. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665115004231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In today's world, there is an unprecedented rise in the prevalence of chronic metabolic diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The pathogenesis of T2D includes both genetic and environmental factors, such as excessive energy intake and physical inactivity. It has recently been suggested that environmental factors experienced during early stages of development, including the intrauterine and neonatal periods, might play a major role in predisposing individuals to T2D. Furthermore, several studies have shown that such early environmental conditions might even contribute to disease risk in further generations. In this review, we summarise recent data describing how parental nutrition during development increases the risk of diabetes in the offspring. We also discuss the potential mechanisms underlying transgenerational inheritance of metabolic disease, with particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms.
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38
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Lee HS. Impact of Maternal Diet on the Epigenome during In Utero Life and the Developmental Programming of Diseases in Childhood and Adulthood. Nutrients 2015; 7:9492-507. [PMID: 26593940 PMCID: PMC4663595 DOI: 10.3390/nu7115467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental factors in early life can influence developmental processes and long-term health in humans. Early life nutrition and maternal diet are well-known examples of conditions shown to influence the risk of developing metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, in adulthood. It is increasingly accepted that environmental compounds, including nutrients, can produce changes in the genome activity that, in spite of not altering the DNA sequence, can produce important, stable and, in some instances, transgenerational alterations in the phenotype. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene function that cannot be explained by changes in the DNA sequence, with DNA methylation patterns/histone modifications that can make important contributions to epigenetic memory. The epigenome can be considered as an interface between the genome and the environment that is central to the generation of phenotypes and their stability throughout the life course. To better understand the role of maternal health and nutrition in the initiation and progression of diseases in childhood and adulthood, it is necessary to identify the physiological and/or pathological roles of specific nutrients on the epigenome and how dietary interventions in utero and early life could modulate disease risk through epigenomic alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Sun Lee
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert-Thomas, 69372 Cedex 08, France.
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39
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Haque MM, Holder LB, Skinner MK. Genome-Wide Locations of Potential Epimutations Associated with Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance of Disease Using a Sequential Machine Learning Prediction Approach. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142274. [PMID: 26571271 PMCID: PMC4646459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease and phenotypic variation involves germline transmitted epimutations. The primary epimutations identified involve altered differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs). Different environmental toxicants have been shown to promote exposure (i.e., toxicant) specific signatures of germline epimutations. Analysis of genomic features associated with these epimutations identified low-density CpG regions (<3 CpG / 100bp) termed CpG deserts and a number of unique DNA sequence motifs. The rat genome was annotated for these and additional relevant features. The objective of the current study was to use a machine learning computational approach to predict all potential epimutations in the genome. A number of previously identified sperm epimutations were used as training sets. A novel machine learning approach using a sequential combination of Active Learning and Imbalance Class Learner analysis was developed. The transgenerational sperm epimutation analysis identified approximately 50K individual sites with a 1 kb mean size and 3,233 regions that had a minimum of three adjacent sites with a mean size of 3.5 kb. A select number of the most relevant genomic features were identified with the low density CpG deserts being a critical genomic feature of the features selected. A similar independent analysis with transgenerational somatic cell epimutation training sets identified a smaller number of 1,503 regions of genome-wide predicted sites and differences in genomic feature contributions. The predicted genome-wide germline (sperm) epimutations were found to be distinct from the predicted somatic cell epimutations. Validation of the genome-wide germline predicted sites used two recently identified transgenerational sperm epimutation signature sets from the pesticides dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and methoxychlor (MXC) exposure lineage F3 generation. Analysis of this positive validation data set showed a 100% prediction accuracy for all the DDT-MXC sperm epimutations. Observations further elucidate the genomic features associated with transgenerational germline epimutations and identify a genome-wide set of potential epimutations that can be used to facilitate identification of epigenetic diagnostics for ancestral environmental exposures and disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Muksitul Haque
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164–4236, United States of America
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164, United States of America
| | - Lawrence B. Holder
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164, United States of America
| | - Michael K. Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164–4236, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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40
