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Gescher DM, Schanze D, Vavra P, Wolff P, Zimmer-Bensch G, Zenker M, Frodl T, Schmahl C. Differential methylation of OPRK1 in borderline personality disorder is associated with childhood trauma. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02628-z. [PMID: 38862675 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02628-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
According to a growing body of neurobiological evidence, the core symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) may be linked to an opioidergic imbalance between the hedonic and stimulatory activity of mu opioid receptors (MOR) and the reward system inhibiting effects of kappa opioid receptors (KOR). Childhood trauma (CT), which is etiologically relevant to BPD, is also likely to lead to epigenetic and neurobiological adaptations by extensive activation of the stress and endogenous opioid systems. In this study, we investigated the methylation differences in the promoter of the KOR gene (OPRK1) in subjects with BPD (N = 47) and healthy controls (N = 48). Comparing the average methylation rates of regulatorily relevant subregions (specified regions CGI-1, CGI-2, EH1), we found no differences between BPD and HC. Analyzing individual CG nucleotides (N = 175), we found eight differentially methylated CG sites, all of which were less methylated in BPD, with five showing highly interrelated methylation rates. This differentially methylated region (DMR) was found on the falling slope (5') of the promoter methylation gap, whose effect is enhanced by the DMR hypomethylation in BPD. A dimensional assessment of the correlation between disease severity and DMR methylation rate revealed DMR hypomethylation to be negatively associated with BPD symptom severity (measured by BSL-23). Finally, analyzing the influence of CT on DMR methylation, we found DMR hypomethylation to correlate with physical and emotional neglect in childhood (quantified by CTQ). Thus, the newly identified DMR may be a biomarker of the risks caused by CT, which likely epigenetically contribute to the development of BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee Maria Gescher
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Denny Schanze
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Vavra
- Department of Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Philip Wolff
- Division of Neuroepigenetics, Institute of Zoology (Biology II), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch
- Division of Neuroepigenetics, Institute of Zoology (Biology II), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
- Center for Intervention and Research on adaptive and maladaptive brain Circuits underlying mental health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Marson F, Zampieri M, Verdone L, Bacalini MG, Ravaioli F, Morandi L, Chiarella SG, Vetriani V, Venditti S, Caserta M, Raffone A, Dotan Ben-Soussan T, Reale A. Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) is associated with DNA methylation changes at DNA repeats: A pilot study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293199. [PMID: 37878626 PMCID: PMC10599555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293199] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of non-coding repeated DNA by DNA methylation plays an important role in genomic stability, contributing to health and healthy aging. Mind-body practices can elicit psychophysical wellbeing via epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. However, in this context the effects of movement meditations have rarely been examined. Consequently, the current study investigates the effects of a specifically structured movement meditation, called the Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) on psychophysical wellbeing and on the methylation level of repeated sequences. An 8-week daily QMT program was administered to healthy women aged 40-60 years and compared with a passive control group matched for gender and age. Psychological well-being was assessed within both groups by using self-reporting scales, including the Meaning in Life Questionnaire [MLQ] and Psychological Wellbeing Scale [PWB]). DNA methylation profiles of repeated sequences (ribosomal DNA, LINE-1 and Alu) were determined in saliva samples by deep-sequencing. In contrast to controls, the QMT group exhibited increased Search for Meaning, decreased Presence of Meaning and increased Positive Relations, suggesting that QMT may lessen the automatic patterns of thinking. In the QMT group, we also found site-specific significant methylation variations in ribosomal DNA and LINE-1 repeats, consistent with increased genome stability. Finally, the correlations found between changes in methylation and psychometric indices (MLQ and PWB) suggest that the observed epigenetic and psychological changes are interrelated. Collectively, the current results indicate that QMT may improve psychophysical health trajectories by influencing the DNA methylation of specific repetitive sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Marson
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, Assisi, Italy
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Zampieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Verdone
- CNR Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Council of Research (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Bacalini
- Brain Aging Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Ravaioli
- Dep. of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Morandi
