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Rajesh V, Divya PK. Embryonic exposure to decitabine induces multiple neural tube defects in developing zebrafish. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2023; 49:1357-1379. [PMID: 37982970 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-023-01261-x] [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: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects are severe congenital disorders of the central nervous system that originate during embryonic development when the neural tube fails to close completely. It affects one to two infants per 1000 births. The aetiology is multifactorial with contributions from both genetic and environmental factors. Dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms, in particular the abnormal genome-wide methylation during embryogenesis, have been linked to developmental abnormalities including neural tube defects. The current study investigated the influence of decitabine (DCT), a DNA methylation inhibitor, on embryonic development in zebrafish, with a focus on neural tube formation. The developing zebrafish embryos were exposed to graded concentrations of decitabine (from 13.69 μM to 1 mM) before the onset of neurulation. The developmental process was monitored at regular time intervals post fertilization. At 120 h post fertilization, the developing embryos were inspected individually to determine the incidence and severity of neural tube defects. Using alizarin red staining, the cranial and caudal neural tube morphology was examined in formaldehyde fixed larvae. Anomalies in neural tube and somite development, as well as a delay in hatching, were discovered at an early stage of development. As development continued, neural tube defects became increasingly evident, and there was a concentration-dependent rise in the prevalence and severity of various neural tube defects. 90% of growing embryos in the group exposed to decitabine 1 mM had multiple neural tube malformations, and 10% had isolated neural tube defects. With several abnormalities, the caudal region of the neural tube was seriously compromised. The histopathological studies supported the malformations in neural tube. Our study revealed the harmful impact of decitabine on the development of the neural tube in growing zebrafish. Moreover, these findings support the hypothesis that the hypomethylation during embryonic development causes neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venugopalan Rajesh
- Department of Pharmacology, The Erode College of Pharmacy and Research Institute affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Veppampalayam, Vallipurathampalayam (Po), Erode, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 638112, India.
| | - Pachangattupalayam Karuppusamy Divya
- Department of Pharmacology, The Erode College of Pharmacy and Research Institute affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Veppampalayam, Vallipurathampalayam (Po), Erode, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 638112, India
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2
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Huang W, Yuan Z, Gu H. Exploring epigenomic mechanisms of neural tube defects using multi-omics methods and data. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1515:50-60. [PMID: 35666948 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a heterogeneous set of malformations attributed to disruption in normal neural tube closure during early embryogenesis. An in-depth understanding of NTD etiology and mechanisms remains elusive, however. Among the proposed mechanisms, epigenetic changes are thought to play an important role in the formation of NTDs. Epigenomics covers a wide spectrum of genomic DNA sequence modifications that can be investigated via high-throughput techniques. Recent advances in epigenomic technologies have enabled epigenetic studies of congenital malformations and facilitated the integration of big data into the understanding of NTDs. Herein, we review clinical epigenomic data that focuses on DNA methylation, histone modification, and miRNA alterations in human neural tissues, placental tissues, and leukocytes to explore potential mechanisms by which candidate genes affect human NTD pathogenesis. We discuss the links between epigenomics and gene regulatory mechanisms, and the effects of epigenetic alterations in human tissues on neural tube closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Gu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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3
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Gasperoni JG, Fuller JN, Darido C, Wilanowski T, Dworkin S. Grainyhead-like (Grhl) Target Genes in Development and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052735. [PMID: 35269877 PMCID: PMC8911041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Grainyhead-like (GRHL) factors are essential, highly conserved transcription factors (TFs) that regulate processes common to both natural cellular behaviours during embryogenesis, and de-regulation of growth and survival pathways in cancer. Serving to drive the transcription, and therefore activation of multiple co-ordinating pathways, the three GRHL family members (GRHL1-3) are a critical conduit for modulating the molecular landscape that guides cellular decision-making processes during proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration. Animal models and in vitro approaches harbouring GRHL loss or gain-of-function are key research tools to understanding gene function, which gives confidence that resultant phenotypes and cellular behaviours may be translatable to humans. Critically, identifying and characterising the target genes to which these factors bind is also essential, as they allow us to discover and understand novel genetic pathways that could ultimately be used as targets for disease diagnosis, drug discovery and therapeutic strategies. GRHL1-3 and their transcriptional targets have been shown to drive comparable cellular processes in Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish and mice, and have recently also been implicated in the aetiology and/or progression of a number of human congenital disorders and cancers of epithelial origin. In this review, we will summarise the state of knowledge pertaining to the role of the GRHL family target genes in both development and cancer, primarily through understanding the genetic pathways transcriptionally regulated by these factors across disparate disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma G. Gasperoni
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Jarrad N. Fuller
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Charbel Darido
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Sebastian Dworkin
