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Deng F, Lei J, Qiu J, Zhao C, Wang X, Li M, Sun M, Zhang M, Gao Q. DNA methylation landscape in pregnancy-induced hypertension: progress and challenges. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:77. [PMID: 38978060 PMCID: PMC11229300 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01248-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Gestational hypertension (PIH), especially pre-eclampsia (PE), is a common complication of pregnancy. This condition poses significant risks to the health of both the mother and the fetus. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, may play a role in initiating the earliest pathophysiology of PIH. This article describes the relationship between DNA methylation and placental trophoblast function, genes associated with the placental microenvironment, the placental vascular system, and maternal blood and vascular function, abnormalities of umbilical cord blood and vascular function in the onset and progression of PIH, as well as changes in DNA methylation in the progeny of PIH, in terms of maternal, fetal, and offspring. We also explore the latest research on DNA methylation-based early detection, diagnosis and potential therapeutic strategies for PIH. This will enable the field of DNA methylation research to continue to enhance our understanding of the epigenetic regulation of PIH genes and identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengying Deng
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Junlan Qiu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215153, P.R. China
| | - Chenxuan Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Xietong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Min Li
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Meihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Maternal & Fetal Medicine of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China.
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Martínez-Magaña JJ, Hurtado-Soriano J, Rivero-Segura NA, Montalvo-Ortiz JL, Garcia-delaTorre P, Becerril-Rojas K, Gomez-Verjan JC. Towards a Novel Frontier in the Use of Epigenetic Clocks in Epidemiology. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:103033. [PMID: 38955096 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103033] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Health problems associated with aging are a major public health concern for the future. Aging is a complex process with wide intervariability among individuals. Therefore, there is a need for innovative public health strategies that target factors associated with aging and the development of tools to assess the effectiveness of these strategies accurately. Novel approaches to measure biological age, such as epigenetic clocks, have become relevant. These clocks use non-sequential variable information from the genome and employ mathematical algorithms to estimate biological age based on DNA methylation levels. Therefore, in the present study, we comprehensively review the current status of the epigenetic clocks and their associations across the human phenome. We emphasize the potential utility of these tools in an epidemiological context, particularly in evaluating the impact of public health interventions focused on promoting healthy aging. Our review describes associations between epigenetic clocks and multiple traits across the life and health span. Additionally, we highlighted the evolution of studies beyond mere associations to establish causal mechanisms between epigenetic age and disease. We explored the application of epigenetic clocks to measure the efficacy of interventions focusing on rejuvenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jaime Martínez-Magaña
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neuroscience Division, West Haven, CT, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Janitza L Montalvo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neuroscience Division, West Haven, CT, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paola Garcia-delaTorre
- Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área de Envejecimiento, Centro Médico Nacional, Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
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Chen Y, Ye X, Zhong Y, Kang X, Tang Y, Zhu H, Pang C, Ning S, Liang S, Zhang F, Li C, Li J, Gu C, Cheng Y, Kuang Z, Qiu J, Jin J, Luo H, Fu M, Hui HX, Li L, Ruan D, Liu P, Chen X, Sun L, Ai S, Gao X. SP6 controls human cytotrophoblast fate decisions and trophoblast stem cell establishment by targeting MSX2 regulatory elements. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1506-1522.e11. [PMID: 38582082 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.025] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
The commitment and differentiation of human placental progenitor cytotrophoblast (CT) cells are crucial for a successful pregnancy, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we identified the transcription factor (TF), specificity protein 6 (SP6), as a human species-specific trophoblast lineage TF expressed in human placental CT cells. Using pluripotent stem cells as a model, we demonstrated that SP6 controls CT generation and the establishment of trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and identified msh homeobox 2 (MSX2) as the downstream effector in these events. Mechanistically, we showed that SP6 interacts with histone acetyltransferase P300 to alter the landscape of H3K27ac at targeted regulatory elements, thereby favoring transcriptional activation and facilitating CT cell fate decisions and TSC maintenance. Our results established SP6 as a regulator of the human trophoblast lineage and implied its role in placental development and the pathogenies of placental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xianhua Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yulong Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiangjin Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Yanqing Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Haoyun Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Changmiao Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shaoqiang Ning
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shiqing Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Feifan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jie Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chengtao Gu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuanxiong Cheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhanpeng Kuang
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jingyang Qiu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jin Jin
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Haisi Luo
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Mingyu Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hannah Xiaoyan Hui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China; Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Degong Ruan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Pentao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Liangzhong Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Shanshan Ai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Xuefei Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, China; Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Deng WQ, Pigeyre M, Azab SM, Wilson SL, Campbell N, Cawte N, Morrison KM, Atkinson SA, Subbarao P, Turvey SE, Moraes TJ, Mandhane P, Azad MB, Simons E, Pare G, Anand SS. Consistent cord blood DNA methylation signatures of gestational age between South Asian and white European cohorts. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:74. [PMID: 38840168 PMCID: PMC11155053 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01684-0] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm) in cord blood, are an important biological marker of how external exposures during gestation can influence the in-utero environment and subsequent offspring development. Despite the recognized importance of DNAm during gestation, comparative studies to determine the consistency of these epigenetic signals across different ethnic groups are largely absent. To address this gap, we first performed epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of gestational age (GA) using newborn cord blood DNAm comparatively in a white European (n = 342) and a South Asian (n = 490) birth cohort living in Canada. Then, we capitalized on established cord blood epigenetic GA clocks to examine the associations between maternal exposures, offspring characteristics and epigenetic GA, as well as GA acceleration, defined as the residual difference between epigenetic and chronological GA at birth. RESULTS Individual EWASs confirmed 1,211 and 1,543 differentially methylated CpGs previously reported to be associated with GA, in white European and South Asian cohorts, respectively, with a similar distribution of effects. We confirmed that Bohlin's cord blood GA clock was robustly correlated with GA in white Europeans (r = 0.71; p = 6.0 × 10-54) and South Asians (r = 0.66; p = 6.9 × 10-64). In both cohorts, Bohlin's clock was positively associated with newborn weight and length and negatively associated with parity, newborn female sex, and gestational diabetes. Exclusive to South Asians, the GA clock was positively associated with the newborn ponderal index, while pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain were strongly predictive of increased epigenetic GA in white Europeans. Important predictors of GA acceleration included gestational diabetes mellitus, newborn sex, and parity in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the consistent DNAm signatures of GA and the utility of Bohlin's GA clock across the two populations. Although the overall pattern of DNAm is similar, its connections with the mother's environment and the baby's anthropometrics can differ between the two groups. Further research is needed to understand these unique relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Q Deng
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
| | - Marie Pigeyre
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada
- Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sandi M Azab
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Samantha L Wilson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Natalie Campbell
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Nathan Cawte
- Population Health Research Institute, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | | | - Padmaja Subbarao
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Program in Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stuart E Turvey
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Program in Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Piush Mandhane
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Meghan B Azad
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Elinor Simons
- Section of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Guillaume Pare
- Population Health Research Institute, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada
- Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Sonia S Anand
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
- Population Health Research Institute, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada.
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
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Pooh RK. First-trimester preterm preeclampsia prediction model for prevention with low-dose aspirin. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2024; 50:793-799. [PMID: 38366809 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15908] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) is a major maternal and fetal threat. Previous risk-scoring methods in guidelines lacked precision. The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) proposed a first-trimester PE screening model using Bayes' theorem. PE PREDICTION MODEL FMF prediction model combines maternal characteristics and medical/obstetrical history to determine prior risk and further incorporate maternal blood pressure, maternal serum biomarkers, and uterine Doppler pulsatility index expressed as multiples of the median (MoM) to estimate posterior risk. LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN PREVENTION Low-dose aspirin is one of the potential PE prevention strategies. Initiating it before 16 weeks is crucial. Aspirin's antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory properties align with PE's pathophysiology. Dosing and resistance warrant further study, but a standard regimen of 150 mg nightly, starting before 16 weeks, is widely supported. PE PREVENTION IN PRACTICE Clinical trials, including ASPRE, affirm aspirin's role in PE prevention. Starting aspirin based on FMF screening significantly reduces preterm PE and associated complications. ADVANCEMENTS AND PROSPECTS Emerging research explores predictors like maternal ophthalmic arterial waveform. Regional variations, especially in Asian populations, are considered. Machine learning and AI show promise, but examiner expertise remains essential for accurate prediction. In conclusion, integrating FMF's first-trimester PE screening with low-dose aspirin offers a promising strategy. Further advancements may enhance precision and broaden prevention efforts.
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Shan Y, Hou B, Wang J, Chen A, Liu S. Exploring the role of exosomal MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers in preeclampsia. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385950. [PMID: 38566996 PMCID: PMC10985148 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE), a significant contributor to maternal and neonatal mortality globally, is poorly understood despite substantial research. This review explores the involvement of exosomal microRNAs (exomiRs) in PE, focusing on their impact on the protein kinase B (AKT)/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway as well as endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Specifically, this article amalgamates existing evidence to reveal the pivotal role of exomiRs in regulating mesenchymal stem cell and trophoblast function, placental angiogenesis, the renin-angiotensin system, and nitric oxide production, which may contribute to PE etiology. This review emphasizes the limited knowledge regarding the role of exomiRs in PE while underscoring the potential of exomiRs as non-invasive biomarkers for PE diagnosis, prediction, and treatment. Further, it provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of PE, highlighting exomiRs as key players with clinical implications, warranting further exploration to enhance the current understanding and the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Shan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Bo Hou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jingli Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Aiping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shiguo Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Lumour-Mensah T, Lemos B. Evidence of reduced gestational age in response to in utero arsenic exposure and implications for aging trajectories of the newborn. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 185:108566. [PMID: 38461780 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Arsenic exposure is associated with a plethora of age-related health outcomes of disparate etiology. However, evidence of the impact of arsenic on aging remains limited. Here, we investigated the utility of epigenetic clocks in two different populations and the impact of maternal arsenic exposure during pregnancy on epigenetic gestational age at birth. To do this, we examined publicly available DNA methylation data and estimated gestational age across five gestational clocks in two unrelated human populations. These populations also differ in the extent of arsenic exposure and the targeted tissue of analysis (cord blood and placental tissue). Our results indicate that same-tissue clocks produce gestational age estimates that are more highly correlated with clinical gestational age. Interestingly, our results also indicate that arsenic exposure is associated with gestational age, with higher arsenic exposures associated with decreased gestational age. We also applied two pediatric clocks to evaluate infant biological age in the same samples. The data is suggestive of higher pediatric age in infants exposed to higher arsenic levels during gestation. Taken altogether, our findings are consistent with past work indicating that that in utero arsenic exposure is associated with decreased gestational maturity as characterized by infant outcomes such as low birthweight and lung underdevelopment and dysfunction in arsenic exposed infants. The findings are also consistent with arsenic exposure setting infants on a trajectory of accelerated epigenetic aging that starts at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabitha Lumour-Mensah
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bernardo Lemos
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States; Coit Center for Longevity and Neurotherapeutics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.
