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Irwin RE, Scullion C, Thursby SJ, Sun M, Thakur A, Hilman L, Callaghan B, Thompson PD, McKenna DJ, Rothbart SB, Xu G, Walsh CP. The UHRF1 protein is a key regulator of retrotransposable elements and innate immune response to viral RNA in human cells. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2216005. [PMID: 37246786 PMCID: PMC10228402 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2216005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
While epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modification are known to be important for gene suppression, relatively little is still understood about the interplay between these systems. The UHRF1 protein can interact with both DNA methylation and repressive chromatin marks, but its primary function in humans has been unclear. To determine what that was, we first established stable UHRF1 knockdowns (KD) in normal, immortalized human fibroblasts using targeting shRNA, since CRISPR knockouts (KO) were lethal. Although these showed a loss of DNA methylation across the whole genome, transcriptional changes were dominated by the activation of genes involved in innate immune signalling, consistent with the presence of viral RNA from retrotransposable elements (REs). We confirmed using mechanistic approaches that 1) REs were demethylated and transcriptionally activated; 2) this was accompanied by activation of interferons and interferon-stimulated genes and 3) the pathway was conserved across other adult cell types. Restoring UHRF1 in either transient or stable KD systems could abrogate RE reactivation and the interferon response. Notably, UHRF1 itself could also re-impose RE suppression independent of DNA methylation, but not if the protein contained point mutations affecting histone 3 with trimethylated lysine 9 (H3K9me3) binding. Our results therefore show for the first time that UHRF1 can act as a key regulator of retrotransposon silencing independent of DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- RE Irwin
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - C Scullion
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
- Precision Nanosystems Inc, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - SJ Thursby
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - M Sun
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Division of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, St., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Thakur
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - L Hilman
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - B Callaghan
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - PD Thompson
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - DJ McKenna
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - SB Rothbart
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Guoliang Xu
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Division of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, St., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - CP Walsh
- Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
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Georgoulis V, Koumpis E, Hatzimichael E. The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Myelodysplastic Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4810. [PMID: 37835504 PMCID: PMC10571949 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194810] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes or neoplasms (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid clonal disorders characterized by peripheral blood cytopenias, blood and marrow cell dysplasia, and increased risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, serve as regulators of normal and malignant hematopoiesis and have been implicated in carcinogenesis. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the biology and role of non-coding RNAs, including the less studied circRNA, siRNA, piRNA, and snoRNA as potential prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers or therapeutic targets in MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Georgoulis
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45 500 Ioannina, Greece; (V.G.); (E.K.)
| | - Epameinondas Koumpis
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45 500 Ioannina, Greece; (V.G.); (E.K.)
| | - Eleftheria Hatzimichael
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45 500 Ioannina, Greece; (V.G.); (E.K.)
- Computational Medicine Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19 107, USA
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PIWI-Interacting RNA (piRNA) and Epigenetic Editing in Environmental Health Sciences. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:650-660. [PMID: 35917009 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The epigenome modulates gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. Modifications to the epigenome are potentially reversible, making them a promising therapeutic approach to mitigate environmental exposure effects on human health. This review details currently available genome and epigenome editing technologies and highlights ncRNA, including piRNA, as potential tools for targeted epigenome editing. RECENT FINDINGS: Zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) associated nuclease (CRISPR/Cas) research has significantly advanced genome editing technology, with broad promise in genetic research and targeted therapies. Initial epigenome-directed therapies relied on global modification and suffered from limited specificity. Adapted from current genome editing tools, zinc finger protein (ZFP), TALE, and CRISPR/nuclease-deactivated Cas (dCas) systems now confer locus-specific epigenome editing, with promising applicability in the field of environmental health sciences. However, high incidence of off-target effects and time taken for screening limit their use. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT: ncRNA serve as a versatile biomarker with well-characterized regulatory mechanisms that can easily be adapted to edit the epigenome. For instance, the transposon silencing mechanism of germline PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNA) could be engineered to specifically methylate a given gene, overcoming pitfalls of current global modifiers. Future developments in epigenome editing technologies will inform risk assessment through mechanistic investigation and serve as potential modes of intervention to mitigate environmentally induced adverse health outcomes later in life.
