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Moix S, Sadler MC, Kutalik Z, Auwerx C. Breaking down causes, consequences, and mediating effects of telomere length variation on human health. Genome Biol 2024; 25:125. [PMID: 38760657 PMCID: PMC11101352 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03269-9] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres form repeated DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, which shorten with each cell division. Yet, factors modulating telomere attrition and the health consequences thereof are not fully understood. To address this, we leveraged data from 326,363 unrelated UK Biobank participants of European ancestry. RESULTS Using linear regression and bidirectional univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR), we elucidate the relationships between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and 142 complex traits, including diseases, biomarkers, and lifestyle factors. We confirm that telomeres shorten with age and show a stronger decline in males than in females, with these factors contributing to the majority of the 5.4% of LTL variance explained by the phenome. MR reveals 23 traits modulating LTL. Smoking cessation and high educational attainment associate with longer LTL, while weekly alcohol intake, body mass index, urate levels, and female reproductive events, such as childbirth, associate with shorter LTL. We also identify 24 traits affected by LTL, with risk for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and some autoimmune diseases being increased by short LTL, while longer LTL increased risk for other autoimmune conditions and cancers. Through multivariable MR, we show that LTL may partially mediate the impact of educational attainment, body mass index, and female age at childbirth on proxied lifespan. CONCLUSIONS Our study sheds light on the modulators, consequences, and the mediatory role of telomeres, portraying an intricate relationship between LTL, diseases, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Moix
- Department of Computational Biology, UNIL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
| | - Marie C Sadler
- Department of Computational Biology, UNIL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- University Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Zoltán Kutalik
- Department of Computational Biology, UNIL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
- University Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
| | - Chiara Auwerx
- Department of Computational Biology, UNIL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
- University Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
- Center for Integrative Genetics, UNIL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
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Mostafa H, Gutierrez-Tordera L, Mateu-Fabregat J, Papandreou C, Bulló M. Dietary fat, telomere length and cognitive function: unravelling the complex relations. Curr Opin Lipidol 2024; 35:33-40. [PMID: 38018863 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0000000000000900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The review aims to explore the recent evidence on the associations between different dietary fat intake and cognitive function, and to understand the role of telomere length in this relationship. RECENT FINDINGS Clinical and preclinical studies included in this review suggest that dietary fat intake is associated with cognitive function and telomere length. High intake of saturated fats and trans fats, commonly found in ultra-processed foods, appears to have negative effects on cognitive function and telomere length, while other dietary fats, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids are associated with improved cognitive performance and reduced telomere attrition. Controversial results related to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and its impact on cognitive function were found. Dietary fats may affect telomere length and cognition through oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. SUMMARY The current review illustrated the relationship between dietary fat and cognitive function by focusing on the role of telomere length as a potential intermediator. More future studies are required, however, in order to develop targeted interventions aimed at preserving cognitive well-being throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Mostafa
- Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Group (NuMeH), Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
- Institute of Health Pere Virgili (IISPV)
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Rovira i Virgili University
| | - Laia Gutierrez-Tordera
- Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Group (NuMeH), Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
- Institute of Health Pere Virgili (IISPV)
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Rovira i Virgili University
| | - Javier Mateu-Fabregat
- Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Group (NuMeH), Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
- Institute of Health Pere Virgili (IISPV)
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Rovira i Virgili University
| | - Christopher Papandreou
- Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Group (NuMeH), Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
- Institute of Health Pere Virgili (IISPV)
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Rovira i Virgili University
| | - Mònica Bulló
- Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Group (NuMeH), Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
- Institute of Health Pere Virgili (IISPV)
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Rovira i Virgili University
- CIBER Physiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