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Nguyen-Hoang L, Papastefanou I, Sahota DS, Pooh RK, Zheng M, Chaiyasit N, Tokunaka M, Shaw SW, Seshadri S, Choolani M, Yapan P, Sim WS, Poon LC. Evaluation of screening performance of first-trimester competing-risks prediction model for small-for-gestational age in Asian population. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2024; 63:331-341. [PMID: 37552550 DOI: 10.1002/uog.27447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the external validity of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) competing-risks model for the prediction of small-for-gestational age (SGA) at 11-14 weeks' gestation in an Asian population. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study in 10 120 women with a singleton pregnancy undergoing routine assessment at 11-14 weeks' gestation. We applied the FMF competing-risks model for the first-trimester prediction of SGA, combining maternal characteristics and medical history with measurements of mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) and serum placental growth factor (PlGF) concentration. We calculated risks for different cut-offs of birth-weight percentile (< 10th , < 5th or < 3rd percentile) and gestational age at delivery (< 37 weeks (preterm SGA) or SGA at any gestational age). Predictive performance was examined in terms of discrimination and calibration. RESULTS The predictive performance of the competing-risks model for SGA was similar to that reported in the original FMF study. Specifically, the combination of maternal factors with MAP, UtA-PI and PlGF yielded the best performance for the prediction of preterm SGA with birth weight < 10th percentile (SGA < 10th ) and preterm SGA with birth weight < 5th percentile (SGA < 5th ), with areas under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUCs) of 0.765 (95% CI, 0.720-0.809) and 0.789 (95% CI, 0.736-0.841), respectively. Combining maternal factors with MAP and PlGF yielded the best model for predicting preterm SGA with birth weight < 3rd percentile (SGA < 3rd ) (AUC, 0.797 (95% CI, 0.744-0.850)). After excluding cases with pre-eclampsia, the combination of maternal factors with MAP, UtA-PI and PlGF yielded the best performance for the prediction of preterm SGA < 10th and preterm SGA < 5th , with AUCs of 0.743 (95% CI, 0.691-0.795) and 0.762 (95% CI, 0.700-0.824), respectively. However, the best model for predicting preterm SGA < 3rd without pre-eclampsia was the combination of maternal factors and PlGF (AUC, 0.786 (95% CI, 0.723-0.849)). The FMF competing-risks model including maternal factors, MAP, UtA-PI and PlGF achieved detection rates of 42.2%, 47.3% and 48.1%, at a fixed false-positive rate of 10%, for the prediction of preterm SGA < 10th , preterm SGA < 5th and preterm SGA < 3rd , respectively. The calibration of the model was satisfactory. CONCLUSION The screening performance of the FMF first-trimester competing-risks model for SGA in a large, independent cohort of Asian women is comparable with that reported in the original FMF study in a mixed European population. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Nguyen-Hoang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - I Papastefanou
- Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Women and Children's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - D S Sahota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - R K Pooh
- CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic, Osaka, Japan
| | - M Zheng
- Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - N Chaiyasit
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - M Tokunaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S W Shaw
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - M Choolani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - P Yapan
- Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - W S Sim
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - L C Poon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
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Saeed H, Wu J, Tesfaye M, Grantz KL, Tekola-Ayele F. Placental accelerated aging in antenatal depression. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2024; 6:101237. [PMID: 38012987 PMCID: PMC10843762 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101237] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal maternal depression is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes and long-term effects on the offspring. Previous studies have identified links between antenatal depression and placental DNA methylation and between placental epigenetic aging and poor pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm labor and preeclampsia. The relationship between antenatal depression and poor pregnancy outcomes may be partly mediated via placental aging. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate whether antenatal depressive symptoms are associated with placental epigenetic age acceleration, an epigenetic aging clock measure derived from the difference between methylation age and gestational age at delivery. STUDY DESIGN The study included 301 women who provided placenta samples at delivery as part of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies - Singletons that recruited participants from diverse race and ethnic groups at 12 US clinical sites (2009-2013). Women underwent depression screening using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale up to 6 times across the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. Depressive symptoms status was determined for each pregnancy trimester using an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score, in which a score of ≥10 was defined as having depressive symptoms and a score of <10 was defined as not having depressive symptoms. Placental DNA methylation was profiled from placenta samples. Placental epigenetic age was estimated using a methylation-based age estimator (placental "epigenetic clock") that has previously been found to have high placental gestational age prediction accuracy for uncomplicated term pregnancies. Placental age acceleration was defined to be the residual upon regressing the estimated epigenetic age on gestational age at delivery. Associations between an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of ≥10 and an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of <10 in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy (ie, depressive symptoms vs none in each trimester) and placental age acceleration were tested using multivariable linear regression adjusting for maternal age, parity, race and ethnicity, and employment. RESULTS There were 31 (10.3%), 48 (16%), and 49 (16.4%) women with depressive symptoms (ie, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of ≥10) in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Of these women, 21 (7.2%) had sustained first- and second-trimester depressive symptoms, 19 (7%) had sustained second- and third-trimester depressive symptoms, and 12 (4.8%) had sustained depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy. Women with depressive symptoms in the second trimester of pregnancy had 0.41 weeks higher placental age acceleration than women without depressive symptoms during the second trimester of pregnancy (β=0.21 weeks [95% confidence interval, -0.17 to 0.58; P=.28] during the first trimester of pregnancy; β=0.41 weeks [95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.71; P=.009] during the second trimester of pregnancy; β=0.17 weeks [95% confidence interval, -0.14 to 0.47; P=.29] during the third trimester of pregnancy). Sustained first- and second-trimester depressive symptoms were associated with 0.72 weeks higher placental age acceleration (95% confidence interval, 0.29-1.15; P=.001) than no depressive symptom in the 2 trimesters. The association between second-trimester depressive symptoms and higher placental epigenetic age acceleration strengthened in the analysis of pregnancies with male fetuses (β=0.53 weeks; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-1.08; P=.03) but was not significant in pregnancies with female fetuses. CONCLUSION Antenatal depressive symptoms during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with an average of 0.41 weeks of increased placental age acceleration. Accelerated placental aging may play an important role in the underlying mechanism linking antenatal depression to pregnancy complications related to placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haleema Saeed
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (Dr Saeed); Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC (Drs Saeed)
| | - Jing Wu
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (Drs Wu, Grantz, and Tekola-Ayele)
| | - Markos Tesfaye
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Dr Tesfaye); Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Dr Tesfaye)
| | - Katherine L Grantz
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (Drs Wu, Grantz, and Tekola-Ayele)
| | - Fasil Tekola-Ayele
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (Drs Wu, Grantz, and Tekola-Ayele).
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10
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Dutta S, Goodrich JM, Dolinoy DC, Ruden DM. Biological Aging Acceleration Due to Environmental Exposures: An Exciting New Direction in Toxicogenomics Research. Genes (Basel) 2023; 15:16. [PMID: 38275598 PMCID: PMC10815440 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010016] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological clock technologies are designed to assess the acceleration of biological age (B-age) in diverse cell types, offering a distinctive opportunity in toxicogenomic research to explore the impact of environmental stressors, social challenges, and unhealthy lifestyles on health impairment. These clocks also play a role in identifying factors that can hinder aging and promote a healthy lifestyle. Over the past decade, researchers in epigenetics have developed testing methods that predict the chronological and biological age of organisms. These methods rely on assessing DNA methylation (DNAm) levels at specific CpG sites, RNA levels, and various biomolecules across multiple cell types, tissues, and entire organisms. Commonly known as 'biological clocks' (B-clocks), these estimators hold promise for gaining deeper insights into the pathways contributing to the development of age-related disorders. They also provide a foundation for devising biomedical or social interventions to prevent, reverse, or mitigate these disorders. This review article provides a concise overview of various epigenetic clocks and explores their susceptibility to environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Dutta
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Jaclyn M. Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.M.G.); (D.C.D.)
| | - Dana C. Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.M.G.); (D.C.D.)