- Dep. of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Functional and Molecular Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gaetano Chiarella
- Institute of Sciences and Technologies of Cognition (ISTC), National Council of Research (CNR), Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Vetriani
- Dept. of Biology and biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Venditti
- Dept. of Biology and biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Micaela Caserta
- CNR Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Council of Research (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Raffone
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, Assisi, Italy
| | - Anna Reale
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Santiago NA, He B, Howard SL, Beaudin S, Strupp BJ, Smith DR. Developmental Manganese Exposure Causes Lasting Attention Deficits Accompanied by Dysregulation of mTOR Signaling and Catecholaminergic Gene Expression in Brain Prefrontal Cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.16.549215. [PMID: 37503220 PMCID: PMC10370122 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.16.549215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Elevated manganese (Mn) exposure is associated with attentional deficits in children, and is an environmental risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We have shown that developmental Mn exposure causes lasting attention and sensorimotor deficits in a rat model of early childhood Mn exposure, and that these deficits are associated with a hypofunctioning catecholaminergic system in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), though the mechanistic basis for these deficits is not well understood. To address this, male Long-Evans rats were exposed orally to Mn (50 mg/kg/d) over PND 1-21 and attentional function was assessed in adulthood using the 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task. Targeted catecholaminergic system and epigenetic gene expression, followed by unbiased differential DNA methylation and gene regulation expression transcriptomics in the PFC, were performed in young adult littermates. Results show that developmental Mn exposure causes lasting focused attention deficits that are associated with reduced gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter, and DNA methyltransferase 3a. Further, developmental Mn exposure causes broader lasting methylation and gene expression dysregulation associated with epigenetic regulation, inflammation, cell development, and hypofunctioning catecholaminergic neuronal systems. Pathway enrichment analyses uncovered mTOR and Wnt signaling pathway genes as significant transcriptomic regulators of the Mn altered transcriptome, and Western blot of total, C1 and C2 phospho-mTOR confirmed mTOR pathway dysregulation. Our findings deepen our understanding of the mechanistic basis of how developmental Mn exposure leads to lasting catecholaminergic dysfunction and attention deficits, which may aid future therapeutic interventions of environmental exposure associated disorders. Significance Statement Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with environmental risk factors, including exposure to neurotoxic agents. Here we used a rodent model of developmental manganese (Mn) exposure producing lasting attention deficits to show broad epigenetic and gene expression changes in the prefrontal cortex, and to identify disrupted mTOR and Wnt signaling pathways as a novel mechanism for how developmental Mn exposure may induce lasting attention and catecholaminergic system impairments. Importantly, our findings establish early development as a critical period of susceptibility to lasting deficits in attentional function caused by elevated environmental toxicant exposure. Given that environmental health threats disproportionately impact communities of color and low socioeconomic status, our findings can aid future studies to assess therapeutic interventions for vulnerable populations.
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KLF16 enhances stress tolerance of colorectal carcinomas by modulating nucleolar homeostasis and translational reprogramming. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2828-2843. [PMID: 35524408 PMCID: PMC9372374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational reprogramming is part of the unfolded protein response (UPR) during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which acts to the advantage of cancer growth and development in different stress conditions. But the mechanism of ER stress-related translational reprogramming in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) progression remains unclear. Here, we identified that Krüppel-Like Factor 16 (KLF16) can promote CRC progression and stress tolerance through translational reprogramming. The expression of KLF16 was upregulated in CRC tissues and associated with poor prognosis for CRC patients. We found that ER stress inducers can recruit KLF16 to the nucleolus and increase its interaction with two essential proteins for nucleolar homeostasis, nucleophosmin1 (NPM1) and fibrillarin (FBL). Moreover, knockdown of KLF16 can dysregulate nucleolar homeostasis in CRC cells. Translation-reporter system and polysome profiling assays further showed that KLF16 can effectively promote cap-independent translation of ATF4, which can enhance ER-phagy and proliferation of CRC cells. Overall, our study unveils a previously unrecognized role for KLF16 as an ER stress regulator through mediating translational reprogramming to enhance stress tolerance of CRC cells and provides a potential therapeutic vulnerability.
