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Zhang W, Zhang X, Qiu C, Zhang Z, Su KJ, Luo Z, Liu M, Zhao B, Wu L, Tian Q, Shen H, Wu C, Deng HW. An atlas of genetic effects on the monocyte methylome across European and African populations. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.08.12.24311885. [PMID: 39211851 PMCID: PMC11361221 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.12.24311885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Elucidating the genetic architecture of DNA methylation (DNAm) is crucial for decoding the etiology of complex diseases. However, current epigenomic studies often suffer from incomplete coverage of methylation sites and the use of tissues containing heterogeneous cell populations. To address these challenges, we present a comprehensive human methylome atlas based on deep whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of purified monocytes from 298 European Americans (EA) and 160 African Americans (AA) in the Louisiana Osteoporosis Study. Our atlas enables the analysis of over 25 million DNAm sites. We identified 1,383,250 and 1,721,167 methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) in cis -regions for EA and AA populations, respectively, with 880,108 sites shared between ancestries. While cis -meQTLs exhibited population-specific patterns, primarily due to differences in minor allele frequencies, shared cis -meQTLs showed high concordance across ancestries. Notably, cis -heritability estimates revealed significantly higher mean values in the AA population (0.09) compared to the EA population (0.04). Furthermore, we developed population-specific DNAm imputation models using Elastic Net, enabling methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) for 1,976,046 and 2,657,581 methylation sites in EA and AA, respectively. The performance of our MWAS models was validated through a systematic multi-ancestry analysis of 41 complex traits from the Million Veteran Program. Our findings bridge the gap between genomics and the monocyte methylome, uncovering novel methylation-phenotype associations and their transferability across diverse ancestries. The identified meQTLs, MWAS models, and data resources are freely available at www.gcbhub.org and https://osf.io/gct57/ .
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2
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Pilkay SR, Knight AK, Bush NR, LeWinn K, Davis RL, Tylavsky F, Smith AK. Poverty and neighborhood opportunity effects on neonate DNAm developmental age. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306452. [PMID: 38995877 PMCID: PMC11244791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children from families with low socioeconomic status (SES), as determined by income, experience several negative outcomes, such as higher rates of newborn mortality and behavioral issues. Moreover, associations between DNA methylation and low income or poverty status are evident beginning at birth, suggesting prenatal influences on offspring development. Recent evidence suggests neighborhood opportunities may protect against some of the health consequences of living in low income households. The goal of this study was to assess whether neighborhood opportunities moderate associations between household income (HI) and neonate developmental maturity as measured with DNA methylation. METHODS Umbilical cord blood DNA methylation data was available in 198 mother-neonate pairs from the larger CANDLE cohort. Gestational age acceleration was calculated using an epigenetic clock designed for neonates. Prenatal HI and neighborhood opportunities measured with the Childhood Opportunity Index (COI) were regressed on gestational age acceleration controlling for sex, race, and cellular composition. RESULTS Higher HI was associated with higher gestational age acceleration (B = .145, t = 4.969, p = 1.56x10-6, 95% CI [.087, .202]). Contrary to expectation, an interaction emerged showing higher neighborhood educational opportunity was associated with lower gestational age acceleration at birth for neonates with mothers living in moderate to high HI (B = -.048, t = -2.08, p = .03, 95% CI [-.092, -.002]). Female neonates showed higher gestational age acceleration at birth compared to males. However, within males, being born into neighborhoods with higher social and economic opportunity was associated with higher gestational age acceleration. CONCLUSION Prenatal HI and neighborhood qualities may affect gestational age acceleration at birth. Therefore, policy makers should consider neighborhood qualities as one opportunity to mitigate prenatal developmental effects of HI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie R Pilkay
- School of Social Work, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Anna K Knight
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Georgia, United States of America
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kaja LeWinn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Robert L Davis
- Health and Science Center, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Frances Tylavsky
- Health and Science Center, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Georgia, United States of America
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Mozhui K, Kim H, Villani F, Haghani A, Sen S, Horvath S. Pleiotropic influence of DNA methylation QTLs on physiological and ageing traits. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2252631. [PMID: 37691384 PMCID: PMC10496549 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2252631] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors. Here, we chart quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that modulate levels of methylation at highly conserved CpGs using liver methylome data from mouse strains belonging to the BXD family. A regulatory hotspot on chromosome 5 had the highest density of trans-acting methylation QTLs (trans-meQTLs) associated with multiple distant CpGs. We refer to this locus as meQTL.5a. Trans-modulated CpGs showed age-dependent changes and were enriched in developmental genes, including several members of the MODY pathway (maturity onset diabetes of the young). The joint modulation by genotype and ageing resulted in a more 'aged methylome' for BXD strains that inherited the DBA/2J parental allele at meQTL.5a. Further, several gene expression traits, body weight, and lipid levels mapped to meQTL.5a, and there was a modest linkage with lifespan. DNA binding motif and protein-protein interaction enrichment analyses identified the hepatic nuclear factor, Hnf1a (MODY3 gene in humans), as a strong candidate. The pleiotropic effects of meQTL.5a could contribute to variations in body size and metabolic traits, and influence CpG methylation and epigenetic ageing that could have an impact on lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khyobeni Mozhui
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hyeonju Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Flavia Villani
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Amin Haghani
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Altos Labs, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Saunak Sen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Altos Labs, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Fernando KK, Craig JM, Dawson SL. Relationships between the maternal prenatal diet and epigenetic state in infants: a systematic review of human studies. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2023; 14:540-555. [PMID: 37496159 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174423000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Most human studies investigating the relationship between maternal diet in pregnancy and infant epigenetic state have focused on macro- and micro-nutrient intake, rather than the whole diet. This makes it difficult to translate the evidence into practical prenatal dietary recommendations.To review the evidence on how the prenatal diet relates to the epigenetic state of infants measured in the first year of life via candidate gene or genome-wide approaches.Following the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic literature search was completed in August 2020, and updated in August 2021 and April 2022. Studies investigating dietary supplementation were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed, and the certainty of results was analysed with consideration of study quality and validity.Seven studies were included, encompassing 6852 mother-infant dyads. One study was a randomised controlled trial and the remaining six were observational studies. There was heterogeneity in dietary exposure measures. Three studies used an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) design and four focused on candidate genes from cord blood samples. All studies showed inconsistent associations between maternal dietary measures and DNA methylation in infants. Effect sizes of maternal diet on DNA methylation ranged from very low (< 1%) to high (> 10%). All studies had limitations and were assessed as having moderate to high risk of bias.The evidence presented here provides very low certainty that dietary patterns in pregnancy relate to epigenetic state in infants. We recommend that future studies maximise sample sizes and optimise and harmonise methods of dietary measurement and pipelines of epigenetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathya K Fernando
- Department of Immunology & Pathology, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
- IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia
| | - Samantha L Dawson
- Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
- IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia
