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Zhao C, Jin H, Lei Y, Li Q, Zhang Y, Lu Q. The dual effects of Benzo(a)pyrene/Benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide on DNA Methylation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175042. [PMID: 39084379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the most thoroughly studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) and a widespread organic pollutant in various areas of human life. Its teratogenic, immunotoxic and carcinogenic effects on organisms are well documented and widely recognized by researchers. In the body, BaP is enzymatically converted to form a more active benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). BaP/BPDE has the potential to trigger gene mutations, influence epigenetic modifications and cause damage to cellular structures, ultimately contributing to disease onset and progression. However, there are different points of view when studying epigenetics using BaP/BPDE. On the one hand, it is claimed in cancer research that BaP/BPDE contributes to gene hypermethylation and, in particular, induces the hypermethylation of tumor's suppressor gene promoters, leading to gene silencing and subsequent cancer development. Conversely, studies in human and animal populations suggest that exposure to BaP results in genome-wide DNA hypomethylation, potentially leading to adverse outcomes in inflammatory diseases. This apparent contradiction has not been summarized in research for almost four decades. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current literature on the influence of BaP/BPDE on DNA methylation regulation. It demonstrates that BaP/BPDE exerts a dual-phase regulatory effect on methylation, which is influenced by factors such as the concentration and duration of BaP/BPDE exposure, experimental models and detection methods used in various studies. Acute/high concentration exposure to BaP/BPDE often results in global demethylation of DNA, which is associated with inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) after exposure. At certain specific gene loci (e.g., RAR-β), BPDE can form DNA adducts, recruiting DNMT3 and leading to hypermethylation at specific sites. By integrating these different mechanisms, our goal is to unravel the patterns and regulations of BaP/BPDE-induced DNA methylation changes and provide insights into future precision therapies targeting epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.
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Ozkocer SE, Guler I, Ugras Dikmen A, Bozkurt N, Varol N, Konac E. Male infertility is associated with differential DNA methylation signatures of the imprinted gene GNAS and the non-imprinted gene CEP41. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:2289-2300. [PMID: 39017772 PMCID: PMC11405554 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03202-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether the DNA methylation profiles of GNAS(20q13.32), MEST(7q32.2), MESTIT1(7q32.2), IGF2(11p15.5), H19 (7q32.2), and CEP41(7q32.2) genes are related to the transcriptomic and epigenomic etiology of male infertility. METHODS The DNA methylation levels of spermatozoa were obtained from fertile (n = 30), oligozoospermic (n = 30), and men with normal sperm count (n = 30). The methylation status of each CpG site was categorized as hypermethylated or hypomethylated. Expression levels of target gene transcripts were determined using real-time PCR. RESULTS The oligozoospermia showed a higher frequency of hypermethylation at GNASAS 1st, 3rd, and 5th CpG dinucleotides (66.7%, 73.3%, 73.3%) compared to the fertile group (33.3%, 33.3%, 40%, respectively). The normal sperm count exhibited a higher frequency of hypermethylation at the 3rd CpG of CEP41 (46.7%) than the fertile group (16.7%). Normal sperm count was predicted by CEP41 hypermethylation (OR = 1.750, 95%CI 1.038-2.950) and hypermethylation of both CEP41 and GNASAS (OR = 2.389, 95%CI 1.137-5.021). Oligozoospermia was predicted solely by GNASAS hypermethylation (OR = 2.460, 95%CI 1.315-4.603). In sperms with decreased IGF2 expression in the fertile group, we observed hypomethylation in the 2nd CpG of IGF2 antisense (IFG2AS), and hypermethylation in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th CpGs of H19. No significant relationship was found between IGF2 expression and methylation status of IGF2AS and H19 in infertile groups. CONCLUSION The disappearance of the relationship between IGF2 expression and IGF2AS and H19 methylations in the infertile group provides new information regarding the disruption of epigenetic programming during spermatogenesis. A better understanding of sperm GNASAS and CEP41 hypermethylation could advance innovative diagnostic markers for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suheyla Esra Ozkocer
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Institute of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Kavaklıdere Çankaya, 06540, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ismail Guler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Asiye Ugras Dikmen
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nuray Bozkurt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nuray Varol
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ece Konac
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Institute of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Kavaklıdere Çankaya, 06540, Ankara, Turkey.
