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Bortoletto S, Nunes-Souza E, Marchi R, Ruthes MO, Okano LM, Tofolo MV, Centa A, Fonseca AS, Rosolen D, Cavalli LR. MicroRNAs role in telomere length maintenance and telomerase activity in tumor cells. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:1089-1100. [PMID: 39042290 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02467-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
MiRNAs, a class of non-coding RNA molecules, have emerged as critical modulators of telomere length and telomerase activity by finely tuning the expression of target genes (and not gene targets) within signaling pathways involved in telomere homeostasis. The primary objective of this systematic review was to compile and synthesize the existing body of knowledge on the role, association, and involvement of miRNAs in telomere length. Additionally, the review explored the regulation, function, and activation mechanism of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene and telomerase activity in tumor cells. A comprehensive analysis of 47 selected articles revealed 40 distinct miRNAs involved in these processes. These miRNAs were shown to exert their function, in both clinical cases and cell line models, either directly or indirectly, regulating hTERT and telomerase activity through distinct molecular mechanisms. The regulatory roles of these miRNAs significantly affected major cancer phenotypes, with outcomes largely dependent on the tissue type and the cellular actions within the tumor cells, whereby they functioned as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. These findings strongly support the pivotal role of miRNAs in modulating telomere length and telomerase activity, thereby contributing to the intricate and complex regulation of telomere homeostasis in tumor cells. Moreover, they emphasize the potential of targeting miRNAs and key regulatory genes as therapeutic strategies to disrupt cancer cell growth and promote senescence, offering promising avenues for novel cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéfanne Bortoletto
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle Nunes-Souza
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Rafael Marchi
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Mayara Oliveira Ruthes
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Larissa M Okano
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Maria Vitoria Tofolo
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Ariana Centa
- Universidade Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe (UNIARP), Caçador, SC, Brazil
| | - Aline S Fonseca
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Daiane Rosolen
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Luciane R Cavalli
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
- Oncology Department, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
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Ding K, Zhangwang J, Lei M, Xiong C. Insight into telomere regulation: road to discovery and intervention in plasma drug-protein targets. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:231. [PMID: 38431573 PMCID: PMC10909270 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10116-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length is a critical metric linked to aging, health, and disease. Currently, the exploration of target proteins related to telomere length is usually limited to the context of aging and specific diseases, which limits the discovery of more relevant drug targets. This study integrated large-scale plasma cis-pQTLs data and telomere length GWAS datasets. We used Mendelian randomization(MR) to identify drug target proteins for telomere length, providing essential clues for future precision therapy and targeted drug development. METHODS Using plasma cis-pQTLs data from a previous GWAS study (3,606 Pqtls associated with 2,656 proteins) and a GWAS dataset of telomere length (sample size: 472,174; GWAS ID: ieu-b-4879) from UK Biobank, using MR, external validation, and reverse causality testing, we identified essential drug target proteins for telomere length. We also performed co-localization, Phenome-wide association studies and enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network construction, search for existing intervening drugs, and potential drug/compound prediction for these critical targets to strengthen and expand our findings. RESULTS After Bonferron correction (p < 0.05/734), RPN1 (OR: 0.96; 95%CI: (0.95, 0.97)), GDI2 (OR: 0.94; 95%CI: (0.92, 0.96)), NT5C (OR: 0.97; 95%CI: (0.95, 0.98)) had a significant negative causal association with telomere length; TYRO3 (OR: 1.11; 95%CI: (1.09, 1.15)) had a significant positive causal association with telomere length. GDI2 shared the same genetic variants with telomere length (coloc.abf-PPH 4 > 0.8). CONCLUSION Genetically determined plasma RPN1, GDI2, NT5C, and TYRO3 have significant causal effects on telomere length and can potentially be drug targets. Further exploration of the role and mechanism of these proteins/genes in regulating telomere length is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixi Ding
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Juejue Zhangwang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Ming Lei
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
| | - Chunping Xiong
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
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3
