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Xiong HY, Wyns A, Campenhout JV, Hendrix J, De Bruyne E, Godderis L, Schabrun S, Nijs J, Polli A. Epigenetic Landscapes of Pain: DNA Methylation Dynamics in Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8324. [PMID: 39125894 PMCID: PMC11312850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158324] [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: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a prevalent condition with a multifaceted pathogenesis, where epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, might play an important role. This review delves into the intricate mechanisms by which DNA methylation and demethylation regulate genes associated with nociception and pain perception in nociceptive pathways. We explore the dynamic nature of these epigenetic processes, mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes, which modulate the expression of pro- and anti-nociceptive genes. Aberrant DNA methylation profiles have been observed in patients with various chronic pain syndromes, correlating with hypersensitivity to painful stimuli, neuronal hyperexcitability, and inflammatory responses. Genome-wide analyses shed light on differentially methylated regions and genes that could serve as potential biomarkers for chronic pain in the epigenetic landscape. The transition from acute to chronic pain is marked by rapid DNA methylation reprogramming, suggesting its potential role in pain chronicity. This review highlights the importance of understanding the temporal dynamics of DNA methylation during this transition to develop targeted therapeutic interventions. Reversing pathological DNA methylation patterns through epigenetic therapies emerges as a promising strategy for pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Yu Xiong
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Arne Wyns
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Jente Van Campenhout
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Jolien Hendrix
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Siobhan Schabrun
- The School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
- The Gray Centre for Mobility and Activity, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital Brussels, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41390 Göterbog, Sweden
| | - Andrea Polli
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (H.-Y.X.); (A.W.); (J.V.C.); (J.H.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
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Przybylowicz PK, Sokolowska KE, Rola H, Wojdacz TK. DNA Methylation Changes in Blood Cells of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients. J Pain Res 2023; 16:4025-4036. [PMID: 38054109 PMCID: PMC10695140 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s439412] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) affect 0.4% and 1% of society, respectively, and the prevalence of these pain syndromes is increasing. To date, no strong association between these syndromes and the genetic background of affected individuals has been shown. Therefore, it is plausible that epigenetic changes might play a role in the development of these syndromes. Patients and Methods Three previous studies have attempted to elaborate the involvement of genome-wide methylation changes in blood cells in the development of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. These studies included 22 patients with fibromyalgia and 127 patients with CFS, and the results of the studies were largely discrepant. Contradicting results of those studies may be attributed to differences in the omics data analysis approaches used in each study. We reanalyzed the data collected in these studies using an updated and coherent data-analysis framework. Results Overall, the methylation changes that we observed overlapped with previous results only to some extent. However, the gene set enrichment analyses based on genes annotated to methylation changes identified in each of the analyzed datasets were surprisingly coherent and uniformly associated with the physiological processes that, when affected, may result in symptoms characteristic of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Conclusion Methylomes of the blood cells of patients with FM and CFS in three independent studies have shown methylation changes that appear to be implicated in the pathogenesis of these syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hubert Rola
- Independent Clinical Epigenetics Laboratory, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
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Fischer S, Kleinstäuber M, Fiori LM, Turecki G, Wagner J, von Känel R. DNA Methylation Signatures of Functional Somatic Syndromes: Systematic Review. Psychosom Med 2023; 85:672-681. [PMID: 37531610 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Functional somatic syndromes (FSS) are highly prevalent across all levels of health care. The fact that they are characterized by medically unexplained symptoms, such as fatigue and pain, raises the important question of their underlying pathophysiology. Psychosocial stress represents a significant factor in the development of FSS and can induce long-term modifications at the epigenetic level. The aim of this review was to systematically review, for the first time, whether individuals with FSS are characterized by specific alterations in DNA methylation. METHODS MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched from the first available date to September 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: a) adults fulfilling the research diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia syndrome, and/or irritable bowel syndrome; b) healthy control group; and c) candidate-gene or genome-wide study of DNA methylation. RESULTS Sixteen studies ( N = 957) were included. In candidate-gene studies, specific sites within NR3C1 were identified, which were hypomethylated in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome compared with healthy controls. In genome-wide studies in chronic fatigue syndrome, a hypomethylated site located to LY86 and hypermethylated sites within HLA-DQB1 were found. In genome-wide studies in fibromyalgia syndrome, differential methylation in sites related to HDAC4 , TMEM44 , KCNQ1 , SLC17A9 , PRKG1 , ALPK3 , TFAP2A , and LY6G5C was found. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome seem to be characterized by altered DNA methylation of genes regulating cellular signaling and immune functioning. In chronic fatigue syndrome, there is preliminary evidence for these to be implicated in key pathophysiological alterations, such as hypocortisolism and low-grade inflammation, and to contribute to the debilitating symptoms these individuals experience. PREREGISTRATION PROSPERO identifier: CRD42022364720.