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5
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Chan MHM, Merrill SM, Konwar C, Kobor MS. An integrative framework and recommendations for the study of DNA methylation in the context of race and ethnicity. DISCOVER SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH 2023; 3:9. [PMID: 37122633 PMCID: PMC10118232 DOI: 10.1007/s44155-023-00039-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Human social epigenomics research is critical to elucidate the intersection of social and genetic influences underlying racial and ethnic differences in health and development. However, this field faces major challenges in both methodology and interpretation with regard to disentangling confounded social and biological aspects of race and ethnicity. To address these challenges, we discuss how these constructs have been approached in the past and how to move forward in studying DNA methylation (DNAm), one of the best-characterized epigenetic marks in humans, in a responsible and appropriately nuanced manner. We highlight self-reported racial and ethnic identity as the primary measure in this field, and discuss its implications in DNAm research. Racial and ethnic identity reflects the biological embedding of an individual's sociocultural experience and environmental exposures in combination with the underlying genetic architecture of the human population (i.e., genetic ancestry). Our integrative framework demonstrates how to examine DNAm in the context of race and ethnicity, while considering both intrinsic factors-including genetic ancestry-and extrinsic factors-including structural and sociocultural environment and developmental niches-when focusing on early-life experience. We reviewed DNAm research in relation to health disparities given its relevance to race and ethnicity as social constructs. Here, we provide recommendations for the study of DNAm addressing racial and ethnic differences, such as explicitly acknowledging the self-reported nature of racial and ethnic identity, empirically examining the effects of genetic variants and accounting for genetic ancestry, and investigating race-related and culturally regulated environmental exposures and experiences. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44155-023-00039-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meingold Hiu-ming Chan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Sarah M. Merrill
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Chaini Konwar
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Michael S. Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Edwin S. H. Leong Healthy Aging Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
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6
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Meloni M, Moll T, Issaka A, Kuzawa CW. A biosocial return to race? A cautionary view for the postgenomic era. Am J Hum Biol 2022; 34:e23742. [PMID: 35275433 PMCID: PMC9286859 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrating epigenetic and developmental sensitivity to early environments, as exemplified by fields like the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and environmental epigenetics, are bringing new data and models to bear on debates about race, genetics, and society. Here, we first survey the historical prominence of models of environmental determinism in early formulations of racial thinking to illustrate how notions of direct environmental effects on bodies have been used to naturalize racial hierarchy and inequalities in the past. Next, we conduct a scoping review of postgenomic work in environmental epigenetics and DOHaD that looks at the role of race/ethnicity in human health (2000-2021). Although there is substantial heterogeneity in how race is conceptualized and interpreted across studies, we observe practices that may unwittingly encourage typological thinking, including: using DNA methylation as a novel marker of racial classification; neglect of variation and reversibility within supposedly homogenous racial groups; and a tendency to label and reify whole groups as pathologized or impaired. Even in the very different politico-economic and epistemic context of contemporary postgenomic science, these trends echo deeply held beliefs in Western thinking which claimed that different environments shape different bodies and then used this logic to argue for essential differences between Europeans and non-Europeans. We conclude with a series of suggestions on interpreting and reporting findings in these fields that we feel will help researchers harness this work to benefit disadvantaged groups while avoiding the inadvertent dissemination of new and old forms of stigma or prejudice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Meloni
- Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and GlobalisationDeakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds CampusWaurn PondsVictoriaAustralia
| | - Tessa Moll
- Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and GlobalisationDeakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds CampusWaurn PondsVictoriaAustralia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Ayuba Issaka
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of HealthDeakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds CampusWaurn PondsVictoriaAustralia
| | - Christopher W. Kuzawa
- Department of Anthropology and Institute for Policy ResearchNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
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Li B, Aouizerat BE, Cheng Y, Anastos K, Justice AC, Zhao H, Xu K. Incorporating local ancestry improves identification of ancestry-associated methylation signatures and meQTLs in African Americans. Commun Biol 2022; 5:401. [PMID: 35488087 PMCID: PMC9054854 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03353-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report three epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of DNA methylation on self-reported race, global genetic ancestry, and local genetic ancestry in admixed Americans from three sets of samples, including internal and external replications (Ntotal = 1224). Our EWAS on local ancestry (LA) identified the largest number of ancestry-associated DNA methylation sites and also featured the highest replication rate. Furthermore, by incorporating ancestry origins of genetic variations, we identified 36 methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) clumps for LA-associated CpGs that cannot be captured by a model that assumes identical genetic effects across ancestry origins. Lead SNPs at 152 meQTL clumps had significantly different genetic effects in the context of an African or European ancestry background. Local ancestry information enables superior capture of ancestry-associated methylation signatures and identification of ancestry-specific genetic effects on DNA methylation. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating local ancestry for EWAS in admixed samples from multi-ancestry cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyang Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Bradley E Aouizerat
- Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Youshu Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Kathryn Anastos
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Amy C Justice
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Ke Xu
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, United States.
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
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Akhabir L, Stringer R, Desai D, Mandhane PJ, Azad MB, Moraes TJ, Subbarao P, Turvey SE, Paré G, Anand SS, Anand SS, Atkinson SA, Azad MB, Becker AB, Brook J, Denburg JA, Desai D, de Souza RJ, Gupta M, Kobor M, Lefebvre DL, Lou W, Mandhane PJ, McDonald S, Mente A, Meyre D, Moraes TJ, Morrison K, Paré G, Sears MR, Subbarao P, Teo KK, Turvey SE, Wilson J, Yusuf S, Atkinson S, Wahi G, Zulyniak MA. DNA methylation changes in cord blood and the developmental origins of health and disease – a systematic review and replication study. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:221. [PMID: 35305575 PMCID: PMC8933946 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08451-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Environmental exposures in utero which modify DNA methylation may have a long-lasting impact on health and disease in offspring. We aimed to identify and replicate previously published genomic loci where DNA methylation changes are attributable to in utero exposures in the NutriGen birth cohort studies Alliance.
Methods
We reviewed the literature to identify differentially methylated sites of newborn DNA which are associated with the following five traits of interest maternal diabetes, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), diet during pregnancy, smoking, and gestational age. We then attempted to replicate these published associations in the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) and the South Asian birth cohort (START) cord blood epigenome-wide data.
Results
We screened 68 full-text articles and identified a total of 17 cord blood epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of the traits of interest. Out of the 290 CpG sites reported, 19 were identified in more than one study; all of them associated with maternal smoking. In CHILD and START EWAS, thousands of sites associated with gestational age were identified and maintained significance after correction for multiple testing. In CHILD, there was differential methylation observed for 8 of the published maternal smoking sites. No other traits tested (i.e., folate levels, gestational diabetes, birthweight) replicated in the CHILD or START cohorts.
