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Nieves-Rodriguez S, Barthélémy F, Woods JD, Douine ED, Wang RT, Scripture-Adams DD, Chesmore KN, Galasso F, Miceli MC, Nelson SF. Transcriptomic analysis of paired healthy human skeletal muscles to identify modulators of disease severity in DMD. Front Genet 2023; 14:1216066. [PMID: 37576554 PMCID: PMC10415210 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1216066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle damage and fibro-fatty replacement of skeletal muscles is a main pathologic feature of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with more proximal muscles affected earlier and more distal affected later in the disease course, suggesting that different skeletal muscle groups possess distinctive characteristics that influence their susceptibility to disease. To explore transcriptomic factors driving differential gene expression and modulating DMD skeletal muscle severity, we characterized the transcriptome of vastus lateralis (VL), a more proximal and susceptible muscle, relative to tibialis anterior (TA), a more distal and protected muscle, in 15 healthy individuals using bulk RNA sequencing to identify gene expression differences that may mediate their relative susceptibility to damage with loss of dystrophin. Matching single nuclei RNA sequencing data was generated for 3 of the healthy individuals, to infer cell composition in the bulk RNA sequencing dataset and to improve mapping of differentially expressed genes to their cell source of expression. A total of 3,410 differentially expressed genes were identified and mapped to cell type using single nuclei RNA sequencing of muscle, including long non-coding RNAs and protein coding genes. There was an enrichment of genes involved in calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, particularly in the myofibers and these myofiber genes were higher in the VL. There was an enrichment of genes in "Collagen-Containing Extracellular Matrix" expressed by fibroblasts, endothelial, smooth muscle and pericytes, with most genes higher in the TA, as well as genes in "Regulation Of Apoptotic Process" expressed across all cell types. Previously reported genetic modifiers were also enriched within the differentially expressed genes. We also identify 6 genes with differential isoform usage between the VL and TA. Lastly, we integrate our findings with DMD RNA sequencing data from the TA, and identify "Collagen-Containing Extracellular Matrix" and "Negative Regulation Of Apoptotic Process" as differentially expressed between DMD compared to healthy. Collectively, these findings propose novel candidate mechanisms that may mediate differential muscle susceptibility in muscular dystrophies and provide new insight into potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Nieves-Rodriguez
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Florian Barthélémy
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jeremy D. Woods
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Emilie D. Douine
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Richard T. Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Deirdre D. Scripture-Adams
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kevin N. Chesmore
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Francesca Galasso
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - M. Carrie Miceli
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stanley F. Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Maculewicz E, Leońska-Duniec A, Mastalerz A, Szarska E, Garbacz A, Lepionka T, Łakomy R, Anyżewska A, Bertrandt J. The Influence of FTO, FABP2, LEP, LEPR, and MC4R Genes on Obesity Parameters in Physically Active Caucasian Men. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106030. [PMID: 35627568 PMCID: PMC9141290 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a complex multifactorial abnormality that has a well-confirmed genetic basis. However, the problem still lies in identifying the polymorphisms linked to body mass and composition. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze associations between FTO (rs9939609), FABP2 (rs1799883), and LEP (rs2167270), LEPR (rs1137101), and MC4R (rs17782313) polymorphisms and obesity-related parameters. Unrelated Caucasian males (n = 165) were recruited. All participants had similar physical activity levels. The participants were divided into two groups depending on their body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI). All samples were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). When tested individually, only one statistically significant result was found. The FTO A/T polymorphism was significantly associated with FMI (p = 0.01). The chance of having increased FMI was >2-fold higher for the FTO A allele carriers (p < 0.01). Gene−gene interaction analyses showed the additional influence of all investigated genes on BMI and FMI. In summary, it was demonstrated that harboring the FTO A allele might be a risk factor for elevated fat mass. Additionally, this study confirmed that all five polymorphisms are involved in the development of common obesity in the studied population and the genetic risk of obesity is linked to the accumulation of numerous variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Maculewicz
- Faculty of Physical Education, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Agata Leońska-Duniec
- Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Mastalerz
- Faculty of Physical Education, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ewa Szarska
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (E.S.); (T.L.); (R.Ł.)
