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Cevik SE, Skaar DA, Jima DD, Liu AJ, Østbye T, Whitson HE, Jirtle RL, Hoyo C, Planchart A. DNA methylation of imprint control regions associated with Alzheimer's disease in non-Hispanic Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:58. [PMID: 38658973 PMCID: PMC11043040 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01672-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevalence is twice as high in non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) as in non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). The objective of this study was to determine whether aberrant methylation at imprint control regions (ICRs) is associated with AD. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were bioinformatically identified from whole-genome bisulfite sequenced DNA derived from brain tissue of 9 AD (5 NHBs and 4 NHWs) and 8 controls (4 NHBs and 4 NHWs). We identified DMRs located within 120 regions defined as candidate ICRs in the human imprintome ( https://genome.ucsc.edu/s/imprintome/hg38.AD.Brain_track ). Eighty-one ICRs were differentially methylated in NHB-AD, and 27 ICRs were differentially methylated in NHW-AD, with two regions common to both populations that are proximal to the inflammasome gene, NLRP1, and a known imprinted gene, MEST/MESTIT1. These findings indicate that early developmental alterations in DNA methylation of regions regulating genomic imprinting may contribute to AD risk and that this epigenetic risk differs between NHBs and NHWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebnem E Cevik
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David A Skaar
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Dereje D Jima
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Andy J Liu
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Truls Østbye
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Heather E Whitson
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke/UNC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), Durham, NC, USA
| | - Randy L Jirtle
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Antonio Planchart
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Shankarappa B, Mahadevan J, Murthy P, Purushottam M, Viswanath B, Jain S, Devarbhavi H, Mysore Visweswariah A. Hypomethylation of Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase in Patients of Alcohol Use Disorder with Cirrhosis. DNA Cell Biol 2023. [PMID: 37367217 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2022.0669] [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: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cirrhosis are key outcomes of excessive alcohol use, and a genetic influence in these outcomes is increasingly recognized. While 80-90% of heavy alcohol users show evidence of fatty liver, only 10-20% progress to cirrhosis. There is currently no clear understanding of the causes of this difference in progression. The aim of this study is to evaluate genetics and epigenetics at the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) locus in patients with AUD and liver complications. Study participants were inpatients from the clinical services of Gastroenterology and Psychiatry at St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India. Men diagnosed as having AUD with cirrhosis (AUDC+ve, N = 136) and AUD without cirrhosis (AUDC-ve, N = 107) were assessed. FibroScan/sonographic evidence was used to rule out fibrosis in the AUDC-ve group. Genomic DNA was used for genotyping at the ALDH2 (rs2238151) locus. A subset of 89 samples was used for DNA methylation (AUDC+ve, N = 44; and AUDC-ve, N = 45) analysis at long interspersed nucleotide element 1 (LINE-1) and ALDH2 cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) loci by pyrosequencing. ALDH2 DNA methylation was significantly lower in the AUDC+ve group compared with the AUDC-ve group (p < 0.001). Lower methylation was associated with a risk allele (T) of the ALDH2 locus (rs2238151) (p = 0.01). Global (LINE-1) DNA methylation levels were also significantly lower in the AUDC+ve group compared with the AUDC-ve group (p = 0.01). Compromised global methylation (LINE-1) and hypomethylation at the ALDH2 gene was observed in patients with cirrhosis compared with those without cirrhosis. DNA methylation could be explored as a biomarker for cirrhosis and liver complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagyalakshmi Shankarappa
- Department of Psychiatry, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Jayant Mahadevan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Pratima Murthy
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Meera Purushottam
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Biju Viswanath
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Sanjeev Jain
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Harshad Devarbhavi
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
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Saavedra D, Añé-Kourí AL, Barzilai N, Caruso C, Cho KH, Fontana L, Franceschi C, Frasca D, Ledón N, Niedernhofer LJ, Pereira K, Robbins PD, Silva A, Suarez GM, Berghe WV, von Zglinicki T, Pawelec G, Lage A. Aging and chronic inflammation: highlights from a multidisciplinary workshop. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:25. [PMID: 37291596 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00352-w] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a gradual, continuous series of natural changes in biological, physiological, immunological, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social processes. Aging entails changes in the immune system characterized by a decrease in thymic output of naïve lymphocytes, an accumulated chronic antigenic stress notably caused by chronic infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), and immune cell senescence with acquisition of an inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). For this reason, and due to the SASP originating from other tissues, aging is commonly accompanied by low-grade chronic inflammation, termed "inflammaging". After decades of accumulating evidence regarding age-related processes and chronic inflammation, the domain now appears mature enough to allow an integrative reinterpretation of old data. Here, we provide an overview of the topics discussed in a recent workshop "Aging and Chronic Inflammation" to which many of the major players in the field contributed. We highlight advances in systematic measurement and interpretation of biological markers of aging, as well as their implications for human health and longevity and the interventions that can be envisaged to maintain or improve immune function in older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danay Saavedra