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Hillemacher T, Rhein M, Burkert A, Heberlein A, Wilhelm J, Glahn A, Muschler MAN, Kahl KG, Kornhuber J, Bleich S, Frieling H. DNA-methylation of the dopamin receptor 2 gene is altered during alcohol withdrawal. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1250-1257. [PMID: 31530416 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The dopaminergic neurotransmission is known to be of crucial importance in addictive behavior. Epigenetic regulation like methylation of DNA influences the function of dopaminergic transmission. The present study investigated alterations of DNA methylation in the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2)-gene in patients suffering from alcohol dependence. The study sample consists of 99 alcohol dependent males admitted for alcohol withdrawal treatment and a control group of 33 healthy participants. Blood samples underwent bisulfite sequencing to determine levels of DNA-methylation of the promoter region of the DRD2 gene. Mixed linear modeling was used to test differences between patients and controls, course of methylation during detoxification. While DRD2-gene methylation did not differ significantly between patients and controls, we found a significant increase of DRD2-gene methylation during alcohol withdrawal/early abstinence. Craving, measured with the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), was significantly associated with DRD2-gene methylation. Furthermore, smoking significantly influenced DRD2-gene methylation in both, patients and controls. As in other types of addictive disorders, DRD2-gene methylation is altered during alcohol withdrawal/early abstinence. The findings regarding an association with alcohol craving and tobacco consumption point towards a crucial role of DRD2-gene methylation in the neurobiology of addictive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hillemacher
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Mathias Rhein
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Alexandra Burkert
- Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Annemarie Heberlein
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Wilhelm
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Glahn
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Marc Andre Nicolas Muschler
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Kai G Kahl
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
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Marceau EM, Meuldijk D, Townsend ML, Solowij N, Grenyer BF. Biomarker correlates of psychotherapy outcomes in borderline personality disorder: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 94:166-178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We review the existing literature on gene-environment interactions (G×E) and epigenetic changes primarily in borderline personality disorder (BPD) but also in antisocial, schizotypal, and avoidant personality disorders. RECENT FINDINGS Research supports that susceptibility genes to BPD or its underlying traits may be expressed under certain environmental conditions such as physical or childhood sexual abuse. Epigenetic modifications of neurodevelopment- and stress-related genes are suggested to underlie the relationship between early life adversary and borderline personality disorder. Only limited studies have investigated the role of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic changes in the genesis of antisocial, schizotypal, and avoidant personality disorders. Considering the lack of pharmacological treatment for most personality disorders, the emerging evidence on the critical role of G×E and epigenetic changes in the genesis of personality disorders could help develop more biologically oriented therapeutic approaches. Future studies should explore the potential of this new therapeutic dimension.
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Flunkert J, Maierhofer A, Dittrich M, Müller T, Horvath S, Nanda I, Haaf T. Genetic and epigenetic changes in clonal descendants of irradiated human fibroblasts. Exp Cell Res 2018; 370:322-332. [PMID: 29964050 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
To study delayed genetic and epigenetic radiation effects, which may trigger radiation-induced carcinogenesis, we have established single-cell clones from irradiated and non-irradiated primary human fibroblasts. Stable clones were endowed with the same karyotype in all analyzed metaphases after 20 population doublings (PDs), whereas unstable clones displayed mosaics of normal and abnormal karyotypes. To account for variation in radiation sensitivity, all experiments were performed with two different fibroblast strains. After a single X-ray dose of 2 Gy more than half of the irradiated clones exhibited radiation-induced genome instability (RIGI). Irradiated clones displayed an increased rate of loss of chromosome Y (LOY) and copy number variations (CNVs), compared to controls. CNV breakpoints clustered in specific chromosome regions, in particular 3p14.2 and 7q11.21, coinciding with common fragile sites. CNVs affecting the FHIT gene in FRA3B were observed in independent unstable clones and may drive RIGI. Bisulfite pyrosequencing of control clones and the respective primary culture revealed global hypomethylation of ALU, LINE-1, and alpha-satellite repeats as well as rDNA hypermethylation during in vitro ageing. Irradiated clones showed further reduced ALU and alpha-satellite methylation and increased rDNA methylation, compared to controls. Methylation arrays identified several hundred differentially methylated genes and several enriched pathways associated with in vitro ageing. Methylation changes in 259 genes and the MAP kinase signaling pathway were associated with delayed radiation effects (after 20 PDs). Collectively, our results suggest that both genetic (LOY and CNVs) and epigenetic changes occur in the progeny of exposed cells that were not damaged directly by irradiation, likely contributing to radiation-induced carcinogenesis. We did not observe epigenetic differences between stable and unstable irradiated clones. The fact that the DNA methylation (DNAm) age of clones derived from the same primary culture varied greatly suggests that DNAm age of a single cell (represented by a clone) can be quite different from the DNAm age of a tissue. We propose that DNAm age reflects the emergent property of a large number of individual cells whose respective DNAm ages can be highly variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Flunkert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Maierhofer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Dittrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Indrajit Nanda