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Douglas M. Ruden
- C. S. Mott Center for Human Health and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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11
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Zeidan RS, McElroy T, Rathor L, Martenson MS, Lin Y, Mankowski RT. Sex differences in frailty among older adults. Exp Gerontol 2023; 184:112333. [PMID: 37993077 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112333] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
By definition, aging is a natural, gradual and continuous process. On the other hand, frailty reflects the increase in vulnerability to stressors and shortens the time without disease (health span) while longevity refers to the length of life (lifespan). The average life expectancy has significantly increased during the last few decades. A longer lifespan has been accompanied by an increase in frailty and decreased independence in older adults, with major differences existing between men and women. For example, women tend to live longer than men but also experience higher rates of frailty and disability. Sex differences prevent optimization of lifestyle interventions and therapies to effectively prevent frailty. Sex differences in frailty and aging are rooted in a complex interplay between uncontrollable (genetic, epigenetic, physiological), and controllable factors (psychosocial and lifestyle factors). Thus, understanding the underlying causes of sex differences in frailty and aging is essential for developing personalized interventions to promote healthy aging and improve quality of life in older men and women. In this review, we have discussed the key contributors and knowledge gaps related to sex differences in aging and frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola S Zeidan
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Taylor McElroy
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Laxmi Rathor
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Matthew S Martenson
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Yi Lin
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Robert T Mankowski
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
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12
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Bulka CM, Everson TM, Burt AA, Marsit CJ, Karagas MR, Boyle KE, Niemiec S, Kechris K, Davidson EJ, Yang IV, Feinberg JI, Volk HE, Ladd-Acosta C, Breton CV, O’Shea TM, Fry RC. Sex-based differences in placental DNA methylation profiles related to gestational age: an NIH ECHO meta-analysis. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2179726. [PMID: 36840948 PMCID: PMC9980626 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2179726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta undergoes many changes throughout gestation to support the evolving needs of the foetus. There is also a growing appreciation that male and female foetuses develop differently in utero, with unique epigenetic changes in placental tissue. Here, we report meta-analysed sex-specific associations between gestational age and placental DNA methylation from four cohorts in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Programme (355 females/419 males, gestational ages 23-42 weeks). We identified 407 cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpGs) in females and 794 in males where placental methylation levels were associated with gestational age. After cell-type adjustment, 55 CpGs in females and 826 in males were significant. These were enriched for biological processes critical to the immune system in females and transmembrane transport in males. Our findings are distinct between the sexes: in females, associations with gestational age are largely explained by differences in placental cellular composition, whereas in males, gestational age is directly associated with numerous alterations in methylation levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M. Bulka
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Todd M. Everson
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber A. Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Kristen E. Boyle
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sierra Niemiec
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katerina Kechris
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Ivana V. Yang
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jason I. Feinberg
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML, USA
| | - Heather E. Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML, USA
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML, USA
| | - Carrie V. Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - T. Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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13
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Katrinli S, Smith AK, Drury SS, Covault J, Ford JD, Singh V, Reese B, Johnson A, Scranton V, Fall P, Briggs-Gowan M, Grasso DJ. Cumulative stress, PTSD, and emotion dysregulation during pregnancy and epigenetic age acceleration in Hispanic mothers and their newborn infants. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2231722. [PMID: 37433036 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2231722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy can exacerbate or prompt the onset of stress-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is associated with heightened stress responsivity and emotional dysregulation, as well as increased risk of chronic disorders and mortality. Further, maternal PTSD is associated with gestational epigenetic age acceleration in newborns, implicating the prenatal period as a developmental time period for the transmission of effects across generations. Here, we evaluated the associations between PTSD symptoms, maternal epigenetic age acceleration, and infant gestational epigenetic age acceleration in 89 maternal-neonatal dyads. Trauma-related experiences and PTSD symptoms in mothers were assessed during the third trimester of pregnancy. The MethylationEPIC array was used to generate DNA methylation data from maternal and neonatal saliva samples collected within 24 h of infant birth. Maternal epigenetic age acceleration was calculated using Horvath's multi-tissue clock, PhenoAge and GrimAge. Gestational epigenetic age was estimated using the Haftorn clock. Maternal cumulative past-year stress (GrimAge: p = 3.23e-04, PhenoAge: p = 9.92e-03), PTSD symptoms (GrimAge: p = 0.019), and difficulties in emotion regulation (GrimAge: p = 0.028) were associated with accelerated epigenetic age in mothers. Maternal PTSD symptoms were associated with lower gestational epigenetic age acceleration in neonates (p = 0.032). Overall, our results suggest that maternal cumulative past-year stress exposure and trauma-related symptoms may increase the risk for age-related problems in mothers and developmental problems in their newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyma Katrinli
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stacy S Drury
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Covault
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Julian D Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Vijender Singh
- Computational Biology Core, University of Connecticut, School of Medicine, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Bo Reese
- Center for Genome Innovation, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Amy Johnson
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Victoria Scranton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Pamela Fall
- Clinical Research Center Core Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Margaret Briggs-Gowan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Damion J Grasso
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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14
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Zhao J, Zhang J, Xu Y, Dong J, Dong Q, Zhao G, Shi Y. Nanotechnological approaches for the treatment of placental dysfunction: recent trends and future perspectives. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2023; 18:1961-1978. [PMID: 37990993 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0194] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The transitory placenta develops during pregnancy and mediates the blood flow between the mother and the developing baby. Placental dysfunction, including but not limited to placenta accreta spectrum, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia and gestational trophoblastic disease, arises from abnormal placental development and can result in significant adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. Unfortunately, there is a lack of treatment alternatives for these disorders. Nanocarriers offer versatility, including extended circulation, organ-specific targeting and intracellular transport, finely tuning therapeutic placental interactions. This thorough review explores nanotechnological strategies for addressing placental disorders, encompassing dysfunction insights, potential drug-delivery targets and recent strides in placenta-targeted nanoparticle (NP) therapies, instilling hope for effective placental malfunction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Jungang Zhang
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Medical Research Center, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhoushan, 316000, China
| | - Juan Dong
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Qichao Dong
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhao
- Delivery Rooms, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
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15
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Khan A, Inkster AM, Peñaherrera MS, King S, Kildea S, Oberlander TF, Olson DM, Vaillancourt C, Brain U, Beraldo EO, Beristain AG, Clifton VL, Del Gobbo GF, Lam WL, Metz GAS, Ng JWY, Price EM, Schuetz JM, Yuan V, Portales-Casamar É, Robinson WP. The application of epiphenotyping approaches to DNA methylation array studies of the human placenta. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:37. [PMID: 37794499 PMCID: PMC10548571 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00507-5] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAme) profiling of the placenta with Illumina Infinium Methylation bead arrays is often used to explore the connections between in utero exposures, placental pathology, and fetal development. However, many technical and biological factors can lead to signals of DNAme variation between samples and between cohorts, and understanding and accounting for these factors is essential to ensure meaningful and replicable data analysis. Recently, "epiphenotyping" approaches have been developed whereby DNAme data can be used to impute information about phenotypic variables such as gestational age, sex, cell composition, and ancestry. These epiphenotypes offer avenues to compare phenotypic data across cohorts, and to understand how phenotypic variables relate to DNAme variability. However, the relationships between placental epiphenotyping variables and other technical and biological variables, and their application to downstream epigenome analyses, have not been well studied. RESULTS Using DNAme data from 204 placentas across three cohorts, we applied the PlaNET R package to estimate epiphenotypes gestational age, ancestry, and cell composition in these samples. PlaNET ancestry estimates were highly correlated with independent polymorphic ancestry-informative markers, and epigenetic gestational age, on average, was estimated within 4 days of reported gestational age, underscoring the accuracy of these tools. Cell composition estimates varied both within and between cohorts, as well as over very long placental processing times. Interestingly, the ratio of cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast proportion decreased with increasing gestational age, and differed slightly by both maternal ethnicity (lower in white vs. non-white) and genetic ancestry (lower in higher probability European ancestry). The cohort of origin and cytotrophoblast proportion were the largest drivers of DNAme variation in this dataset, based on their associations with the first principal component. CONCLUSIONS This work confirms that cohort, array (technical) batch, cell type proportion, self-reported ethnicity, genetic ancestry, and biological sex are important variables to consider in any analyses of Illumina DNAme data. We further demonstrate the specific utility of epiphenotyping tools developed for use with placental DNAme data, and show that these variables (i) provide an independent check of clinically obtained data and (ii) provide a robust approach to compare variables across different datasets. Finally, we present a general framework for the processing and analysis of placental DNAme data, integrating the epiphenotype variables discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Khan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - A M Inkster
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - M S Peñaherrera
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - S King
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - S Kildea
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - T F Oberlander
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - D M Olson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, 220 HMRC, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - C Vaillancourt
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie - INRS and University of Quebec Intersectorial Health Research Network, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - U Brain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - E O Beraldo
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - A G Beristain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - V L Clifton
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - G F Del Gobbo
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - W L Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - G A S Metz
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - J W Y Ng
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - E M Price
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - J M Schuetz
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - V Yuan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - É Portales-Casamar
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - W P Robinson
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada.
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16
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Pan M, Zhou J, Wang J, Cao W, Li L, Wang L. The role of placental aging in adverse pregnancy outcomes: A mitochondrial perspective. Life Sci 2023; 329:121924. [PMID: 37429418 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Premature placental aging is associated with placental insufficiency, which reduces the functional capacity of the placenta, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Placental mitochondria are vital organelles that provide energy and play essential roles in placental development and functional maintenance. In response to oxidative stress, damage, and senescence, an adaptive response is induced to selectively remove mitochondria through the mitochondrial equivalent of autophagy. However, adaptation can be disrupted when mitochondrial abnormalities or dysfunctions persist. This review focuses on the adaptation and transformation of mitochondria during pregnancy. These changes modify placental function throughout pregnancy and can cause complications. We discuss the relationship between placental aging and adverse pregnancy outcomes from the perspective of mitochondria and potential approaches to improve abnormal pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijun Pan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenli Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhoushan Women and Children Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lisha Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China.
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17
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Fang F, Zhou L, Perng W, Marsit CJ, Knight AK, Cardenas A, Aung MT, Hivert MF, Aris IM, Goodrich JM, Smith AK, Gaylord A, Fry RC, Oken E, O'Connor G, Ruden DM, Trasande L, Herbstman JB, Camargo CA, Bush NR, Dunlop AL, Dabelea DM, Karagas MR, Breton CV, Ober C, Everson TM, Page GP, Ladd-Acosta C. Evaluation of pediatric epigenetic clocks across multiple tissues. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:142. [PMID: 37660147 PMCID: PMC10475199 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01552-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic clocks are promising tools for assessing biological age. We assessed the accuracy of pediatric epigenetic clocks in gestational and chronological age determination. RESULTS Our study used data from seven tissue types on three DNA methylation profiling microarrays and found that the Knight and Bohlin clocks performed similarly for blood cells, while the Lee clock was superior for placental samples. The pediatric-buccal-epigenetic clock performed the best for pediatric buccal samples, while the Horvath clock is recommended for children's blood cell samples. The NeoAge clock stands out for its unique ability to predict post-menstrual age with high correlation with the observed age in infant buccal cell samples. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide valuable guidance for future research and development of epigenetic clocks in pediatric samples, enabling more accurate assessments of biological age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- GenOmics and Translational Research Center, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC, 27709-2194, USA.
