1
|
Rice RC, Gil DV, Baratta AM, Frawley RR, Hill SY, Farris SP, Homanics GE. Inter- and transgenerational heritability of preconception chronic stress or alcohol exposure: Translational outcomes in brain and behavior. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 29:100603. [PMID: 38234394 PMCID: PMC10792982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress and alcohol (ethanol) use are highly interrelated and can change an individual's behavior through molecular adaptations that do not change the DNA sequence, but instead change gene expression. A recent wealth of research has found that these nongenomic changes can be transmitted across generations, which could partially account for the "missing heritability" observed in genome-wide association studies of alcohol use disorder and other stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize the molecular and behavioral outcomes of nongenomic inheritance of chronic stress and ethanol exposure and the germline mechanisms that could give rise to this heritability. In doing so, we outline the need for further research to: (1) Investigate individual germline mechanisms of paternal, maternal, and biparental nongenomic chronic stress- and ethanol-related inheritance; (2) Synthesize and dissect cross-generational chronic stress and ethanol exposure; (3) Determine cross-generational molecular outcomes of preconception ethanol exposure that contribute to alcohol-related disease risk, using cancer as an example. A detailed understanding of the cross-generational nongenomic effects of stress and/or ethanol will yield novel insight into the impact of ancestral perturbations on disease risk across generations and uncover actionable targets to improve human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C. Rice
- Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniela V. Gil
- Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Annalisa M. Baratta
- Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Remy R. Frawley
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shirley Y. Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sean P. Farris
- Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gregg E. Homanics
- Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Klutstein M, Gonen N. Epigenetic aging of mammalian gametes. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:785-803. [PMID: 37997675 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The process of aging refers to physiological changes that occur to an organism as time progresses and involves changes to DNA, proteins, metabolism, cells, and organs. Like the rest of the cells in the body, gametes age, and it is well established that there is a decline in reproductive capabilities in females and males with aging. One of the major pathways known to be involved in aging is epigenetic changes. The epigenome is the multitude of chemical modifications performed on DNA and chromatin that affect the ability of chromatin to be transcribed. In this review, we explore the effects of aging on female and male gametes with a focus on the epigenetic changes that occur in gametes throughout aging. Quality decline in oocytes occurs at a relatively early age. Epigenetic changes constitute an important part of oocyte aging. DNA methylation is reduced with age, along with reduced expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Histone deacetylases (HDAC) expression is also reduced, and a loss of heterochromatin marks occurs with age. As a consequence of heterochromatin loss, retrotransposon expression is elevated, and aged oocytes suffer from DNA damage. In sperm, aging affects sperm number, motility and fecundity, and epigenetic changes may constitute a part of this process. 5 methyl-cytosine (5mC) methylation is elevated in sperm from aged men, but methylation on Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE) elements is reduced. Di and trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2/3) is reduced in sperm from aged men and trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) is elevated. The protamine makeup of sperm from aged men is also changed, with reduced protamine expression and a misbalanced ratio between protamine proteins protamine P1 and protamine P2. The study of epigenetic reproductive aging is recently gaining interest. The current status of the field suggests that many aspects of gamete epigenetic aging are still open for investigation. The clinical applications of these investigations have far-reaching consequences for fertility and sociological human behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Klutstein
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wei S, Luo S, Zhang H, Li Y, Zhao J. Paternal high-fat diet altered SETD2 gene methylation in sperm of F0 and F1 mice. GENES & NUTRITION 2023; 18:12. [PMID: 37598138 PMCID: PMC10439541 DOI: 10.1186/s12263-023-00731-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Paternal high-fat diet (HFD) can alter the epigenetics of sperm DNA, resulting in the transmission of obesity-related traits to the offspring. Previous studies have mainly focused on the HFD-induced changes in DNA methylation of imprinted genes, overlooking the potential involvement of non-imprinted genes in this process. SETD2, an important epigenetically-regulated gene known for its response to environmental stress, remains poorly understood in the context of high-fat diet-induced epigenetic changes. Here we examined the effect of obesity from a HFD on paternal SETD2 expression and methylation in sperm, and embryos at the blastocyst stage and during subsequent