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Haferkamp U, Hartmann C, Abid CL, Brachner A, Höchner A, Gerhartl A, Harwardt B, Leckzik S, Leu J, Metzger M, Nastainczyk-Wulf M, Neuhaus W, Oerter S, Pless O, Rujescu D, Jung M, Appelt-Menzel A. Human isogenic cells of the neurovascular unit exert transcriptomic cell type-specific effects on a blood-brain barrier in vitro model of late-onset Alzheimer disease. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:78. [PMID: 37907966 PMCID: PMC10617216 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00471-y] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is impaired in late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD), but the associated molecular mechanisms, particularly with respect to the high-risk APOE4/4 genotype, are not well understood. For this purpose, we developed a multicellular isogenic model of the neurovascular unit (NVU) based on human induced pluripotent stem cells. METHODS The human NVU was modeled in vitro using isogenic co-cultures of astrocytes, brain capillary endothelial-like cells (BCECs), microglia-like cells, neural stem cells (NSCs), and pericytes. Physiological and pathophysiological properties were investigated as well as the influence of each single cell type on the characteristics and function of BCECs. The barriers established by BCECs were analyzed for specific gene transcription using high-throughput quantitative PCR. RESULTS Co-cultures were found to tighten the barrier of BCECs and alter its transcriptomic profile under both healthy and disease conditions. In vitro differentiation of brain cell types that constitute the NVU was not affected by the LOAD background. The supportive effect of NSCs on the barrier established by BCECs was diminished under LOAD conditions. Transcriptomes of LOAD BCECs were modulated by different brain cell types. NSCs were found to have the strongest effect on BCEC gene regulation and maintenance of the BBB. Co-cultures showed cell type-specific functional contributions to BBB integrity under healthy and LOAD conditions. CONCLUSIONS Cell type-dependent transcriptional effects on LOAD BCECs were identified. Our study suggests that different brain cell types of the NVU have unique roles in maintaining barrier integrity that vary under healthy and LOAD conditions. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Undine Haferkamp
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carla Hartmann
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty of the Martin, Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chaudhry Luqman Abid
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty of the Martin, Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andreas Brachner
- Center Health and Bioresources, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Alevtina Höchner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Gerhartl
- Center Health and Bioresources, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Bernadette Harwardt
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty of the Martin, Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Selin Leckzik
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty of the Martin, Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jennifer Leu
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marco Metzger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070, Würzburg, Germany
- Chair Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Winfried Neuhaus
- Center Health and Bioresources, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems, 3500, Austria
| | - Sabrina Oerter
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070, Würzburg, Germany
- Chair Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ole Pless
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of General Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Matthias Jung
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty of the Martin, Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Antje Appelt-Menzel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070, Würzburg, Germany.
- Chair Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany.
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Mlakar V, Birkenæs V, Elvsaashagen T, Ormerod MBEG, Quintana DS, Ueland T, Melle I, Lagerberg TV, Djurovic S, Martin-Ruiz C, Steen NE, Andreassen OA, Aas M. Telomere length and verbal learning in bipolar disorders. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:555-560. [PMID: 37459977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.087] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent studies indicate accelerated ageing processes, shorter telomere length and poorer cognitive functioning in patients with bipolar disorder. The neurobiology underlying cognitive function in bipolar disorder is yet to be established. We anticipated that accelerated ageing as indicated by shortened telomere length, would be associated with reduced cognitive performance in bipolar disorder, particularly for ageing sensitive functions such as memory and learning. METHODS The study consisted of 647 participants (bipolar disorder [n = 246] and healthy controls [n = 401]). All participants underwent a standardized neuropsychological test battery, including working memory, executive functioning, processing speed, verbal learning, and verbal memory. Leucocyte telomere length was measured via blood and determined by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) providing a telomere to single copy ratio (T/S ratio). The T/S ratio was used as an estimate of the mean telomere length of each participant. All analyses were adjusted for medication, Daily Defined Dose (DDD), chronological age, sex, and ethnicity. RESULTS Patients had shorter telomere lengths than healthy controls (Cohen's d = 0.11, p = 0.01). Within patients', a positive association was observed for verbal learning and telomere length (β = 0.14, p = 0.025), along with a trend for verbal memory and telomere length (β = 0.11, p = 0.07). No other associations were observed for telomere length and cognitive functioning in the patient or the control group (p > 0.1). CONCLUSION Our study may suggest poorer brain health in bipolar disorder as indexed by shorter telomere length and reduced learning correlates. However, the role of telomere length on cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder seems limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vid Mlakar
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Viktoria Birkenæs
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Torbjørn Elvsaashagen
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Monica B E G Ormerod
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniel S Quintana
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; NevSom, Department of Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Torill Ueland
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Melle