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey.
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Kuula J, Czamara D, Hauta-Alus H, Lahti J, Hovi P, Miettinen ME, Ronkainen J, Eriksson JG, Andersson S, Järvelin MR, Sebert S, Räikkönen K, Binder EB, Kajantie E. Epigenetic signature of very low birth weight in young adult life. Pediatr Res 2024:10.1038/s41390-024-03354-6. [PMID: 38898107 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03354-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, one in ten babies is born preterm (<37 weeks), and 1-2% preterm at very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g). As adults, they are at increased risk for a plethora of health conditions, e.g., cardiometabolic disease, which may partly be mediated by epigenetic regulation. We compared blood DNA methylation between young adults born at VLBW and controls. METHODS 157 subjects born at VLBW and 161 controls born at term, from the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults, were assessed for peripheral venous blood DNA methylation levels at mean age of 22 years. Significant CpG-sites (5'-C-phosphate-G-3') were meta-analyzed against continuous birth weight in four independent cohorts (pooled n = 2235) with cohort mean ages varying from 0 to 31 years. RESULTS In the discovery cohort, 66 CpG-sites were differentially methylated between VLBW adults and controls. Top hits were located in HIF3A, EBF4, and an intergenic region nearest to GLI2 (distance 57,533 bp). Five CpG-sites, all in proximity to GLI2, were hypermethylated in VLBW and associated with lower birth weight in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSION We identified differentially methylated CpG-sites suggesting an epigenetic signature of preterm birth at VLBW present in adult life. IMPACT Being born preterm at very low birth weight has major implications for later health and chronic disease risk factors. The mechanism linking preterm birth to later outcomes remains unknown. Our cohort study of 157 very low birth weight adults and 161 controls found 66 differentially methylated sites at mean age of 22 years. Our findings suggest an epigenetic mark of preterm birth present in adulthood, which opens up opportunities for mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho Kuula
- Population Health Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
- HUS Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Helena Hauta-Alus
- Population Health Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- PEDEGO Research Unit, MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petteri Hovi
- Population Health Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija E Miettinen
- Population Health Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Justiina Ronkainen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Johan G Eriksson
- Folkhälsan Research Centre, Topeliusgatan 20, 00250, Helsinki, Finland
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Human Potential Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sture Andersson
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjo-Riitta Järvelin
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Katri Räikkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Eero Kajantie
- Population Health Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinical Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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M N N, J K, S R S, Raavi V. Methylation Status of IGF-Axis Genes in the Placenta of South Indian Neonates with Appropriate and Small for Gestational Age. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2024; 43:5-20. [PMID: 37975569 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2023.2280660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Altered methylation patterns of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-axis genes in small for gestational age (SGA) have been reported in different populations. In the present study, we analyzed the methylation status of IGF-axis genes in the placenta of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and SGA neonates of South Indian women. METHODS Placental samples were collected from AGA (n = 40) and SAG (n = 40) neonates. The methylation of IGF-axis genes promoter was analyzed using MS-PCR. RESULTS IGF2, H19, IGF1, and IGFR1 genes promoter methylation was 2.5, 1.5, 5, and 7.5% lower in SGA compared to AGA, respectively. Co-methylation of IGF-axis genes promoter was 40% and 20% in AGA and SGA, respectively. IGF-axis gene promoter methylation significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the levels of IGFBP3 protein, birth weight, mitotic index, gestational weeks, and IGFR1 and IGFR2 gene expression. CONCLUSION IGF-axis genes methylation was lower in SGA than in AGA, and the methylation significantly influenced the IGF-axis components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithya M N
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Kolar, Karnataka, India
| | - Krishnappa J
- Department of Paediatrics, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Kolar, Karnataka, India
| | - Sheela S R
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Kolar, Karnataka, India