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Aiken CE, Tarry-Adkins JL, Ozanne SE. Transgenerational Developmental Programming of Ovarian Reserve. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16175. [PMID: 26525600 PMCID: PMC4630792 DOI: 10.1038/srep16175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to an adverse early-life environment leads to long-term health problems, many of which are recapitulated in subsequent generations. The female reproductive tract is particularly sensitive to early-life influences, and plays a pivotal role in programming the conceptus. We examine the influence of suboptimal grandmaternal diet on reproductive potential of granddaughters in the absence of any further dietary manipulations in the daughters in a rat low-protein diet model. Exposure to low-protein grand-maternal diet leads to decreased ovarian reserve and increased intra-abdominal fat mass in granddaughters, accompanied by accelerated accumulation of oxidative stress and mtDNA copy number instability in the ovaries. Ovarian telomere length declines more rapidly in the exposed granddaughters, indicating accelerated ageing in the reproductive tract. Thus, we demonstrate that suboptimal grandmaternal diet during pregnancy accelerates reproductive ageing across subsequent generations. These findings have important implications for understanding both individual rates of decline in fertility with age, and the clinical impact of current global trends towards delayed childbearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Aiken
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Box 223, The Rosie Hospital and NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0SW, United Kingdom
| | - J L Tarry-Adkins
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - S E Ozanne
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
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41
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González-Recio O, Toro MA, Bach A. Past, present, and future of epigenetics applied to livestock breeding. Front Genet 2015; 6:305. [PMID: 26442117 PMCID: PMC4585102 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the concept of Lamarckian inheritance and the use of the term epigenetics in the field of animal genetics. Epigenetics was first coined by Conrad Hal Waddington (1905–1975), who derived the term from the Aristotelian word epigenesis. There exists some controversy around the word epigenetics and its broad definition. It includes any modification of the expression of genes due to factors other than mutation in the DNA sequence. This involves DNA methylation, post-translational modification of histones, but also linked to regulation of gene expression by non-coding RNAs, genome instabilities or any other force that could modify a phenotype. There is little evidence of the existence of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals, which may commonly be confounded with environmental forces acting simultaneously on an individual, her developing fetus and the germ cell lines of the latter, although it could have an important role in the cellular energetic status of cells. Finally, we review some of the scarce literature on the use of epigenetics in animal breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar González-Recio
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid Spain
| | - Miguel A Toro
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Madrid, Spain
| | - Alex Bach
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats - Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Caldes de Montbui Spain
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42
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Lillycrop KA, Burdge GC. Environmental challenge, epigenetic plasticity and the induction of altered phenotypes in mammals. Epigenomics 2015; 6:623-36. [PMID: 25531256 DOI: 10.2217/epi.14.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The level of transcriptional activity of a gene is regulated by epigenetic processes. There is compelling evidence that environmental challenges throughout the life course can induce phenotypic change. In this review, we summarize the current evidence, focusing specifically on the effects of nutrition and of environmental pollutants, that epigenetic processes underpin the induction by environmental change of altered phenotypic traits, emphasizing the implications for health outcomes. We also discuss whether epigenetic processes may be involved in the passage of induced traits between generations. Overall, current findings indicate that epigenetic processes may play an important role in determining disease risk, but there is a lack of studies that demonstrate causal links between epigenetic change and tissue function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Lillycrop
- Faculty of Natural & Environmental Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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Hoile SP, Grenfell LM, Hanson MA, Lillycrop KA, Burdge GC. Fat and carbohydrate intake over three generations modify growth, metabolism and cardiovascular phenotype in female mice in an age-related manner. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134664. [PMID: 26266533 PMCID: PMC4534415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental challenges such as a high fat diet during pregnancy can induce changes in offspring growth, metabolism and cardiovascular function. However, challenges that are sustained over several generations can induce progressive compensatory metabolic adjustments in young adults. It is not known if such effects persist during ageing. We investigated whether diets with different fat and carbohydrate contents over three generations modifies markers of ageing. Female C57BL/6 F0 mice were fed diets containing 5% or 21% fat (w/w) throughout pregnancy and lactation. Female offspring were fed the same diet as their dams until the F3 generation. In each generation, body weight, 24-hour food intake were recorded weekly, and plasma metabolites were measured by colorimetric assays, blood pressure by tail cuff plethysmography and vasoconstriction by myography on postnatal day 90 or 456. There was little effect of diet or generation on phenotypic markers in day 90 adults. There was a significant increase in whole body, liver and heart weight with ageing (d456) in the F3 21% fat group compared to the F1 and F3 5% groups. Fasting plasma glucose concentration was significantly increased with ageing in the 5% group in the F3 generation and in the 21% group in both generations. There was a significant effect of diet and generation on ex-vivo vasoconstriction in ageing females. Differences in dietary fat may induce metabolic compensation in young adults that persist over three generations. However, such compensatory effects decline during ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P. Hoile