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine V Lagerberg
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Carmen Martin-Ruiz
- BioScreening Core Facility-CAV, Ageing Research Laboratories, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, UK
| | - Nils Eiel Steen
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Monica Aas
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Dept. of Behavioural Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
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Crocco P, De Rango F, Dato S, La Grotta R, Maletta R, Bruni AC, Passarino G, Rose G. The Shortening of Leukocyte Telomere Length Contributes to Alzheimer's Disease: Further Evidence from Late-Onset Familial and Sporadic Cases. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1286. [PMID: 37886996 PMCID: PMC10604697 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that help maintain genomic stability. During aging, telomere length gradually shortens, producing short telomeres, which are markers of premature cellular senescence. This may contribute to age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), and based on this, several studies have hypothesized that telomere shortening may characterize AD. Current research, however, has been inconclusive regarding the direction of the association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and disease risk. We assessed the association between LTL and AD in a retrospective case-control study of a sample of 255 unrelated patients with late-onset AD (LOAD), including 120 sporadic cases and 135 with positive family history for LOAD, and a group of 279 cognitively healthy unrelated controls, who were all from Calabria, a southern Italian region. Following regression analysis, telomeres were found significantly shorter in LOAD cases than in controls (48% and 41% decrease for sporadic and familial cases, respectively; p < 0.001 for both). Interestingly, LTL was associated with disease risk independently of the presence of conventional risk factors (e.g., age, sex, MMSE scores, and the presence of the APOE-ε4 allele). Altogether, our findings lend support to the notion that LTL shortening may be an indicator of the pathogenesis of LOAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolina Crocco
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.C.); (F.D.R.); (S.D.); (R.L.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Francesco De Rango
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.C.); (F.D.R.); (S.D.); (R.L.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Serena Dato
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.C.); (F.D.R.); (S.D.); (R.L.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Rossella La Grotta
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.C.); (F.D.R.); (S.D.); (R.L.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Raffaele Maletta
- Regional Neurogenetic Centre, ASP Catanzaro, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy; (R.M.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Amalia Cecilia Bruni
- Regional Neurogenetic Centre, ASP Catanzaro, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy; (R.M.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Giuseppe Passarino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.C.); (F.D.R.); (S.D.); (R.L.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Giuseppina Rose
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.C.); (F.D.R.); (S.D.); (R.L.G.); (G.P.)
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Ruan Y, Lv W, Li S, Cheng Y, Wang D, Zhang C, Shimizu K. Identification of telomere-related genes associated with aging-related molecular clusters and the construction of a diagnostic model in Alzheimer's disease based on a bioinformatic analysis. Comput Biol Med 2023; 159:106922. [PMID: 37094463 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106922] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is strongly associated with aging. Telomeres are DNA sequences that protect chromosomes from damage and shorten with age. Telomere-related genes (TRGs) may play a role in AD's pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES To identify TRGs related to aging clusters in AD patients, explore their immunological characteristics, and build a TRG-based prediction model for AD and AD subtypes. METHODS We analyzed the gene expression profiles of 97 AD samples from the GSE132903 dataset, using aging-related genes (ARGs) as clustering variables. We also assessed immune-cell infiltration in each cluster. We performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify cluster-specific differentially expressed TRGs. We compared four machine-learning models (random forest, generalized linear model [GLM], gradient boosting model, and support vector machine) for predicting AD and AD subtypes based on TRGs and validated TRGs by conducting an artificial neural network (ANN) analysis and a nomogram model. RESULTS We identified two aging clusters in AD patients with distinct immunological features: Cluster A had higher immune scores than Cluster B. Cluster A and the immune system are intimately associated, and this association could affect immunological function and result in AD via the digestive system. The GLM predicted AD and AD subtypes most accurately and was validated by the ANN analysis and nomogram model. CONCLUSION Our analyses revealed novel TRGs associated with aging clusters in AD patients and their immunological characteristics. We also developed a promising prediction model based on TRGs for assessing AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ruan
- Laboratory of Systematic Forest and Forest Products Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Weichao Lv
- Sino-Jan Joint Lab of Natural Health Products Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Shuaiyu Li
- Saigo Laboratory, School of Information Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yuzhong Cheng
- Joint Graduate School of Mathematics for Innovation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Duanyang Wang
- Laboratory of Systematic Forest and Forest Products Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Chaofeng Zhang
- Sino-Jan Joint Lab of Natural Health Products Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Kuniyoshi Shimizu
- Laboratory of Systematic Forest and Forest Products Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.