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
- Correspondence:
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4
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Li J, Lin S, Wu J, Pei L, Shang X. OUP accepted manuscript. Int Health 2022; 15:299-308. [PMID: 35521756 PMCID: PMC10153556 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihac027] [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: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal exposure to pesticides during early pregnancy is associated with increased risks of birth defects, while the association between maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects remains unknown. METHODS Data were from a population-based birth defects surveillance system between 2007 and 2012 in Pingding County, Shanxi Province, northern China. A total of 14 074 births with 235 birth defects were used to estimate spatial clustering and correlations at the village level. A population-based case-control study of 157 cases with birth defects and 204 controls was performed to investigate the association between maternal chemical fertilizer exposure and the risk of birth defects by a two-level logistic model. RESULTS The total prevalence of birth defects between 2007 and 2012 was 167.0/10 000 births. The spatial analysis indicated a remarkable high-risk area of birth defects in the southeast of Pingding County and the use of chemical fertilizer was associated with the risk of birth defects at the village level. After adjusting for confounders at the individual level, mothers who live in villages with chemical fertilizer application ≥65 tons/y had an increased risk of birth defects (adjusted odds ratio 2.06 [95% confidence interval 1.23 to 3.46]) compared with those of <65 tons/y. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the risk of birth defects may be associated with the use of chemical fertilizer in rural northern China. The findings must be cautiously interpreted and need to be investigated on larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jilei Wu
- Institute of Population Research/China Center on Population Health and Development, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing,100871, China
| | - Lijun Pei
- Corresponding authors: Tel: +86 010-62751974; E-mail:
| | - Xuejun Shang
- Corresponding authors: Tel: +86 025-84815775; E-mail:
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5
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Huang W, Gu H, Yuan Z. Identifying biomarkers for prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects based on "omics". Clin Genet 2021; 101:381-389. [PMID: 34761376 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most severe birth defects and the main cause of newborn death; posing a great challenge to the affected children, families, and societies. Presently, the clinical diagnosis of NTDs mainly relies on ultrasound images combined with certain indices, such as alpha-fetoprotein levels in the maternal serum and amniotic fluid. Recently, the discovery of additional biomarkers in maternal tissue has presented new possibilities for prenatal diagnosis. Over the past 20 years, "omics" techniques have provided the premise for the study of biomarkers. This review summarizes recent advances in candidate biomarkers for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal NTDs based on omics techniques using maternal biological specimens of different origins, including amniotic fluid, blood, and urine, which may provide a foundation for the early prenatal diagnosis of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Gu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Tian T, Lai X, Xiang K, Han X, Yin S, Cabrera RM, Steele JW, Lei Y, Cao X, Finnell RH, Wang L, Ren A. Hypermethylation of PI3K-AKT signalling pathway genes is associated with human neural tube defects. Epigenetics 2021; 17:133-146. [PMID: 33491544 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1878725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of common and severe congenital malformations. The PI3K-AKT signalling pathway plays a crucial role in the neural tube development. There is limited evidence concerning any possible association between aberrant methylation in PI3K-AKT signalling pathway genes and NTDs. Therefore, we aimed to investigate potential associations between aberrant methylation of PI3K-AKT pathway genes and NTDs. Methylation studies of PI3K-AKT pathway genes utilizing microarray genome-methylation data derived from neural tissues of ten NTD cases and eight non-malformed controls were performed. Targeted DNA methylation analysis was subsequently performed in an independent cohort of 73 NTD cases and 32 controls to validate the methylation levels of identified genes. siRNAs were used to pull-down the target genes in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to examine the effects of the aberrant expression of target genes on neural cells. As a result, 321 differentially hypermethylated CpG sites in the promoter regions of 30 PI3K-AKT pathway genes were identified in the microarray data. In target methylation analysis, CHRM1, FGF19, and ITGA7 were confirmed to be significantly hypermethylated in NTD cases and were associated with increased risk for NTDs. The down-regulation of FGF19, CHRM1, and ITGA7 impaired the formation of rosette-like cell aggregates. The down-regulation of those three genes affected the expression of PAX6, SOX2 and MAP2, implying their influence on the differentiation of neural cells. This study for the first time reported that hypermethylation of PI3K-AKT pathway genes such as CHRM1, FGF19, and ITGA7 is associated with human NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyuan Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Kuanhui Xiang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shengju Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Robert M Cabrera
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John W Steele
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yunping Lei
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xuanye Cao
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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7