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Haaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
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Bassir Nia A, Eveleth MC, Gabbay JM, Hassan YJ, Zhang B, Perez-Rodriguez MM. Past, present, and future of genetic research in borderline personality disorder. Curr Opin Psychol 2018; 21:60-68. [PMID: 29032046 PMCID: PMC5847441 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a major mental illness with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 1-3%, characterized by a persistent pattern of instability in relationships, mood, impulse regulation, and sense of self. This results in impulsive self-damaging behavior, high suicide rates, and severe functional impairment. BPD has a complex, multifactorial etiology, resulting from an interaction among genetic and environmental substrates, and has moderate to high heritability based on twin and family studies. However, our understanding of the genetic architecture of BPD is very limited. This is a critical obstacle since genetics can pave the way for identifying new treatment targets and developing preventive and disease-modifying pharmacological treatments which are currently lacking. We review genetic studies in BPD, with a focus on limitations and challenges and future directions. Genetic research in BPD is still in its very early stages compared to other major psychiatric disorders. Most early genetic studies in BPD were non-replicated association studies in small samples, focused on single candidate genes. More recently, there has been one genome-wide linkage study and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of subclinical BPD traits and a first GWAS in a relatively modest sample of patients fulfilling full diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Although there are adequate animal models for some of the core dimensions of BPD, there is a lack of translational research including data from animal models in BPD. Research in more pioneering fields, such as imaging genetics, deep sequencing and epigenetics, holds promise for elucidating the pathophysiology of BPD and identifying new treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Bassir Nia
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Matthew C Eveleth
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jonathan M Gabbay
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yonis J Hassan
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Bosi Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - M Mercedes Perez-Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; The Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; CIBERSAM, Autonoma University, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz and Ramon y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
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Del Gobbo GF, Price EM, Hanna CW, Robinson WP. No evidence for association of MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C variants with placental DNA methylation. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:34. [PMID: 29564022 PMCID: PMC5851070 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0468-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in one-carbon metabolism that ensures the availability of methyl groups for methylation reactions. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MTHFR gene, 677C>T and 1298A>C, result in a thermolabile enzyme with reduced function. These variants, in both the maternal and/or fetal genes, have been associated with pregnancy complications including miscarriage, neural tube defects (NTDs), and preeclampsia (PE), perhaps due to altered capacity for DNA methylation (DNAm). In this study, we assessed the association between MTHFR 677TT and 1298CC genotypes and risk of NTDs, PE, or normotensive intrauterine growth restriction (nIUGR). Additionally, we assessed whether these high-risk genotypes are associated with altered DNAm in the placenta. Results In 303 placentas screened for this study, we observed no significant association between the occurrence of NTDs (N = 55), PE (early-onset: N = 28, late-onset: N = 20), or nIUGR (N = 21) and placental (fetal) MTHFR 677TT or 1298CC genotypes compared to healthy pregnancies (N = 179), though a trend of increased 677TT genotype in PE/IUGR together was observed (OR 2.53, p = 0.048). DNAm was profiled in 10 high-risk 677 (677TT + 1298AA), 10 high-risk 1298 (677CC + 1298CC), and 10 reference (677CC + 1298AA) genotype placentas. Linear modeling identified no significantly differentially methylated sites between high-risk 677 or 1298 and reference placentas at a false discovery rate < 0.05 and Δβ ≥ 0.05 using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Using a differentially methylated region analysis or separating cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpGs) by CpG density to reduce multiple comparisons also did not identify differential methylation. Additionally, there was no consistent evidence for altered methylation of repetitive DNA between high-risk and reference placentas. Conclusions We conclude that large-scale, genome-wide disruption in DNAm does not occur in placentas with the high-risk MTHFR 677TT or 1298CC genotypes. Furthermore, there was no evidence for an association of the 1298CC genotype and only a tendency to higher 677TT in pregnancy complications of PE/IUGR. This may be due to small sample sizes or folate repletion in our Canadian population attenuating effects of the high-risk MTHFR variants. However, given our results and the conflicting results in the literature, investigations into alternative mechanisms that may explain the link between MTHFR variants and pregnancy complications, or in populations at risk of folate deficiencies, are warranted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-018-0468-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia F Del Gobbo