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Lu L, Zeng H, Wan B, Sun M. Leukocyte telomere length and bipolar disorder risk: evidence from Mendelian randomization analysis. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15129. [PMID: 37020849 PMCID: PMC10069421 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective
We aim to test whether leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is causally associated with the risk of bipolar disorder (BD) using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method.
Methods
Results of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted with 472,174 individuals of European descent were used to screen for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related with LTL traits. Summary-level data for BD (7,647 cases and 27,303 controls) were obtained from UK Biobank. An inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) method was employed as the primary MR analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted via MR-Egger, maximum likelihood, MR-pleiotropy residual sum outlier (MR-PRESSO), and MR-robust adjusted profile score (MR-RAPS) methods. Finally, the MR Steiger test was utilized to validate the hypothesized relationship between exposure and outcome.
Results
Two-sample MR analysis revealed inverse relationships between genetically predicted LTL and BD risk (IVW OR [odds ratio] = 0.800, 95% CI [0.647–0.989] P = 0.039). Genetically predicted LTL exhibits a consistent connection with BD across five MR methods. Sensitivity analyses showed that the genetically determined effect of LTL on BD was stable and reliable. Furthermore, the MR Steiger test demonstrated that LTL was causal for BD rather than the opposite (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Our findings show that genetically determined LTL reduces the risk of BD. More research is required to clarify the mechanisms underlying this apparent causal connection. In addition, these findings may be useful for developing strategies for the prevention and treatment of BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Likui Lu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institute for Fetology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongtao Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institute for Fetology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bangbei Wan
- Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Reproductive Medical Center, Haikou, Hainan, China
- Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Department of Urology, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Miao Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institute for Fetology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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Zhao J, Huai J. Role of primary aging hallmarks in Alzheimer´s disease. Theranostics 2023; 13:197-230. [PMID: 36593969 PMCID: PMC9800733 DOI: 10.7150/thno.79535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, which severely threatens the health of the elderly and causes significant economic and social burdens. The causes of AD are complex and include heritable but mostly aging-related factors. The primary aging hallmarks include genomic instability, telomere wear, epigenetic changes, and loss of protein stability, which play a dominant role in the aging process. Although AD is closely associated with the aging process, the underlying mechanisms involved in AD pathogenesis have not been well characterized. This review summarizes the available literature about primary aging hallmarks and their roles in AD pathogenesis. By analyzing published literature, we attempted to uncover the possible mechanisms of aberrant epigenetic markers with related enzymes, transcription factors, and loss of proteostasis in AD. In particular, the importance of oxidative stress-induced DNA methylation and DNA methylation-directed histone modifications and proteostasis are highlighted. A molecular network of gene regulatory elements that undergoes a dynamic change with age may underlie age-dependent AD pathogenesis, and can be used as a new drug target to treat AD.