Conclusions
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and gestational age are strongly associated with differential methylation in offspring cord blood, as assessed in the EWAS literature and our birth cohorts. There are a limited number of reported methylation sites associated in more than two independent studies related to pregnancy. Additional large studies of diverse populations with fine phenotyping are needed to produce robust epigenome-wide data in order to further elucidate the effect of intrauterine exposures on the infants’ methylome.
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9
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The Impact of Stress Within and Across Generations: Neuroscientific and Epigenetic Considerations. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2021; 29:303-317. [PMID: 34049337 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The impact of stress and trauma on biological systems in humans can be substantial. They can result in epigenetic changes, accelerated brain development and sexual maturation, and predisposition to psychopathology. Such modifications may be accompanied by behavioral, emotional, and cognitive overtones during one's lifetime. Exposure during sensitive periods of neural development may lead to long-lasting effects that may not be affected by subsequent environmental interventions. The cumulative effects of life stressors in an individual may affect offspring's methylome makeup and epigenetic clocks, neurohormonal modulation and stress reactivity, and physiological and reproductive development. While offspring may suffer deleterious effects from parental stress and their own early-life adversity, these factors may also confer traits that prove beneficial and enhance fitness to their own environment. This article synthesizes the data on how stress shapes biological and behavioral dimensions, drawing from preclinical and human models. Advances in this field of knowledge should potentially allow for an improved understanding of how interventions may be increasingly tailored according to individual biomarkers and developmental history.
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10
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McKennan C, Naughton K, Stanhope C, Kattan M, O’Connor GT, Sandel MT, Visness CM, Wood RA, Bacharier LB, Beigelman A, Lovinsky-Desir S, Togias A, Gern JE, Nicolae D, Ober C. Longitudinal data reveal strong genetic and weak non-genetic components of ethnicity-dependent blood DNA methylation levels. Epigenetics 2021; 16:662-676. [PMID: 32997571 PMCID: PMC8143220 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1817290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic architecture is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, but little is known about their relative contributions or longitudinal dynamics. Here, we studied DNA methylation (DNAm) at over 750,000 CpG sites in mononuclear blood cells collected at birth and age 7 from 196 children of primarily self-reported Black and Hispanic ethnicities to study race-associated DNAm patterns. We developed a novel Bayesian method for high-dimensional longitudinal data and showed that race-associated DNAm patterns at birth and age 7 are nearly identical. Additionally, we estimated that up to 51% of all self-reported race-associated CpGs had race-dependent DNAm levels that were mediated through local genotype and, quite surprisingly, found that genetic factors explained an overwhelming majority of the variation in DNAm levels at other, previously identified, environmentally-associated CpGs. These results indicate that race-associated blood DNAm patterns in particular, and blood DNAm levels in general, are primarily driven by genetic factors, and are not as sensitive to environmental exposures as previously suggested, at least during the first 7 years of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris McKennan
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Meyer Kattan
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - George T. O’Connor
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Megan T. Sandel
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Robert A. Wood
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leonard B. Bacharier
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine and St Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Avraham Beigelman
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine and St Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Alkis Togias
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James E. Gern
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Dan Nicolae
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Statistics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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11
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Acevedo N, Alashkar Alhamwe B, Caraballo L, Ding M, Ferrante A, Garn H, Garssen J, Hii CS, Irvine J, Llinás-Caballero K, López JF, Miethe S, Perveen K, Pogge von Strandmann E, Sokolowska M, Potaczek DP, van Esch BCAM. Perinatal and Early-Life Nutrition, Epigenetics, and Allergy. Nutrients 2021; 13:724. [PMID: 33668787 PMCID: PMC7996340 DOI: 10.3390/nu13030724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown a dramatic increase in the incidence and the prevalence of allergic diseases over the last several decades. Environmental triggers including risk factors (e.g., pollution), the loss of rural living conditions (e.g., farming conditions), and nutritional status (e.g., maternal, breastfeeding) are considered major contributors to this increase. The influences of these environmental factors are thought to be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms which are heritable, reversible, and biologically relevant biochemical modifications of the chromatin carrying the genetic information without changing the nucleotide sequence of the genome. An important feature characterizing epigenetically-mediated processes is the existence of a time frame where the induced effects are the strongest and therefore most crucial. This period between conception, pregnancy, and the first years of life (e.g., first 1000 days) is considered the optimal time for environmental factors, such as nutrition, to exert their beneficial epigenetic effects. In the current review, we discussed the impact of the exposure to bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungal components, microbiome metabolites, and specific nutritional components (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vitamins, plant- and animal-derived microRNAs, breast milk) on the epigenetic patterns related to allergic manifestations. We gave insight into the epigenetic signature of bioactive milk components and the effects of specific nutrition on neonatal T cell development. Several lines of evidence suggest that atypical metabolic reprogramming induced by extrinsic factors such as allergens, viruses, pollutants, diet, or microbiome might drive cellular metabolic dysfunctions and defective immune responses in allergic disease. Therefore, we described the current knowledge on the relationship between immunometabolism and allergy mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. The knowledge as presented will give insight into epigenetic changes and the potential of maternal and post-natal nutrition on the development of allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Acevedo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena 130014, Colombia; (N.A.); (L.C.); (K.L.-C.); (J.F.L.)
| | - Bilal Alashkar Alhamwe
- Institute of Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (B.A.A.); (E.P.v.S.)
- College of Pharmacy, International University for Science and Technology (IUST), Daraa 15, Syria
| | - Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena 130014, Colombia; (N.A.); (L.C.); (K.L.-C.); (J.F.L.)
| | - Mei Ding
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, 7265 Davos, Switzerland; (M.D.); (M.S.)
- Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, 7265 Davos, Switzerland
- Department of Allergology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Antonio Ferrante
- Department of Immunopathology, SA Pathology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; (A.F.); (C.S.H.); (J.I.); (K.P.)
- Adelaide School of Medicine and the Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Holger Garn
- Translational Inflammation Research Division & Core Facility for Single Cell Multiomics, Medical Faculty, Philipps University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (H.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Danone Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Charles S. Hii
- Department of Immunopathology, SA Pathology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; (A.F.); (C.S.H.); (J.I.); (K.P.)
- Adelaide School of Medicine and the Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - James Irvine
- Department of Immunopathology, SA Pathology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; (A.F.); (C.S.H.); (J.I.); (K.P.)
- Adelaide School of Medicine and the Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kevin Llinás-Caballero
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena 130014, Colombia; (N.A.); (L.C.); (K.L.-C.); (J.F.L.)
| | - Juan Felipe López
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena 130014, Colombia; (N.A.); (L.C.); (K.L.-C.); (J.F.L.)
| | - Sarah Miethe
- Translational Inflammation Research Division & Core Facility for Single Cell Multiomics, Medical Faculty, Philipps University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (H.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Khalida Perveen
- Department of Immunopathology, SA Pathology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia; (A.F.); (C.S.H.); (J.I.); (K.P.)