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Huang Y, Lin S, Wang C, Pi X, Jin L, Li Z, Wang L, Ren A. Neural Tube Defects and ZIC4 Hypomethylation in Relation to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:582661. [PMID: 33304900 PMCID: PMC7701213 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.582661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic dysregulation is one of the postulated underlying mechanisms of neural tube defects (NTDs). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of environmental pollutants that are reported as a risk factor of NTDs, may cause decreased genome-wide DNA methylation. With DNA extracted from neural tissues, this study identified gene(s) whose hypomethylation was related to elevated risk for NTDs and examined whether its hypomethylation is related to PAH exposure. Results Using data profiled by Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array from 10 NTD cases and eight controls, ZIC4, CASP8, RAB32, RARA, and TRAF6 were identified to be the top five genes in NTD-related hypomethylated gene families. Among all identified genes, ZIC4 had the largest number of differently methylated CpG sites (n = 13) in the promoter region and 5′ UTR. Significantly decreased methylation in the ZIC4 promoter region and 5′ UTR was verified in an independent cohort of 80 cases and 32 controls (p < 0.001) utilizing the Sequenom EpiTYPER platform. Hypomethylation of ZIC4 was associated with a higher risk of NTDs [adjusted OR = 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.13] in a logistic regression model. Mean methylation levels in the promoter region and 5′ UTR of ZIC4 tended to be inversely associated with levels of high-molecular-weight PAHs in fetal liver among NTD fetuses (β [95% CI]: −0.045 [−0.091, 0.001], p = 0.054). Six and three CpG sites in the ZIC4 promoter region and 5′ UTR were inversely correlated with antioxidant indicators and protein oxidation markers (ρ: −0.45 to −0.75, p < 0.05) in fetal neural tissues, respectively. In a whole-embryo cultured mouse model, hypomethylation of the Zic4 promoter region and 5′ UTR and upregulation of Zic4 were observed, coupled with increased NTD rates after BaP exposure. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine normalized the changes observed in the BaP exposure group. Conclusion Hypomethylation of the ZIC4 promoter region and 5′ UTR may increase the risk for NTDs; oxidative stress is likely to play a role in the methylation change of Zic4 in response to PAH exposure in NTD formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Huang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Lin
- Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengrong Wang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Pi
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jin
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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He J, Feng C, Zhu H, Wu S, Jin P, Xu T. Grainyhead-like 2 as a double-edged sword in development and cancer. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:310-331. [PMID: 32194886 PMCID: PMC7061838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2), one of the three homologs of Drosophila grainyhead, contributes to epithelial morphogenesis and differentiation. Dysregulation of GRHL2 has been shown to be involved in hearing loss and neural tube defects during embryogenesis. Moreover, it is well-recognized that GRHL2 suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that is required for migration and invasion of carcinoma, implicating, GRHL2 in carcinogenesis. Diverse mechanisms, as well as the varied roles of GRHL2 in different tumor tissues, have been elucidated. However, the functions of GRHL2 appear to be more complicated than initially thought. GRHL2, acting as either a tumor enhancer or a tumor inhibitor, depends on the type of cancer. In this review, we summarize research progress about normal physiological functions of GRHL2 including epithelial morphogenesis, neural tube closure, and hearing loss. Moreover, the mechanisms of GRHL2 in tumorigenesis, containing EMT suppression, forming a negative feedback loop with ZEB1 and miR200 family, interactions with estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent signaling pathway, regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase and relationships with TGF-beta signaling pathway are discussed in this review in an effort to better understand the roles of GRHL2 in a variety of cancers toward the goal of GRHL2-targeted treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing He
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chunyang Feng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - He Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Shuying Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tianmin Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
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Huang Y, Lin S, Jin L, Wang L, Ren A. Decreased global DNA hydroxymethylation in neural tube defects: Association with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Epigenetics 2019; 14:1019-1029. [PMID: 31179819 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1629233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), a distinct epigenetic marker that plays a role in DNA active demethylation, has been reported to be important for embryonic development and may respond to environmental exposure. No studies have evaluated the association between DNA hydroxymethylation and the risk for fetal neural tube defects (NTDs), with consideration of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a risk factor for NTDs. We measured the global levels of 5hmC% in neural tissue from 92 terminated NTD cases and 33 terminated non-malformed fetuses. A lower level of 5hmC% was found in the NTD cases (median [interquartile range]: 0.25 [0.12-0.39]) compared to the controls (0.45 [0.19-1.00]). After adjusting for periconceptional folate supplementation, risk for NTDs increased with decreasing tertiles of 5hmC% (odds ratio: 7.89, 95% confidence interval: 2.32, 26.86, for the lowest tertile relative to the top tertile; pfor trend = 0.002). Linear regression revealed that concentrations of high-molecular-weight PAHs (H_PAHs) in fetal liver tissue were negatively associated with log2-transformed 5hmC%. Superoxide dismutase activity and 5hmC% were positively correlated in fetal neural tissue (rs = 0.64; p < 0.05). A mouse whole-embryo culture model was used for further validation. Decreased levels of 5hmC% and increased levels of reactive oxygen species were found in mouse embryos treated with BaP, a well-studied PAH. Taken together, levels of 5hmC% in fetal neural tissue were inversely associated with the risk for NTDs, and this association may be related to oxidative stress induced by exposure to PAHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Huang
- a Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China
| | - Shanshan Lin
- a Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China.,b Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center , Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou , China
| | - Lei Jin
- a Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China
| | - Linlin Wang
- a Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- a Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China