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Leonie M. Grenfell
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Hanson
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Karen A. Lillycrop
- Centre for Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Natural Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Graham C. Burdge
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Heng D, Wang Z, Fan Y, Li L, Fang J, Han S, Yin J, Peng B, Liu W, He X. Long-term metabolic alterations in a febrile seizure model. Int J Neurosci 2015; 126:374-80. [PMID: 26000812 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2015.1018385] [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: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common neurological disease in infancy and early childhood, it can lead to metabolic changes and have long-term health implications. Aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of FS on metabolism. METHODS We measured certain metabolic parameters in hyperthermia-prone (HP) rats, which were developed using a selective breeding process and showed a lower seizure threshold than wild-type (WT) rats. Body weight, body length, abdominal circumference and the levels of fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride, and total cholesterol concentrations were analyzed. The mRNA expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism was determined by qPCR and the histone methylation level in the liver was determined by western blot. RESULTS We found that the body weight of the HP rats was significantly lower than that of the WT rats. Similarly, the fasting blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels were lower in the HP group compared with the WT group. These changes were accompanied by increased mRNA expression of genes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1), but not peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). We also found tri-methylation of histone 3 at Lys9 and Lys27 was decreased in the HP group. CONCLUSIONS These data may suggest an underlying mechanism by which FS have a long-term effect on energy metabolism via histone methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jun Yin
- a Department of Pathophysiology
| | - Biwen Peng
- b Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Wanhong Liu
- b Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Xiaohua He
- a Department of Pathophysiology.,b Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
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Skinner MK. Environmental Epigenetics and a Unified Theory of the Molecular Aspects of Evolution: A Neo-Lamarckian Concept that Facilitates Neo-Darwinian Evolution. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:1296-302. [PMID: 25917417 PMCID: PMC4453068 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Environment has a critical role in the natural selection process for Darwinian evolution. The primary molecular component currently considered for neo-Darwinian evolution involves genetic alterations and random mutations that generate the phenotypic variation required for natural selection to act. The vast majority of environmental factors cannot directly alter DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms directly regulate genetic processes and can be dramatically altered by environmental factors. Therefore, environmental epigenetics provides a molecular mechanism to directly alter phenotypic variation generationally. Lamarck proposed in 1802 the concept that environment can directly alter phenotype in a heritable manner. Environmental epigenetics and epigenetic transgenerational inheritance provide molecular mechanisms for this process. Therefore, environment can on a molecular level influence the phenotypic variation directly. The ability of environmental epigenetics to alter phenotypic and genotypic variation directly can significantly impact natural selection. Neo-Lamarckian concept can facilitate neo-Darwinian evolution. A unified theory of evolution is presented to describe the integration of environmental epigenetic and genetic aspects of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University
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Skinner MK. Endocrine disruptor induction of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 398:4-12. [PMID: 25088466 PMCID: PMC4262585 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposures such as toxicants, nutrition and stress have been shown to promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease susceptibility. Endocrine disruptors are one of the largest groups of specific toxicants shown to promote this form of epigenetic inheritance. These environmental compounds that interfere with normal endocrine signaling are one of the largest classes of toxicants we are exposed to on a daily level. The ability of ancestral exposures to promote disease susceptibility significantly increases the potential biohazards of these toxicants. Therefore, what your great-grandmother was exposed to during pregnancy may influence your disease development, even in the absence of any exposure, and you are going to pass this on to your grandchildren. This non-genetic form of inheritance significantly impacts our understanding of biology from the origins of disease to evolutionary biology. The current review will describe the previous studies and endocrine disruptors shown to promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA.
