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Miller RG, Mychaleckyj JC, Onengut-Gumuscu S, Orchard TJ, Costacou T. An Epigenome-Wide Association Study of DNA Methylation and Proliferative Retinopathy over 28 Years in Type 1 Diabetes. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2024; 4:100497. [PMID: 38601260 PMCID: PMC11004204 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2024.100497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Purpose To perform a prospective epigenome-wide association study of DNA methylation (DNAm) and 28-year proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) incidence in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Design Prospective observational cohort study. Participants The Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications (EDC) study of childhood-onset (< 17 years) T1D. Methods Stereoscopic fundus photographs were taken in fields 1, 2, and 4 at baseline, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 23, and 28 years after DNAm measurements. The photos were graded using the modified Airlie House System. In those free of PDR at baseline (n = 265; mean T1D duration of 18 years at baseline), whole blood DNAm (EPIC array) at 683 597 CpGs was analyzed in Cox models for time to event. Associations between significant CpGs and clinical risk factors were assessed; genetic variants associated with DNAm were identified (methylation quantitative trait loci [meQTLs]). Mendelian randomization was used to examine evidence of causal associations between DNAm and PDR. Post hoc regional and functional analyses were performed. Main Outcome Measures Proliferative diabetic retinopathy was defined as the first instance of a grade of ≥ 60 in at least 1 eye or pan-retinal photocoagulation for PDR. Follow-up time was calculated from the study visit at which DNAm data were available (baseline) until PDR incidence or censoring (December 31, 2018 or last follow-up). Results PDR incidence was 53% over 28-years' follow-up. Greater DNAm of cg27512687 (KIF16B) was associated with reduced PDR incidence (P = 6.3 × 10-9; false discovery rate [FDR]: < 0.01); 113 cis-meQTLs (P < 5 × 10-8) were identified. Mendelian randomization analysis using the sentinel meQTL as the instrumental variable supported a potentially causal association between cg27512687 and PDR. Cg27512687 was also associated with lower pulse rate and albumin excretion rate and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate, but its association with PDR remained independently significant after adjustment for those factors. In regional analyses, DNAm of FUT4, FKBP1A, and RIN2 was also associated with PDR incidence. Conclusions DNA methylation of KIF16B, FUT4, FKBP1A, and RIN2 was associated with PDR incidence, supporting roles for epigenetic regulation of iron clearance, developmental pathways, and autophagy in PDR pathogenesis. Further study of those loci may provide insight into novel targets for interventions to prevent or delay PDR in T1D. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel G. Miller
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Josyf C. Mychaleckyj
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Suna Onengut-Gumuscu
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Trevor J. Orchard
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Tina Costacou
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Mérida S, Návea A, Desco C, Celda B, Pardo-Tendero M, Morales-Tatay JM, Bosch-Morell F. Glutathione and a Pool of Metabolites Partly Related to Oxidative Stress Are Associated with Low and High Myopia in an Altered Bioenergetic Environment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:539. [PMID: 38790644 PMCID: PMC11117864 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress forms part of the molecular basis contributing to the development and manifestation of myopia, a refractive error with associated pathology that is increasingly prevalent worldwide and that subsequently leads to an upsurge in degenerative visual impairment due to conditions that are especially associated with high myopia. The purpose of our study was to examine the interrelation of potential oxidative-stress-related metabolites found in the aqueous humor of high-myopic, low-myopic, and non-myopic patients within a clinical study. We conducted a cross-sectional study, selecting two sets of patients undergoing cataract surgery. The first set, which was used to analyze metabolites through an NMR assay, comprised 116 patients. A total of 59 metabolites were assigned and quantified. The PLS-DA score plot clearly showed a separation with minimal overlap between the HM and control samples. The PLS-DA model allowed us to determine 31 major metabolite differences in the aqueous humor of the study groups. Complementary statistical analysis of the data allowed us to determine six metabolites that presented significant differences among the experimental groups (p < 005). A significant number of these metabolites were discovered to have a direct or indirect connection to oxidative stress linked with conditions of myopic eyes. Notably, we identified metabolites associated with bioenergetic pathways and metabolites that have undergone methylation, along with choline and its derivatives. The second set consisted of 73 patients who underwent a glutathione assay. Here, we showed significant variations in both reduced and oxidized glutathione in aqueous humor among all patient groups (p < 0.01) for the first time. Axial length, refractive status, and complete ophthalmologic examination were also recorded, and interrelations among metabolic and clinical parameters were evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Mérida
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (C.D.)
| | - Amparo Návea
- Instituto de la Retina y Enfermedades Oculares, 46005 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Carmen Desco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (C.D.)