| | - Linran Zhou
- GenOmics and Translational Research Center, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Wei Perng
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna K Knight
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Max T Aung
- Division of Environmental Health, Department of Population and Populace Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Izzuddin M Aris
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Abigail Gaylord
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George O'Connor
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Douglas M Ruden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julie B Herbstman
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carlos A Camargo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anne L Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dana M Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Division of Environmental Health, Department of Population and Populace Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Todd M Everson
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Grier P Page
- GenOmics and Translational Research Center, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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18
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Mehreen A, Suresh S, Freedman AA, Ernst LM. Histopathologic Findings in Large for Gestational Age Placentas and Correlation With CD15 Immunohistochemistry. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2023; 26:458-465. [PMID: 37599445 DOI: 10.1177/10935266231191965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The histopathology and CD15 expression in large for gestational age (LGA) placentas is not well-documented. METHODS To analyze this, we utilized 2 separate cohorts of placentas from singleton term deliveries. LGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) placentas were compared for major histopathologies including acute and chronic inflammation, maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion, delayed villous maturation (DVM), and villous hypervascularity/chorangiosis. We also examined CD15 immunohistochemistry in LGA and AGA placentas. Stained slides were reviewed blinded to the placental weight. Five random 20× fields were scored semi-quantitatively for CD15 staining of villous capillaries on a scale of 0 to 5 (0 = 0%, 1 = 1%-5%, 2 = 5%-25%, 3 = 25%-50%, 4 = 50%-75%, and 5 = >75%). RESULTS In 1 cohort, 1238 LGA and 7908 AGA placentas were identified. Patients with LGA placentas were significantly more likely to have higher birthweight babies, obesity, hypertensive disorders, pre-gestational, and gestational diabetes. Also, LGA placentas had a higher prevalence of fetal vascular malperfusion, DVM, and villous chorangiosis. In other cohort of 75 LGA placentas and 73 AGA controls, the average score of CD15 staining in villous capillaries was significantly higher amongst LGA placentas. CONCLUSION We conclude that LGA placentas have increased expression of CD15 in villous capillary endothelium and higher prevalence of FVM, DVM, and villous chorangiosis than AGA placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansa Mehreen
- University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Sunitha Suresh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Alexa A Freedman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Linda M Ernst
- University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
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19
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Liu W, Yang X, Mao Z, Du Y, Lassiter C, AlAkwaa FM, Benny PA, Garmire LX. Severe preeclampsia is not associated with significant DNA methylation changes but cell proportion changes in the cord blood - caution on the importance of confounding adjustment. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.31.23294898. [PMID: 37693517 PMCID: PMC10491383 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.23294898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Epigenome-wide DNA methylation analysis (EWAS) is an important approach to identify biomarkers for early disease detection and prognosis prediction, yet its results could be confounded by other factors such as cell-type heterogeneity and patient characteristics. In this study, we address the importance of confounding adjustment by examining DNA methylation patterns in cord blood exposed to severe preeclampsia (PE), a prevalent and potentially fatal pregnancy complication. Without such adjustment, a misleading global hypomethylation pattern is obtained. However, after adjusting cell type proportions and patient clinical characteristics, most of the so-called significant CpG methylation changes associated with severe PE disappear. Rather, the major effect of PE on cord blood is through the proportion changes in different cell types. These results are validated using a previously published cord blood DNA methylation dataset, where global hypomethylation pattern was also wrongfully obtained without confounding adjustment. Additionally, several cell types significantly change as gestation progress (eg. granulocyte, nRBC, CD4T, and B cells), further confirming the importance of cell type adjustment in EWAS study of cord blood tissues. Our study urges the community to perform confounding adjustments in EWAS studies, based on cell type heterogeneity and other patient characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Liu
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Xiaotong Yang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Zhixin Mao
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yuheng Du
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - Fadhl M AlAkwaa
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Paula A Benny
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Epidemiology, Honolulu, HI
| | - Lana X Garmire
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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20
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Sainty R, Silver MJ, Prentice AM, Monk D. The influence of early environment and micronutrient availability on developmental epigenetic programming: lessons from the placenta. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1212199. [PMID: 37484911 PMCID: PMC10358779 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1212199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most commonly studied epigenetic mark in humans, as it is well recognised as a stable, heritable mark that can affect genome function and influence gene expression. Somatic DNA methylation patterns that can persist throughout life are established shortly after fertilisation when the majority of epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, are erased from the pre-implantation embryo. Therefore, the period around conception is potentially critical for influencing DNA methylation, including methylation at imprinted alleles and metastable epialleles (MEs), loci where methylation varies between individuals but is correlated across tissues. Exposures before and during conception can affect pregnancy outcomes and health throughout life. Retrospective studies of the survivors of famines, such as those exposed to the Dutch Hunger Winter of 1944-45, have linked exposures around conception to later disease outcomes, some of which correlate with DNA methylation changes at certain genes. Animal models have shown more directly that DNA methylation can be affected by dietary supplements that act as cofactors in one-carbon metabolism, and in humans, methylation at birth has been associated with peri-conceptional micronutrient supplementation. However, directly showing a role of micronutrients in shaping the epigenome has proven difficult. Recently, the placenta, a tissue with a unique hypomethylated methylome, has been shown to possess great inter-individual variability, which we highlight as a promising target tissue for studying MEs and mixed environmental exposures. The placenta has a critical role shaping the health of the fetus. Placenta-associated pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, are all associated with aberrant patterns of DNA methylation and expression which are only now being linked to disease risk later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Sainty
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Matt J. Silver
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M. Prentice
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - David Monk
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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21
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Khan A, Inkster AM, Peñaherrera MS, King S, Kildea S, Oberlander TF, Olson DM, Vaillancourt C, Brain U, Beraldo EO, Beristain AG, Clifton VL, Del Gobbo GF, Lam WL, Metz GA, Ng JW, Price EM, Schuetz JM, Yuan V, Portales-Casamar É, Robinson WP. The application of epiphenotyping approaches to DNA methylation array studies of the human placenta. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3069705. [PMID: 37461679 PMCID: PMC10350117 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3069705/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Background : Genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAme) profiling of the placenta with Illumina Infinium Methylation bead arrays is often used to explore the connections between in utero exposures, placental pathology, and fetal development. However, many technical and biological factors can lead to signals of DNAme variation between samples and between cohorts, and understanding and accounting for these factors is essential to ensure meaningful and replicable data analysis. Recently, "epiphenotyping" approaches have been developed whereby DNAme data can be used to impute information about phenotypic variables such as gestational age, sex, cell composition, and ancestry. These epiphenotypes offer avenues to compare phenotypic data across cohorts, and to understand how phenotypic variables relate to DNAme variability. However, the relationships between placental epiphenotyping variables and other technical and biological variables, and their application to downstream epigenome analyses, have not been well studied. Results : Using DNAme data from 204 placentas across three cohorts, we applied the PlaNET R package to estimate epiphenotypes gestational age, ancestry, and cell composition in these samples. PlaNET ancestry estimates were highly correlated with independent polymorphic ancestry informative markers, and epigenetic gestational age, on average, was estimated within 4 days of reported gestational age, underscoring the accuracy of these tools. Cell composition estimates varied both within and between cohorts, but reassuringly were robust to placental processing time. Interestingly, the ratio of cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast proportion decreased with increasing gestational age, and differed slightly by both maternal ethnicity (lower in white vs. non-white) and genetic ancestry (lower in higher probability European ancestry). The cohort of origin and cytotrophoblast proportion were the largest drivers of DNAme variation in this dataset, based on their associations with the first principal component. Conclusions : This work confirms that cohort, array (technical) batch, cell type proportion, self-reported ethnicity, genetic ancestry, and biological sex are important variables to consider in any analyses of Illumina DNAme data. Further, we demonstrate that estimating epiphenotype variables from the DNAme data itself, when possible, provides both an independent check of clinically-obtained data and can provide a robust approach to compare variables across different datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almas Khan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie - INRS and University of Quebec Intersectorial Health Research Network
| | - Ursula Brain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)
| | | | | | | | | | - Wan L Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Centre
| | | | | | | | | | - Victor Yuan
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)
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22
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Gaylord A, Cohen A, Kupsco A. Biomarkers of aging through the life course: A Recent Literature Update. CURRENT OPINION IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 2:7-17. [PMID: 38130910 PMCID: PMC10732539 DOI: 10.1097/pxh.0000000000000018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of review The development of biomarkers of aging has greatly advanced epidemiological studies of aging processes. However, much debate remains on the timing of aging onset and the causal relevance of these biomarkers. In this review, we discuss the most recent biomarkers of aging that have been applied across the life course. Recent findings The most recently developed aging biomarkers that have been applied across the life course can be designated into three categories: epigenetic clocks, epigenetic markers of chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial DNA copy number. While these have been applied at different life stages, the development, validation, and application of these markers has been largely centered on populations of older adults. Few studies have examined trajectories of aging biomarkers across the life course. As the wealth of molecular and biochemical data increases, emerging biomarkers may be able to capture complex and system-specific aging processes. Recently developed biomarkers include novel epigenetic clocks; clocks based on ribosomal DNA, transcriptomic profiles, proteomics, metabolomics, and inflammatory markers; clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential gene mutations; and multi-omics approaches. Summary Attention should be placed on aging at early and middle life stages to better understand trajectories of aging biomarkers across the life course. Additionally, novel biomarkers will provide greater insight into aging processes. The specific mechanisms of aging reflected by these biomarkers should be considered when interpreting results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Gaylord
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alan Cohen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- PRIMUS Research Group, Department of Family Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Research Center on Aging and Research Center of Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Allison Kupsco
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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23