development, to determine the alteration of SETD2 in paternal intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance. The result showed that mice fed with HFD for two months had significantly increased SETD2 expression in testis and sperm. The paternal HFD significantly altered the DNA methylation level with 20 of the 26 CpG sites being changed in sperm from F0 mice. Paternal high-fat diet increased apoptotic index and decreased total cell number of blastocysts, which were closely correlated with DNA methylation level of sperm. Out of the 26 CpG sites, we also found three CpG sites that were significantly changed in the sperm from F1 mice, which meant that the methylation changes at these three CpG sites were maintained.In conclusion, we found that paternal exposure to an HFD disrupted the methylation pattern of SETD2 in the sperm of F0 mice and resulted in perturbed SETD2 expression. Furthermore, the paternal high-fat diet influenced embryo apoptosis and development, possibly through the SETD2 pathway. The altered methylation of SETD2 in sperm induced by paternal HFD partially persisted in the sperm of the F1 generation, highlighting the role of SETD2 as an epigenetic carrier for paternal intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suhua Wei
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shiwei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yandong Li
- Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Juan Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ju LS, Morey TE, Seubert CN, Martynyuk AE. Intergenerational Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040567. [PMID: 37106766 PMCID: PMC10135810 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Accelerated neurocognitive decline after general anesthesia/surgery, also known as perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND), is a widely recognized public health problem that may affect millions of patients each year. Advanced age, with its increasing prevalence of heightened stress, inflammation, and neurodegenerative alterations, is a consistent contributing factor to the development of PND. Although a strong homeostatic reserve in young adults makes them more resilient to PND, animal data suggest that young adults with pathophysiological conditions characterized by excessive stress and inflammation may be vulnerable to PND, and this altered phenotype may be passed to future offspring (intergenerational PND). The purpose of this narrative review of data in the literature and the authors' own experimental findings in rodents is to draw attention to the possibility of intergenerational PND, a new phenomenon which, if confirmed in humans, may unravel a big new population that may be affected by parental PND. In particular, we discuss the roles of stress, inflammation, and epigenetic alterations in the development of PND. We also discuss experimental findings that demonstrate the effects of surgery, traumatic brain injury, and the general anesthetic sevoflurane that interact to induce persistent dysregulation of the stress response system, inflammation markers, and behavior in young adult male rats and in their future offspring who have neither trauma nor anesthetic exposure (i.e., an animal model of intergenerational PND).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Sha Ju
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100254, JHMHC, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Timothy E Morey
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100254, JHMHC, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Christoph N Seubert
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100254, JHMHC, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Anatoly E Martynyuk
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100254, JHMHC, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The Role of Dietary Nutrients in Male Infertility: A Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020519. [PMID: 36836876 PMCID: PMC9960932 DOI: 10.3390/life13020519] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is the main health issue with economic, psychological, and medical attributions. Moreover, it is characterized by an inability to produce a sufficient amount of sperm for the fertilization of an oocyte. Dietary nutrients (DN) have a great effect on male reproductive potential. Observations have indicated that adding DN may protect or treat male infertility. The scope of this criticism is to scrutinize the DN, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, in enhancing the semen attributes, sperm bioenergetics and sperm functionality in male infertility. It seems that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids affect sperm quality and maintain the sperm membrane and mitochondria stability. An administration of phytochemicals caused an escalation in sperm mitochondrial function and a decrease in oxidative damage. Furthermore, sundry dietary natural phytochemicals differentially affect (negatively or positively) sperm motility, semen quality, and mitochondrial function, dependent on their levels. Vitamins and trace elements are also nutritional modulators in reducing oxidative stress, thereby enhancing sperm quality, which is accurately connected with sperm mitochondrial function. Also, we described the different types of DN as mitochondrial enhancer for sperm functionality and health. We believe that understanding the DN supports sperm mitochondria and epigenetic modulators that may be responsible for sperm quality and health, and will lead to more embattled and efficient therapeutics for male infertility.
