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Kohlrausch FB, Wang F, McKerrow W, Grivainis M, Fenyo D, Keefe DL. Mapping of long interspersed element-1 (L1) insertions by TIPseq provides information about sub chromosomal genetic variation in human embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024:10.1007/s10815-024-03176-9. [PMID: 38951360 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03176-9] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Retrotransposons play important roles during early development when they are transiently de-repressed during epigenetic reprogramming. Long interspersed element-1 (L1), the only autonomous retrotransposon in humans, comprises 17% of the human genome. We applied the Single Cell Transposon Insertion Profiling by Sequencing (scTIPseq) to characterize and map L1 insertions in human embryos. METHODS Sixteen cryopreserved, genetically tested, human blastocysts, were accessed from consenting couples undergoing IVF at NYU Langone Fertility Center. Additionally, four trios (father, mother, and embryos) were also evaluated. scTIPseq was applied to map L1 insertions in all samples, using L1 locations reported in the 1000 Genomes as controls. RESULTS Twenty-nine unknown and unique insertions were observed in the sixteen embryos. Most were intergenic; no insertions were located in exons or immediately upstream of genes. The location or number of unknown insertions did not differ between euploid and aneuploid embryos, suggesting they are not merely markers of aneuploidy. Rather, scTIPseq provides novel information about sub-chromosomal structural variation in human embryos. Trio analyses showed a parental origin of all L1 insertions in embryos. CONCLUSION Several studies have measured L1 expression at different stages of development in mice, but this study for the first time reports unknown insertions in human embryos that were inherited from one parent, confirming no de novo L1 insertions occurred in parental germline or during embryogenesis. Since one-third of euploid embryo transfers fail, future studies would be useful for understanding whether these sub-chromosomal genetic variants or de novo L1 insertions affect embryo developmental potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana B Kohlrausch
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, 24210-201, Brazil.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Wilson McKerrow
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Mark Grivainis
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - David Fenyo
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - David L Keefe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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Hamilton M, Russell S, Swanson GM, Krawetz SA, Menezes K, Moskovtsev SI, Librach C. A comprehensive analysis of spermatozoal RNA elements in idiopathic infertile males undergoing fertility treatment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10316. [PMID: 38705876 PMCID: PMC11070429 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60586-6] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Current approaches to diagnosing male infertility inadequately assess the complexity of the male gamete. Beyond the paternal haploid genome, spermatozoa also deliver coding and non-coding RNAs to the oocyte. While sperm-borne RNAs have demonstrated potential involvement in embryo development, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 47 sperm samples from normozoospermic males undergoing fertility treatment using donor oocytes were sequenced and analyzed to evaluate associations between sperm RNA elements (exon-sized sequences) and blastocyst progression. A total of 366 RNA elements (REs) were significantly associated with blastocyst rate (padj < 0.05), some of which were linked to genes related to critical developmental processes, including mitotic spindle formation and both ectoderm and mesoderm specification. Of note, 27 RE-associated RNAs are predicted targets of our previously reported list of developmentally significant miRNAs. Inverse RE-miRNA expression patterns were consistent with miRNA-mediated down-regulation. This study provides a comprehensive set of REs which differ by the patient's ability to produce blastocysts. This knowledge can be leveraged to improve clinical screening of male infertility and ultimately reduce time to pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Grace M Swanson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics, C.S. Mott Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, USA
| | - Stephen A Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics, C.S. Mott Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, USA
| | | | - Sergey I Moskovtsev
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clifford Librach
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Berteli TS, Wang F, McKerrow W, Navarro PA, Fenyo D, Boeke JD, Kohlrausch FB, Keefe DL. Transposon insertion profiling by sequencing (TIPseq) identifies novel LINE-1 insertions in human sperm. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023:10.1007/s10815-023-02852-6. [PMID: 37310664 PMCID: PMC10371950 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02852-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) comprises 17% of the human genome. Retrotransposons may perturb gene integrity or alter gene expression by altering regulatory regions in the genome. The germline employs a number of mechanisms, including cytosine methylation, to repress retrotransposon transcription throughout most of life. Demethylation during germ cell and early embryo development de-represses retrotransposons. Intriguingly, de novo genetic variation appearing in sperm has been implicated in a number of disorders in offspring, including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. We hypothesize that human sperm exhibit de novo retrotransposition and employ a new sequencing method, single cell transposon insertion profiling by sequencing (scTIPseq) to map them in small amounts of human sperm. METHODS Cross-sectional case-control study of sperm samples (n=10 men; ages 32-55 years old) from consenting men undergoing IVF at NYU Langone Fertility Center. scTIPseq identified novel LINE-1 insertions in individual sperm and TIPseqHunter, a custom bioinformatics pipeline, compared the architecture of sperm LINE-1 to known LINE-1 insertions from the European database of Human specific LINE-1 (L1Hs) retrotransposon insertions (euL1db). RESULTS scTIPseq identified 17 novel insertions in sperm. New insertions were mainly intergenic or intronic. Only one sample did not exhibit new insertions. The location or number of novel insertions did not differ by paternal age. CONCLUSION This study for the first time reports novel LINE-1 insertions in human sperm, demonstrating the feasibility of scTIPseq, and identifies new contributors to genetic diversity in the human germ line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalita S Berteli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Human Reproduction Division, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wilson McKerrow
