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Yi Y, Wang T, Xu W, Zhang SH. Epigenetic modifications of placenta in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their offspring. World J Diabetes 2024; 15:378-391. [PMID: 38591094 PMCID: PMC10999040 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i3.378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-related complication characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women and has an important impact on fetal development. As a bridge between the mother and the fetus, the placenta has nutrient transport functions, endocrine functions, etc., and can regulate placental nutrient transport and fetal growth and development according to maternal metabolic status. Only by means of placental transmission can changes in maternal hyperglycemia affect the fetus. There are many reports on the placental pathophysiological changes associated with GDM, the impacts of GDM on the growth and development of offspring, and the prevalence of GDM in offspring after birth. Placental epigenetic changes in GDM are involved in the programming of fetal development and are involved in the pathogenesis of later chronic diseases. This paper summarizes the effects of changes in placental nutrient transport function and hormone secretion levels due to maternal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on the development of offspring as well as the participation of changes in placental epigenetic modifications due to maternal hyperglycemia in intrauterine fetal programming to promote a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of placental epigenetic modifications on the development of offspring from patients with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yi
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, Hubei Province, China
| | - San-Hong Zhang
- Department of Pediatric, Xiantao First People’s Hospital, Xiantao 433000, Hubei Province, China
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2
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Goedecke JH, Pheiffer C, Mendham AE. Environmental exposures are important for type 2 diabetes pathophysiology in sub-Saharan African populations. Reply to Christensen D, Hjort L, Mpagama S et al [letter]. Diabetologia 2023; 66:780-782. [PMID: 36692507 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-022-05859-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia H Goedecke
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
- South African Medical Research Council/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre (HPALS), FIMS International Collaborating Centre of Sports Medicine, Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Carmen Pheiffer
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Amy E Mendham
- South African Medical Research Council/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre (HPALS), FIMS International Collaborating Centre of Sports Medicine, Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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3
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Lowe WL. Genetics and Epigenetics: Implications for the Life Course of Gestational Diabetes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6047. [PMID: 37047019 PMCID: PMC10094577 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, affecting as many as one in six pregnancies. It is associated with both short- and long-term adverse outcomes for the mother and fetus and has important implications for the life course of affected women. Advances in genetics and epigenetics have not only provided new insight into the pathophysiology of GDM but have also provided new approaches to identify women at high risk for progression to postpartum cardiometabolic disease. GDM and type 2 diabetes share similarities in their pathophysiology, suggesting that they also share similarities in their genetic architecture. Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have identified susceptibility genes that are shared between GDM and type 2 diabetes. Despite these similarities, a much greater effect size for MTNR1B in GDM compared to type 2 diabetes and association of HKDC1, which encodes a hexokinase, with GDM but not type 2 diabetes suggest some differences in the genetic architecture of GDM. Genetic risk scores have shown some efficacy in identifying women with a history of GDM who will progress to type 2 diabetes. The association of epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and circulating microRNAs, with GDM has also been examined. Targeted and epigenome-wide approaches have been used to identify DNA methylation in circulating blood cells collected during early, mid-, and late pregnancy that is associated with GDM. DNA methylation in early pregnancy had some ability to identify women who progressed to GDM, while DNA methylation in blood collected at 26-30 weeks gestation improved upon the ability of clinical factors alone to identify women at risk for progression to abnormal glucose tolerance post-partum. Finally, circulating microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs that are present in early or mid-pregnancy and associated with GDM have been identified. MicroRNAs have also proven efficacious in predicting both the development of GDM as well as its long-term cardiometabolic complications. Studies performed to date have demonstrated the potential for genetic and epigenetic technologies to impact clinical care, although much remains to be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- William L Lowe
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Rubloff 12, 420 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Xu P, Dong S, Wu L, Bai Y, Bi X, Li Y, Shu C. Maternal and Placental DNA Methylation Changes Associated with the Pathogenesis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010070. [PMID: 36615730 PMCID: PMC9823627 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an important metabolic complication of pregnancy, which affects the future health of both the mother and the newborn. The pathogenesis of GDM is not completely clear, but what is clear is that with the development and growth of the placenta, GDM onset and blood glucose is difficult to control, while gestational diabetes patients' blood glucose drops and reaches normal after placenta delivery. This may be associated with placental secretion of insulin-like growth factor, adipokines, tumor necrosis factor-α, cytokines and insulin resistance. Therefore, endocrine secretion of placenta plays a key role in the pathogenesis of GDM. The influence of DNA methylation of these molecules and pathway-related genes on gene expression is also closely related to the pathogenesis of GDM. Here, this review attempts to clarify the pathogenesis of GDM and the related maternal and placental DNA methylation changes and how they affect metabolic pathways.