| | - Aleksandra Garbacz
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal Breeding, Bioengineering and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Lepionka
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (E.S.); (T.L.); (R.Ł.)
| | - Roman Łakomy
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (E.S.); (T.L.); (R.Ł.)
| | - Anna Anyżewska
- University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Okopowa 59, 01-043 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Jerzy Bertrandt
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biala Podlaska, 21-500 Biala Podlaska, Poland;
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Franzago M, Di Nicola M, Fraticelli F, Marchioni M, Stuppia L, Vitacolonna E. Nutrigenetic variants and response to diet/lifestyle intervention in obese subjects: a pilot study. Acta Diabetol 2022; 59:69-81. [PMID: 34480216 PMCID: PMC8758637 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-021-01787-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Nutritional and lifestyle interventions can contribute to prevent and treat obesity and its complications; however, genetic background may influence the success of a therapy. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of the interaction between nutrigenetic variants and nutritional intervention, as well as the changes in clinical parameters and the adherence to Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and to physical activity, of 18 overweight or obese subjects affected by T2D or dysglycemia included in a nutritional program. METHODS The subjects' clinical parameters as well as their PREDIMED score and physical activity levels were recorded and compared at baseline, at 6 months and at the end of the intervention. Rs9939609 in FTO, rs17782313 near MC4R, rs326 in LPL, rs16147 in NPY, rs2943641 near IRS-1 were genotyped. RESULTS The subjects carrying the A allele in FTO lost less weight (p = 0.022) and had a lower BMI decrease from baseline to 12 months (p-interaction = 0.047) than TT carriers. In addition, there was a significant PREDIMED score modification over time, according to genotypes for FTO rs9939609 (p = 0.025) and NPY rs16147 (p = 0.039), respectively. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings show a significant interaction between genetic variants and the PREDIMED score, suggesting that individuals carrying the FTO variant may lose less weight than non-carriers through diet/lifestyle intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Franzago
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marta Di Nicola
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Federica Fraticelli
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Michele Marchioni
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ester Vitacolonna
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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Ma Y, Chen G, Yi J, Li Q, Tan Z, Fan W, Luo X, He Z, Si Z, Li J. IRX3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease by regulating hepatic lipid metabolism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:895593. [PMID: 35957832 PMCID: PMC9360787 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.895593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects approximately a quarter of the global population. Identification of the key genes and pathways involved in hepatic lipid metabolism is of the utmost importance for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of MAFLD. In this study, differentially expressed genes were identified through whole-genome transcriptional analysis of liver tissue from MAFLD patients and healthy controls, and a series of lipid metabolism-related molecules and pathways were obtained through pathway analysis. Subsequently, we focused on Iroquois homeobox protein 3 (IRX3), one of 13 transcription factors that were screened from the 331 differentially expressed genes. The transcription factor IRX3 was significantly decreased in the liver tissue of patients with MAFLD when compared with healthy controls. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of IRX3 in liver tissue were negatively correlated with serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acid levels. The overexpression and interference of IRX3 induced the increased and decreased lipid droplet accumulation in vitro, respectively. Moreover, interference of IRX3 expression increased mitochondrial fragmentation and reduced the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV. In summary, the study demonstrated that IRX3 regulated hepatic lipid metabolism of MAFLD, and also revealed the effect of IRX3 on mitochondria might be an important mechanism by which IRX3 regulated hepatic lipid metabolism of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Ma
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangshun Chen
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Transplant Medical Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junfang Yi
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Transplant Medical Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Wenling Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaohua Luo
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiyong He
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhongzhou Si
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Transplant Medical Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiequn Li
- Department of Liver Transplant, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Transplant Medical Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Jiequn Li,