- Instituto de la Retina y Enfermedades Oculares, 46005 Valencia, Spain;
- FOM, Fundación de Oftalmología Médica de la Comunidad Valenciana, 46015 Valencia, Spain
| | - Bernardo Celda
- Physical Chemistry Department, University of Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Mercedes Pardo-Tendero
- Department of Pathology, Medicine and Odontology Faculty, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - José Manuel Morales-Tatay
- Department of Pathology, Medicine and Odontology Faculty, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Bosch-Morell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (C.D.)
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Chen R, Chen Y, Zhang J, Wang W, Hu W, He M, Zhu Z. Retinal age gap as a predictive biomarker for future risk of clinically significant diabetic retinopathy. Acta Diabetol 2024; 61:373-380. [PMID: 37987832 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-023-02199-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Retinal age derived from fundus images has been verified as a novel ageing biomarker. We aim to explore the association between retinal age gap (retinal age minus chronological age) and incident diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS Retinal age prediction was performed by a deep learning model, trained and validated based on 19,200 fundus images of 11,052 disease-free participants. Retinal age gaps were determined for 2311 patients with diabetes who had no history of diabetic retinopathy at baseline. DR events were ascertained by data linkage to hospital admissions. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to evaluate the association between retinal age gaps and incident DR. RESULTS During the median follow-up period of 11.0 (interquartile range: 10.8-11.1) years, 183 of 2311 participants with diabetes developed incident DR. Each additional year of the retinal age gap was associated with a 7% increase in the risk of incident DR (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.12, P = 0.004), after adjusting for confounding factors. Participants with retinal age gaps in the fourth quartile had a significantly higher DR risk compared to participants with retinal age gaps in the lowest quartile (HR = 2.88, 95% CI 1.61-5.15, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We found that higher retinal age gap was associated with an increased risk of incident DR. As an easy and non-invasive biomarker, the retinal age gap may serve as an informative tool to facilitate the individualized risk assessment and personalized screening protocol for DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiye Chen
- Centre for Eye Research Australia; Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yanping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyao Zhang
- Centre for Eye Research Australia; Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenyi Hu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia; Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mingguang He
- Centre for Eye Research Australia; Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhuoting Zhu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia; Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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Wu X, Yang X, Dai X, Chen X, Shen M, Dai J, Yuan F, Wang L, Yuan Y, Feng Y. 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine Ameliorates Choroidal Neovascularization by Inhibiting the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:23. [PMID: 38345554 PMCID: PMC10866157 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) can constitute the final pathology of many ocular diseases and result in severe vision loss. Studies have demonstrated that DNA methylation is critical in retinal development, aging, and disorders. The current work investigated the effects and underlying mechanism of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), a suppressor of DNA methylation, in the pathological progression of CNV. Methods The DNA methylation profiles of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)/choroidal complexes in normal and laser-induced CNV mice were assessed by Arraystar Mouse RefSeq Promoter Arrays. The CNV area and blood flow density and intensity were observed by optical coherence tomography angiography, and fluorescence leakage was examined by fundus fluorescein angiography in CNV mice with systemic administration of 5-aza-dC. The effects of 5-aza-dC on the biological functions of bEnd.3 cells were estimated by related assays. Notum gene promoter methylation was measured using bisulfite sequencing PCR. Methyltransferases and Wnt signaling-related genes were detected in animal and cell culture experiments by real-time PCR and immunoblot. Results Methyltransferases were upregulated, but Notum (a secretion inhibitor of Wnt signaling) was downregulated in the RPE/choroidal complexes of mice with experimental CNV. Intraperitoneal injection of 5-aza-dC inactivated the Wnt pathway and ameliorated the lesion area and the intensity and density of blood flow, as well as the degree of leakage in CNV. In vitro, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) stimulation promoted methyltransferases expression and suppressed Notum expression, consequently activating Wnt signaling, whereas exogenous 5-aza-dC reversed VEGFA-induced hyperpermeability, proliferation, migration, and tube formation in bEnd.3 cells via demethylation of Notum promoter. Conclusions We observed that 5-aza-dC attenuates the growth