Collapse
|
6
|
New evidence for deleterious effects of environmental contaminants on the male gamete. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106886. [PMID: 34774338 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The decreasing trend in human and domestic animal fertility in recent decades has resulted in the question of whether reduced sperm quality is associated with changes in global climate and the environment. Proposed causes for reduced sperm quality include environmental contaminants, which enter into the body of animals through the food chain and are transported to the reproductive tract, where contaminating agents can have effects on fertilization capacities of gametes. In this review, there is a focus on various environmental contaminants and potential effects on male fertility. Human-derived contaminants, particularly endocrine-disrupting phthalates and the pesticide atrazine, are discussed. Naturally occurring toxins are also addressed, in particular mycotoxins such as aflatoxin which can be components in food consumed by humans and animals. Mechanisms by which environmental contaminants reduce male fertility are not clearly defined; however, are apparently multifactorial (i.e., direct and indirect effects) with there being diverse modes of action. Results from studies with humans, rodents and domestic animals indicate there are deleterious effects of contaminants on male gametes at various stages of spermatogenesis (i.e., in the testis) during passage through the epididymis, and in mature spermatozoa, after ejaculation and during capacitation. Considering there is never detection of a single contaminant, this review addresses synergistic or additive effects of combinations of contaminants. There is new evidence highlighted for the long-lasting effects of environmental contaminants on spermatozoa and developing embryos. Understanding the risk associated with environmental contaminants for animal reproduction may lead to new management strategies, thereby improving reproductive processes.
Collapse
|
7
|
Feng Y, Liu T, Xu S, Ren Y, Ge Y, Yin L, Pu Y, Liang G. The role of N6-methyladenosine methylation in environmental exposure-induced health damage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:69153-69175. [PMID: 35951238 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22093-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The health risks caused by environmental pollution have long been of substantial concern. With the development of epigenetics, a large number of studies have demonstrated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is involved in the regulation of various important life activities associated with various diseases. Recent studies have revealed that m6A plays a key role in health damage caused by environmental exposure by regulating post-transcriptional gene expression. Therefore, our study outlined the effects of environmental pollutant exposure on m6A methylation and its regulator levels. Moreover, we found that m6A methylation modifications were involved in the development of various health damages by regulating important life activities in vivo, such as reactive oxygen species imbalance, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and inflammatory processes. More importantly, we delved into the regulatory mechanisms of m6A methylation dysregulation in environmental pollution-induced diseases. Finally, by examining the published literature, we found that methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3) and fat mass- and obesity-associated protein (FTO) were potentially used as biomarkers of health damage induced by particulate matter exposure and heavy metal exposure, respectively. The current studies on regulators of METTL3 and FTO were more promising to bring new perspectives for the treatment of environmental health-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanlu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiyi Ren
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiling Ge
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li J, Xu J, Yang T, Chen J, Li F, Shen B, Fan C. Genome-wide methylation analyses of human sperm unravel novel differentially methylated regions in asthenozoospermia. Epigenomics 2022; 14:951-964. [PMID: 36004499 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims & objectives: To investigate DNA methylation patterns in asthenozoospermic and normozoospermic sperm and to explore the potential roles of differential methylations in the etiology of the disease. Materials & methods: The authors performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analysis between normozoospermic controls and asthenozoospermic individuals. Results: The authors identified 238 significant differentially methylated regions. These differentially methylated regions were annotated to 114 protein-coding genes, with many genes showing associations with spermatogenesis, sperm motility etc. Conclusion: There are plenty of genomic regions exhibiting altered DNA methylation in asthenozoospermia, a number of which are located within or adjacent to sperm-related genes, suggesting novel methylation markers of asthenozoospermia and potential epigenetic regulation mechanisms through DNA methylation in the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610212, China