| | - Venkateswarlu Raavi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Kolar, Karnataka, India
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Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Laan LVD, Avakame EF, Scott KA, Burris HH, Cardenas A. Associations of DNA Methylation Mortality Risk Markers with Congenital Microcephaly from Zika Virus: A Study of Brazilian Children Less than 4 Years of Age. J Trop Pediatr 2021; 67:6208287. [PMID: 33822234 PMCID: PMC8022928 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zika virus (ZIKV)-associated congenital microcephaly is an important contributor to pediatric death, and more robust pediatric mortality risk metrics are needed to help guide life plans and clinical decision making for these patients. Although common etiologies of pediatric and adult mortality differ, early life health can impact adult outcomes-potentially through DNA methylation. Hence, in this pilot study, we take an early step in identifying pediatric mortality risk metrics by examining associations of ZIKV infection and associated congenital microcephaly with existing adult DNA methylation-based mortality biomarkers: GrimAge and Zhang's mortality score (ZMS). METHODS Mortality measures were calculated from previously published HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip data from 44 Brazilian children aged 5-40 months (18 with ZIKV-associated microcephaly; 7 normocephalic, exposed to ZIKV in utero; and 19 unexposed controls). We used linear models adjusted for chronological age, sex, methylation batch and white blood cell proportions to evaluate ZIKV and mortality marker relationships. RESULTS We observed significant decreases in GrimAge-component plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1; β = -2453.06 pg/ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3652.96, -1253.16, p = 0.0002], and ZMS-site cg14975410 methylation (β = -0.06, 95% CI -0.09, -0.03, p = 0.0003) among children with microcephaly compared to controls. PAI-1 (β = -2448.70 pg/ml, 95% CI -4384.45, -512.95, p = 0.01) and cg14975410 (β = 0.01, 95% CI -0.04, 0.06, p = 0.64) results in comparisons of normocephalic, ZIKV-exposed children to controls were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that elements of previously-identified adult epigenetic markers of mortality risk are associated with ZIKV-associated microcephaly, a known contributor to pediatric mortality risk. These findings may provide insights for efforts aimed at developing pediatric mortality markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and MD/PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Berkeley,Correspondence: Jamaji C. Nwanaji-Enwerem, MD/PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Daniel C. Tosteson Medical Education Center, 260 Longwood Avenue, Suite 168, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Tel: (+1) 617-432-0991. E-mail: <>
| | - Lars Van Der Laan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Berkeley
| | - Elorm F Avakame
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kristan A Scott
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heather H Burris
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA,Maternal & Child Health Research Center, Center for Research on Reproduction & Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Berkeley
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Obesity-related protein biomarkers for predicting breast cancer risk: an overview of systematic reviews. Breast Cancer 2020; 28:25-39. [PMID: 33237347 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-020-01182-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on the biological mechanisms underlying the obesity-breast cancer connections, potential protein biomarkers involved in breast cancer development have been identified, which may be helpful for the estimation of breast cancer risk. This study aimed to carry out a comprehensive overview of systematic reviews on circulating levels of obesity-related protein biomarkers for female breast cancer risk to provide a solid reference for potential breast cancer predictors. METHODS Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to Dec 2019. The AMSTAR tool was used for the methodological quality assessment of the included systematic reviews. Evidence was reported narratively. RESULTS A total of 28 relevant systematic reviews which were mostly of moderate quality were included in the overview. Protein biomarkers relating to adipokines, insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis, inflammatory cytokines and sex hormones were investigated. Higher levels of circulating IGF-1, IGF-binding protein-3, leptin and resistin were found to be associated with an increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer; lower levels of circulating adiponectin and higher levels of circulating c-reactive protein, leptin, and resistin were found to be associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS We found sufficient evidence on the positive associations between certain obesity-related protein biomarkers with pre- and/or postmenopausal breast cancer risk. These biomarkers could be used jointly as predictors, so as to build a comprehensive risk predictive score for female breast cancer. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020175328.