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- From the Institute of Psychology (Fischer), Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (Kleinstäuber), Utah State University, Logan, Utah; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center (Fiori, Turecki), Montréal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry (Turecki), McGill University, Montréal, Canada; and Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine (Wagner, von Känel). University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Silva A, Barcessat AR, Gonçalves R, Landre C, Brandão L, Nunes L, Feitosa H, Costa L, Silva R, de Lima E, Monteiro ES, Rinaldi A, Fontani V, Rinaldi S. REAC Neurobiological Modulation as a Precision Medicine Treatment for Fibromyalgia. J Pers Med 2023; 13:902. [PMID: 37373891 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13060902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and psychopathological symptoms, often associated with central pain modulation failure and dysfunctional adaptive responses to environmental stress. The Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology is a neuromodulation technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of some REAC treatments on psychomotor responses and quality of life in 37 patients with FS. Tests were conducted before and after a single session of Neuro Postural Optimization and after a cycle of 18 sessions of Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (NPPO), using evaluation of the functional dysmetria (FD) phenomenon, Sitting and Standing (SS), Time Up and Go (TUG) tests for motor evaluation, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) for quality of life. The data were statistically analyzed, and the results showed a statistically significant improvement in motor response and quality of life parameters, including pain, as well as reduced FD measures in all participants. The study concludes that the neurobiological balance established by the REAC therapeutic protocols NPO and NPPO improved the dysfunctional adaptive state caused by environmental and exposomal stress in FS patients, leading to an improvement in psychomotor responses and quality of life. The findings suggest that REAC treatments could be an effective approach for FS patients, reducing the excessive use of analgesic drugs and improving daily activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analízia Silva
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Ana Rita Barcessat
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Rebeca Gonçalves
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Cleuton Landre
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Lethícia Brandão
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Lucas Nunes
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Hyan Feitosa
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Costa
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Raquel Silva
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Emanuel de Lima
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Ester Suane Monteiro
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá-UNIFAP, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Arianna Rinaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Department of Adaptive Neuro Psycho Physio Pathology and Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization, Rinaldi Fontani Institute, 50144 Florence, Italy
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Rinaldi Fontani Institute, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | - Vania Fontani
- Department of Adaptive Neuro Psycho Physio Pathology and Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization, Rinaldi Fontani Institute, 50144 Florence, Italy
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Rinaldi Fontani Institute, 50144 Florence, Italy
- Research Department, Rinaldi Fontani Foundation, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | - Salvatore Rinaldi
- Department of Adaptive Neuro Psycho Physio Pathology and Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization, Rinaldi Fontani Institute, 50144 Florence, Italy
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Rinaldi Fontani Institute, 50144 Florence, Italy
- Research Department, Rinaldi Fontani Foundation, 50144 Florence, Italy
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Ovrom EA, Mostert KA, Khakhkhar S, McKee DP, Yang P, Her YF. A Comprehensive Review of the Genetic and Epigenetic Contributions to the Development of Fibromyalgia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041119. [PMID: 37189737 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge of the genetic and epigenetic contributions to the development of fibromyalgia (FM). Although there is no single gene that results in the development of FM, this study reveals that certain polymorphisms in genes involved in the catecholaminergic pathway, the serotonergic pathway, pain processing, oxidative stress, and inflammation may influence susceptibility to FM and the severity of its symptoms. Furthermore, epigenetic changes at the DNA level may lead to the development of FM. Likewise, microRNAs may impact the expression of certain proteins that lead to the worsening of FM-associated symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik A Ovrom
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Karson A Mostert
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Shivani Khakhkhar
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Daniel P McKee
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Padao Yang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yeng F Her
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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DNA Methylation Changes in Fibromyalgia Suggest the Role of the Immune-Inflammatory Response and Central Sensitization. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214992. [PMID: 34768513 PMCID: PMC8584620 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) has been explained as a result of gene-environment interactions. The present study aims to verify DNA methylation differences in eleven candidate genome regions previously associated to FM, evaluating DNA methylation patterns as potential disease biomarkers. DNA methylation was analyzed through bisulfite sequencing, comparing 42 FM women and their 42 healthy sisters. The associations between the level of methylation in these regions were further explored through a network analysis. Lastly, a logistic regression model investigated the regions potentially associated with FM, when controlling for sociodemographic variables and depressive symptoms. The analysis highlighted significant differences in the GCSAML region methylation between patients and controls. Moreover, seventeen single CpGs, belonging to other genes, were significantly different, however, only one cytosine related to GCSAML survived the correction for multiple comparisons. The network structure of methylation sites was different for each group; GRM2 methylation represented a central node only for FM patients. Logistic regression revealed that depressive symptoms and DNA methylation in the GRM2 region were significantly associated with FM risk. Our study encourages better exploration of GCSAML and GRM2 functions and their possible role in FM affecting immune, inflammatory response, and central sensitization of pain.
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