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Ballesteros M, Gil-Lluís P, Ejarque M, Diaz-Perdigones C, Martinez-Guasch L, Fernández-Veledo S, Vendrell J, Megía A. DNA Methylation in Gestational Diabetes and its Predictive Value for Postpartum Glucose Disturbances. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:2748-2757. [PMID: 35914803 PMCID: PMC9516049 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac462] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT DNA methylation in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. OBJECTIVE To assess the value of DNA methylation in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GDM) and in the prediction of maternal postpartum glucose disturbances. METHODS Two-stage observational study performed between July 2006 and December 2010, at University Hospital. Forty-eight randomly selected pregnant women formed the discovery cohort (24 with GDM and 24 controls) and 252 pregnant women (94 with GDM and 158 controls) formed the replication cohort. GDM women were re-evaluated 4 years postpartum. The main outcome measures were GDM, type 2 diabetes or prediabetes at 4 years postpartum. RESULTS We identified 3 CpG sites related to LINC00917, TRAPPC9, and LEF1 that were differentially methylated in women with GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance; and sites associated with LINC00917 and TRAPPC9 were independently associated with an abnormal glucose tolerance status 4 years postpartum after controlling for clinical variables. Moreover, the site associated with LINC00917 and the combination of the 3 sites had the highest predictive values. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that some of these sites may be implicated in the development of GDM and postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Ballesteros
- Mónica Ballesteros, Rovira i Virgili University, 43005, Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Pilar Gil-Lluís
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital of Tortosa Verge de la Cinta, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Miriam Ejarque
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition. Research Unit. University Hospital of Tarragona Joan XXIII-Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Cristina Diaz-Perdigones
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition. Research Unit. University Hospital of Tarragona Joan XXIII-Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Laia Martinez-Guasch
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition. Research Unit. University Hospital of Tarragona Joan XXIII-Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Sonia Fernández-Veledo
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition. Research Unit. University Hospital of Tarragona Joan XXIII-Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Joan Vendrell
- Correspondence: Joan Vendrell, PhD, MD, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Dr. Mallafre Guasch, 4, 43005 Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Ana Megía
- Ana Megia, PhD, MD, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Dr. Mallafre Guasch, 4, 43005 Tarragona, Spain.
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Hjort L, Novakovic B, Cvitic S, Saffery R, Damm P, Desoye G. Placental DNA Methylation in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes and/or obesity: State of the Art and research gaps. Epigenetics 2022; 17:2188-2208. [PMID: 35950598 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2111755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYMaternal diabetes and/or obesity in pregnancy are undoubtedly associated with later disease-risk in the offspring. The placenta, interposed between the mother and the fetus, is a potential mediator of this risk through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. In recent years, multiple studies have identified differentially methylated CpG sites in the placental tissue DNA in pregnancies complicated by diabetes and obesity. We reviewed all published original research relevant to this topic and analyzed our findings with the focus of identifying overlaps, contradictions and gaps. Most studies focused on the association of gestational diabetes and/or hyperglycemia in pregnancy and DNA methylation in placental tissue at term. We identified overlaps in results related to specific candidate genes, but also observed a large research gap of pregnancies affected by type 1 diabetes. Other unanswered questions relate to analysis of specific placental cell types and the timing of DNA methylation change in response to diabetes and obesity during pregnancy. Maternal metabolism is altered already in the first trimester involving structural and functional changes in the placenta, but studies into its effects on placental DNA methylation during this period are lacking and urgently needed. Fetal sex is also an important determinant of pregnancy outcome, but only few studies have taken this into account. Collectively, we provide a reference work for researchers working in this large and evolving field. Based on the results of the literature review, we formulate suggestions for future focus of placental DNA methylation studies in pregnancies complicated by diabetes and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Hjort
- Dept. of Obstetrics, Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Environmental Epigenetics Group, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Boris Novakovic
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Dept. of Pediatrics, Melbourne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Silvija Cvitic
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Research Unit of Analytical Mass Spectrometry, Cell Biology and Biochemistry of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Dept. of Pediatrics, Melbourne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Damm
- Dept. of Obstetrics, Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Dept of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Dept. of Obstetrics, Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Lewis KA, Chang L, Cheung J, Aouizerat BE, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL, McLemore MR, Piening B, Rand L, Ryckman KK, Flowers E. Systematic review of transcriptome and microRNAome associations with gestational diabetes mellitus. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:971354. [PMID: 36704034 PMCID: PMC9871895 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.971354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with increased risk for preterm birth and related complications for both the pregnant person and newborn. Changes in gene expression have the potential to characterize complex interactions between genetic and behavioral/environmental risk factors for GDM. Our goal was to summarize the state of the science about changes in gene expression and GDM. DESIGN The systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. METHODS PubMed articles about humans, in English, from any date were included if they described mRNA transcriptome or microRNA findings from blood samples in adults with GDM compared with adults without GDM. RESULTS Sixteen articles were found representing 1355 adults (n=674 with GDM, n=681 controls) from 12 countries. Three studies reported transcriptome results and thirteen reported microRNA findings. Identified pathways described various aspects of diabetes pathogenesis, including glucose and insulin signaling, regulation, and transport; natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity; and fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism. Studies described 135 unique miRNAs that were associated with GDM, of which eight (miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-222-3p, miR-210-3p, and miR-342-3p) were described in 2 or more studies. Findings suggest that miRNA levels vary based on the time in pregnancy when GDM develops, the time point at which they were measured, sex assigned at birth of the offspring, and both the pre-pregnancy and gestational body mass index of the pregnant person. CONCLUSIONS The mRNA, miRNA, gene targets, and pathways identified in this review contribute to our understanding of GDM pathogenesis; however, further research is warranted to validate previous findings. In particular, longitudinal repeated-measures designs are needed that control for participant characteristics (e.g., weight), use standardized data collection methods and analysis tools, and are sufficiently powered to detect differences between subgroups. Findings may be used to improve early diagnosis, prevention, medication choice and/or clinical treatment of patients with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Lewis
- School of Nursing, Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kimberly A. Lewis,
| | - Lisa Chang
- School of Nursing, Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Julinna Cheung
- College of Biological Sciences, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Laura L. Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Monica R. McLemore
- School of Nursing, Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Brian Piening
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence St Joseph Health, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Larry Rand
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kelli K. Ryckman
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Elena Flowers
- School of Nursing, Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Epigenetic Changes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147649. [PMID: 34299269 PMCID: PMC8303885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance that appears or is for the first time diagnosed during pregnancy. It can lead to many complications in the mother and in the offspring, so diagnostics and management of GDM are important to avoid adverse pregnancy outcomes. Epigenetic studies revealed the different methylation status of genes in pregnancies with GDM compared to pregnancies without GDM. A growing body of evidence shows that the GDM can affect not only the course of the pregnancy, but also the development of the offspring, thus contributing to long-term effects and adverse health outcomes of the progeny. Epigenetic changes occur through histone modification, DNA methylation, and disrupted function of non-coding ribonucleic acid (ncRNA) including microRNAs (miRNAs). In this review, we focus on the recent knowledge about epigenetic changes in GDM. The analysis of this topic may help us to understand pathophysiological mechanisms in GDM and find a solution to prevent their consequences.
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Coppedè F. One-carbon epigenetics and redox biology of neurodegeneration. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 170:19-33. [PMID: 33307166 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism provides the methyl groups for both DNA and histone tail methylation reactions, two of the main epigenetic processes that tightly regulate the chromatin structure and gene expression levels. Several enzymes involved in one-carbon metabolism, as well as several epigenetic enzymes, are regulated by intracellular metabolites and redox cofactors, but their expression levels are in turn regulated by epigenetic modifications, in such a way that metabolism and gene expression reciprocally regulate each other to maintain homeostasis and regulate cell growth, survival, differentiation and response to environmental stimuli. Increasing evidence highlights the contribution of impaired one-carbon metabolism and epigenetic modifications in neurodegeneration. This article provides an overview of DNA and histone tail methylation changes in major neurodegenerative disorders, namely Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, discussing the contribution of oxidative stress and impaired one-carbon and redox metabolism to their onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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African genetic diversity and adaptation inform a precision medicine agenda. Nat Rev Genet 2021; 22:284-306. [PMID: 33432191 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-020-00306-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The deep evolutionary history of African populations, since the emergence of modern humans more than 300,000 years ago, has resulted in high genetic diversity and considerable population structure. Selected genetic variants have increased in frequency due to environmental adaptation, but recent exposures to novel pathogens and changes in lifestyle render some of them with properties leading to present health liabilities. The unique discoverability potential from African genomic studies promises invaluable contributions to understanding the genomic and molecular basis of health and disease. Globally, African populations are understudied, and precision medicine approaches are largely based on data from European and Asian-ancestry populations, which limits the transferability of findings to the continent of Africa. Africa needs innovative precision medicine solutions based on African data that use knowledge and implementation strategies aligned to its climatic, cultural, economic and genomic diversity.
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Circular RNA expression profiles in umbilical cord blood exosomes from normal and gestational diabetes mellitus patients. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:226898. [PMID: 33146699 PMCID: PMC7670577 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20201946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) is a novel member of endogenous noncoding RNAs with widespread distribution and diverse cellular functions. Recently, circRNAs have been identified for their enrichment and stability in exosomes. However, the roles of circRNAs from umbilical cord blood exosomes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurrence and fetus growth remains poorly understood. In the present study, we used microarray technology to construct a comparative circRNA profiling of umbilical cord blood exosomes between GDM patients and controls. We found the exosome particle size was larger, and the exosome concentration was higher in the GDM patients. A total of 88,371 circRNAs in umbilical cord blood exosomes from two groups were evaluated. Of these, 229 circRNAs were significantly up-regulated and 278 circRNAs were significantly down-regulated in the GDM patients. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) biological pathway analyses demonstrated that circRNA parental genes involved in the regulation of metabolic process, growth and development were significantly enriched, which are important in GDM development and fetus growth. Further circRNA/miRNA interactions analysis showed that most of the exosomal circRNAs harbored miRNA binding sites, and some miRNAs were associated with GDM. Collectively, these results lay a foundation for extensive studies on the role of exosomal circRNAs in GDM development and fetus growth.
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