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Abstract
Effects of stresses associated with extremely preterm birth may be biologically "recorded" in the genomes of individuals born preterm via changes in DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns. Genome-wide DNAm profiles were examined in buccal epithelial cells from 45 adults born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW; ≤1000 g) in the oldest known cohort of prospectively followed ELBW survivors (Mage = 32.35 years, 17 male), and 47 normal birth weight (NBW; ≥2500 g) control adults (Mage = 32.43 years, 20 male). Sex differences in DNAm profiles were found in both birth weight groups, but they were greatly enhanced in the ELBW group (77,895 loci) versus the NBW group (3,424 loci), suggesting synergistic effects of extreme prenatal adversity and sex on adult DNAm profiles. In men, DNAm profiles differed by birth weight group at 1,354 loci on 694 unique genes. Only two loci on two genes distinguished between ELBW and NBW women. Gene ontology (GO) and network analyses indicated that loci differentiating between ELBW and NBW men were abundant in genes within biological pathways related to neuronal development, synaptic transportation, metabolic regulation, and cellular regulation. Findings suggest increased sensitivity of males to long-term epigenetic effects of extremely preterm birth. Group differences are discussed in relation to particular gene functions.
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Lucock M. The
Anthropocene
: Exploring its origins, biology, and future. Am J Hum Biol 2020; 33:e23476. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- School of Environmental & Life Sciences University of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
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Lucock M, Thota R, Garg M, Martin C, Jones P, Furst J, Yates Z, Jablonski NG, Chaplin G, Veysey M, Beckett E. Early lifecycle UV‐exposure calibrates adult vitamin D metabolism: Evidence for a developmentally originated vitamin D homeostat that may alter related adult phenotypes. Am J Hum Biol 2019; 31:e23272. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
| | - Rohith Thota
- Nutraceuticals Research GroupUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
| | - Manohar Garg
- Nutraceuticals Research GroupUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
| | - Charlotte Martin
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
| | - Patrice Jones
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
| | - John Furst
- Maths & Physical SciencesUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
| | - Zoe Yates
- Biomedical Sciences & PharmacyUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
| | - Nina G. Jablonski
- Anthropology Department, 409 Carpenter Building, University ParkThe Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania
| | - George Chaplin
- Anthropology Department, 409 Carpenter Building, University ParkThe Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania
| | | | - Emma Beckett
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
- Medicine & Public HealthUniversity of Newcastle Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
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Casavant SG, Cong X, Moore J, Starkweather A. Associations between preterm infant stress, epigenetic alteration, telomere length and neurodevelopmental outcomes: A systematic review. Early Hum Dev 2019; 131:63-74. [PMID: 30870624 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm (<37 weeks' gestational age [GA]) globally. These preterm infants are exposed to repeated stressful and often painful procedures as part of routine life-saving care within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Preterm birth continues to be a major health issue associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders such as cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorders and psychiatric disease. OBJECTIVE This paper identifies epigenetic alterations and incidence of telomere erosion that have been studied in preterm infants while in the NICU and as a long-term outcome measure. Better understanding of epigenetic alterations and telomere erosion might aid in early detection and prevention/alleviation of the negative effects of cumulative painful/stressful experiences in this population. METHODS The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards were used to guide this review. Systematic searches of databases included PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS and PsychInfo. RESULTS Twenty-one studies were included, appraised and then synthesized into a narrative summary. DISCUSSION Several putative epigenetic markers were identified although there was a paucity of studies related to telomere length. The interaction of disease entity combined with therapeutic interventions intended to treat may inadvertently increase infant allostatic load or ability to adapt to stress. Future research should include not only human studies but leverage newly available large data sets to conduct additional analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon G Casavant
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, 231 Glenbrook Road, U-2026, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, 100 Grand Street, New Britain, CT 06052, USA.