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paula A Navarro
- Human Reproduction Division, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - David Fenyo
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jef D Boeke
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fabiana B Kohlrausch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Biology Institute, Department of General Biology, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - David L Keefe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Agoni L. Alternative and aberrant splicing of human endogenous retroviruses in cancer. What about head and neck? —A mini review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1019085. [PMID: 36338752 PMCID: PMC9631305 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1019085] [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: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are transcribed in many cancer types, including head and neck cancer. Because of accumulating mutations at proviral loci over evolutionary time, HERVs are functionally defective and cannot complete their viral life cycle. Despite that, HERV transcripts, including full-length viral RNAs and viral RNAs spliced as expected at the conventional viral splice sites, can be detected in particular conditions, such as cancer. Interestingly, non-viral–related transcription, including aberrant, non-conventionally spliced RNAs, has been reported as well. The role of HERV transcription in cancer and its contribution to oncogenesis or progression are still debated. Nonetheless, HERVs may constitute a suitable cancer biomarker or a target for therapy. Thus, ongoing research aims both to clarify the basic mechanisms underlying HERV transcription in cancer and to exploit its potential toward clinical application. In this mini-review, we summarize the current knowledge, the most recent findings, and the future perspectives of research on HERV transcription and splicing, with particular focus on head and neck cancer.
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Okay S. Involvement of retroelements in the autoimmune response in humans. EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.37349/emed.2022.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroelements are mobile genomic components requiring an RNA intermediate which is reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA for transposition. Human genome contains a vast amount of retroelements including retrotransposons and endogenous retroviruses. These elements are categorized according to presence or absence of long terminal repeats, LTRs or non-LTRs, as well as autonomous and non-autonomous according to involvement of reverse transcriptase. The retroelements have been accumulated in mammalian genomes over all evolutionary times through vertical transmission, and many of them were inactivated through accumulation of mutations. However, the retroelements entered into genome within the last 200,000 years are mostly functional. Some of the active retroelements are associated with varying autoimmune diseases because anti-retroelement antibodies might cross-react with other proteins in the human body. For instance, autoimmunity and inflammation could be stimulated by increased expression of long interspersed element 1 (LINE-1 or L1) or decreased L1 degradation. Different regulation of L1 expression might be related to the genetic and sex-related variations or environmental factors. Activation of retroelements is also controlled by epigenetic silencing mechanisms such as histone modification. Elevated levels of L1 retroelements could trigger the production of type I interferon, a crucial innate defense mechanism in mammals against viruses, and systemic autoimmune response is induced. Loss-of-function in some deoxyribonucleases (DNases) such as three prime repair exonuclease 1 that degrades reverse-transcribed DNA is also related to autoimmune diseases. Additionally, human endogenous retroviruses also play a role in autoimmune diseases. Involvement of retroelements in autoimmune disorders is exemplified with three diseases, i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus, Aicardi–Goutières syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezer Okay
- Department of Vaccine Technology, Vaccine Institute, Hacettepe University, 06210 Ankara, Turkey
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Anifandis G, Samara M, Simopoulou M, Messini CI, Chatzimeletiou K, Thodou E, Daponte A, Georgiou I. Insights into the Role of Telomeres in Human Embryological Parameters. Opinions Regarding IVF. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9040049. [PMID: 34842724 PMCID: PMC8628962 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040049] [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: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres promote genome integrity by protecting chromosome ends from the activation of the DNA damage response and protecting chromosomes from the loss of coding sequences due to the end replication problem. Telomere length (TL) is progressively shortened as age progresses, thus resulting in cellular senescence. Therefore, TL is in strong adverse linear correlation with aging. Mounting evidence supports the notion that telomeres and male/female infertility are in a close relationship, posing the biology of telomeres as a hot topic in the era of human-assisted reproduction. Specifically, the length of sperm telomeres is gradually increasing as men get older, while the telomere length of the oocytes seems not to follow similar patterns with that of sperm. Nonetheless, the telomere length of the embryos during the cleavage stages seems to have a paternal origin, but the telomere length can be further extended by telomerase activity during the blastocyst stage. The latter has been proposed as a new molecular biomarker with strong predictive value regarding male infertility. As far as the role of telomeres in assisted reproduction, the data is limited but the length of telomeres in both gametes seems to be affected mainly by the cause of infertility rather than the assisted reproductive therapy (ART) procedure itself. The present review aims to shed more light into the role of telomeres in human embryological parameters, including gametes and embryos and also presents opinions regarding the association between telomeres and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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Affiliation(s)
- George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria Samara
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (M.S.); (E.T.)
| | - Mara Simopoulou
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Christina I. Messini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Katerina Chatzimeletiou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, 56403 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Eleni Thodou
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (M.S.); (E.T.)
| | - Alexandros Daponte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece; (C.I.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
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