| | - Jinyan Xu
- Human Sperm Bank, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects & Related Diseases of Women & Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Human Sperm Bank, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects & Related Diseases of Women & Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jianhai Chen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610212, China
| | - Fuping Li
- Human Sperm Bank, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects & Related Diseases of Women & Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bairong Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610212, China
| | - Chuanzhu Fan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Siddeek B, Simeoni U. Epigenetics provides a bridge between early nutrition and long-term health and a target for disease prevention. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:927-934. [PMID: 35038770 PMCID: PMC9305224 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to nutritional imbalance during early life can influence disease risk lifelong and across generations. In this long‐term conditioning, epigenetics constitutes a key mechanism. They bridge environmental cues and the expression of genes involved in the setting of long‐standing biological regulations in numerous organs and species. Epigenetic marks are proposed as innovative diagnostic biomarkers and potential targets in the prevention of diseases. However, a number of uncertainties make them difficult to use in clinical approaches in the context of early exposure to nutritional challenge. In conclusion, active investigations in this field are still needed before clinical applications are considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benazir Siddeek
- DOHaD Laboratory Division of Pediatrics Woman‐Mother‐Child‐Department Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Umberto Simeoni
- DOHaD Laboratory Division of Pediatrics Woman‐Mother‐Child‐Department Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nicolella HD, de Assis S. Epigenetic Inheritance: Intergenerational Effects of Pesticides and Other Endocrine Disruptors on Cancer Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4671. [PMID: 35563062 PMCID: PMC9102839 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parental environmental experiences affect disease susceptibility in the progeny through epigenetic inheritance. Pesticides are substances or mixtures of chemicals-some of which are persistent environmental pollutants-that are used to control pests. This review explores the evidence linking parental exposure to pesticides and endocrine disruptors to intergenerational and transgenerational susceptibility of cancer in population studies and animal models. We also discuss the impact of pesticides and other endocrine disruptors on the germline epigenome as well as the emerging evidence for how epigenetic information is transmitted between generations. Finally, we discuss the importance of this mode of inheritance in the context of cancer prevention and the challenges ahead.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heloiza Diniz Nicolella
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sonia de Assis
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nobile S, Di Sipio Morgia C, Vento G. Perinatal Origins of Adult Disease and Opportunities for Health Promotion: A Narrative Review. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020157. [PMID: 35207646 PMCID: PMC8877993 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The “developmental origins of health and disease” (DOHaD) hypothesis refers to the influence of early developmental exposures and fetal growth on the risk of chronic diseases in later periods. During fetal and early postnatal life, cell differentiation and tissue formation are influenced by several factors. The interaction between genes and environment in prenatal and early postnatal periods appears to be critical for the onset of multiple diseases in adulthood. Important factors influencing this interaction include genetic predisposition, regulation of gene expression, and changes in microbiota. Premature birth and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are other important factors considered by the DOHaD hypothesis. Preterm birth is associated with impaired or arrested structural or functional development of key organs/systems, making preterm infants vulnerable to cardiovascular, respiratory, and chronic renal diseases during adulthood. Growth restriction, defined as impaired fetal growth compared to expected biological potential in utero, is an additional negative factor increasing the risk of subsequent diseases. Environmental factors implicated in the developmental programming of diseases include exposure to pollution, stress, drugs, toxic agents, nutrition, and exercise. The DOHaD may explain numerous conditions, including cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neuropsychiatric, and renal diseases. Potential antenatal and postnatal preventive measures, interventions, and future directions are discussed.