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Jung AM, Furlong MA, Goodrich JM, Cardenas A, Beitel SC, Littau SR, Caban-Martinez AJ, Gulotta JJ, Wallentine DD, Urwin D, Gabriel J, Hughes J, Graber JM, Grant C, Burgess JL. Associations Between Epigenetic Age Acceleration and microRNA Expression Among U.S. Firefighters. Epigenet Insights 2023; 16:25168657231206301. [PMID: 37953967 PMCID: PMC10634256 DOI: 10.1177/25168657231206301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes may be biomarkers of health. Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), the discrepancy between epigenetic age measured via epigenetic clocks and chronological age, is associated with morbidity and mortality. However, the intersection of epigenetic clocks with microRNAs (miRNAs) and corresponding miRNA-based health implications have not been evaluated. We analyzed DNA methylation and miRNA profiles from blood sampled among 332 individuals enrolled across 2 U.S.-based firefighter occupational studies (2015-2018 and 2018-2020). We considered 7 measures of EAA in leukocytes (PhenoAge, GrimAge, Horvath, skin-blood, and Hannum epigenetic clocks, and extrinsic and intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration). We identified miRNAs associated with EAA using individual linear regression models, adjusted for sex, race/ethnicity, chronological age, and cell type estimates, and investigated downstream effects of associated miRNAs with miRNA enrichment analyses and genomic annotations. On average, participants were 38 years old, 88% male, and 75% non-Hispanic white. We identified 183 of 798 miRNAs associated with EAA (FDR q < 0.05); 126 with PhenoAge, 59 with GrimAge, 1 with Horvath, and 1 with the skin-blood clock. Among miRNAs associated with Horvath and GrimAge, there were 61 significantly enriched disease annotations including age-related metabolic and cardiovascular conditions and several cancers. Enriched pathways included those related to proteins and protein modification. We identified miRNAs associated with EAA of multiple epigenetic clocks. PhenoAge had more associations with individual miRNAs, but GrimAge and Horvath had greater implications for miRNA-associated pathways. Understanding the relationship between these epigenetic markers could contribute to our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of aging and aging-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alesia M Jung
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Melissa A Furlong
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shawn C Beitel
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sally R Littau
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Alberto J Caban-Martinez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Derek Urwin
- Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Health Safety and Medicine, International Association of Fire Fighters, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jamie Gabriel
- Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Judith M Graber
- Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Casey Grant
- Fire Protection Research Foundation, Quincy, MA, USA
| | - Jefferey L Burgess
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Majed SO, Mustafa SA. The profiles of miR-4510 expression level in breast cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2262. [PMID: 36755123 PMCID: PMC9908886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25292-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA that is abnormally produced in breast cells can disrupt biological processes, which can lead to cancer. This study aims to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and ncRNAs (DEncRNAs) in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of breast cancer (BC) as compared with the normal adjacent tissues (NAT), and identify miR-4510 as a novel biomarker of BC. This study looked at differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using MACE-Seq and differentially expressed ncRNAs (DEncRNAs) using the small RNA-Seq. Real-time qPCR was used to determine the level of expression of miR-4510. In this study, MACE-Seq results showed that 26,795 genes, with a p-value < 0.05, were differentially expressed in BC paraffin tissues as compared with NAT. Small RNA-Seq results revealed that 1326 ncRNAs, with a p-value < 0.05, were differentially expressed. We confirmed that miR-4510 was significantly down-expressed (p-value = 0.001) by qRT-PCR in the paraffin tissue of 120 BC patients. Based on eleven computational prediction programs, TP53, TP53INP1, MMP11, and COL1A1 for the miR-4510 were identified as miR-4510 targets. The MACE-seq result showed that the gene of TP53 (p-value = 0.001) and TP53INP1 (p-value = 0.02) was significantly down-regulated, but the gene of MMP11 (p-value = 0.004) and COL1A1 (p-value = 0.0001) was significantly over-expressed in 20 paired specimens of the BC and NAT. We discovered that a single SNP inside the miR-4510 binding site occurred only in BC, in which Guanine (G) changed into Adenine (A). Two SNPs outside the miR-4510 binding site occurred, and Guanine (G) in both BC and NAT was changed into Thymine (T), as compared to the reference sequence (RefSeq). Overall, our results suggested that miR-4510 functions as a tumor suppressor in the BC. Mir-4510 may act as a tumor suppressor, however additional experimental data is needed to corroborate these assumptions and can be exploited as a biomarker for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevan Omer Majed
- Biology Department, College of Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Suhad Asad Mustafa
- General Directorate of Scientific Research Center, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq.