- Adelaide School of Medicine and the Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Elke Pogge von Strandmann
- Institute of Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (B.A.A.); (E.P.v.S.)
| | - Milena Sokolowska
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, 7265 Davos, Switzerland; (M.D.); (M.S.)
- Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, 7265 Davos, Switzerland
| | - Daniel P. Potaczek
- Translational Inflammation Research Division & Core Facility for Single Cell Multiomics, Medical Faculty, Philipps University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (H.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Betty C. A. M. van Esch
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Danone Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
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12
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Ong LTC, Booth DR, Parnell GP. Vitamin D and its Effects on DNA Methylation in Development, Aging, and Disease. Mol Nutr Food Res 2020; 64:e2000437. [PMID: 33079481 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000437] [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: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is increasingly being recognized as a mechanism through which environmental exposures confer disease risk. Several studies have examined the association between vitamin D and changes in DNA methylation in areas as diverse as human and animal development, genomic stability, chronic disease risk, and malignancy. In many cases, they have demonstrated clear associations between vitamin D and DNA methylation in candidate disease pathways. Despite this, a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which these factors interact is unclear. This paper reviews the current understanding of the effects of vitamin D on DNA methylation. In light of current knowledge in the field, the potential mechanisms mediating vitamin D effects on DNA methylation are discussed, as are the limiting factors and future avenues for research into this exciting area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence T C Ong
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Westmead Hospital, Cnr Darcy and Hawkesbury Rds, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
| | - David R Booth
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
| | - Grant P Parnell
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
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13
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Daca-Roszak P, Jaksik R, Paczkowska J, Witt M, Ziętkiewicz E. Discrimination between human populations using a small number of differentially methylated CpG sites: a preliminary study using lymphoblastoid cell lines and peripheral blood samples of European and Chinese origin. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:706. [PMID: 33045984 PMCID: PMC7549247 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07092-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetics is one of the factors shaping natural variability observed among human populations. A small proportion of heritable inter-population differences are observed in the context of both the genome-wide methylation level and the methylation status of individual CpG sites. It has been demonstrated that a limited number of carefully selected differentially methylated sites may allow discrimination between main human populations. However, most of the few published results have been performed exclusively on B-lymphocyte cell lines. Results The goal of our study was to identify a set of CpG sites sufficient to discriminate between populations of European and Chinese ancestry based on the difference in the DNA methylation profile not only in cell lines but also in primary cell samples. The preliminary selection of CpG sites differentially methylated in these two populations (pop-CpGs) was based on the analysis of two groups of commercially available ethnically-specific B-lymphocyte cell lines, performed using Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450 BeadChip Array. A subset of 10 pop-CpGs characterized by the best differentiating criteria (|Mdiff| > 1, q < 0.05; lack of the confounding genomic features), and 10 additional CpGs in their immediate vicinity, were further tested using pyrosequencing technology in both B-lymphocyte cell lines and in the primary samples of the peripheral blood representing two analyzed populations. To assess the population-discriminating potential of the selected set of CpGs (further referred to as “composite pop (CEU-CHB)-CpG marker”), three classification methods were applied. The predictive ability of the composite 8-site pop (CEU-CHB)-CpG marker was assessed using 10-fold cross-validation method on two independent sets of samples. Conclusions Our results showed that less than 10 pop-CpG sites may distinguish populations of European and Chinese ancestry; importantly, this small composite pop-CpG marker performs well in both lymphoblastoid cell lines and in non-homogenous blood samples regardless of a gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Daca-Roszak
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Roman Jaksik
- Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 16, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Julia Paczkowska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
| | - Michał Witt
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
| | - Ewa Ziętkiewicz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
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14
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Philibert R, Beach SR, Lei MK, Gibbons FX, Gerrard M, Simons RL, Dogan MV. Array-Based Epigenetic Aging Indices May Be Racially Biased. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060685. [PMID: 32580526 PMCID: PMC7349894 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic aging (EA) indices are frequently used as predictors of mortality and other important health outcomes. However, each of the commonly used array-based indices has significant heritable components which could tag ethnicity and potentially confound comparisons across racial and ethnic groups. To determine if this was possible, we examined the relationship of DNA methylation in cord blood from 203 newborns (112 African American (AA) and 91 White) at the 513 probes from the Levine PhenoAge Epigenetic Aging index to ethnicity. Then, we examined all sites significantly associated with race in the newborn sample to determine if they were also associated with an index of ethnic genetic heritage in a cohort of 505 AA adults. After Bonferroni correction, methylation at 50 CpG sites was significantly associated with ethnicity in the newborn cohort. The five most significant sites predicted ancestry with a receiver operator characteristic area under the curve of 0.97. Examination of the top 50 sites in the AA adult cohort showed that methylation status at 11 of those sites was also associated with percentage European ancestry. We conclude that the Levine PhenoAge Index is influenced by cryptic ethnic-specific genetic influences. This influence may extend to similarly constructed EA indices and bias cross-race comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Philibert
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
- Behavioral Diagnostics LLC, Coralville, IA 52241, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-319-353-4986
| | - Steven R.H. Beach
- Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (S.R.H.B.); (M.-K.L.); (R.L.S.)
| | - Man-Kit Lei
- Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (S.R.H.B.); (M.-K.L.); (R.L.S.)
| | - Frederick X. Gibbons
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (F.X.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Meg Gerrard
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA; (F.X.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Ronald L. Simons
- Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (S.R.H.B.); (M.-K.L.); (R.L.S.)