of CNV by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway via promoter demethylation of the Wnt antagonist Notum. These findings provide a theoretical basis for methylation-based treatment with the Notum gene as a potential target for CNV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochan Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuping Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minqian Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinhui Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanzhi Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yifan Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Camacho P, Ribeiro E, Pereira B, Varandas T, Nascimento J, Henriques J, Dutra-Medeiros M, Delgadinho M, Oliveira K, Silva C, Brito M. DNA methyltransferase expression (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b) as a potential biomarker for anti-VEGF diabetic macular edema response. Eur J Ophthalmol 2023; 33:2267-2274. [PMID: 37082811 PMCID: PMC10590013 DOI: 10.1177/11206721231171623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE DNA methylation is involved in Diabetic Retinopathy progression showing a metabolic memory mechanism. However, the association of DNA methyltransferase with diabetic macular edema is still unknown. We aimed to describe the differences in DNA methyltransferase gene expression in patients with different diabetic macular edema responses. METHODS A total of 27 diabetic patients, aged 59-90 years, were prospectively enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The participants were classified into control group (CG, n = 11), diabetic macular edema responders (rDME, n = 9) and non-responder diabetic macular edema (nrDME, n = 7) after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. Only cases with a complete ophthalmological examination, digital 133° color fundus, and SD-OCT assessments were used. After RNA extraction and first-strand cDNA synthesis, quantitative real-time PCR was performed with specific primers on the CFX Connect™ Real-Time PCR Detection System to assess differential transcriptional expression patterns. RESULTS The DNMT1 gene showed a positive correlation (r = 0.617; p = 0.043) with Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) in CG, a positive correlation (r = 0.917; p = 0.010) with HbA1c in nrDME and a negative correlation (r = -0.659; p = 0.049) with GCL-IPL thickness in rDME. DNMT3A gene showed a positive correlation (r = -0.890; p = 0.001) with Sub-foveal Choroidal thickness in rDME whereas DNMT3b gene showed a negative correlation (r = -0.815; p = 0.007) with HbA1c and RNFL (r = -0.664; p = 0.026) in CG. CONCLUSIONS Patients with similar metabolic profile risk factors showed associated DNA methyltransferase transcriptional expression patterns differences fitting with the anti-VEGF diabetic macular edema response. Further studies are needed to clarify if these results (1) reflect disease evolution, (2) translate the therapeutic impact, (3) or can help to predict the therapeutic resistance profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Camacho
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Ophtalmology Institute Dr. Gama Pinto, Lisbon, Portugal
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Edna Ribeiro
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Pereira
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Retina Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - João Nascimento
- Retina Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Beatriz Ângelo Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Marco Dutra-Medeiros
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Central Lisbon Hospital Center, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mariana Delgadinho
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ketlyn Oliveira
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carina Silva
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Brito
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Wang X, Yu F, Ye L. Epigenetic control of mesenchymal stem cells orchestrates bone regeneration. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1126787. [PMID: 36950693 PMCID: PMC10025550 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1126787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed the vital role of MSCs in bone regeneration. In both self-healing bone regeneration processes and biomaterial-induced healing of bone defects beyond the critical size, MSCs show several functions, including osteogenic differentiation and thus providing seed cells. However, adverse factors such as drug intake and body senescence can significantly affect the functions of MSCs in bone regeneration. Currently, several modalities have been developed to regulate MSCs' phenotype and promote the bone regeneration process. Epigenetic regulation has received much attention because of its heritable nature. Indeed, epigenetic regulation of MSCs is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of disorders of bone metabolism. Moreover, studies using epigenetic regulation to treat diseases are also being reported. At the same time, the effects of epigenetic regulation on MSCs are yet to be fully understood. This review focuses on recent advances in the effects of epigenetic regulation on osteogenic differentiation, proliferation, and cellular senescence in MSCs. We intend to illustrate how epigenetic regulation of MSCs orchestrates the process of bone regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fanyuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Fanyuan Yu, ; Ling Ye,