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Franzago M, Fraticelli F, Marchioni M, Di Nicola M, Di Sebastiano F, Liberati M, Stuppia L, Vitacolonna E. Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene epigenetic modifications in gestational diabetes: new insights and possible pathophysiological connections. Acta Diabetol 2021; 58:997-1007. [PMID: 33743080 PMCID: PMC8272710 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-020-01668-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can lead to short- and long-term complications for the child. Epigenetic alterations could contribute to explaining the metabolic disturbances associated with foetal programming. Although the role of the FTO gene remains unclear, it affects metabolic phenotypes probably mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess whether placental DNA epigenetic modifications at FTO promoter-associated cysteine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites are correlated with GDM. A secondary aim was to evaluate the association between the placental FTO DNA methylation and the maternal metabolic traits in women with and without GDM. METHODS Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical parameters at the third trimester of pregnancy, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity were assessed in 33 GDM women and 27 controls. Clinical information about the newborns was registered at birth. The FTO rs9939609 (T > A) was genotyped. RESULTS No association between FTO DNA methylation and GDM was found. DNA methylation on the maternal side at the CpG1 was associated with maternal smoking in GDM (p = 0.034), and DNA methylation at the CpG3 was correlated with smoking or former smoking in controls (p = 0.023). A higher level of TGs was correlated with higher foetal placental DNA methylation at the CpG2 (p = 0.036) in GDM. An inverse association between HDL-C and maternal placental DNA methylation at the CpG3 in controls (p = 0.045) was found. An association between FTO rs9939609 and neonatal birthweight (p = 0.033) was detected. CONCLUSIONS In the awareness that the obesity pathophysiology is complex, the study adds a piece to this intricate mosaic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Franzago
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Federica Fraticelli
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Michele Marchioni
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G.D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marta Di Nicola
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G.D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Sebastiano
- Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, SS. Annunziata Hospital, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Liberati
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ester Vitacolonna
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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Chen X, Gao Y, Yang X, Zhang H, Mo Z, Tan A. Relationship of FTO gene variations with NAFLD risk in Chinese men. Open Life Sci 2021; 15:860-867. [PMID: 33817272 PMCID: PMC7874577 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2020-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is an obesity susceptibility gene and its relationship with the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationships of FTO gene variations with NAFLD risk in a Chinese male population. Methods A 1:2 matched case–control study was performed on 275 cases of NAFLD and 550 controls matched for age. Nine of the FTO gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. Results Logistic regression analysis found that FTO rs1477196 was significantly associated with the susceptibility to NAFLD in recessive genetic models [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–5.19, P = 0.012] and the relativity weakened after further adjustment for body mass index (BMI), uric acid, metabolic syndrome, smoking, and drinking (adjusted OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 0.96–4.99, P = 0.06). In the obese group, the AA + AG genotypes of rs1121980 and rs9940128 were associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD, when compared with the GG genotype, respectively (rs1121980: adjusted OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.39–0.99, P = 0.044; rs9940128: adjusted OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.38–0.97, P = 0.038). Furthermore, rs1477196 was associated with the severity of NAFLD (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.09–7.94, P = 0.034). Conclusions Our results demonstrated that the FTO gene was related to the presence and severity of NAFLD in a Chinese male population, and the relationships of the tested SNPs with NAFLD are most probably mediated by BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefen Chen
- Department of chemotherapy, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Yong Gao
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Zengnan Mo
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Aihua Tan
- Department of chemotherapy, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
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Franzago M, Sabovic I, Franchi S, De Santo M, Di Nisio A, Luddi A, Piomboni P, Vitacolonna E, Stuppia L, Foresta C. Sperm DNA Methylation at Metabolism-Related Genes in Vegan Subjects. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:633943. [PMID: 33767672 PMCID: PMC7985526 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.633943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate if epigenome of sperm cells could be dynamically affected by nutrition. Design and Methods We assessed 40 healthy volunteers with different dietary habits and collected their demographic characteristics, as well as clinical and anthropometric parameters. We compared methylation profiles in sperm quantified by bisulfite pyrosequencing, at promoter-associated CpG sites of genes involved in metabolism including fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) from six vegans and 34 omnivores. In addition, the FTO rs9939609 (T>A) was genotyped. Results Higher DNA methylation levels were detected in the sperm of vegan at FTO gene CpG1 (p=0.02), CpG2 (p=0.001), CpG3 (p=0.004), and CpG4 (p=0.003) sites and at MC4R-CpG2 site [p=0.016] as compared to sperm of omnivores. This association was not related to FTO genotype. Conclusions Although limited by the small number of investigated cases, our data provide insight into the role of diet on sperm DNA methylation in genes involved in metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Franzago
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Iva Sabovic
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Franchi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Di Nisio
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Luddi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Paola Piomboni
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ester Vitacolonna
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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