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15
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Li S, Chen M, Li Y, Tollefsbol TO. Prenatal epigenetics diets play protective roles against environmental pollution. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:82. [PMID: 31097039 PMCID: PMC6524340 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0659-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is thought that germ cells and preimplantation embryos during development are most susceptible to endogenous and exogenous environmental factors because the epigenome in those cells is undergoing dramatic elimination and reconstruction. Exposure to environmental factors such as nutrition, climate, stress, pathogens, toxins, and even social behavior during gametogenesis and early embryogenesis has been shown to influence disease susceptibility in the offspring. Early-life epigenetic modifications, which determine the expression of genetic information stored in the genome, are viewed as one of the general mechanisms linking prenatal exposure and phenotypic changes later in life. From atmospheric pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals to heavy metals, research increasingly suggests that environmental pollutions have already produced significant consequences on human health. Moreover, mounting evidence now links such pollution to relevant modification in the epigenome. The epigenetics diet, referring to a class of bioactive dietary compounds such as isothiocyanates in broccoli, genistein in soybean, resveratrol in grape, epigallocatechin-3-gallate in green tea, and ascorbic acid in fruits, has been shown to modify the epigenome leading to beneficial health outcomes. This review will primarily focus on the causes and consequences of prenatal environment pollution exposure on the epigenome, and the potential protective role of the epigenetics diet, which could play a central role in neutralizing epigenomic aberrations against environmental pollutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhao Li
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Trygve O Tollefsbol
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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16
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Degenhardt F, Seifert S, Szymczak S. Evaluation of variable selection methods for random forests and omics data sets. Brief Bioinform 2019; 20:492-503. [PMID: 29045534 PMCID: PMC6433899 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbx124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Machine learning methods and in particular random forests are promising approaches for prediction based on high dimensional omics data sets. They provide variable importance measures to rank predictors according to their predictive power. If building a prediction model is the main goal of a study, often a minimal set of variables with good prediction performance is selected. However, if the objective is the identification of involved variables to find active networks and pathways, approaches that aim to select all relevant variables should be preferred. We evaluated several variable selection procedures based on simulated data as well as publicly available experimental methylation and gene expression data. Our comparison included the Boruta algorithm, the Vita method, recurrent relative variable importance, a permutation approach and its parametric variant (Altmann) as well as recursive feature elimination (RFE). In our simulation studies, Boruta was the most powerful approach, followed closely by the Vita method. Both approaches demonstrated similar stability in variable selection, while Vita was the most robust approach under a pure null model without any predictor variables related to the outcome. In the analysis of the different experimental data sets, Vita demonstrated slightly better stability in variable selection and was less computationally intensive than Boruta. In conclusion, we recommend the Boruta and Vita approaches for the analysis of high-dimensional data sets. Vita is considerably faster than Boruta and thus more suitable for large data sets, but only Boruta can also be applied in low-dimensional settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Seifert
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University, Germany
| | - Silke Szymczak
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University, Germany
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17
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Methyl Donor Micronutrients that Modify DNA Methylation and Cancer Outcome. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11030608. [PMID: 30871166 PMCID: PMC6471069 DOI: 10.3390/nu11030608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that is essential for regulating gene transcription. However, aberrant DNA methylation, which is a nearly universal finding in cancer, can result in disturbed gene expression. DNA methylation is modified by environmental factors such as diet that may modify cancer risk and tumor behavior. Abnormal DNA methylation has been observed in several cancers such as colon, stomach, cervical, prostate, and breast cancers. These alterations in DNA methylation may play a critical role in cancer development and progression. Dietary nutrient intake and bioactive food components are essential environmental factors that may influence DNA methylation either by directly inhibiting enzymes that catalyze DNA methylation or by changing the availability of substrates required for those enzymatic reactions such as the availability and utilization of methyl groups. In this review, we focused on nutrients that act as methyl donors or methylation co-factors and presented intriguing evidence for the role of these bioactive food components in altering DNA methylation patterns in cancer. Such a role is likely to have a mechanistic impact on the process of carcinogenesis and offer possible therapeutic potentials.
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18
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DNA methylation in the human frontal cortex reveals a putative mechanism for age-by-disease interactions. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:39. [PMID: 30696804 PMCID: PMC6351569 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0372-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A consistent gene set undergoes age-associated expression changes in the human cerebral cortex, and our Age-by-Disease Model posits that these changes contribute to psychiatric diseases by "pushing" the expression of disease-associated genes in disease-promoting directions. DNA methylation (DNAm) is an attractive candidate mechanism for age-associated gene expression changes. We used the Illumina HumanMethylation450 array to characterize genome-wide DNAm in the postmortem orbital frontal cortex from 20 younger (<42 years) and 19 older (>60 years) subjects. DNAm data were integrated with existing normal brain aging expression data and sets of psychiatric disease risk genes to test the hypothesis that age-associated DNAm changes contribute to age-associated gene expression changes and, by extension, susceptibility to psychiatric diseases. We found that age-associated differentially methylated regions (aDMRs) are common, robust, bidirectional, concentrated in CpG island shelves and sea, depleted in CpG islands, and enriched among genes undergoing age-associated expression changes (OR = 2.30, p = 1.69 × 10-27). We found the aDMRs are enriched among genetic association-based risk genes for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) (OR = 2.51, p = 0.00015; OR = 2.38, p = 0.036; and OR = 3.08, p = 0.018, respectively) as well as expression-based MDD-associated genes (OR = 1.48, p = 0.00012). Similar patterns of enrichment were found for aDMRs that correlate with local gene expression. These results were replicated in a large publically-available dataset, and confirmed by meta-analysis of the two datasets. Our findings suggest DNAm is a molecular mechanism for age-associated gene expression changes and support a role for DNAm in age-by-disease interactions through preferential targeting of disease-associated genes.
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19
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Andraos S, de Seymour JV, O'Sullivan JM, Kussmann M. The Impact of Nutritional Interventions in Pregnant Women on DNA Methylation Patterns of the Offspring: A Systematic Review. Mol Nutr Food Res 2018; 62:e1800034. [PMID: 30035846 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201800034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that environmental exposures in early life are associated with later-life health status and disease susceptibility. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, have been suggested as potential mechanisms linking the intrauterine environment with offspring health status. The present systematic review compiles peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of maternal nutritional interventions on DNA methylation patterns of the offspring. The results of the included trials are consistent with micronutrient supplementation not significantly affecting offspring tissue DNA methylation patterns, yet subgrouping by sex, BMI, and smoking status increased the significance of nutritional supplementation on DNA methylation. Maternal BMI and smoking status as well as offspring sex were factors influencing offspring DNA methylation responsiveness to nutritional interventions during pregnancy. Future research should aim at assessing the impact of nutritional interventions on DNA methylation patterns of neonates comparing single versus multi-micronutrient supplementation, within populations having high versus low baseline nutritional statuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Andraos
- The Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 1023, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jamie Violet de Seymour
- The Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 1023, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Justin Martin O'Sullivan
- The Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 1023, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Martin Kussmann
- The Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, 1023, Auckland, New Zealand.,New Zealand National Science Challenge, High-Value Nutrition, The University of Auckland, 1023, Auckland, New Zealand
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20
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Lubinsky M. An epigenetic association of malformations, adverse reproductive outcomes, and fetal origins hypothesis related effects. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:953-964. [PMID: 29855751 PMCID: PMC6030006 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1197-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
VACTERL, the prototype for associated congenital anomalies, also has connections with functional issues such as pregnancy losses, prematurity, growth delays, perinatal difficulties, and parental subfertility. This segues into a broader association with similar connections even in the absence of malformations. DNA methylation disturbances in the ovum are a likely cause, with epigenetic links to individual components and to folate effects before conception, explaining diverse fetal and placental findings and providing a link to fetal origin hypothesis-related effects. The association encompasses the following: (1) Pre- and periconceptual effects, with frequent fertility issues and occasional imprinting disorders. (2) Early malformations. (3) Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), as above. (4) Developmental destabilization that resolves soon after birth. This potentiates other causes of association findings, introducing multiple confounders. (5) Long-term fetal origins hypothesis-related risks. The other findings are exceptional when the same malformations have Mendelian origins, supporting a distinct pathogenesis. Expressions are facilitated by one-carbon metabolic issues, maternal and fetal stress, and decreased embryo size. This may be one of the commonest causes of adverse reproductive outcomes, but multifactorial findings, variable onsets and phenotypes, and interactions with multiple confounders make recognition difficult. This association supports VACTERL as a continuum that includes isolated malformations, extends the fetal origins hypothesis, explains adverse effects linked to maternal obesity, and suggests possible interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lubinsky
- , 6003 W. Washington Blvd., Wauwatosa, WI, 53213, USA.