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Man AWC, Zhou Y, Xia N, Li H. Dietary supplements and vascular function in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Pflugers Arch 2023:10.1007/s00424-023-02810-2. [PMID: 37043045 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02810-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are complications that can lead to maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are generally defined as hypertension and may be accompanied by other end organ damages including proteinuria, maternal organ disturbances including renal insufficiency, neurological complications, thrombocytopenia, impaired liver function, or uteroplacental dysfunction such as fetal growth restriction and stillbirth. Although the causes of these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are multifactorial and elusive, they seem to share some common vascular-related mechanisms, including diseased spiral arteries, placental ischemia, and endothelial dysfunction. Recently, preeclampsia is being considered as a vascular disorder. Unfortunately, due to the complex etiology of preeclampsia and safety concerns on drug usage during pregnancy, there is still no effective pharmacological treatments available for preeclampsia yet. An emerging area of interest in this research field is the potential beneficial effects of dietary intervention on reducing the risk of preeclampsia. Recent studies have been focused on the association between deficiencies or excesses of some nutrients and complications during pregnancy, fetal growth and development, and later risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in the offspring. In this review, we discuss the involvement of placental vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia. We summarize the current understanding of the association between abnormal placentation and preeclampsia in a vascular perspective. Finally, we evaluate several studied dietary supplementations to prevent and reduce the risk of preeclampsia, targeting placental vascular development and function, leading to improved pregnancy and postnatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy W C Man
- Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Yawen Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ning Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Huige Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
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24
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Zakeri S, Rahimi Z, Jalilian1 N, Vaisi-Raygani A, Rezvani A, Dastafkan Z. Aberrant Methylation of the SOD1 GENE, its Expression and Enzyme Activity in the Placenta of Patients with Preeclampsia. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 12:112-119. [PMID: 37724155 PMCID: PMC10505468 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.12.1.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Dysregulation of SOD1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of PE. We examined and compared the methylation level of the promoter region (PMR) of the SOD1, gene expression, and enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in both placenta and maternal blood in PE women. Methods A total of 140 blood samples and 40 placental tissue samples from PE and healthy pregnant controls were studied. The PMR of the SOD1 (Methylight PCR method), the expression (Real-time PCR), and its enzyme activity were investigated and compared in two groups. Results The PMR of the SOD1 gene in the placental tissue of the patients was significantly increased compared to the control group (P= 0.008); this result was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of the gene and a decrease in the activity of the SOD enzyme. Meanwhile, the PMR of the SOD1 gene did not significantly change in the blood samples of the patients (P= 0.95), while a significant decrease in the expression of SOD1 (without a significant change in the SOD activity) was observed. Conclusion The results showed significant changes in the PMR of the SOD1 gene and gene expression in placenta tissue. The results highlight the role of the placenta in complications during pregnancy and also revealed epigenetics as an important regulatory pathway in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Zakeri
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Zohreh Rahimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
- Medical Biology Research Center, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. And Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Nazanin Jalilian1
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Asad Vaisi-Raygani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Ali Rezvani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Zahra Dastafkan
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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25
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Brockway HM, Wilson SL, Kallapur SG, Buhimschi CS, Muglia LJ, Jones HN. Characterization of methylation profiles in spontaneous preterm birth placental villous tissue. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279991. [PMID: 36952446 PMCID: PMC10035933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth is a global public health crisis which results in significant neonatal and maternal mortality. Yet little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth, and we have few diagnostic markers for adequate assessment of placental development and function. Previous studies of placental pathology and our transcriptomics studies suggest a role for placental maturity in idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth. It is known that placental DNA methylation changes over gestation. We hypothesized that if placental hypermaturity is present in our samples, we would observe a unique idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth DNA methylation profile potentially driving the gene expression differences we previously identified in our placental samples. Our results indicate the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth DNA methylation pattern mimics the term birth methylation pattern suggesting hypermaturity. Only seven significant differentially methylated regions fitting the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth specific (relative to the controls) profile were identified, indicating unusually high similarity in DNA methylation between idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth and term birth samples. We identified an additional 1,718 significantly methylated regions in our gestational age matched controls where the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth DNA methylation pattern mimics the term birth methylation pattern, again indicating a striking level of similarity between the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth and term birth samples. Pathway analysis of these regions revealed differences in genes within the WNT and Cadherin signaling pathways, both of which are essential in placental development and maturation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth samples display a hypermature methylation signature than expected given their respective gestational age which likely impacts birth timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M. Brockway
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, College of Medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samantha L. Wilson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suhas G. Kallapur
- Divisions of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Catalin S. Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Louis J. Muglia
- Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Helen N. Jones
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, College of Medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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26
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Nakashima A, Furuta A, Yamada K, Yoshida-Kawaguchi M, Yamaki-Ushijima A, Yasuda I, Ito M, Yamashita S, Tsuda S, Yoneda S, Cheng S, Sharma S, Shima T. The Role of Autophagy in the Female Reproduction System: For Beginners to Experts in This Field. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030373. [PMID: 36979065 PMCID: PMC10045718 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a fundamental process involved in regulating cellular homeostasis. Autophagy has been classically discovered as a cellular process that degrades cytoplasmic components non-selectively to produce energy. Over the past few decades, this process has been shown to work in energy production, as well as in the reduction of excessive proteins, damaged organelles, and membrane trafficking. It contributes to many human diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, carcinogenesis, diabetes mellitus, development, longevity, and reproduction. In this review, we provide important information for interpreting results related to autophagic experiments and present the role of autophagy in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akitoshi Nakashima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-76-434-7357
| | - Atsushi Furuta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mihoko Yoshida-Kawaguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Akemi Yamaki-Ushijima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ippei Yasuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Masami Ito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamashita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Sayaka Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoneda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shibin Cheng
- Departments of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA
| | - Surendra Sharma
- Departments of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA
| | - Tomoko Shima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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Fosheim IK, Jacobsen DP, Sugulle M, Alnaes-Katjavivi P, Fjeldstad HES, Ueland T, Lekva T, Staff AC. Serum amyloid A1 and pregnancy zone protein in pregnancy complications and correlation with markers of placental dysfunction. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:100794. [PMID: 36334725 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100794] [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] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension), diabetes mellitus, and placental dysfunction confer an increased risk of long-term maternal cardiovascular disease. Preeclampsia is also associated with acute atherosis that involves lesions of uteroplacental spiral arteries, resembling early stages of atherosclerosis. Serum amyloid A1 is involved in hypercoagulability and atherosclerosis and may aggregate into amyloid-aggregations of misfolded proteins. Pregnancy zone protein may inhibit amyloid aggregation. Amyloid is involved in Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease; it has been identified in preeclampsia, but its role in preeclampsia pathophysiology is unclear. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that serum amyloid A1 would be increased and pregnancy zone protein decreased in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and diabetic pregnancies and that serum amyloid A1 and pregnancy zone protein would correlate with placental dysfunction markers (fetal growth restriction and dysregulated angiogenic biomarkers) and acute atherosis. STUDY DESIGN Serum amyloid A1 is measurable in both the serum and plasma. In our study, plasma from 549 pregnancies (normotensive, euglycemic controls: 258; early-onset preeclampsia: 71; late-onset preeclampsia: 98; gestational hypertension: 30; chronic hypertension: 9; diabetes mellitus: 83) was assayed for serum amyloid A1 and pregnancy zone protein. The serum levels of angiogenic biomarkers soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor were available for 547 pregnancies, and the results of acute atherosis evaluation were available for 313 pregnancies. The clinical characteristics and circulating biomarkers were compared between the pregnancy groups using the Mann-Whitney U, chi-squared, or Fisher exact test as appropriate. Spearman's rho was calculated for assessing correlations. RESULTS In early-onset preeclampsia, serum amyloid A1 was increased compared with controls (17.1 vs 5.1 µg/mL, P<.001), whereas pregnancy zone protein was decreased (590 vs 892 µg/mL, P=.002). Pregnancy zone protein was also decreased in diabetes compared with controls (683 vs 892 µg/mL, P=.01). Serum amyloid A1 was associated with placental dysfunction (fetal growth restriction, elevated soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio). Pregnancy zone protein correlated negatively with soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio in all study groups. Acute atherosis was not associated with serum amyloid A1 or pregnancy zone protein. CONCLUSION Proteins involved in atherosclerosis, hypercoagulability, and protein misfolding are dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and placental dysfunction, which links them and potentially contributes to future maternal cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid K Fosheim
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, Ueland, and Staff); Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, and Staff).
| | - Daniel P Jacobsen
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, and Staff)
| | - Meryam Sugulle
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, Ueland, and Staff); Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, and Staff)
| | - Patji Alnaes-Katjavivi
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, Ueland, and Staff); Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, and Staff)
| | - Heidi E S Fjeldstad
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, Ueland, and Staff); Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, and Staff)
| | - Thor Ueland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, Ueland, and Staff); Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Ueland and Lekva); K.G. Jebsen Thrombosis Research and Expertise Center, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway (Dr Ueland)
| | - Tove Lekva
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Ueland and Lekva)
| | - Anne C Staff
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, Ueland, and Staff); Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Drs Fosheim, Jacobsen, Sugulle, Alnaes-Katjavivi, Fjeldstad, and Staff)
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Li Piani L, Vigano' P, Somigliana E. Epigenetic clocks and female fertility timeline: A new approach to an old issue? Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1121231. [PMID: 37025178 PMCID: PMC10070683 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1121231] [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: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide increase in life expectancy has boosted research on aging. Overcoming the concept of chronological age, higher attention has been addressed to biological age, which reflects a person's real health state, and which may be the resulting combination of both intrinsic and environmental factors. As epigenetics may exert a pivotal role in the biological aging, epigenetic clocks were developed. They are based on mathematical models aimed at identifying DNA methylation patterns that can define the biological age and that can be adopted for different clinical scopes (i.e., estimation of the risks of developing age-related disorders or predicting lifespan). Recently, epigenetic clocks have gained a peculiar attention in the fertility research field, in particular in the female counterpart. The insight into the possible relations between epigenetic aging and women's infertility might glean additional information about certain conditions that are still not completely understood. Moreover, they could disclose significant implications for health promotion programs in infertile women. Of relevance here is that the impact of biological age and epigenetics may not be limited to fertility status but could translate into pregnancy issues. Indeed, epigenetic alterations of the mother may transfer into the offspring, and pregnancy itself as well as related complications could contribute to epigenetic modifications in both the mother and newborn. However, even if the growing interest has culminated in the conspicuous production of studies on these topics, a global overview and the availability of validated instruments for diagnosis is still missing. The present narrative review aims to explore the possible bonds between epigenetic aging and fertility timeline. In the "infertility" section, we will discuss the advances on epigenetic clocks focusing on the different tissues examined (endometrium, peripheral blood, ovaries). In the "pregnancy" section, we will discuss the results obtained from placenta, umbilical cord and peripheral blood. The possible role of epigenetic aging on infertility mechanisms and pregnancy outcomes represents a question that may configure epigenetic clock as a bond between two apparently opposite worlds: infertility and pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Li Piani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Letizia Li Piani,