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Gu Z, Yang J, Yang M, Deng Y, Jiao Y. Immunomodulatory effects of decitabine in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 129:191-198. [PMID: 36029945 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Decitabine (DAC), an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, is typically used to reverse DNA methylation and is considered an epigenetic modifying drug. DNA methylation is crucial to the regulation of gene expression without altering genetic information. Our previous research showed that the DNA methylation levels of many immune-related genes changed after the pre-grafting condition in pearl production. In the present study, we evaluated the DNA methylation level and analyzed transcriptome, enzyme, and antimicrobial activities after DAC treatment to evaluate the effect of DAC on DNA methylation and immune system of pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. Results showed that DAC significantly decreased the level of global DNA methylation in the hemocytes of the pearl oysters. Transcriptome analysis obtained 577 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control and DAC treatment group. The DEGs were mainly enriched in the following pathways: "Relaxin signaling pathway," "Cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway," "Platelet activation," and "Peroxisome," and related genes were overexpressed after DAC treatment. DAC treatment resulted in a substantial increase in the levels of serum superoxide dismutase, interleukin-17, phenol oxidase, tumor necrosis factor, and antimicrobial activity, compared with the control. These results suggested that DAC can alter DNA methylation level, activate immune-related genes, and improve the level of humoral immunity in pearl oysters, thereby increasing our understanding of the mechanism underlying DNA methylation in immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Gu
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Jingmiao Yang
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Min Yang
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Yuewen Deng
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yu Jiao
- Fishery College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Pearl Breeding and Processing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Guangdong Science and Innovation Center for Pearl Culture, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
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Ondičová M, Irwin RE, Thursby SJ, Hilman L, Caffrey A, Cassidy T, McLaughlin M, Lees-Murdock DJ, Ward M, Murphy M, Lamers Y, Pentieva K, McNulty H, Walsh CP. Folic acid intervention during pregnancy alters DNA methylation, affecting neural target genes through two distinct mechanisms. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:63. [PMID: 35578268 PMCID: PMC9112484 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01282-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed that continued folic acid (FA) supplementation beyond the first trimester of pregnancy appears to have beneficial effects on neurocognitive performance in children followed for up to 11 years, but the biological mechanism for this effect has remained unclear. Using samples from our randomized controlled trial of folic acid supplementation in second and third trimester (FASSTT), where significant improvements in cognitive and psychosocial performance were demonstrated in children from mothers supplemented in pregnancy with 400 µg/day FA compared with placebo, we examined methylation patterns from cord blood (CB) using the EPIC array which covers approximately 850,000 cytosine-guanine (CG) sites across the genome. Genes showing significant differences were verified using pyrosequencing and mechanistic approaches used in vitro to determine effects on transcription. RESULTS FA supplementation resulted in significant differences in methylation, particularly at brain-related genes. Further analysis showed these genes split into two groups. In one group, which included the CES1 gene, methylation changes at the promoters were important for regulating transcription. We also identified a second group which had a characteristic bimodal profile, with low promoter and high gene body (GB) methylation. In the latter, loss of methylation in the GB is linked to decreases in transcription: this group included the PRKAR1B/HEATR2 genes and the dopamine receptor regulator PDE4C. Overall, methylation in CB also showed good correlation with methylation profiles seen in a published data set of late gestation foetal brain samples. CONCLUSION We show here clear alterations in DNA methylation at specific classes of neurodevelopmental genes in the same cohort of children, born to FA-supplemented mothers, who previously showed improved cognitive and psychosocial performance. Our results show measurable differences at neural genes which are important for transcriptional regulation and add to the supporting evidence for continued FA supplementation throughout later gestation. This trial was registered on 15 May 2013 at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN19917787.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Ondičová
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Rachelle E Irwin
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Sara-Jayne Thursby
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Luke Hilman
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Aoife Caffrey
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Tony Cassidy
- Psychology Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Marian McLaughlin
- Psychology Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Diane J Lees-Murdock
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mary Ward
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Michelle Murphy
- Unitat de Medicina Preventiva i Salut Pública, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de La Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Yvonne Lamers
- Food, Nutrition, and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, and British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kristina Pentieva
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Helene McNulty
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Colum P Walsh
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK.
- Centre for Research and Development, Region Gävleborg/Uppsala University, Gävle, Sweden.