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21
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Tian L, Khan A, Ning Z, Yuan K, Zhang C, Lou H, Yuan Y, Xu S. Genome-wide comparison of allele-specific gene expression between African and European populations. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:1067-1077. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Tian
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Asifullah Khan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan-23200 KP, Pakistan
| | - Zhilin Ning
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haiyi Lou
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shuhua Xu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai 200438, China
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22
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Martin EM, Fry RC. Environmental Influences on the Epigenome: Exposure- Associated DNA Methylation in Human Populations. Annu Rev Public Health 2018; 39:309-333. [PMID: 29328878 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040617-014629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most well studied of the epigenetic regulators in relation to environmental exposures. To date, numerous studies have detailed the manner by which DNA methylation is influenced by the environment, resulting in altered global and gene-specific DNA methylation. These studies have focused on prenatal, early-life, and adult exposure scenarios. The present review summarizes currently available literature that demonstrates a relationship between DNA methylation and environmental exposures. It includes studies on aflatoxin B1, air pollution, arsenic, bisphenol A, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants, tobacco smoke, and nutritional factors. It also addresses gaps in the literature and future directions for research. These gaps include studies of mixtures, sexual dimorphisms with respect to environmentally associated methylation changes, tissue specificity, and temporal stability of the methylation marks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Martin
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Curriculum in Toxicology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA; ,
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Curriculum in Toxicology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA; ,
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23
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High-level dietary cadmium exposure is associated with global DNA hypermethylation in the gastropod hepatopancreas. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184221. [PMID: 28877233 PMCID: PMC5587323 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
5-methylcytosine (5mC) is a key epigenetic mark which influences gene expression and phenotype. In vertebrates, this epigenetic mark is sensitive to Cd exposure, but there is no information linking such an event with changes in global 5mC levels in terrestrial gastropods despite their importance as excellentecotoxicological bioindicators of metal contamination. Therefore, we first evaluated total 5mC content in DNA of the hepatopancreas of adult Cantareus aspersus with the aim to determine whether this epigenetic mark is responsive to Cd exposure. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions and involved a continuous exposure, multiple dose- and time-point (14, 28, and 56 days) study design. Hepatopancreas cadmium levels were measured using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and the percentage of 5-mC in samples using an ELISA-based colorimetric assay. Snail death rates were also assessed. Our results, for the first time, reveal the presence of 5mC in C. aspersus and provide evidence for Cd-induced changes in global 5mC levels in DNA of gastropods and mollusks. Although less sensitive than tissue accumulation, DNA methylation levels responded in a dose- and time-dependent manner to dietary cadmium, with exposure dose having a much stronger effect than exposure duration. An obvious trend of increasing 5mC levels was observed starting at 28 days of exposure to the second highest dose and this trend persisted at the two highest treatments for close to one month, when the experiment was terminated after 56 days. Moreover, a strong association was identified between Cd concentrations in the hepatopancreas and DNA methylation levels in this organ. These data indicate an overall trend towards DNA hypermethylation with elevated Cd exposure. No consistent lethal effect was observed, irrespective of time point and Cd-dosage. Overall, our findings suggest that the total 5mC content in DNA of the hepatopancreas of land snails is responsive to sublethal Cd exposure and give new insights into invertebrate environmental epigenetics.
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Maternal vitamin D, DNA methylation at imprint regulatory regions and offspring weight at birth, 1 year and 3 years. Int J Obes (Lond) 2017; 42:587-593. [PMID: 28676681 PMCID: PMC5756131 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2017.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with poor birth outcomes in some studies, but few have examined weight beyond birth. In addition, little is known about how vitamin D influences DNA methylation of regulatory regions known to be involved in growth, as possible mediators to weight status in offspring. SUBJECTS/METHODS We conducted linear regressions to assess maternal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) by quartile and birth weight for gestational age z-score, 1-year weight-for-length z-score and 3-year body mass index (BMI) z-score among 476 mother/infant dyads from a prospective cohort. We assessed maternal 25(OH)D and infant DNA methylation at nine differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of genomically imprinted genes with known functions in fetal growth, including H19, IGF2, MEG3, MEG3-IG, MEST, NNAT, PEG3, PLAGL1 and SGCE/PEG10. RESULTS Mean (standard deviation, s.d.) maternal 25(OH)D was 41.1 (14.2) nmol l-m at a mean (s.d.) of 13.2 (5.5) weeks gestation. After adjustment for potential confounders, the first (Q1) and second (Q2) quartiles of 25(OH)D, compared to the fourth (Q4), were associated with lower birth weight for gestational age z-scores (-0.43 units; CI: -0.79, -0.07; P=0.02 for Q1 and -0.56 units; CI: -0.89, -0.23; P=0.001 for Q2). Q1 compared to Q4 was associated with higher 1-year weight-for-length z-scores (0.78 units; 0.08, 1.54; P=0.04) and higher 3-year BMI z-scores (0.83 units; 0.11, 0.93; P=0.02). We did not observe associations between maternal 25(OH)D and methylation for any of the nine DMRs after correcting for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS Reduced maternal 25(OH)D was associated with lower birth weight for gestational age z-scores but higher 1-year weight-for-length and 3-year BMI z-scores in offspring. However, 25(OH)D does not appear to be operating through the regulatory sequences of the genomically imprinted genes we examined.