| | - Ling Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Fanyuan Yu, ; Ling Ye,
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Barnstable CJ. Epigenetics and Degenerative Retinal Diseases: Prospects for New Therapeutic Approaches. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2022; 11:328-334. [PMID: 36041147 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT There is growing evidence that retinal degenerative diseases are accompanied by epigenetic changes in both deoxyribonucleic acid methylation and histone modification. Even in the monogenic disease retinitis pigmentosa, there is a cascade of changes in gene expression that correlate with epigenetic changes, suggesting that many of the symptoms, and degenerative changes, may be a result of epigenetic changes downstream from the genetic mutation. This is supported by data from studies of diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, 2 diseases where it has been difficult to define a single causative change. Initial studies with modifiers of deoxyribonucleic acid methylation suggest that they can provide therapeutic benefit. A number of drugs are available to inhibit specific epigenetic histone modifier enzymes, and these offer the possibility of new therapeutic approaches to retinal disease. Systemic treatment with inhibitors of histone demethylases and histone deacetylases have arrested rod degeneration in rodent models of retinitis pigmentosa. Some evidence has suggested that similar treatments may provide benefits for patients with diabetic retinopathy. Because differentiation of retinal stem cells is regulated in part by epigenetic mechanisms, it may also be possible to direct stem cell differentiation pathways through the use of selective epigenetic modifiers. This is predicted to provide a valuable avenue to accelerate the introduction of regenerative approaches to retinal disease. Epigenetic modifiers are poised to become a powerful new approach to treat retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Barnstable
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, PA, US
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Li Y, Gong C, Xu Y, Liang X, Chen X, Hong W, Yan J. Genetic regulation of THBS1 methylation in diabetic retinopathy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:991803. [PMID: 36452318 PMCID: PMC9702561 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.991803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common and serious microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), but its pathological mechanism, especially the formation mechanism of new blood vessels remains unclear. Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) is a potent endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis and it was found over expressed in DR in our previous study. Our study aimed to determine whether overexpression of THBS1 is associated with its promoter methylation level, and whether methylation of THBS1 is regulated by genetic variants in DR. METHODS Patients diagnosed with DR and DM patients without retinal problems were included in the case-control study. DNA methylation detection of THBS1 by bisulfite sequencing and genotyping of specific SNPs by MassARRAY analysis were performed in the patients recruited from 2019-2020. Real time quantitative PCR was performed to obtain mRNA expression of THBS1 in the patients recruited from August to October 2022. The differentially methylated CpG loci of THBS1 were identified by logistic regression, and associations between 13 SNPs and methylation levels of CpG loci were tested by methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) analysis. Mediation analysis was applied to determine whether CpG loci were intermediate factors between meQTLs and DR. RESULTS 150 patients diagnosed with DR and 150 DM patients without retinal complications were enrolled in the first recruitment, seven DR patients and seven DM patients were enrolled in the second recruitment. The patients with DR showed promoter hypomethylation of THBS1 (P value = 0.002), and six out of thirty-nine CpG sites within two CpG islands (CGIs) showed hypomethylation(P value < 0.05). THBS1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood was significantly higher in DR patients than in DM patients. Five out of thirteen cis-meQTLs were identified to be associated with CpG sites: rs13329154, rs34973764 and rs5812091 were associated with cis-meQTLs of CpG-4 (P value=0.0145, 0.0095, 0.0158), rs11070177 and rs1847663 were associated with cis-meQTLs of CpG-2 and CpG-3 respectively (P value=0.0201, 0.0275). CpG-4 methylation significantly mediated the effect of the polymorphism rs34973764 on DR (B=0.0535, Boot 95%CI: 0.004~0.1336). CONCLUSION THBS1 overexpression is related to THBS1 hypomethylation in patients with DR. DNA methylation may be genetically controlled in DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Animal Laboratory, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunmei Gong
- Animal Laboratory, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanfei Xu
- Animal Laboratory, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiongshun Liang
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenxu Hong
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Junxia Yan, ; Wenxu Hong,
| | - Junxia Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Junxia Yan, ; Wenxu Hong,
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