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10
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Lin S, Ren A, Wang L, Santos C, Huang Y, Jin L, Li Z, Greene NDE. Aberrant methylation of Pax3 gene and neural tube defects in association with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:13. [PMID: 30665459 PMCID: PMC6341549 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0611-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common and severe congenital malformations. Pax3 is an essential gene for neural tube closure in mice but it is unknown whether altered expression or methylation of PAX3 contributes to human NTDs. We examined the potential role of hypermethylation of Pax3 in the development of NTDs by analyzing human NTD cases and a mouse model in which NTDs were induced by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a widely studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). METHODS We extracted methylation information of PAX3 in neural tissues from array data of ten NTD cases and eight non-malformed controls. A validation study was then performed in a larger independent population comprising 73 NTD cases and 29 controls. Finally, we examined methylation patterns and expression of Pax3 in neural tissues from mouse embryos of dams exposed to BaP or BaP and vitamin E. RESULTS Seven CpG sites in PAX3 were hypermethylated in NTD fetuses as compared to controls in the array data. In the validation phase, significantly higher methylation levels in the body region of PAX3 were observed in NTD cases than in controls (P = 0.003). And mean methylation intensity in the body region of PAX3 in fetal neural tissues was positively correlated with median concentrations of PAH in maternal serum. In the mouse model, BaP-induced NTDs were associated with hypermethylation of specific CpG sites within both the promoter and body region of Pax3. Supplementation with vitamin E via chow decreased the rate of NTDs, partly recovered the repressed total antioxidant capacity in mouse embryos exposed to BaP, and this was accompanied by the normalization of Pax3 methylation level and gene expression. CONCLUSION Hypermethylation of Pax3 may play a role in the development of NTDs; DNA methylation aberration may be caused by exposure to BaP, with possible involvement of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Centre, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.,Division of Birth Cohort Study, and Department of Neonatal Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Centre, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Centre, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Chloe Santos
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Yun Huang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Centre, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Centre, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Centre, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Nicholas D E Greene
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
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De Castro SCP, Gustavsson P, Marshall AR, Gordon WM, Galea G, Nikolopoulou E, Savery D, Rolo A, Stanier P, Andersen B, Copp AJ, Greene NDE. Overexpression of Grainyhead-like 3 causes spina bifida and interacts genetically with mutant alleles of Grhl2 and Vangl2 in mice. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:4218-4230. [PMID: 30189017 PMCID: PMC6276835 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic basis of human neural tube defects (NTDs), such as anencephaly and spina bifida (SB), is complex and heterogeneous. Grainyhead-like genes represent candidates for involvement in NTDs based on the presence of SB and exencephaly in mice carrying loss-of-function alleles of Grhl2 or Grhl3. We found that reinstatement of Grhl3 expression, by bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-mediated transgenesis, prevents SB in Grhl3-null embryos, as in the Grhl3 hypomorphic curly tail strain. Notably, however, further increase in expression of Grhl3 causes highly penetrant SB. Grhl3 overexpression recapitulates the spinal NTD phenotype of loss-of-function embryos, although the underlying mechanism differs. However, it does not phenocopy other defects of Grhl3-null embryos such as abnormal axial curvature, cranial NTDs (exencephaly) or skin barrier defects, the latter being rescued by the Grhl3-transgene. Grhl2 and Grhl3 can form homodimers and heterodimers, suggesting a possible model in which defects arising from overexpression of Grhl3 result from sequestration of Grhl2 in heterodimers, mimicking Grhl2 loss of function. This hypothesis predicts that increased abundance of Grhl2 would have an ameliorating effect in Grhl3 overexpressing embryo. Instead, we observed a striking additive genetic interaction between Grhl2 and Grhl3 gain-of-function alleles. Severe SB arose in embryos in which both genes were expressed at moderately elevated levels that individually do not cause NTDs. Furthermore, moderate Grhl3 overexpression also interacted with the Vangl2Lp allele to cause SB, demonstrating genetic interaction with the planar cell polarity signalling pathway that is implicated in mouse and human NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra C P De Castro
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Gustavsson
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Abigail R Marshall
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - William M Gordon
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Gabriel Galea
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Evanthia Nikolopoulou
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dawn Savery
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ana Rolo
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Philip Stanier
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Bogi Andersen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Andrew J Copp
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas D E Greene
- Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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Li H, Niswander L. Does DNA methylation provide a link between folate and neural tube closure? Epigenomics 2018; 10:1263-1265. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2018-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huili Li
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Development Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Development Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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Zebrafish models of epigenetic regulation of CNS functions. Brain Res Bull 2018; 142:344-351. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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