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Beckett EL, Jones P, Veysey M, Duesing K, Martin C, Furst J, Yates Z, Jablonski NG, Chaplin G, Lucock M. VDR gene methylation as a molecular adaption to light exposure: Historic, recent and genetic influences. Am J Hum Biol 2017; 29. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Beckett
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
- Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
- Food and Nutrition FlagshipCSIRO NSW Australia
| | - Patrice Jones
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Martin Veysey
- Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
- Teaching & Research Unit, Central Coast Local Health DistrictPO Box 361, Gosford NSW2250 Australia
| | | | - Charlotte Martin
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - John Furst
- Maths & Physical SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Zoe Yates
- Biomedical Sciences & PharmacyUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Nina G. Jablonski
- Anthropology DepartmentThe Pennsylvania State University409 Carpenter Building, University Park Pennsylvania16802
| | - George Chaplin
- Anthropology DepartmentThe Pennsylvania State University409 Carpenter Building, University Park Pennsylvania16802
| | - Mark Lucock
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah NSW2258 Australia
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Richmond RC, Joubert BR. Contrasting the effects of intra-uterine smoking and one-carbon micronutrient exposures on offspring DNA methylation. Epigenomics 2017; 9:351-367. [PMID: 28234021 PMCID: PMC5331918 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal smoking and micronutrient intake during pregnancy are two strong biological candidates for impacting the developing epigenome. The extent to which DNA methylation in offspring is modified by these intrauterine exposures has not been presented in parallel. In this review, we summarize human studies which have investigated genome-wide DNA methylation in the offspring in relation to maternal smoking and one-carbon micronutrient exposure during pregnancy. We contrast the primarily independent efforts for these two categories of exposure, and potential explanations for these differences. We emphasize methodological considerations such as power to detect methylation signals, exposure assessment, control of sources of variability, causal inference and the role of observed methylation changes in mediating downstream outcomes in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Richmond
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Bonnie R Joubert
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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Infant's DNA Methylation Age at Birth and Epigenetic Aging Accelerators. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:4515928. [PMID: 28058257 PMCID: PMC5183755 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4515928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Knowing the biological age of the neonates enables us to evaluate and better understand the health and maturity comprehensively. However, because of dearth of biomarkers, it is difficult to quantify the neonatal biological age. Here we sought to quantify and assess the variability in biological age at birth and to better understand how the aging rates before birth are influenced by exposure in intrauterine period by employing a novel epigenetic biomarker of aging (epigenetic clock). We observed that the methylation age at birth was independent of the infant's sex but was significantly influenced by race. Partial correlation analysis showed a significant negative relationship between maternal socioeconomic status and infants' methylation age (rs = −0.48, Ps = 0.005). A significant association with the risk of fast aging was observed for prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke with OR (95% CI) of 3.17 (1.05–9.56). Both estimated cell abundance measures and lymphocyte subpopulations in cord blood showed that tobacco exposed group exhibit an altered T cell compartment, specifically substantial loss of naive T cells. Present study provides the first evidence that common perinatal exposure (such as maternal smoking and lower socioeconomic status) may be important aging accelerators and substantial loss of naive T cells may play a role in the smoking-related fast aging phenomenon.
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DNA methylation-based variation between human populations. Mol Genet Genomics 2016; 292:5-35. [PMID: 27815639 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-016-1264-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have proved that DNA methylation affects regulation of gene expression and development. Epigenome-wide studies have reported variation in methylation patterns between populations, including Caucasians, non-Caucasians (Blacks), Hispanics, Arabs, and numerous populations of the African continent. Not only has DNA methylation differences shown to impact externally visible characteristics, but is also a potential biomarker for underlying racial health disparities between human populations. Ethnicity-related methylation differences set their mark during early embryonic development. Genetic variations, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms and environmental factors, such as age, dietary folate, socioeconomic status, and smoking, impacts DNA methylation levels, which reciprocally impacts expression of phenotypes. Studies show that it is necessary to address these external influences when attempting to differentiate between populations since the relative impacts of these factors on the human methylome remain uncertain. The present review summarises several reported attempts to establish the contribution of differential DNA methylation to natural human variation, and shows that DNA methylation could represent new opportunities for risk stratification and prevention of several diseases amongst populations world-wide. Variation of methylation patterns between human populations is an exciting prospect which inspires further valuable research to apply the concept in routine medical and forensic casework. However, trans-generational inheritance needs to be quantified to decipher the proportion of variation contributed by DNA methylation. The future holds thorough evaluation of the epigenome to understand quantification, heritability, and the effect of DNA methylation on phenotypes. In addition, methylation profiling of the same ethnic groups across geographical locations will shed light on conserved methylation differences in populations.
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DNA methylation regulates hypothalamic gene expression linking parental diet during pregnancy to the offspring's risk of obesity in Psammomys obesus. Int J Obes (Lond) 2016; 40:1079-88. [PMID: 27108813 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2016.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE The rising incidence of obesity is a major public health issue worldwide. Recent human and animal studies suggest that parental diet can influence fetal development and is implicated with risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring. The hypothalamus is central to body energy homoeostasis and appetite by controlling endocrine signals. We hypothesise that offspring susceptibility to obesity is programmed in the hypothalamus in utero and mediated by changes to DNA methylation, which persist to adulthood. We investigated hypothalamic genome-wide DNA methylation in Psammomys obesus diet during pregnancy to the offspring's risk of obesity. METHODS Using methyl-CpG binding domain capture and deep sequencing (MBD-seq), we examined the hypothalamus of offspring exposed to a low-fat diet and standard chow diet during the gestation and lactation period. RESULTS Offspring exposed to a low-fat parental diet were more obese and had increased circulating insulin and glucose levels. Methylome profiling identified 1447 genomic regions of differential methylation between offspring of parents fed a low-fat diet compared with parents on standard chow diet. Pathway analysis shows novel DNA methylation changes of hypothalamic genes associated with neurological function, nutrient sensing, appetite and energy balance. Differential DNA methylation corresponded to changes in hypothalamic gene expression of Tas1r1 and Abcc8 in the offspring exposed to low-fat parental diet. CONCLUSION Subject to parental low-fat diet, we observe DNA methylation changes of genes associated with obesity in offspring.