- 1BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada.,2Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - E Magda Price
- 1BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada.,2Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Courtney W Hanna
- 3Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT UK.,4Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG UK
| | - Wendy P Robinson
- 1BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada.,2Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada.,5Child and Family Research Institute, Room 2082, 950 W 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
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Pan G, Jiang L, Tang J, Guo F. A Novel Computational Method for Detecting DNA Methylation Sites with DNA Sequence Information and Physicochemical Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020511. [PMID: 29419752 PMCID: PMC5855733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important biochemical process, and it has a close connection with many types of cancer. Research about DNA methylation can help us to understand the regulation mechanism and epigenetic reprogramming. Therefore, it becomes very important to recognize the methylation sites in the DNA sequence. In the past several decades, many computational methods—especially machine learning methods—have been developed since the high-throughout sequencing technology became widely used in research and industry. In order to accurately identify whether or not a nucleotide residue is methylated under the specific DNA sequence context, we propose a novel method that overcomes the shortcomings of previous methods for predicting methylation sites. We use k-gram, multivariate mutual information, discrete wavelet transform, and pseudo amino acid composition to extract features, and train a sparse Bayesian learning model to do DNA methylation prediction. Five criteria—area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC), accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SN), and specificity—are used to evaluate the prediction results of our method. On the benchmark dataset, we could reach 0.8632 on AUC, 0.8017 on ACC, 0.5558 on MCC, and 0.7268 on SN. Additionally, the best results on two scBS-seq profiled mouse embryonic stem cells datasets were 0.8896 and 0.9511 by AUC, respectively. When compared with other outstanding methods, our method surpassed them on the accuracy of prediction. The improvement of AUC by our method compared to other methods was at least 0.0399. For the convenience of other researchers, our code has been uploaded to a file hosting service, and can be downloaded from: https://figshare.com/s/0697b692d802861282d3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaofeng Pan
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
- Tianjin University Institute of Computational Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Limin Jiang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
- Tianjin University Institute of Computational Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Jijun Tang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
- Tianjin University Institute of Computational Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | - Fei Guo
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
- Tianjin University Institute of Computational Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Gescher DM, Kahl KG, Hillemacher T, Frieling H, Kuhn J, Frodl T. Epigenetics in Personality Disorders: Today's Insights. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:579. [PMID: 30510522 PMCID: PMC6252387 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Epigenetic mechanisms have been described in several mental disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. However, less is known about the influence of epigenetic mechanisms with regard to personality disorders (PD). Therefore, we conducted a literature review on existing original data with regards to epigenetic peculiarities in connection with personality disorders. Methods: Systematic literature review using PRISMA guidelines. Search was performed via NCBI PubMed by keywords and their combinations. Used search terms included "epigenetic," "methylation," "acetylation" plus designations of specified personality traits and disorders according to DSM-IV. Results: Search yielded in total 345 publications, 257 thereof with psychiatric topic, 72 on personality disorder or traits, 43 of which were in humans and epigenetic, 23 thereof were original studies. Lastly, 23 original publications fulfilled the intended search criteria and were included. Those are 13 studies on gene methylation pattern with aggressive, antisocial and impulsive traits, 9 with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and 2 with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). The results of these studies showed significant associations of PD with methylation aberrances in system-wide genes and suggest evidence for epigenetic processes in the development of personality traits and personality disorders. Environmental factors, of which childhood trauma showed a high impact, interfered with many neurofunctional genes. Methylation alterations in ASPD and BPD repeatedly affected HTR2A, HTR3A, NR3C1, and MAOA genes. Summary: Epigenetic studies in PD seem to be a useful approach to elucidate the interaction of co-working risk factors in the pathogenesis of personality traits and disorders. However, the complexity of pathogenesis leads to divergent results and impedes an explicit interpretation. Differing methylation patterns within the selected PD could indicate subgroups which would benefit from patient-oriented therapeutic adjustments. They might play a major role in the future design and observation of early therapeutic intervention and thus could help to prevent severe dysfunctional conduct or full-blown personality disorder in risk subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee Maria Gescher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kai G Kahl