Collapse
|
12
|
Ma X, Wang B, Li Z, Ding X, Wen Y, Shan W, Hu W, Wang X, Xia Y. Effects of glufosinate-ammonium on male reproductive health: Focus on epigenome and transcriptome in mouse sperm. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132395. [PMID: 34597628 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Glufosinate-ammonium (GLA) is a widely used herbicide with emerging concern over its neural and reproductive toxicity. To uncover potential effects of GLA on male reproductive health in mammals, adult male C57BL/6J mice were administered 0.2 mg/kg·d GLA for 5 weeks. After examination on fertility, testis histology and semen quality in the GLA group, we performed deep sequencing to identify repressive epigenetic marks including DNA methylation and histone modifications (H3K27me3 and H3K9me3), together with mRNA transcript levels in sperm. Then, we integrated multi-omics sequencing data to comprehensively explore GLA-induced epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations. We found no significant difference either on fertility, testis histology or semen quality-related indicators. As for epigenome, the protein level of H3K27me3 was significantly increased in GLA sperm. Next generation sequencing showed alterations of these epigenetic marks and extensive transcription inhibition in sperm. These differential repressive marks were mainly distributed at intergenic regions and introns. According to results by Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, both differentially methylated and expressed genes were mainly enriched in pathways related to synapse organization. Subtle differences in genomic imprinting were also observed between the two groups. These results suggested that GLA predominantly impaired sperm epigenome and transcriptome in mice, with little effect on fertility, testis histology or semen quality. Further studies on human sperm using similar strategies need to be conducted for a better understanding of the male reproductive toxicity of GLA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Bingqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xingwang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ya Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Wenqi Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Weiyue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mi S, Chen S, Li W, Fang L, Yu Y. Effects of sperm DNA methylation on domesticated animal performance and perspectives on cross-species epigenetics in animal breeding. Anim Front 2021; 11:39-47. [PMID: 34934528 PMCID: PMC8683132 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Mi
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture of China, National Engineering Laboratory of Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Siqian Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture of China, National Engineering Laboratory of Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Li
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture of China, National Engineering Laboratory of Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingzhao Fang
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Ying Yu
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture of China, National Engineering Laboratory of Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tebar AB, Perez ESM, Nam-Cha SH, Valls AJS, Singh ND, de la Casa-Esperon E. Diet effects on mouse meiotic recombination: a warning for recombination studies. Genetics 2021; 220:6428542. [PMID: 34791205 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic recombination is a critical process for sexually reproducing organisms. This exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during meiosis is important not only because it generates genetic diversity, but also because it is often required for proper chromosome segregation. Consequently, the frequency and distribution of crossovers are tightly controlled to ensure fertility and offspring viability. However, in many systems it has been shown that environmental factors can alter the frequency of crossover events. Two studies in flies and yeast point to nutritional status affecting the frequency of crossing over. However, this question remains unexplored in mammals. Here we test how crossover frequency varies in response to diet in Mus musculus males. We use immunohistochemistry to estimate crossover frequency in multiple genotypes under two diet treatments. Our results indicate that while crossover frequency was unaffected by diet in some strains, other strains were sensitive even to small composition changes between two common laboratory chows. Therefore, recombination is both resistant and sensitive to certain dietary changes in a strain-dependent manner and, hence, this response is genetically determined. Our study is the first to report a nutrition effect on genome-wide levels of recombination. Moreover, our work highlights the importance of controlling diet in recombination studies and may point to diet as a potential source of variability among studies, which is relevant for reproducibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Belmonte Tebar
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (C.R.I.B.). University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02008, Spain
| | - Estefania San Martin Perez
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (C.R.I.B.). University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02008, Spain
| | - Syong Hyun Nam-Cha
- Pathology Department and Biobank of Albacete. University Hospital Complex of Albacete. Albacete, 02006, Spain
| | | | - Nadia D Singh
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon. Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA
| | - Elena de la Casa-Esperon
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (C.R.I.B.). University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02008, Spain.,School of Pharmacy. University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, 02071, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Paquette M, Fantino M, Bernard S, Baass A. Paternal inheritance predicts earlier cardiovascular event onset in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis 2021; 329:9-13. [PMID: 34157652 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease, with an autosomal codominant inheritance, predisposing to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Paternal or maternal inheritance of the FH-causing mutation may affect the FH phenotype in offspring, but the effect of the genetic transmission on cardiovascular disease risk remains to be established. The aim of the present study is to compare the incidence of cardiovascular events between patients with maternal vs paternal inheritance of familial hypercholesterolemia. METHODS We prospectively studied 725 genetically-confirmed FH patients (33,805 person-years), including 268 with maternal inheritance and 321 with paternal inheritance of the mutation. ASCVD was defined as angina, myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, claudication, peripheral angioplasty, peripheral arterial surgery, transient ischemic attack, stroke, carotid endarterectomy and CV death. Cox-proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to compare the two groups. RESULTS Before 50 years of age, paternal inheritance of FH was associated with a 1.5-fold increased risk for ASCVD, as compared to maternal inheritance (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.11-2.28, p = 0.01). This association remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.00-2.23, p = 0.05). The age of first ASCVD event was also significantly lower in the paternal inheritance group (42 years) than in the maternal inheritance group (46 years), p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that paternal inheritance of the FH-causing mutation was associated with an earlier cardiovascular event onset compared to maternal inheritance. The mechanisms behind these findings remain to be established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martine Paquette
- Genetic Dyslipidemias Clinic of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Québec, Canada.