| | - Paola Vigano'
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Edgardo Somigliana
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Yang X, Benny PA, Cervera-Marzal E, Wu B, Lassiter CB, Astern J, Garmire LX. Placental telomere length shortening is not associated with severe preeclampsia but the gestational age. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 15:353-370. [PMID: 36575046 PMCID: PMC9925682 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Variations in telomere length (TL) have been associated with aging, stress, and many diseases. Placenta TL is an essential molecular component influencing the outcome of birth. Previous investigations into the relationship between placenta TL and preeclampsia (PE) have produced conflicting findings. We conducted a retrospective case-control analysis in this study to address the disparity. We used placenta samples from 224 births received from Hawaii Biorepository (HiBR) between 2006 and 2013, comprising 129 healthy full-term controls and 95 severe PE samples. The average absolute placental TL was calculated using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique. We utilized multiple linear regressions to associate placental TL with severe PE and other demographic, clinical and physiological data. The outcome demonstrates that the placental TL of severe PE cases did not significantly differ from that of healthy controls. Instead, there is a strong correlation between gestational age and placenta TL shortening. Placental TL also exhibits racial differences: (1) Latino moms' TL is significantly longer than non-Latino mothers' (p=0.009). (2) Caucasian patients with severe PE have shorter TL than non-Caucasian patients (p=0.0037). This work puts the long-standing question of whether severe PE influences placental TL to rest. Placental TL is not related to severe PE but is negatively associated with gestational age and is also affected by race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Yang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Paula A. Benny
- Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Elorri Cervera-Marzal
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Biyu Wu
- Department of Nutritional Science, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Cameron B. Lassiter
- Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Joshua Astern
- University of Hawai’i Biorepository John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Lana X. Garmire
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Clark J, Bulka CM, Martin CL, Roell K, Santos HP, O’Shea TM, Smeester L, Fry R, Dhingra R. Placental epigenetic gestational aging in relation to maternal sociodemographic factors and smoking among infants born extremely preterm: a descriptive study. Epigenetics 2022; 17:2389-2403. [PMID: 36134874 PMCID: PMC9665142 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2125717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH) are defined as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. The distribution of these conditions is influenced by underlying structural factors and may be linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes through epigenetic modifications of gestational tissues. A promising modification is epigenetic gestational age (eGA), which captures 'biological' age at birth. Measuring eGA in placenta, an organ critical for foetal development, may provide information about how SDoH 'get under the skin' during pregnancy to influence birth outcomes and ethnic/racial disparities. We examined relationships of placental eGA with sociodemographic factors, smoking, and two key clinical outcomes: Apgar scores and NICU length of stay. Using the Robust Placental Clock, we estimated eGA for placental samples from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns cohort (N = 408). Regression modelling revealed smoking during pregnancy was associated with placental eGA acceleration (i.e., eGA higher than chronologic gestational age). This association differed by maternal race: among infants born to mothers racialized as Black, we observed greater eGA acceleration (+0.89 week, 95% CI: 0.38, 1.40) as compared to those racialized as white (+0.27 week, 95% CI: -0.06, 0.59). Placental eGA acceleration was also correlated with shorter NICU lengths of stay, but only among infants born to mothers racialized as Black (-0.08 d/week-eGA, 95% CI: -0.12, -0.05). Together, these observed associations suggest that interpretations of epigenetic gestational aging may be tissue-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeliyah Clark
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Catherine M. Bulka
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chantel L. Martin
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kyle Roell
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hudson P. Santos
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Biobehavioral Lab, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - T. Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lisa Smeester
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Radhika Dhingra
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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31
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Andrawus M, Sharvit L, Atzmon G. Epigenetics and Pregnancy: Conditional Snapshot or Rolling Event. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012698. [PMID: 36293556 PMCID: PMC9603966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics modification such as DNA methylation can affect maternal health during the gestation period. Furthermore, pregnancy can drive a range of physiological and molecular changes that have the potential to contribute to pathological conditions. Pregnancy-related risk factors include multiple environmental, behavioral, and hereditary factors that can impact maternal DNA methylation with long-lasting consequences. Identification of the epigenetic patterns linked to poor pregnancy outcomes is crucial since changes in DNA methylation patterns can have long-term effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the epigenetic changes that influence pregnancy-related molecular programming such as gestational diabetes, immune response, and pre-eclampsia, in an effort to close the gap in current understanding regarding interactions between the environment, the genetics of the fetus, and the pregnant woman.
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32
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Wang X, He A, Yip KC, Liu X, Li R. Diagnostic signature and immune characteristic of aging-related genes from placentas in Preeclampsia. Clin Exp Hypertens 2022; 44:1-8. [PMID: 36218052 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2022.2130930] [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: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy syndrome. Advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years old) is one of the major risk factors of PE and placental aging is considered to be related to this disease. However, the mechanisms underlying these phenomena remain obscured. METHODS Gene expression profiles of PE and non-PE placental samples were curated from the GSE75010 dataset. A diagnostic model was constructed and immune characteristics of PE subtypes were estimated. RESULTS A total of 58 aging-related genes, which may be associated with PE, were identified. Among them, LEP and FLT1 may be key aging-related genes. Based on 5 top genes (PIK3CB, FLT1, LEP, PIK3R1, CSNK1E), a diagnostic nomogram for PE was built (AUC = 0.872 in the GSE75010 dataset). Three molecular subtypes were clustered, which had different immune and angiogenesis characteristics. CONCLUSION The present study suggests the potential implications of aging-related genes in diagnosing PE. Diverse immune characteristics may be involved in the placental aging of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Andong He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ka Cheuk Yip
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoting Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiman Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Di Lena P, Sala C, Nardini C. Evaluation of different computational methods for DNA methylation-based biological age. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6632619. [PMID: 35794713 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years there has been a widespread interest in researching biomarkers of aging that could predict physiological vulnerability better than chronological age. Aging, in fact, is one of the most relevant risk factors for a wide range of maladies, and molecular surrogates of this phenotype could enable better patients stratification. Among the most promising of such biomarkers is DNA methylation-based biological age. Given the potential and variety of computational implementations (epigenetic clocks), we here present a systematic review of such clocks. Furthermore, we provide a large-scale performance comparison across different tissues and diseases in terms of age prediction accuracy and age acceleration, a measure of deviance from physiology. Our analysis offers both a state-of-the-art overview of the computational techniques developed so far and a heterogeneous picture of performances, which can be helpful in orienting future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Di Lena
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bologna, Mura Anteo Zamboni 7, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Sala
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
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Zhao D, Liu Y, Jia S, He Y, Wei X, Liu D, Ma W, Luo W, Gu H, Yuan Z. Influence of maternal obesity on the multi-omics profiles of the maternal body, gestational tissue, and offspring. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113103. [PMID: 35605294 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113103] [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: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies show that obesity during pregnancy affects more than half of the pregnancies in the developed countries and is associated with obstetric problems and poor outcomes. Obesity tends to increase the incidence of complications. Furthermore, the resulting offspring are also adversely affected. However, the molecular mechanisms of obesity leading to poor pregnancy outcomes remain unclear. Omics methods are used for genetic diagnosis and marker discovery. The aim of this review was to summarize the maternal and fetal pathophysiological alterations induced by gestational obesity,identified using multi-omics detection techniques, and to generalize the biological functions and potential mechanisms of the differentially expressed molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Yusi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Shanshan Jia
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Yiwen He
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Xiaowei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Wei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Wenting Luo
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Hui Gu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Zhengwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
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Chen L, Ganz PA, Sehl ME. DNA Methylation, Aging, and Cancer Risk: A Mini-Review. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 2:847629. [PMID: 36304336 PMCID: PMC9580889 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2022.847629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of somatic mutations and genomic instability are hallmarks of both aging and cancer. Epigenetic alterations occur across cell types and tissues with advancing age. DNA methylation-based estimates of biologic age can predict important age-related outcomes, including risk of frailty and mortality, and most recently have been shown to be associated with risk of developing cancer. In this mini-review, we examine pathways known to exhibit altered methylation in aging tissues, pre-malignant lesions, and tumors and review methodologies of epigenetic clocks that reliably predict cancer risk, including those derived from methylation studies of peripheral blood, as well as those methylation levels from within the tissues at high risk of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry Chen
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Patricia A. Ganz
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mary E. Sehl
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Computational Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Mary E. Sehl,
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eClock: An ensemble-based method to accurately predict ages with a biased distribution from DNA methylation data. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267349. [PMID: 35522643 PMCID: PMC9075636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267349] [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: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is closely related to senescence, so it has been used to develop statistical models, called clock models, to predict chronological ages accurately. However, because the training data always have a biased age distribution, the model performance becomes weak for the samples with a small age distribution density. To solve this problem, we developed the R package eClock, which uses a bagging-SMOTE method to adjust the biased distribution and predict age with an ensemble model. Moreover, it also provides a bootstrapped model based on bagging only and a traditional clock model. The performance on three datasets showed that the bagging-SMOTE model significantly improved rare sample age prediction. In addition to model construction, the package also provides other functions such as data visualization and methylation feature conversion to facilitate the research in relevant areas.