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Atabey, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Ana Laura Añé-Kourí
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Atabey, Havana, Cuba
| | - Nir Barzilai
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Kyung-Hyun Cho
- LipoLab, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
- Raydel Research Institute, Medical Innovation Complex, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Luigi Fontana
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Claudio Franceschi
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation
| | - Daniela Frasca
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Nuris Ledón
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Atabey, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Karla Pereira
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Atabey, Havana, Cuba
| | - Paul D Robbins
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alexa Silva
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Atabey, Havana, Cuba
| | - Gisela M Suarez
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Atabey, Havana, Cuba
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signalling (PPES), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
- Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
| | - Thomas von Zglinicki
- Ageing Biology Laboratories, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Agustín Lage
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 St, Corner 15, PO Box 16040, Atabey, Havana, Cuba
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Integrated investigation of DNA methylation, gene expression and immune cell population revealed immune cell infiltration associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation. BMC Med Genomics 2022; 15:108. [PMID: 35534881 PMCID: PMC9082837 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01259-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The clinical consequences of atherosclerosis are significant source of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, while the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are largely unknown. Methods In this study, we integrated the DNA methylation and gene expression data in atherosclerotic plaque samples to decipher the underlying association between epigenetic and transcriptional regulation. Immune cell classification was performed on the basis of the expression pattern of detected genes. Finally, we selected ten genes with dysregulated methylation and expression levels for RT-qPCR validation. Results Global DNA methylation profile showed obvious changes between normal aortic and atherosclerotic lesion tissues. We found that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were highly associated with atherosclerosis by being enriched in atherosclerotic plaque formation-related pathways, including cell adhesion and extracellular matrix organization. Immune cell fraction analysis revealed that a large number of immune cells, especially macrophages, activated mast cells, NK cells, and Tfh cells, were specifically enriched in the plaque. DEGs associated with immune cell fraction change showed that they were mainly related to the level of macrophages, monocytes, resting NK cells, activated CD4 memory T cells, and gamma delta T cells. These genes were highly enriched in multiple pathways of atherosclerotic plaque formation, including blood vessel remodeling, collagen fiber organization, cell adhesion, collagen catalogic process, extractable matrix assembly, and platelet activation. We also validated the expression alteration of ten genes associated with infiltrating immune cells in atherosclerosis. Conclusions In conclusion, these findings provide new evidence for understanding the mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque formation, and provide a new and valuable research direction based on immune cell infiltration. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-022-01259-z.
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Trussoni CE, O'Hara SP, LaRusso NF. Cellular senescence in the cholangiopathies: a driver of immunopathology and a novel therapeutic target. Semin Immunopathol 2022; 44:527-544. [PMID: 35178659 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00909-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The cholangiopathies are a group of liver diseases that affect cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells that line the bile ducts. Biliary atresia (BA), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are three cholangiopathies with significant immune-mediated pathogenesis where chronic inflammation and fibrosis lead to obliteration of bile ducts and eventual liver cirrhosis. Cellular senescence is a state of cell cycle arrest in which cells become resistant to apoptosis and profusely secrete a bioactive secretome. Recent evidence indicates that cholangiocyte senescence contributes to the pathogenesis of BA, PBC, and PSC. This review explores the role of cholangiocyte senescence in BA, PBC, and PSC, ascertains how cholangiocyte senescence may promote a senescence-associated immunopathology in these cholangiopathies, and provides the rationale for therapeutically targeting senescence as a treatment option for BA, PBC, and PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy E Trussoni