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A Novel Cognition of Decitabine: Insights into Immunomodulation and Antiviral Effects. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27061973. [PMID: 35335337 PMCID: PMC8950928 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, as one of the major means of epigenesis change, makes a large difference in the spatial structure of chromatin, transposable element activity and, fundamentally, gene transcription. It has been confirmed that DNA methylation is closely related to innate immune responses. Decitabine, the most efficient available DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, has demonstrated exhilarating immune activation and antiviral effects on multiple viruses, including HIV, HBV, HCV, HPV and EHV1. This review considers the role of decitabine in regulating innate immune responses and antiviral ability. Understanding the complex transcriptional and immune regulation of decitabine could help to identify and validate therapeutic methods to reduce pathogen infection-associated morbidity, especially virus infection-induced morbidity and mortality.
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Nie J, Xiao P, Wang X, Yang X, Xu H, Lu K, Lu S, Liang X. Melatonin prevents deterioration in quality by preserving epigenetic modifications of porcine oocytes after prolonged culture. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:3897-3909. [PMID: 30530915 PMCID: PMC6326688 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prolonged culture of metaphase II oocytes is an in vitro aging process that compromises oocyte quality. We tested whether melatonin preserves epigenetic modifications in oocytes after prolonged culture. The porcine oocytes were maturated in vitro for 44 h, and then metaphase II oocytes were continuously cultured in medium supplemented with or without melatonin for 24 h. We found that the parthenogenetic blastocyst formation rate of prolonged-culture oocytes was lower than in fresh oocytes. We further observed that methylation at H3K4me2 and H3K27me2 of oocytes enhanced after prolonged culture. However, 5mc fluorescence intensity was lower in prolonged-culture oocytes than in fresh oocytes. Moreover, the promoter of the imprinted gene NNAT exhibited a higher level of DNA methylation in prolonged-culture oocytes than in fresh oocytes, which was associated with a reduced expression level and glucose uptake capability. Conversely, melatonin improved blastocyst formation rate and preserved histone and DNA methylation modifications, as well as NNAT function in the oocytes after prolonged culture. Notably, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza significantly attenuated the protective role of melatonin on genomic DNA methylation. In summary, our results revealed that epigenetic modifications are disrupted in oocytes after prolonged culture, but the changes are reversed by melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Nie
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Peng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Xuefang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Xiaogan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Huiyan Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Kehuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Shengsheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
| | - Xingwei Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, PR China
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Irwin RE, Thursby SJ, Ondičová M, Pentieva K, McNulty H, Richmond RC, Caffrey A, Lees-Murdock DJ, McLaughlin M, Cassidy T, Suderman M, Relton CL, Walsh CP. A randomized controlled trial of folic acid intervention in pregnancy highlights a putative methylation-regulated control element at ZFP57. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:31. [PMID: 30777123 PMCID: PMC6380035 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0618-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal blood folate concentrations during pregnancy have been previously linked with DNA methylation patterns, but this has been done predominantly through observational studies. We showed recently in an epigenetic analysis of the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of folic acid supplementation specifically in the second and third trimesters (the EpiFASSTT trial) that methylation at some imprinted genes was altered in cord blood samples in response to treatment. Here, we report on epigenome-wide screening using the Illumina EPIC array (~ 850,000 sites) in these same samples (n = 86). RESULTS The top-ranked differentially methylated promoter region (DMR) showed a gain in methylation with folic acid (FA) and was located upstream of the imprint regulator ZFP57. Differences in methylation in cord blood between placebo and folic acid treatment groups at this DMR were verified using pyrosequencing. The DMR also gains methylation in maternal blood in response to FA supplementation. We also found evidence of differential methylation at this region in an independent RCT cohort, the AFAST trial. By altering methylation at this region in two model systems in vitro, we further demonstrated that it was associated with ZFP57 transcription levels. CONCLUSIONS These results strengthen the link between folic acid supplementation during later pregnancy and epigenetic changes and identify a novel mechanism for regulation of ZFP57. This trial was registered 15 May 2013 at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN19917787.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle E. Irwin
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Sara-Jayne Thursby
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Miroslava Ondičová
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Kristina Pentieva
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Helene McNulty
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Rebecca C. Richmond
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Aoife Caffrey
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Diane J. Lees-Murdock
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
| | | | - Tony Cassidy
- Psychology Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Matthew Suderman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Caroline L. Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Colum P. Walsh
- Genomic Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
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