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5
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JIANG C, ZHOU X, ZHU Y, MAO Y, WANG L, KUANG Y, SU J, HUANG W, TANG S. MiR-34c-3p targets Notch2 to inhibit cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/fst.67421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiangqi ZHOU
- Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of University of South China, P.R. China
| | - Yuan ZHU
- People’s Hospital of Changshou Chongqing, China
| | - Yini MAO
- Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, China
| | - Ling WANG
- Yi chang Central People’s Hospital, China
| | - Yuqing KUANG
- Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture People’s Hospital, China
| | - Ju SU
- Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture People’s Hospital, China
| | - Weiguo HUANG
- Hengyang Medical College of University of South China, China
| | - Sanyuan TANG
- Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, China; Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of University of South China, P.R. China
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6
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Hamdan Y, Mazini L, Malka G. Exosomes and Micro-RNAs in Aging Process. Biomedicines 2021; 9:968. [PMID: 34440172 PMCID: PMC8393989 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are the main actors of intercellular communications and have gained great interest in the new cell-free regenerative medicine. These nanoparticles are secreted by almost all cell types and contain lipids, cytokines, growth factors, messenger RNA, and different non-coding RNA, especially micro-RNAs (mi-RNAs). Exosomes' cargo is released in the neighboring microenvironment but is also expected to act on distant tissues or organs. Different biological processes such as cell development, growth and repair, senescence, migration, immunomodulation, and aging, among others, are mediated by exosomes and principally exosome-derived mi-RNAs. Moreover, their therapeutic potential has been proved and reinforced by their use as biomarkers for disease diagnostics and progression. Evidence has increasingly shown that exosome-derived mi-RNAs are key regulators of age-related diseases, and their involvement in longevity is becoming a promising issue. For instance, mi-RNAs such as mi-RNA-21, mi-RNA-29, and mi-RNA-34 modulate tissue functionality and regeneration by targeting different tissues and involving different pathways but might also interfere with long life expectancy. Human mi-RNAs profiling is effectively related to the biological fluids that are reported differently between young and old individuals. However, their underlying mechanisms modulating cell senescence and aging are still not fully understood, and little was reported on the involvement of mi-RNAs in cell or tissue longevity. In this review, we summarize exosome biogenesis and mi-RNA synthesis and loading mechanism into exosomes' cargo. Additionally, we highlight the molecular mechanisms of exosomes and exosome-derived mi-RNA regulation in the different aging processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Loubna Mazini
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, Lot 660 Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir 3150, Morocco; (Y.H.); (G.M.)
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Ullah M, Ng NN, Concepcion W, Thakor AS. Emerging role of stem cell-derived extracellular microRNAs in age-associated human diseases and in different therapies of longevity. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 57:100979. [PMID: 31704472 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.100979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Organismal aging involves the progressive decline in organ function and increased susceptibility to age-associated diseases. This has been associated with the aging of stem cell populations within the body that decreases the capacity of stem cells to self-renew, differentiate, and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. This review aims to explore how aging is associated with the dysregulation of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (SCEVs) and their corresponding miRNA cargo (SCEV-miRNAs), which are short non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulation of target genes. Recent evidence has suggested that in aging stem cells, SCEV-miRNAs may play a vital role regulating various processes that contribute to aging: cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, telomere length, and circadian rhythm. Hence, further clarifying the age-dependent molecular mechanisms through which SCEV-miRNAs exert their downstream effects may inform a greater understanding of the biology of aging, elucidate their role in stem cell function, and identify important targets for future regenerative therapies. Additionally, current studies evaluating therapeutic role of SCEVs and SCEV-miRNAs in treating several age-associated diseases are also discussed.