| | - Xiaomei Cong
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, 231 Glenbrook Road, U-2026, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - James Moore
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106, USA; Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Medical School, 263 Farmington Avenue Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Angela Starkweather
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, 231 Glenbrook Road, U-2026, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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Maddock J, Wulaningsih W, Fernandez JC, Ploubidis GB, Goodman A, Bell J, Kuh D, Hardy R. Associations between body size, nutrition and socioeconomic position in early life and the epigenome: A systematic review. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201672. [PMID: 30096154 PMCID: PMC6086410 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Body size, nutrition and socioeconomic position (SEP) in early life have been associated with a wide range of long-term health effects. Epigenetics is one possible mechanism through which these early life exposures can impact later life health. We conducted a systematic review examining the observational evidence for the impact of body size, nutrition and SEP in early life on the epigenome in humans. Methods This systematic review is registered with the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42016050193). Three datasets were simultaneously searched using Ovid and the resulting studies were evaluated by at least two independent reviewers. Studies measuring epigenetic markers either at the same time as, or after, the early life exposure and have a measure of body size, nutrition or SEP in early life (up to 12 years), written in English and from a community-dwelling participants were included. Results We identified 90 eligible studies. Seventeen of these papers examined more than one early life exposure of interest. Fifty six papers examined body size, 37 nutrition and 17 SEP. All of the included papers examined DNA methylation (DNAm) as the epigenetic marker. Overall there was no strong evidence for a consistent association between these early life variables in DNAm which may be due to the heterogeneous study designs, data collection methods and statistical analyses. Conclusions Despite these inconclusive results, the hypothesis that the early life environment can impact DNAm, potentially persisting into adult life, was supported by some studies and warrants further investigation. We provide recommendations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Maddock
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Wahyu Wulaningsih
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Castillo Fernandez
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - George B. Ploubidis
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alissa Goodman
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jordana Bell
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Kuh
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Hardy
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Provenzi L, Carli PD, Fumagalli M, Giorda R, Casavant S, Beri S, Citterio A, D'Agata A, Morandi F, Mosca F, Borgatti R, Montirosso R. Very preterm birth is associated with PLAGL1 gene hypomethylation at birth and discharge. Epigenomics 2018; 10:1121-1130. [PMID: 30070601 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Recent findings show that DNA methylation is susceptible to very preterm (VPT) birth and to the experience of the early stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. The aim of the study was to compare PLAGL1 methylation between VPT and full-term (FT) infants at birth as well as between VPT infants at discharge and FT infants at birth. METHODS DNA was collected from cord blood of 56 VPT and 27 FT infants at birth and from peripheral blood in VPT infants at neonatal intensive care unit discharge. Sociodemographic and neonatal variables were considered. RESULTS PLAGL1 methylation at birth and at discharge were highly correlated in VPT infants. Lower methylation emerged in VPT infants at birth and discharge compared to FT counterparts. CONCLUSION PLAGL1 hypomethylation emerged as a potential epigenetic mark of VPT birth. Future research is warranted to assess the functional consequences of PLAGL1 diminished methylation in VPT infants' development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 238422, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Pietro De Carli
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 238422, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Monica Fumagalli
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 201223, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 238424, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Sharon Casavant
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 060325, USA
| | - Silvana Beri
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 238424, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Andrea Citterio
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 238424, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Amy D'Agata
- College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 028816, USA
| | | | - Fabio Mosca
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 201223, Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Neuropsychiatry & Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 238422, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 238422, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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13