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Yan W. Potential roles of noncoding RNAs in environmental epigenetic transgenerational inheritance. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 398:24-30. [PMID: 25224488 PMCID: PMC4262681 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
"Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance" (ETI) has been defined as germline (sperm or egg) transmission of epigenetic information between generations in the absence of direct exposures or genetic manipulations. Among reported cases of ETI in mammals, the majority are induced by environmental factors, including environmental toxicants [e.g. agricultural fungicide vinclozolin, plastic additive bisphenol A, pesticide methoxychlor, dioxin, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, and hydrocarbons] and poor nutritional conditions. Although the ETI phenomenon is well established, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Putative epimutations, including changes in DNA methylation and histone modification patterns, have been reported, but it remains unclear how these epimutations are formed in the first place, and how they are memorized in the germline and then get transmitted to subsequent generations. Based on recent advances in our understanding of regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), I propose that ncRNAs are involved in ETI, during both the initial epimutation formation and the subsequent germline transmission of epimutations. ncRNAs can function at epigenetic levels by affecting DNA methylation and histone modifications, thereby changing gene transcriptional activities, which can lead to an altered mRNA transcriptome associated with a disease phenotype. Alternatively, novel or altered ncRNA expression can cause dysregulated post-transcriptional regulation, thus directly affecting the mRNA transcriptome and inducing a disease phenotype. Sperm-borne ncRNAs are potential mediators for epigenetic memory across generations, but they alone may not be sufficient for stable transmission of epimutations across generations. Overall, research on ncRNAs in the context of ETI is urgently needed to shed light on the underlying mechanism of ETI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS575, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
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Stone LP, Stone PM, Rydbom EA, Stone LA, Stone TE, Wilkens LE, Reynolds K. Customized nutritional enhancement for pregnant women appears to lower incidence of certain common maternal and neonatal complications: an observational study. Glob Adv Health Med 2014; 3:50-5. [PMID: 25568832 PMCID: PMC4268639 DOI: 10.7453/gahmj.2014.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A retrospective chart review analyzed the effect of customized nutrition on the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes (GDM), and small- and large-for-gestational-age (SGA, LGA) neonates, examining consecutive deliveries between January 1, 2011, and Decem ber 31, 2012, at a low-risk community hospital. The population was divided into 3 groups: (1) study group (SG), (2) private practice (PP), and (3) community healthcare clinic (CHCC). All groups received standard perinatal management, but additionally the study group was analyzed for serum zinc, carnitine, total 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol (25 OH-D), methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, and catechol-O-methyl transferase polymorphisms in the first trimester prior to intervention, with subsequent second trimester and postpartum assessment of zinc, carnitine, and 25 OH-D after intervention. Intervention consisted of trimesterby-trimester nutrition and lifestyle education, supplementation of L-methyl folate, magnesium, essential fatty acids, and probiotics for all SG patients, with targeted supplementation of zinc, carnitine, and 25 OH-D. Because of small case occurrence rates of individual conditions in the study group, unreportable reductions were found, except GDM (SG vs CHCC, P value .046 with 95.38% confidence interval [CI]), and PIH (SG vs PP, P value .0505 with 94.95% CIl). The aggregated occurrence rate of the four conditions, however, was significantly lower in the study population than in either comparison population (PP P value .0154 with 98.46% CI, and CHCC P value .0265 with 97.35% CI). Customized nutritional intervention appears to have significantly reduced adverse perinatal outcomes. Prospective study within larger, at-risk populations is needed to determine whether customized nutrition improves conditions individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie P Stone
- Stone Medical PC, Ashland, Oregon (Dr Stone), United States
| | | | - Emily A Rydbom
- Stone Medical PC, Ashland, Oregon (Ms E. Rydbom), United States
| | - Lucas A Stone
- Stone Medical PC, Ashland, Oregon (Mr L.A. Stone), United States
| | - T Elliot Stone
- Independent statistician consultant (Mr T.E. Stone), United States
| | | | - Kathryn Reynolds
- Stone Medical PC, Ashland, Oregon (Ms K. Reynolds), United States