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Milk Fat Intake and Telomere Length in U.S. Women and Men: The Role of the Milk Fat Fraction. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:1574021. [PMID: 31772698 PMCID: PMC6855010 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1574021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The associations between milk intake frequency and milk fat consumption and telomere length, an index of biological aging, were studied using an NHANES sample of 5,834 U.S. adults and a cross-sectional design. The milk consumption variables were assessed with the NHANES Diet Behavior and Nutrition questionnaire. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to measure leukocyte telomere length. Results showed that milk consumption frequency was not related to telomere length; however, there was a strong association between milk fat intake and telomere length. With the sample delimited to milk drinkers only, milk fat intake was linearly and inversely related to telomere length, after adjusting for the covariates (F = 8.6, P = 0.0066). For each 1 percentage point increase in milk fat consumed (e.g., 1% to 2%), adults had more than 4 years of additional biological aging. With milk fat intake divided into 5 categories (i.e., milk abstainers, nonfat, 1%, 2%, and full-fat milk), mean telomere lengths differed across the categories (F = 4.1, P = 0.0093). The mean telomere difference between the extremes of milk fat intake (nonfat vs. full-fat) was 145 base pairs, representing years of additional biological aging for full-fat milk consumers. Effect modification testing indicated that the milk fat and cellular aging association may be partly due to saturated fat intake differences across the milk fat groups. When the sample was delimited to adults reporting only high total saturated fat intake (tertile 3), the milk fat and telomere relationship was strong. However, when the sample was restricted to adults reporting only low saturated fat consumption (tertile 1), there was no relationship between milk fat intake and telomere length. Overall, the findings highlight an association of increased biological aging in U.S. adults who consumed high-fat milk. The results support the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015–2020), which recommend consumption of low-fat milk, but not high-fat milk, as part of a healthy diet.
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Abstract
Telomeres are specialised structures at the end of linear chromosomes. They consist of tandem repeats of the hexanucleotide sequence TTAGGG, as well as a protein complex called shelterin. Together, they form a protective loop structure against chromosome fusion and degradation. Shortening or damage to telomeres and opening of the loop induce an uncapped state that triggers a DNA damage response resulting in senescence or apoptosis.Average telomere length, usually measured in human blood lymphocytes, was thought to be a biomarker for ageing, survival and mortality. However, it becomes obvious that regulation of telomere length is very complex and involves multiple processes. For example, the "end replication problem" during DNA replication as well as oxidative stress are responsible for the shortening of telomeres. In contrast, telomerase activity can potentially counteract telomere shortening when it is able to access and interact with telomeres. However, while highly active during development and in cancer cells, the enzyme is down-regulated in most human somatic cells with a few exceptions such as human lymphocytes. In addition, telomeres can be transcribed, and the transcription products called TERRA are involved in telomere length regulation.Thus, telomere length and their integrity are regulated at many different levels, and we only start to understand this process under conditions of increased oxidative stress, inflammation and during diseases as well as the ageing process.This chapter aims to describe our current state of knowledge on telomeres and telomerase and their regulation in order to better understand their role for the ageing process.