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37
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Vrooman LA, Rhon-Calderon EA, Suri KV, Dahiya AK, Lan Y, Schultz RM, Bartolomei MS. Placental Abnormalities are Associated With Specific Windows of Embryo Culture in a Mouse Model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:884088. [PMID: 35547813 PMCID: PMC9081528 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.884088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) employ gamete/embryo handling and culture in vitro to produce offspring. ART pregnancies have an increased risk of low birth weight, abnormal placentation, pregnancy complications, and imprinting disorders. Embryo culture induces low birth weight, abnormal placental morphology, and lower levels of DNA methylation in placentas in a mouse model of ART. Whether preimplantation embryos at specific stages of development are more susceptible to these perturbations remains unresolved. Accordingly, we performed embryo culture for several discrete periods of preimplantation development and following embryo transfer, assessed fetal and placental outcomes at term. We observed a reduction in fetal:placental ratio associated with two distinct windows of preimplantation embryo development, one prior to the morula stage and the other from the morula to blastocyst stage, whereas placental morphological abnormalities and reduced imprinting control region methylation were only associated with culture prior to the morula stage. Extended culture to the blastocyst stage also induces additional placental DNA methylation changes compared to embryos transferred at the morula stage, and female concepti exhibited a higher loss of DNA methylation than males. By identifying specific developmental windows of susceptibility, this study provides a framework to optimize further culture conditions to minimize risks associated with ART pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A. Vrooman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Eric A. Rhon-Calderon
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kashviya V. Suri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Asha K. Dahiya
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yemin Lan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Richard M. Schultz
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marisa S. Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Marisa S. Bartolomei,
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Li Z, Wang S, Li L. Advanced Oxidative Protein Products Drive Trophoblast Cells Into Senescence by Inhibiting the Autophagy: The Potential Implication of Preeclampsia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:810282. [PMID: 35356282 PMCID: PMC8959373 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.810282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), the novel marker of oxidative stress, have been found to be elevated in preeclampsia (PE). To date, the effect of AOPPs on the senescence of trophoblast cells is still unclear. In this study, we investigated whether AOPPs promoted the senescence of trophoblast cells and explored the underlying mechanisms of AOPPs-induced aging process which may facilitate the progression of PE.Methods: The trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SV neo cells were cultured in the presence of PBS, AOPPs, AOPPs plus an anti-oxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). In some experiments, cells were pre-treated with rapamycin (an activator of autophagy), 3-MA (an inhibitor of autophagy), or cyclic pifithrin-α (PFT-α, an antagonist of p53), and then treated with AOPPs. Cellular senescence was analyzed by measuring the levels of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA β-Gal), senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and cell cycle. Cell autophagic flux was analyzed by measuring tandem fluorescence-tagged LC3 reporter (mCherry-EGFP-LC3). Levels of p53, phosphorylated p53 (p-p53), p21, BECN1, p62, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K were measured by western blot.Results: Treatment with AOPPs significantly increased the levels of SA β-Gal and SAHF, the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase, and decreased cell ΔΨm compared with the control group. Co-treatment with NAC and AOPPs significantly reversed AOPPs-induced senescence. Pre-treatment with rapamycin or 3-MA significantly inhibited or promoted AOPPs-induced senescence, respectively. In addition, administration of AOPPs significantly decreased the numbers of mCherry+EGFP+ autophagosomes and mCherry+EGFP- autolysosomes in cells compared with cells treated with PBS. Furthermore, AOPPs significantly increased the levels of proteins p-p53, p21, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K compared with the control group. Pre-treatment with rapamycin or PFT-α significantly down-regulated the levels of SA β-Gal, SAHF, p-p53, p21, autophagy related protein p62, the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase, and significantly up-regulated ΔΨm, autophagy related protein BECN1, autophagosomes and autolysosomes compared with cells only treated with AOPPs.Conclusion: AOPPs may induce trophoblast cell senescence by inhibiting the autophagy process in a p53/mTOR/p70S6K-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjuan Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuoshi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Liping Li,
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Ortega MA, Fraile-Martínez O, García-Montero C, Sáez MA, Álvarez-Mon MA, Torres-Carranza D, Álvarez-Mon M, Bujan J, García-Honduvilla N, Bravo C, Guijarro LG, De León-Luis JA. The Pivotal Role of the Placenta in Normal and Pathological Pregnancies: A Focus on Preeclampsia, Fetal Growth Restriction, and Maternal Chronic Venous Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030568. [PMID: 35159377 PMCID: PMC8833914 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a central structure in pregnancy and has pleiotropic functions. This organ grows incredibly rapidly during this period, acting as a mastermind behind different fetal and maternal processes. The relevance of the placenta extends far beyond the pregnancy, being crucial for fetal programming before birth. Having integrative knowledge of this maternofetal structure helps significantly in understanding the development of pregnancy either in a proper or pathophysiological context. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the main features of the placenta, with a special focus on its early development, cytoarchitecture, immunology, and functions in non-pathological conditions. In contraposition, the role of the placenta is examined in preeclampsia, a worrisome hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, in order to describe the pathophysiological implications of the placenta in this disease. Likewise, dysfunction of the placenta in fetal growth restriction, a major consequence of preeclampsia, is also discussed, emphasizing the potential clinical strategies derived. Finally, the emerging role of the placenta in maternal chronic venous disease either as a causative agent or as a consequence of the disease is equally treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-885-4540; Fax: +34-91-885-4885
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martínez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Cielo García-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Miguel A. Sáez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Pathological Anatomy Service, Central University Hospital of Defence-UAH, 28047 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Diego Torres-Carranza
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
| | - Melchor Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology and Oncology Service, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, CIBEREHD, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Bujan
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Natalio García-Honduvilla
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Coral Bravo
- Department of Public and Maternal and Child Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.B.); (J.A.D.L.-L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis G. Guijarro
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (CIBEREHD), Department of System Biology, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A. De León-Luis
- Department of Public and Maternal and Child Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.B.); (J.A.D.L.-L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
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The etiology of preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:S844-S866. [PMID: 35177222 PMCID: PMC8988238 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.11.1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is one of the "great obstetrical syndromes" in which multiple and sometimes overlapping pathologic processes activate a common pathway consisting of endothelial cell activation, intravascular inflammation, and syncytiotrophoblast stress. This article reviews the potential etiologies of preeclampsia. The role of uteroplacental ischemia is well-established on the basis of a solid body of clinical and experimental evidence. A causal role for microorganisms has gained recognition through the realization that periodontal disease and maternal gut dysbiosis are linked to atherosclerosis, thus possibly to a subset of patients with preeclampsia. The recent reports indicating that SARS-CoV-2 infection might be causally linked to preeclampsia are reviewed along with the potential mechanisms involved. Particular etiologic factors, such as the breakdown of maternal-fetal immune tolerance (thought to account for the excess of preeclampsia in primipaternity and egg donation), may operate, in part, through uteroplacental ischemia, whereas other factors such as placental aging may operate largely through syncytiotrophoblast stress. This article also examines the association between gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal obesity with preeclampsia. The role of autoimmunity, fetal diseases, and endocrine disorders is discussed. A greater understanding of the etiologic factors of preeclampsia is essential to improve treatment and prevention.
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Pruszkowska-Przybylska P, Brennecke S, Moses EK, Melton PE. Evaluation of epigenetic age calculators between preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancies in an Australian cohort. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1664. [PMID: 35102228 PMCID: PMC8803933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05744-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced biological aging, as assessed through DNA methylation markers, is associated with several complex diseases. The associations between maternal DNA methylation age and preeclampsia (PE) have not been fully assessed. The aim of this study was to examine if increased maternal DNA methylation age (DNAmAge) was shown to be accelerated in women with PE when compared to women who had normotensive pregnancies. The case/control cohort available for study consisted of 166 women (89 with normotensive pregnancy, 77 with PE) recruited previously at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. DNA methylation profiles were obtained using the Illumina EPIC Infinium array for analysis of genomic DNA isolated from whole blood. These profiles were used to calculate seven estimates of DNAmAge and included (1) Horvath, (2) Hannum, (3) Horvath Skin and Blood, (4) Wu, (5) PhenoAge, (6) telomere length and (7) GrimAge and its surrogate measures. Three measures of DNA methylation age acceleration were calculated for all seven measures using linear regression. Pearson's correlation was performed to investigate associations between chronological age and DNAmAge. Differences between chronological age and DNAmAge and epigenetic age acceleration were investigated using t-tests. No significant difference was observed for chronological age between women with PE (age = 30.53 ± 5.68) and women who had normotensive pregnancies (age = 31.76 ± 4.76). All seven DNAmAge measures were significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with chronological age. After accounting for multiple testing and investigating differences in DNAmAge between normotensive women and women with PE, only Wu DNAmAge was significant (p = 0.001). When examining differences for epigenetic age acceleration between PE and normotensive women Hannum, Wu, and PhenoAge DNAmAge estimates (p < 0.001) were significant for both epigenetic age acceleration and intrinsic acceleration models. We found that accelerated maternal DNAmAge is increased in women with PE in some models of epigenetic aging. This research underlines the importance for further investigation into the potential changes of differential DNA methylation in PE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaun Brennecke
- Pregnancy Research Centre, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric K Moses
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,School of Global Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Phillip E Melton
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Wu D, Shi L, Chen F, Lin Q, Kong J. Methylation Status of the miR-141-3p Promoter Regulates miR-141-3p Expression, Inflammasome Formation, and the Invasiveness of HTR-8/SVneo Cells. Cytogenet Genome Res 2021; 161:501-513. [PMID: 34879371 DOI: 10.1159/000519740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-141 (miR-141-3p) is upregulated in preeclampsia. This study investigated the effect of methylation of the miR-141-3p promoter on cell viability, invasion capability, and inflammasomes in vitro. The expression of miR-141-3p and methylation status of the miR-141-3p promoter were examined by RT-qPCR and pyrosequencing in villus tissues of women with spontaneous delivery (VTsd), villus tissues of women with preeclampsia (VTpe), and also in HTR-8/SVneo cells treated with a miR-141-3p inhibitor and 20 μmol/L 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Cell viability and invasion were evaluated by CCK-8 and transwell assays. In addition, the levels of CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCR2, MMPs, NLRP3, and ASC expression were assessed by western blotting, and IL-1β and IL-18 concentrations were assayed by ELISA. miR-141-3p expression was upregulated, and the levels of miR-141-3p promoter methylation and CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR2 expression were decreased in VTpe relative to VTsd. In HTR-8/SVneo cells, hypomethylation caused by 5-Aza treatment increased miR-141-3p expression, while DNA methyltransferase 3 (DNMT3) transfection decreased miR-141-3p expression. miRNA-141-3p induced NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 production, decreased CXCR4, MMP, and MMP2 production, and suppressed cell growth and invasion. Furthermore, we observed that NLRP3 plays an important mediatory role in the effects of miR-141-3p described above. Decreased methylation of the miR-141-3p promoter increases miR-141-3p expression, which in turn increases NLRP3 expression, resulting in higher IL-1β and IL-18 levels and lower levels of MMP2/9 and CXCR4. We conclude that modification of the miR-141-3p promoter might be a curial mediator in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongcai Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Li Shi
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Fangrong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Qing Lin
- Department of Obstetrics, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jiao Kong
- Department of Obstetrics, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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Early Pregnancy Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution among Late-Onset Preeclamptic Cases Is Associated with Placental DNA Hypomethylation of Specific Genes and Slower Placental Maturation. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9120338. [PMID: 34941772 PMCID: PMC8708250 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9120338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (PE). Some suggested mechanisms behind this association are changes in placental DNA methylation and gene expression. The objective of this study was to identify how early pregnancy exposure to ambient nitrogen oxides (NOx) among PE cases and normotensive controls influence DNA methylation (EPIC array) and gene expression (RNA-seq). The study included placentas from 111 women (29 PE cases/82 controls) in Scania, Sweden. First-trimester NOx exposure was assessed at the participants’ residence using a dispersion model and categorized via median split into high or low NOx. Placental gestational epigenetic age was derived from the DNA methylation data. We identified six differentially methylated positions (DMPs, q < 0.05) comparing controls with low NOx vs. cases with high NOx and 14 DMPs comparing cases and controls with high NOx. Placentas with female fetuses showed more DMPs (N = 309) than male-derived placentas (N = 1). Placentas from PE cases with high NOx demonstrated gestational age deceleration compared to controls with low NOx (p = 0.034). No differentially expressed genes (DEGs, q < 0.05) were found. In conclusion, early pregnancy exposure to NOx affected placental DNA methylation in PE, resulting in placental immaturity and showing sexual dimorphism.