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Piyasena C, Cartier J, Provençal N, Wiechmann T, Khulan B, Sunderesan R, Menon G, Seckl JR, Reynolds RM, Binder EB, Drake AJ. Dynamic Changes in DNA Methylation Occur during the First Year of Life in Preterm Infants. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2016; 7:158. [PMID: 28018293 PMCID: PMC5156662 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth associates with a substantially increased risk of later cardiovascular disease and neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding underlying mechanisms will facilitate the development of screening and intervention strategies to reduce disease risk. Changes in DNA methylation have been proposed as one mechanism linking the early environment with later disease risk. We tested the hypothesis that preterm birth associates with altered DNA methylation in genes encoding insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5), which appear particularly vulnerable to early life adversity. METHODS Fifty preterm infants were seen and assessed at birth, term equivalent age, 3 months and 1-year corrected ages; 40 term infants were seen at birth, 3 months and 1 year. Saliva was collected for DNA extraction at birth, term, and 1 year. Pyrosequencing of bisulfite-converted DNA was performed to measure DNA methylation at specific CpG sites within the IGF2 and FKBP5 loci. RESULTS Weight and head circumference was reduced in preterm infants at all time points. Preterm infants had a higher percentage body fat at term-corrected age, but this difference was not persistent. DNA methylation at the differentially methylated region (DMR) of IGF2 (IGF2DMR2) and FKBP5 was lower in preterm infants at birth- and term-corrected age compared to term infants at birth. IGF2DMR2 and FKBP5 methylation was related to birthweight SD score in preterm infants. Among preterm infants, social deprivation was an independent contributor toward reducing DNA methylation at IGF2DMR2 at birth- and term-corrected age and maternal smoking was associated with reduced DNA methylation at FKBP5 at birth. There were no persistent differences in DNA methylation at 1 year of age. CONCLUSION Changes in DNA methylation were identified at key regions of IGF2/H19 and FKBP5 in preterm infants in early life. Potential contributing factors include maternal smoking and social deprivation. However, these changes did not persist at 1 year of age and further longitudinal studies are required to determine any associations between altered DNA methylation in the perinatal period of individuals born preterm and their long-term health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinthika Piyasena
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Neonatal Unit, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jessy Cartier
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nadine Provençal
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Wiechmann
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Batbayar Khulan
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Raju Sunderesan
- Neonatal Unit, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gopi Menon
- Neonatal Unit, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jonathan R. Seckl
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rebecca M. Reynolds
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elisabeth B. Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Amanda J. Drake
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- *Correspondence: Amanda J. Drake,
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14
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Lahti M, Eriksson JG, Heinonen K, Kajantie E, Lahti J, Wahlbeck K, Tuovinen S, Pesonen AK, Mikkonen M, Osmond C, Barker DJP, Räikkönen K. Late preterm birth, post-term birth, and abnormal fetal growth as risk factors for severe mental disorders from early to late adulthood. Psychol Med 2015; 45:985-999. [PMID: 25191989 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291714001998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late preterm births constitute the majority of preterm births. However, most evidence suggesting that preterm birth predicts the risk of mental disorders comes from studies on earlier preterm births. We examined if late preterm birth predicts the risks of severe mental disorders from early to late adulthood. We also studied whether adulthood mental disorders are associated with post-term birth or with being born small (SGA) or large (LGA) for gestational age, which have been previously associated with psychopathology risk in younger ages. METHOD Of 12 597 Helsinki Birth Cohort Study participants, born 1934-1944, 664 were born late preterm, 1221 post-term, 287 SGA, and 301 LGA. The diagnoses of mental disorders were identified from national hospital discharge and cause of death registers from 1969 to 2010. In total, 1660 (13.2%) participants had severe mental disorders. RESULTS Individuals born late preterm did not differ from term-born individuals in their risk of any severe mental disorder. However, men born late preterm had a significantly increased risk of suicide. Post-term birth predicted significantly increased risks of any mental disorder in general and particularly of substance use and anxiety disorders. Individuals born SGA had significantly increased risks of any mental and substance use disorders. Women born LGA had an increased risk of psychotic disorders. CONCLUSIONS Although men born late preterm had an increased suicide risk, late preterm birth did not exert widespread effects on adult psychopathology. In contrast, the risks of severe mental disorders across adulthood were increased among individuals born SGA and individuals born post-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lahti
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki,Finland
| | - J G Eriksson
- National Institute for Health and Welfare,Helsinki,Finland
| | - K Heinonen
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki,Finland
| | - E Kajantie
- National Institute for Health and Welfare,Helsinki,Finland
| | - J Lahti