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Thomas Hillemacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Jens Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany
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Kader F, Ghai M, Maharaj L. The effects of DNA methylation on human psychology. Behav Brain Res 2017; 346:47-65. [PMID: 29237550 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic modification in the human genome; pivotal in development, genomic imprinting, X inactivation, chromosome stability, gene expression and methylation aberrations are involved in an array of human diseases. Methylation at promoters is associated with transcriptional repression, whereas gene body methylation is generally associated with gene expression. Extrinsic factors such as age, diets and lifestyle affect DNA methylation which consequently alters gene expression. Stress, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, emotion among numerous other psychological factors also modify DNA methylation patterns. This correlation is frequently investigated in four candidate genes; NR3C1, SLC6A4, BDNF and OXTR, since regulation of these genes directly impact responses to social situations, stress, threats, behaviour and neural functions. Such studies underpin the hypothesis that DNA methylation is involved in deviant human behaviour, psychological and psychiatric conditions. These candidate genes may be targeted in future to assess the correlation between methylation, social experiences and long-term behavioural phenotypes in humans; and may potentially serve as biomarkers for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzeen Kader
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000 South Africa.
| | - Meenu Ghai
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000 South Africa.
| | - Leah Maharaj
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000 South Africa.
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Cattane N, Rossi R, Lanfredi M, Cattaneo A. Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: exploring the affected biological systems and mechanisms. BMC Psychiatry 2017; 17:221. [PMID: 28619017 PMCID: PMC5472954 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to several studies, the onset of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) depends on the combination between genetic and environmental factors (GxE), in particular between biological vulnerabilities and the exposure to traumatic experiences during childhood. We have searched for studies reporting possible alterations in several biological processes and brain morphological features in relation to childhood trauma experiences and to BPD. We have also looked for epigenetic mechanisms as they could be mediators of the effects of childhood trauma in BPD vulnerability. DISCUSSION We prove the role of alterations in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, in neurotrasmission, in the endogenous opioid system and in neuroplasticity in the childhood trauma-associated vulnerability to develop BPD; we also confirm the presence of morphological changes in several BPD brain areas and in particular in those involved in stress response. Not so many studies are available on epigenetic changes in BPD patients, although these mechanisms are widely investigated in relation to stress-related disorders. A better comprehension of the biological and epigenetic mechanisms, affected by childhood trauma and altered in BPD patients, could allow to identify "at high risk" subjects and to prevent or minimize the development of the disease later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Cattane
- grid.419422.8Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, via Pilastroni 4, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Rossi
- grid.419422.8Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, via Pilastroni 4, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mariangela Lanfredi
- grid.419422.8Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, via Pilastroni 4, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cattaneo
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, via Pilastroni 4, Brescia, Italy. .,Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK. .,Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We review the literature on the use and potential use of computational psychiatry methods in Borderline Personality Disorder. RECENT FINDINGS Computational approaches have been used in psychiatry to increase our understanding of the molecular, circuit, and behavioral basis of mental illness. This is of particular interest in BPD, where the collection of ecologically valid data, especially in interpersonal settings, is becoming more common and more often subject to quantification. Methods that test learning and memory in social contexts, collect data from real-world settings, and relate behavior to molecular and circuit networks are yielding data of particular interest. SUMMARY Research in BPD should focus on collaborative efforts to design and interpret experiments with direct relevance to core BPD symptoms and potential for translation to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dylan Stahl
- Yale University Department of Psychiatry
- Knox College
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