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Knight AK, Smith AK. Epigenetic Biomarkers of Preterm Birth and Its Risk Factors. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:E15. [PMID: 27089367 PMCID: PMC4846845 DOI: 10.3390/genes7040015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A biomarker is a biological measure predictive of a normal or pathogenic process or response. Biomarkers are often useful for making clinical decisions and determining treatment course. One area where such biomarkers would be particularly useful is in identifying women at risk for preterm delivery and related pregnancy complications. Neonates born preterm have significant morbidity and mortality, both in the perinatal period and throughout the life course, and identifying women at risk of delivering preterm may allow for targeted interventions to prevent or delay preterm birth (PTB). In addition to identifying those at increased risk for preterm birth, biomarkers may be able to distinguish neonates at particular risk for future complications due to modifiable environmental factors, such as maternal smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy. Currently, there are no such biomarkers available, though candidate gene and epigenome-wide association studies have identified DNA methylation differences associated with PTB, its risk factors and its long-term outcomes. Further biomarker development is crucial to reducing the health burden associated with adverse intrauterine conditions and preterm birth, and the results of recent DNA methylation studies may advance that goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Knight
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Zhu H, Bhagatwala J, Huang Y, Pollock NK, Parikh S, Raed A, Gutin B, Harshfield GA, Dong Y. Race/Ethnicity-Specific Association of Vitamin D and Global DNA Methylation: Cross-Sectional and Interventional Findings. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152849. [PMID: 27049643 PMCID: PMC4822838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Understanding of the influence of vitamin D deficiency on epigenome will provide novel insights into the chronic disease risk. We tested our hypotheses that 1) vitamin D deficiency is associated with global hypomethylation and this association may be race/ethnicity dependent; and 2) vitamin D supplementation will increase global DNA methylation level. Methods A two-stage design, cross-sectional observation followed by a 16 week randomized, double- blinded, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) of vitamin D3 supplementation, was undertaken. Global DNA methylation level (percentage of 5-methylcytosine, %5-mC) was quantified using leukocyte DNA with the MethylFlashTM Methylated DNA Quantification kit (Epigentek). Global methylation data was obtained from 454 Caucasians and African Americans (42%) in the observation cohort and 58 African Americans with vitamin D deficiency in the dose responsive RCT. Results In the cross-sectional study, African Americans had lower %5-mC than Caucasians (P = 0.04). A significant interaction was detected between plasma 25(OH)D and race on %5-mC (P = 0.05), as a positive association was observed between plasma 25(OH)D and %5-mC in African Americans (β = 0.20, p<0.01), but not in Caucasians (β = 0.03, p = 0.62). In the 16-week RCT, a dose-response benefit of vitamin D3 supplementation was observed for %5-mC, as indicated by a significant linear upward trend (-0.01 ± 0.01%, placebo; 0.11 ± 0.01%, ~600 IU/day; 0.30 ± 0.01%, ~2,000 IU/day; and 0.65 ± 0.01%, ~4,000 IU/day group; P-trend = 0.04). Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is associated with global hypomethylation in African Americans. Vitamin D3 supplementation increases global DNA methylation in a dose-response manner in African Americans with vitamin D deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Zhu
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jigar Bhagatwala
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ying Huang
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Norman K. Pollock
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Samip Parikh
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Anas Raed
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Bernard Gutin
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Harshfield
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yanbin Dong
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
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Sierra MI, Fernández AF, Fraga MF. Epigenetics of Aging. Curr Genomics 2016; 16:435-40. [PMID: 27019618 PMCID: PMC4765531 DOI: 10.2174/1389202916666150817203459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The best-known phenomenon exemplifying epigenetic drift (the alteration of epigenetic patterns during aging) is the gradual decrease of global DNA methylation. Aging cells, different tissue types, as well as a variety of human diseases possess their own distinct DNA methylation profiles, although the functional impact of these is not always clear. DNA methylation appears to be a dynamic tool of transcriptional regulation, with an extra layer of complexity due to the recent discovery of the conversion of 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. This age-related DNA demethylation is associated with changes in histone modification patterns and, furthermore, we now know that ncRNAs have evolved in eukaryotes as epigenetic regulators of gene expression. In this review, we will discuss current knowledge on how all these epigenetic phenomena are implicated in human aging, and their links with external, internal and stochastic factors which can affect human age-related diseases onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta I Sierra
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), HUCA, Universidad de Oviedo and Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC)-Universidad de Oviedo (UO) -Principado de Asturias, Spain
| | - Agustín F Fernández
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), HUCA, Universidad de Oviedo and Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC)-Universidad de Oviedo (UO) -Principado de Asturias, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), HUCA, Universidad de Oviedo and Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC)-Universidad de Oviedo (UO) -Principado de Asturias, Spain
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Tylavsky FA, Kocak M, Murphy LE, Graff JC, Palmer FB, Völgyi E, Diaz-Thomas AM, Ferry RJ. Gestational Vitamin 25(OH)D Status as a Risk Factor for Receptive Language Development: A 24-Month, Longitudinal, Observational Study. Nutrients 2015; 7:9918-30. [PMID: 26633480 PMCID: PMC4690051 DOI: 10.3390/nu7125499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging data suggest that vitamin D status during childhood and adolescence can affect neurocognitive development. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether gestational 25(OH)D status is associated with early childhood cognitive and receptive language development. The Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood Study (CANDLE) study enrolled 1503 mother-child dyads during the second trimester of healthy singleton pregnancies from Shelby County TN. Among 1020 participants of the total CANDLE cohort for whom 25(OH)D levels were available, mean gestational 25(OH)D level during the second trimester was 22.3 ng/mL (range 5.9–68.4), with 41.7% of values <20 ng/dL. Cognitive and language scaled scores increased in a stair-step manner as gestational 25(OH)D levels in the second trimester rose from <20 ng/dL, through 20–29.99 ng/dL, to ≥30 ng/dL. When controlling for socioeconomic status, race, use of tobacco products, gestational age of the child at birth, and age at the 2-year assessment, the gestational 25(OH)D was positively related to receptive language development (p < 0.017), but not cognitive or expressive language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances A Tylavsky
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 N. Pauline Street, Memphis, TN 38163-2181, USA.
- Urban Child Institute, 600 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
| | - Mehmet Kocak
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 N. Pauline Street, Memphis, TN 38163-2181, USA.
| | - Laura E Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 711 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 711 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163-2167, USA.
| | - J Carolyn Graff
- Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 711 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163-2167, USA.
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 711 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Frederick B Palmer
- Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 711 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163-2167, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 N. Dunlap Street, Memphis, TN 38103-2893, USA.
| | - Eszter Völgyi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 N. Pauline Street, Memphis, TN 38163-2181, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 N. Dunlap Street, Memphis, TN 38103-2893, USA.
| | - Alicia M Diaz-Thomas
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 N. Dunlap Street, Memphis, TN 38103-2800, USA.
| | - Robert J Ferry
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 N. Dunlap Street, Memphis, TN 38103-2800, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 352 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152-3370, USA.
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Vitamin D and Reproduction: From Gametes to Childhood. Healthcare (Basel) 2015; 3:1097-120. [PMID: 27417816 PMCID: PMC4934634 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare3041097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is well recognized for its essentiality in maintaining skeletal health. Recent research has suggested that vitamin D may exert a broad range of roles throughout the human life cycle starting from reproduction to adult chronic disease risk. Rates of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy remain high worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of fertility problems, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and allergic disease in the offspring. Vitamin D is found naturally in only a few foods thus supplementation can provide an accessible and effective way to raise vitamin D status when dietary intakes and sunlight exposure are low. However, the possibility of overconsumption and possible adverse effects is under debate. The effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early life on maternal and infant outcomes will be of particular focus in this review.
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Zhang N. Epigenetic modulation of DNA methylation by nutrition and its mechanisms in animals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 1:144-151. [PMID: 29767106 PMCID: PMC5945948 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that phenotype of animals may be modified by the nutritional modulations through epigenetic mechanisms. As a key and central component of epigenetic network, DNA methylation is labile in response to nutritional influences. Alterations in DNA methylation profiles can lead to changes in gene expression, resulting in diverse phenotypes with the potential for decreased growth and health. Here, I reviewed the biological process of DNA methylation that results in the addition of methyl groups to DNA; the possible ways including methyl donors, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity and other cofactors, the critical periods including prenatal, postnatal and dietary transition periods, and tissue specific of epigenetic modulation of DNA methylation by nutrition and its mechanisms in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naifeng Zhang
- Feed Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
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