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Piekna-Przybylska D, Maggirwar SB. CD4+ memory T cells infected with latent HIV-1 are susceptible to drugs targeting telomeres. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:2187-2203. [PMID: 30198385 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1520568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The population of HIV reservoir in infected person is very small, but extremely long-lived and is a major obstacle for an HIV cure. We previously showed that cells with established HIV latency have deficiencies in DNA damage response (DDR). Here, we investigated ability of HIV-1 to interfere with telomere maintenance, and the effects of targeting telomeres on latently infected cells. Our results show that telomeres are elongated in cultured primary memory CD4 + T cells (TCM) after HIV-1 infection and when virus latency is established. Similarly, much longer telomeres were found in several Jurkat-derived latently infected cell lines, indicating that virus stimulates telomere elongation. Exposing primary CD4+ TCM cells to BRACO19, an agent targeting telomeres, resulted in a higher rate of apoptosis for infected cultures at day 3 post-infection, during HIV-1 latency and for PMA-stimulated cultures with low level of HIV-1 reactivation. Importantly, BRACO19 induced apoptosis in infected cells with potency similar to etoposide and camptothecin, whereas uninfected cells were less affected by BRACO19. We also determined that apoptosis induced by BRACO19 is not caused by telomeres shortening, but is related to formation of gamma-H2AX, implicating DNA damage or uncapping of telomeres, which triggers genome instability. In conclusion, our results indicate that HIV-1 stimulates telomere elongation during latency, suggesting that HIV reservoir has greater capacity for clonal expansion and extended lifespan. Higher rates of apoptosis in response to BRACO19 treatment suggest that HIV reservoirs are more susceptible to targeting telomere maintenance and to inhibitors targeting DDR, which is also involved in stabilizing telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Piekna-Przybylska
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Dentistry , University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA
| | - Sanjay B Maggirwar
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Dentistry , University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA
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11
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Tsamou M, Martens DS, Cox B, Madhloum N, Vrijens K, Nawrot TS. Sex-specific associations between telomere length and candidate miRNA expression in placenta. J Transl Med 2018; 16:254. [PMID: 30208911 PMCID: PMC6134555 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1627-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the early-life environment, proper development of the placenta is essential for both fetal and maternal health. Telomere length at birth has been related to life expectancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as potential epigenetic determinants of telomere length at birth have not been identified. In this study, we investigate whether placental miRNA expression is associated with placental telomere length at birth. METHODS We measured the expression of seven candidate miRNAs (miR-16-5p, -20a-5p, -21-5p, -34a-5p, 146a-5p, -210-3p and -222-3p) in placental tissue at birth in 203 mother-newborn (51.7% girls) pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. We selected miRNAs known to be involved in crucial cellular processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress, cellular senescence related to aging. Placental miRNA expression and relative average placental telomere length were measured using RT-qPCR. RESULTS Both before and after adjustment for potential covariates including newborn's ethnicity, gestational age, paternal age, maternal smoking status, maternal educational status, parity, date of delivery and outdoor temperature during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, placental miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-210 and miR-222 expression were significantly (p ≤ 0.03) and positively associated with placental relative telomere length in newborn girls. In newborn boys, only higher expression of placental miR-21 was weakly (p = 0.08) associated with shorter placental telomere length. Significant miRNAs explain around 6-8% of the telomere length variance at birth. CONCLUSIONS Placental miR-21, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-210 and miR-222 exhibit sex-specific associations with telomere length in placenta. Our results indicate miRNA expression in placental tissue could be an important determinant in the process of aging starting from early life onwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsamou
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dries S Martens
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bianca Cox
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Narjes Madhloum
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Karen Vrijens
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.,Environment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), 3000, Louvain, Belgium
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12
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Shoeb M, Joseph P, Kodali V, Mustafa G, Farris BY, Umbright C, Roberts JR, Erdely A, Antonini JM. Silica inhalation altered telomere length and gene expression of telomere regulatory proteins in lung tissue of rats. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17284. [PMID: 29230030 PMCID: PMC5725592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17645-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to silica can cause lung fibrosis and cancer. Identification of molecular targets is important for the intervention and/or prevention of silica-induced lung diseases. Telomeres consist of tandem repeats of DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes, preventing chromosomal fusion and degradation. Regulator of telomere length-1 (RTEL1) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), genes involved in telomere regulation and function, play important roles in maintaining telomere integrity and length. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of silica inhalation on telomere length and the regulation of RTEL1 and TERT. Lung tissues and blood samples were collected from rats at 4, 32, and 44 wk after exposure to 15 mg/m3 of silica × 6 h/d × 5 d. Controls were exposed to air. At all-time points, RTEL1 expression was significantly decreased in lung tissue of the silica-exposed animals compared to controls. Also, significant increases in telomere length and TERT were observed in the silica group at 4 and 32 wk. Telomere length, RTEL1 and TERT expression may serve as potential biomarkers related to silica exposure and may offer insight into the molecular mechanism of silica-induced lung disease and tumorigeneses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shoeb
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Pius Joseph
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Vamsi Kodali
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Gul Mustafa
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Breanne Y Farris
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Christina Umbright
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jenny R Roberts
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aaron Erdely
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - James M Antonini
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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