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Hanson MA, Gluckman PD. Early developmental conditioning of later health and disease: physiology or pathophysiology? Physiol Rev 2014; 94:1027-76. [PMID: 25287859 PMCID: PMC4187033 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00029.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 722] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive experimental animal studies and epidemiological observations have shown that environmental influences during early development affect the risk of later pathophysiological processes associated with chronic, especially noncommunicable, disease (NCD). This field is recognized as the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). We discuss the extent to which DOHaD represents the result of the physiological processes of developmental plasticity, which may have potential adverse consequences in terms of NCD risk later, or whether it is the manifestation of pathophysiological processes acting in early life but only becoming apparent as disease later. We argue that the evidence suggests the former, through the operation of conditioning processes induced across the normal range of developmental environments, and we summarize current knowledge of the physiological processes involved. The adaptive pathway to later risk accords with current concepts in evolutionary developmental biology, especially those concerning parental effects. Outside the normal range, effects on development can result in nonadaptive processes, and we review their underlying mechanisms and consequences. New concepts concerning the underlying epigenetic and other mechanisms involved in both disruptive and nondisruptive pathways to disease are reviewed, including the evidence for transgenerational passage of risk from both maternal and paternal lines. These concepts have wider implications for understanding the causes and possible prevention of NCDs such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, for broader social policy and for the increasing attention paid in public health to the lifecourse approach to NCD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Hanson
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, and NIHR Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom; and Liggins Institute and Gravida (National Centre for Growth and Development), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - P D Gluckman
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, and NIHR Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom; and Liggins Institute and Gravida (National Centre for Growth and Development), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Kanherkar RR, Bhatia-Dey N, Csoka AB. Epigenetics across the human lifespan. Front Cell Dev Biol 2014; 2:49. [PMID: 25364756 PMCID: PMC4207041 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2014.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics has the potential to explain various biological phenomena that have heretofore defied complete explication. This review describes the various types of endogenous human developmental milestones such as birth, puberty, and menopause, as well as the diverse exogenous environmental factors that influence human health, in a chronological epigenetic context. We describe the entire course of human life from periconception to death and chronologically note all of the potential internal timepoints and external factors that influence the human epigenome. Ultimately, the environment presents these various factors to the individual that influence the epigenome, and the unique epigenetic and genetic profile of each individual also modulates the specific response to these factors. During the course of human life, we are exposed to an environment that abounds with a potent and dynamic milieu capable of triggering chemical changes that activate or silence genes. There is constant interaction between the external and internal environments that is required for normal development and health maintenance as well as for influencing disease load and resistance. For example, exposure to pharmaceutical and toxic chemicals, diet, stress, exercise, and other environmental factors are capable of eliciting positive or negative epigenetic modifications with lasting effects on development, metabolism and health. These can impact the body so profoundly as to permanently alter the epigenetic profile of an individual. We also present a comprehensive new hypothesis of how these diverse environmental factors cause both direct and indirect epigenetic changes and how this knowledge can ultimately be used to improve personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya R Kanherkar
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Howard University Washington, DC, USA
| | - Naina Bhatia-Dey
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Howard University Washington, DC, USA
| | - Antonei B Csoka
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Howard University Washington, DC, USA
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