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Heinsberg LW, Liu D, Shaffer JR, Weeks DE, Conley YP. Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid DNA methylation age during the acute recovery period following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. EPIGENETICS COMMUNICATIONS 2021; 1. [PMID: 35083469 PMCID: PMC8787331 DOI: 10.1186/s43682-021-00002-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Biological aging may occur at different rates than chronological aging due to genetic, social, and environmental factors. DNA methylation (DNAm) age is thought to be a reliable measure of accelerated biological aging which has been linked to an array of poor health outcomes. Given the importance of chronological age in recovery following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), a type of stroke, DNAm age may also be an important biomarker of outcomes, further improving predictive models. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a unique tissue representing the local central nervous system environment post-aSAH. However, the validity of CSF DNAm age is unknown, and it is unclear which epigenetic clock is ideal to compute CSF DNAm age, particularly given changes in cell type heterogeneity (CTH) during the acute recovery period. Further, the stability of DNAm age post-aSAH, specifically, has not been examined and may improve our understanding of patient recovery post-aSAH. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize CSF DNAm age over 14 days post-aSAH using four epigenetic clocks.
Results
Genome-wide DNAm data were available for two tissues: (1) CSF for N = 273 participants with serial sampling over 14 days post-aSAH (N = 850 samples) and (2) blood for a subset of n = 72 participants at one time point post-aSAH. DNAm age was calculated using the Horvath, Hannum, Levine, and “Improved Precision” (Zhang) epigenetic clocks. “Age acceleration” was computed as the residuals of DNAm age regressed on chronological age both with and without correcting for CTH. Using scatterplots, Pearson correlations, and group-based trajectory analysis, we examined the relationships between CSF DNAm age and chronological age, the concordance between DNAm ages calculated from CSF versus blood, and the stability (i.e., trajectories) of CSF DNAm age acceleration over time during recovery from aSAH. We observed moderate to strong correlations between CSF DNAm age and chronological age (R = 0.66 [Levine] to R = 0.97 [Zhang]), moderate to strong correlations between DNAm age in CSF versus blood (R = 0.69 [Levine] to R = 0.98 [Zhang]), and stable CSF age acceleration trajectories over 14 days post-aSAH in the Horvath and Zhang clocks (unadjusted for CTH), as well as the Hannum clock (adjusted for CTH).
Conclusions
CSF DNAm age was generally stable post-aSAH. Although correlated, CSF DNAm age differs from blood DNAm age in the Horvath, Hannum, and Levine clocks, but not in the Zhang clock. Taken together, our results suggest that, of the clocks examined here, the Zhang clock is the most robust to CTH and is recommended for use in complex tissues such as CSF.
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Aliferi A, Sundaram S, Ballard D, Freire-Aradas A, Phillips C, Lareu MV, Court DS. Combining current knowledge on DNA methylation-based age estimation towards the development of a superior forensic DNA intelligence tool. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 57:102637. [PMID: 34852982 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The estimation of chronological age from biological fluids has been an important quest for forensic scientists worldwide, with recent approaches exploiting the variability of DNA methylation patterns with age in order to develop the next generation of forensic 'DNA intelligence' tools for this application. Drawing from the conclusions of previous work utilising massively parallel sequencing (MPS) for this analysis, this work introduces a DNA methylation-based age estimation method for blood that exhibits the best combination of prediction accuracy and sensitivity reported to date. Statistical evaluation of markers from 51 studies using microarray data from over 4000 individuals, followed by validation using in-house generated MPS data, revealed a final set of 11 markers with the greatest potential for accurate age estimation from minimal DNA material. Utilising an algorithm based on support vector machines, the proposed model achieved an average error (MAE) of 3.3 years, with this level of accuracy retained down to 5 ng of starting DNA input (~ 1 ng PCR input). The accuracy of the model was retained (MAE = 3.8 years) in a separate test set of 88 samples of Spanish origin, while predictions for donors of greater forensic interest (< 55 years of age) displayed even higher accuracy (MAE = 2.6 years). Finally, no sex-related bias was observed for this model, while there were also no signs of variation observed between control and disease-associated populations for schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, frontal temporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy in microarray data relating to the 11 markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Aliferi
- King's Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sudha Sundaram
- King's Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Ballard
- King's Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Ana Freire-Aradas
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Christopher Phillips
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria Lareu
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Denise Syndercombe Court
- King's Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Epigenetic processes during preeclampsia and effects on fetal development and chronic health. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:2307-2327. [PMID: 34643675 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE), the leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, is associated with poor fetal growth, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and low birth weight (LBW). Offspring of women who had PE are at increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease later in life. However, the exact etiology of PE is unknown. Moreover, there are no effective interventions to treat PE or alleviate IUGR and the developmental origins of chronic disease in the offspring. The placenta is critical to fetal growth and development. Epigenetic regulatory processes such as histone modifications, microRNAs and DNA methylation play an important role in placental development including contributions to the regulation of trophoblast invasion and remodeling of the spiral arteries. Epigenetic processes that lead to changes in placental gene expression in PE mediate downstream effects that contribute to the development of placenta dysfunction, a critical mediator in the onset of PE, impaired fetal growth and IUGR. Therefore, this review will focus on epigenetic processes that contribute to the pathogenesis of PE and IUGR. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to normal placental development and the initiating events in PE may lead to novel therapeutic targets in PE that improve fetal growth and mitigate increased CV risk in the offspring.
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47
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Wilson SL, Wallingford M. Epigenetic regulation of reproduction in human and in animal models. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6329199. [PMID: 34318322 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Wilson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto Medical Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Wallingford
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Di Lena P, Sala C, Nardini C. Estimage: a webserver hub for the computation of methylation age. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:W199-W206. [PMID: 34038548 PMCID: PMC8262735 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylage is an epigenetic marker of biological age that exploits the correlation between the methylation state of specific CG dinucleotides (CpGs) and chronological age (in years), gestational age (in weeks), cellular age (in cell cycles or as telomere length, in kilobases). Using DNA methylation data, methylage is measurable via the so called epigenetic clocks. Importantly, alterations of the correlation between methylage and age (age acceleration or deceleration) have been stably associated with pathological states and occur long before clinical signs of diseases become overt, making epigenetic clocks a potentially disruptive tool in preventive, diagnostic and also in forensic applications. Nevertheless, methylage dependency from CpGs selection, mathematical modelling, tissue specificity and age range, still makes the potential of this biomarker limited. In order to enhance model comparisons, interchange, availability, robustness and standardization, we organized a selected set of clocks within a hub webservice, EstimAge (Estimate of methylation Age, http://estimage.iac.rm.cnr.it), which intuitively and informatively enables quick identification, computation and comparison of available clocks, with the support of standard statistics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Di Lena
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering - DISI, University of Bologna, Bologna 40100, Italy
| | - Claudia Sala
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna 40100, Italy
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49
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Li X, Milosavljevic A, Elsea SH, Wang CC, Scaglia F, Syngelaki A, Nicolaides KH, Poon LC. Effective Aspirin Treatment of Women at Risk for Preeclampsia Delays the Metabolic Clock of Gestation. Hypertension 2021; 78:1398-1410. [PMID: 34225470 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.17448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia, characterized by the onset of hypertension with significant proteinuria after 20 weeks' gestation, is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Prophylactic low-dose aspirin treatment reduces the rate of preterm preeclampsia in high-risk women, but a significant proportion still develops preeclampsia. The mechanism of the prophylactic response is unknown. Here, the untargeted metabolomics analysis of 144 plasma samples from high-risk pregnant women before (11-13 weeks) and after (20-23 weeks) aspirin/placebo treatment elucidated metabolic effects of aspirin and metabolic differences potentially associated with the variation of the treatment response. We demonstrated that aspirin treatment resulted in a strong drug-associated metabolomics signature and that the preeclamptic or nonpreeclamptic outcome in response to treatment was significantly associated with the level of internal aspirin exposure ascertained from metabolomics data (t test, P=0.0083). Comparing women with and without preeclampsia after aspirin treatment, differences in 73 metabolites were detected, some of which involve pathways whose regulation is of importance in pregnancy and placental functions, such as glycerophospholipids metabolism, polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. To further examine the hypothesis that aspirin delays gestational age advancement and thus the onset of preeclampsia, we constructed a metabolic clock on pretreatment and placebo-treated samples that estimated gestational age with high accuracy and found that aspirin significantly decelerated metabolic gestational age by 1.27 weeks (95% CI, 0.66-1.88 weeks), and partially reversed one-fourth of the metabolites changed over gestational age advancement, suggesting that aspirin treatment slowed down the metabolic clock of gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiqi Li
- Molecular and Human Genetics Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (X.L., A.M., S.H.E., F.S.)
| | - Aleksandar Milosavljevic
- Molecular and Human Genetics Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (X.L., A.M., S.H.E., F.S.)
| | - Sarah H Elsea
- Molecular and Human Genetics Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (X.L., A.M., S.H.E., F.S.)
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. (C.C.W., L.C.P.).,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong-Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. (C.C.W., K.H.N.)
| | - Fernando Scaglia
- Molecular and Human Genetics Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (X.L., A.M., S.H.E., F.S.).,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston (F.S.).,Joint BCM-CUHK Center of Medical Genetics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong (F.S.)
| | - Argyro Syngelaki
- Fetal Medicine Research Institute, Harris Birthright Centre, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom (A.S.)
| | - Kypros H Nicolaides
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong-Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. (C.C.W., K.H.N.)
| | - Liona C Poon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. (C.C.W., L.C.P.)
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50
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Noroozi R, Ghafouri-Fard S, Pisarek A, Rudnicka J, Spólnicka M, Branicki W, Taheri M, Pośpiech E. DNA methylation-based age clocks: From age prediction to age reversion. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101314. [PMID: 33684551 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aging as an irretrievable occurrence throughout the entire life is characterized by a progressive decline in physiological functionality and enhanced disease vulnerability. Numerous studies have demonstrated that epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm), correlate with aging and age-related diseases. Several investigations have attempted to predict chronological age using the age-related alterations in the DNAm of certain CpG sites. Here we categorize different studies that tracked the aging process in the DNAm landscape to show how epigenetic age clocks evolved from a chronological age estimator to an indicator of lifespan and healthspan. We also describe the health and disease predictive potential of estimated epigenetic age acceleration regarding different clinical conditions and lifestyle factors. Considering the revealed age-related epigenetic changes, the recent age-reprogramming strategies are discussed which are promising methods for resetting the aging clocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rezvan Noroozi
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aleksandra Pisarek
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Rudnicka
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Wojciech Branicki
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ewelina Pośpiech
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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