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Steven P O'Hara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nicholas F LaRusso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Gao L, Li J, Yan M, Aili M. Methylation factor MRPL15 identified as a potential biological target in Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:13560-13570. [PMID: 34016794 PMCID: PMC8202902 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. However, the molecular basis of the development and progression of AD is still unclear. To elucidate the molecular processes related to AD, we obtained the expression profiles and analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The genes potentially involved in the AD process were identified by PPI network and STEM analysis. The molecular mechanisms related to the recognition of AD were determined by GSEA and enrichment analysis. The differences from immune cells in AD were calculated. The methylation factors were identified by methylation difference analysis. Among them, MRPL15 was identified as suitable for diagnosing AD. Its expression trend had been verified in GSE5281. Importantly, MRPL15 was also a methylation factor. In addition, macrophages and neutrophils were up-regulated in AD patients. This was consistent with previous immune inflammation responses identified as being involved in the development of AD. The results of the present study revealed the genetic changes and molecular mechanisms involved in the process of the development and deterioration of AD patients. The potential AD risk genes and potential biological targets were identified. It provided evidence that immune inflammation and immune cells play an important role in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- Prescription Laboratory of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Xinjiang Institute of Traditional Uighur Medicine, Urmuqi 830011, China
| | - Jianmei Li
- Prescription Laboratory of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Xinjiang Institute of Traditional Uighur Medicine, Urmuqi 830011, China
| | - Ming Yan
- Prescription Laboratory of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Xinjiang Institute of Traditional Uighur Medicine, Urmuqi 830011, China
| | - Maimaiti Aili
- Prescription Laboratory of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Xinjiang Institute of Traditional Uighur Medicine, Urmuqi 830011, China
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Ali MM, Naquiallah D, Qureshi M, Mirza MI, Hassan C, Masrur M, Bianco FM, Frederick P, Cristoforo GP, Gangemi A, Phillips SA, Mahmoud AM. DNA methylation profile of genes involved in inflammation and autoimmunity correlates with vascular function in morbidly obese adults. Epigenetics 2021; 17:93-109. [PMID: 33487124 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1876285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Blood-detected epigenetic profiles may serve as non-invasive clinically relevant biomarkers. Therefore, we investigated DNA methylation of genes involved in inflammation in peripheral blood of obese subjects and lean controls and their correlation with cardiometabolic measurements. We obtained blood and adipose tissue (AT) samples from bariatric patients (n = 24) and control adults (n = 24). AT-isolated arterioles were tested for flow-induced dilation (FID) and production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured via doppler ultrasound. Promoter methylation of 94 genes involved in inflammation and autoimmunity were analysed in whole-blood DNA in relation to vascular function and cardiometabolic risk factors. 77 genes had ahigher methylated fraction in the controls compare obese subjects and 28 proinflammatory genes were significantly hypomethylated in the obese individuals; on top of these genes are CXCL1, CXCL12, CXCL6, IGF2BP2, HDAC4, IL12A, and IL17RA. Fifteen of these genes had significantly higher mRNA in obese subjects compared to controls; on top of these genes are CXCL6, TLR5, IL6ST, EGR1, IL15RA, and HDAC4. Methylation % inversely correlated with BMI, total fat %, visceral fat%, blood pressure, fasting plasma insulin, serum IL6 and C-reactive protein, arteriolar ROS, and alcohol consumption and positive correlations with lean %, HDL, plasma folate and vitamin B12, arteriolar FID and NO production, and brachial FMD. Our results suggest that vascular dysfunction in obese adults may be attributed to asystemic hypomethylation and over expression of the immune-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed M Ali
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Integrative Physiology Laboratory, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dina Naquiallah
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maryam Qureshi
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mohammed Imaduddin Mirza
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chandra Hassan
- Departments of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mario Masrur
- Departments of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Francesco M Bianco
- Departments of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patrice Frederick
- Departments of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Giulianotti P Cristoforo
- Departments of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Antonio Gangemi
- Departments of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shane A Phillips
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Integrative Physiology Laboratory, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Abeer M Mahmoud
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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de la Rocha C, Zaina S, Lund G. Is Any Cardiovascular Disease-Specific DNA Methylation Biomarker Within Reach? Curr Atheroscler Rep 2020; 22:62. [DOI: 10.1007/s11883-020-00875-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Diels S, Vanden Berghe W, Van Hul W. Insights into the multifactorial causation of obesity by integrated genetic and epigenetic analysis. Obes Rev 2020; 21:e13019. [PMID: 32170999 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a highly heritable multifactorial disease that places an enormous burden on human health. Its increasing prevalence and the concomitant-reduced life expectancy has intensified the search for new analytical methods that can reduce the knowledge gap between genetic susceptibility and functional consequences of the disease pathology. Although the influence of genetics and epigenetics has been studied independently in the past, there is increasing evidence that genetic variants interact with environmental factors through epigenetic regulation. This suggests that a combined analysis of genetic and epigenetic variation may be more effective in characterizing the obesity phenotype. To date, limited genome-wide integrative analyses have been performed. In this review, we provide an overview of the latest findings, advantages, and challenges and discuss future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Diels
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Hul
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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