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki,Finland
| | - K Wahlbeck
- National Institute for Health and Welfare,Helsinki,Finland
| | - S Tuovinen
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki,Finland
| | - A-K Pesonen
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki,Finland
| | - M Mikkonen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare,Helsinki,Finland
| | - C Osmond
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit,University of Southampton,UK
| | | | - K Räikkönen
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki,Finland
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15
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Montirosso R, Provenzi L. Implications of Epigenetics and Stress Regulation on Research and Developmental Care of Preterm Infants. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2015; 44:174-82. [DOI: 10.1111/1552-6909.12559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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16
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King K, Murphy S, Hoyo C. Epigenetic regulation of Newborns' imprinted genes related to gestational growth: patterning by parental race/ethnicity and maternal socioeconomic status. J Epidemiol Community Health 2015; 69:639-47. [PMID: 25678712 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2014-204781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children born to parents with lower income and education are at risk for obesity and later-life risk of common chronic diseases, and epigenetics has been hypothesised to link these associations. However, epigenetic targets are unknown. We focus on a cluster of well-characterised genomically imprinted genes because their monoallelic expression is regulated by DNA methylation at differentially methylated regions (DMRs), are critical in fetal growth, and DNA methylation patterns at birth have been associated with increased risk of birth weight extremes and overweight status or obesity in early childhood. METHODS We measured DNA methylation at DMRs regulating genomically imprinted domains (IGF2/H19, DLK1/MEG3, NNAT and PLAGL1) using umbilical cord blood leucocytes from 619 infants recruited in Durham, North Carolina in 2010-2011. We examined differences in DNA methylation levels by race/ethnicity of both parents, and the role that maternal socioeconomic status (SES) may play in the association between race/ethnic epigenetic differences. RESULTS Unadjusted race/ethnic differences only were evident for DMRs regulating MEG3 and IGF2; race/ethnic differences persisted in IGF2/H19 and NNAT after accounting for income and education. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that parental factors may not only influence DNA methylation, but also do so in ways that vary by DMR. Findings support the hypothesis that epigenetics may link the observed lower SES during the prenatal period and poor outcomes such as low birth weight; lower birth weight has previously been associated with adult-onset chronic diseases and conditions that include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and some cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine King
- Environmental Public Health Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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17
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Bayman E, Drake AJ, Piyasena C. Prematurity and programming of cardiovascular disease risk: a future challenge for public health? Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2014; 99:F510-4. [PMID: 25135955 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2014-306742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is substantial epidemiological evidence linking low birth weight with adult cardiometabolic disease risk factors. This has led to the concept of 'early life programming' or the 'developmental origins of disease' which proposes that exposure to adverse conditions during critical stages of early development results in compensatory mechanisms predicted to aid survival. There is growing evidence that preterm infants, many of whom are of low birth weight, are also at increased risk of adult cardiometabolic disease. In this article, we provide a broad overview of the evidence linking preterm birth and cardiovascular disease risk and discuss potential consequences for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda J Drake
- Endocrinology Unit, University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Chinthika Piyasena
- Endocrinology Unit, University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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18
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Córdova-Palomera A, Alemany S, Fatjó-Vilas M, Goldberg X, Leza JC, González-Pinto A, Nenadic I, Fañanás L. Birth weight, working memory and epigenetic signatures in IGF2 and related genes: a MZ twin study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103639. [PMID: 25171170 PMCID: PMC4149354 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disruptions caused by obstetric complications play a role in the etiology of several phenotypes associated with neuropsychiatric diseases and cognitive dysfunctions. Importantly, it has been noticed that epigenetic processes occurring early in life may mediate these associations. Here, DNA methylation signatures at IGF2 (insulin-like growth factor 2) and IGF2BP1-3 (IGF2-binding proteins 1-3) were examined in a sample consisting of 34 adult monozygotic (MZ) twins informative for obstetric complications and cognitive performance. Multivariate linear regression analysis of twin data was implemented to test for associations between methylation levels and both birth weight (BW) and adult working memory (WM) performance. Familial and unique environmental factors underlying these potential relationships were evaluated. A link was detected between DNA methylation levels of two CpG sites in the IGF2BP1 gene and both BW and adult WM performance. The BW-IGF2BP1 methylation association seemed due to non-shared environmental factors influencing BW, whereas the WM-IGF2BP1 methylation relationship seemed mediated by both genes and environment. Our data is in agreement with previous evidence indicating that DNA methylation status may be related to prenatal stress and later neurocognitive phenotypes. While former reports independently detected associations between DNA methylation and either BW or WM, current results suggest that these relationships are not confounded by each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Córdova-Palomera