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Genetically predicted telomere length and Alzheimer’s disease endophenotypes: a Mendelian randomization study. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:167. [PMID: 36345036 PMCID: PMC9641781 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) is associated with biological aging, consequently influencing the risk of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to evaluate the potential causal role of TL in AD endophenotypes (i.e., cognitive performance, N = 2233; brain age and AD-related signatures, N = 1134; and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (CSF) of AD and neurodegeneration, N = 304) through a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Our analysis was conducted in the context of the ALFA (ALzheimer and FAmilies) study, a population of cognitively healthy individuals at risk of AD. A total of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with TL were used to determine the effect of TL on AD endophenotypes. Analyses were adjusted by age, sex, and years of education. Stratified analyses by APOE-ɛ4 status and polygenic risk score of AD were conducted. MR analysis revealed significant associations between genetically predicted longer TL and lower levels of CSF Aβ and higher levels of CSF NfL only in APOE-ɛ4 non-carriers. Moreover, inheriting longer TL was associated with greater cortical thickness in age and AD-related brain signatures and lower levels of CSF p-tau among individuals at a high genetic predisposition to AD. Further observational analyses are warranted to better understand these associations.
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Rodríguez-Fernández B, Domingo Gispert J, Guigo R, Navarro A, Vilor-Tejedor N, Crous-Bou M. Genetically predicted Telomere Length and its relationship with Neurodegenerative diseases and Life Expectancy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4251-4256. [PMID: 36051868 PMCID: PMC9399257 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Inheriting longer telomere length (TL) increases life expectancy. TL is associated with Alzheimer’s disease but no other neurodegenerative diseases. Diverse biological aging mechanisms might be involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of biological aging. Shorter telomeres have been associated with mortality and increased rates of age-related diseases. However, observational studies are unable to conclude whether TL is causally associated with those outcomes. Mendelian randomization (MR) was developed for assessing causality using genetic variants in epidemiological research. The objective of this study was to test the potential causal role of TL in neurodegenerative disorders and life expectancy through MR analysis. Summary level data were extracted from the most recent genome-wide association studies for TL, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and life expectancy. MR estimates revealed that longer telomeres inferred a protective effect on risk of AD (OR = 0.964; adjusted p-value = 0.039). Moreover, longer telomeres were significantly associated with increased life expectancy (βIVW = 0.011; adjusted p-value = 0.039). Sensitivity analyses suggested evidence for directional pleiotropy in AD analyses. Our results showed that genetically predicted longer TL may increase life expectancy and play a protective causal effect on AD. We did not observe significant causal relationships between longer TL and other neurodegenerative diseases. This suggests that the involvement of TL on specific biological mechanisms might differ between AD and life expectancy, with respect to that in other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the presence of pleiotropy may reflect the complex interplay between TL homeostasis and AD pathophysiology. Further observational studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Shu MJ, Li J, Zhu YC. Genetically predicted telomere length and multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 60:103731. [PMID: 35339005 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103731] [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: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous epidemiological studies have indicated a role for telomere length in multiple sclerosis (MS) severity and phenotype. However, these studies failed to establish the causality between telomere length and MS susceptibility. Hence, we performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the causal relationship between telomere length and MS susceptibility. METHODS We used data of genetic variants associated with leukocyte telomere length as instrumental variables (IVs), which was identified from the largest and latest genome-wide association study (GWAS) from UK Biobank (UKB) with 472,174 participants. Summary data of MS was obtained from the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium. We performed two-sample MR analyses using the inverse-variance weighted method as the primary approach. Other MR approaches, including the MR-Egger, the inverse variance weighted (multiplicative random effects), weighted median, simple median, weighted mode-based methods, and Causal Analysis Using Summary Effect estimates (CAUSE), were also conducted to detect the result robustness. RESULTS The genetic liability to longer telomere length was associated with a higher risk of MS susceptibility (odds ratio [OR] per one-SD telomere length, 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-2.47; P = 8.04 × 10-7). The results remained consistent across multiple sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the causal relationship between longer telomere length and increased risk of MS susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Jun Shu
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing 10073, China
| | - Jiarui Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 10073, China
| | - Yi-Cheng Zhu
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing 10073, China.
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