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Alemany
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Fatjó-Vilas
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ximena Goldberg
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Leza
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, and Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (I+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Pinto
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Psychiatry Service, Santiago Apóstol Hospital, EMBREC, EHU/UPV University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain
| | - Igor Nenadic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Lourdes Fañanás
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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19
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Rangel M, dos Santos JC, Ortiz PHL, Hirata M, Jasiulionis MG, Araujo RC, Ierardi DF, Franco MDC. Modification of epigenetic patterns in low birth weight children: importance of hypomethylation of the ACE gene promoter. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106138. [PMID: 25170764 PMCID: PMC4149513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing body of evidence that epigenetic alterations are involved in the pathological mechanisms of many chronic disorders linked to fetal programming. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) appears as one candidate gene that brings new insights into the epigenetic control and later development of diseases. In this view, we have postulated that epigenetic modifications in the ACE gene might show different interactions between birth weight (BW), blood pressure levels, plasma ACE activity and ACE I/D polymorphism. To explore this hypothesis, we performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate the DNA methylation of 3 CpG sites using pyrosequencing within the ACE gene promoter of peripheral blood leukocytes from 45 LBW children compared with 70 NBW children. Our results have revealed that LBW children have lower methylation levels (P<0.001) in parallel with a higher ACE activity (P = 0.001). Adjusting for prematurity, gender, age, body mass index, and family history of cardiovascular disease did not alter these findings. We have also performed analyses of individual CpG sites. The frequency of DNA methylation was significantly different at two CpG sites (site 1: nucleotide position +555; and site 3: nucleotide position +563). In addition, we have found a significant inverse correlation between degree of DNA methylation and both ACE activity (P<0.001) and systolic blood pressure levels (P<0.001). We also observed that the methylation level was significantly lower in LBW children who are carriers of the DD genotype compared to NBW children with DD genotype (P<0.024). In conclusion, we are able to demonstrate that the hypomethylation in the 3 CpG sites of ACE gene promoter is associated with LBW in 6 to 12 year-old children. The magnitude of these epigenetic changes appears to be clinically important, which is supported by the observation that discrete changes in DNA methylation can affect systolic blood pressure and ACE protein activity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Rangel
- Nephrology Division, School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mario Hirata
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ronaldo C. Araujo
- Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniela Filippini Ierardi
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Maria do Carmo Franco
- Nephrology Division, School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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20
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The imprinted gene LRRTM1 mediates schizotypy and handedness in a nonclinical population. J Hum Genet 2014; 59:332-6. [PMID: 24785688 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2014.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Imprinted genes have been posited to have important roles in human brain development and cognition, but their effects in nonclinical populations have yet to be investigated. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the imprinted gene LRRTM1 have previously been associated with schizophrenia risk and with handedness in individuals with dyslexia. We tested the hypothesis that genetic variation (SNPs) and epigenetic variation (methylation) in this gene are associated with schizotypy and handedness in a nonclinical population. Risk alleles of the three schizophrenia-linked SNPs were associated with significantly and substantially higher levels of total schizotypy. Variation in SNP genotypes was not associated with handedness, but levels of methylation in a block of CpG sites in the putative LRRTM1 promoter region were associated with more-mixed handedness. These findings provide evidence of continuity between schizophrenia and schizotypy with regard to the psychological effects of allelic variation in this imprinted gene, and show that epigenetic variation in an imprinted gene mediates the development and expression of human handedness.
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