| | - Manon Fantino
- Genetic Dyslipidemias Clinic of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Québec, Canada
| | - Sophie Bernard
- Genetic Dyslipidemias Clinic of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Québec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Université de Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexis Baass
- Genetic Dyslipidemias Clinic of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Québec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Divisions of Experimental Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, McGill University, Québec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nilsson E, Ben Maamar M, Skinner MK. Environmental impacts on sperm and oocyte epigenetics affect embryo cell epigenetics and transcription to promote the epigenetic inheritance of pathology and phenotypic variation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:102-107. [PMID: 38769672 DOI: 10.1071/rd20255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to environmental factors can cause epigenetic modifications to germ cells, particularly sperm, to promote epigenetic and transcriptome changes in the embryo. These germ cell and embryo cell epigenetic alterations are associated with phenotypic changes in offspring. Epigenetic inheritance requires epigenetic changes (i.e. epimutations) in germ cells that promote epigenetic and gene expression changes in embryos. The objective of this perspective is to examine the evidence that germ cell epigenome modifications are associated with embryo cell epigenetic and transcriptome changes that affect the subsequent development of all developing somatic cells to promote phenotype change. Various epigenetic changes in sperm, including changes to histone methylation, histone retention, non-coding RNA expression and DNA methylation, have been associated with alterations in embryo cell epigenetics and gene expression. Few studies have investigated this link for oocytes. The studies reviewed herein support the idea that environmentally induced epigenetic changes in germ cells affect alterations in embryo cell epigenetics and transcriptomes that have an important role in the epigenetic inheritance of pathology and phenotypic change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Millissia Ben Maamar
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA; and Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Intrauterine growth restriction: Clinical consequences on health and disease at adulthood. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 99:168-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
18
|
Mínguez-Alarcón L, Bellavia A, Gaskins AJ, Chavarro JE, Ford JB, Souter I, Calafat AM, Hauser R, Williams PL. Paternal mixtures of urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A and parabens in relation to pregnancy outcomes among couples attending a fertility center. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106171. [PMID: 33069985 PMCID: PMC7775891 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few epidemiologic studies have evaluated the impact of paternal environmental exposures, particularly as mixtures, on couples' pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether mixtures of paternal urinary bisphenol A (BPA), paraben, and phthalates were associated with pregnancy outcomes among couples attending a fertility center. METHODS We included 210 couples undergoing 300 in vitro fertilization (IVF) between 2004 and 2017 in this prospective analysis. We quantified paternal urinary biomarker concentrations in one sample per cycle using isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to identify correlations of biomarker concentrations and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models for discrete survival time to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the associations between PCA-derived factor scores and probability of failing to achieve a live birth. Interactions were also included in the models to examine strength of associations over three vulnerable periods [embryo transfer to implantation, implantation to clinical pregnancy, and clinical pregnancy to live birth]. Models were adjusted for paternal and maternal ages and body mass indexes, urinary dilution (specific gravity) and year of collection, infertility diagnosis, and other PCA factor scores. Sensitivity analyses with further adjustment for maternal PCA factor scores were performed. RESULTS We identified three factors, representing di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, BPA and non-DEHP metabolites, and parabens, accounting for 56%, 15% and 10%, respectively, of the total variance explained. An interquartile range (25th and 75th percentiles) increase in the DEHP-related factor score was associated with elevated probability of failing prior to live birth (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.81) and the association was stronger between implantation and clinical pregnancy as well as between clinical pregnancy and live birth compared to before implantation. The overall HRs of failure for the BPA/non-DEHP-related and paraben-related factor scores were HR = 1.24 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.59) and HR = 0.99 (95% CI: 0.80, 1.24). We found similar HRs when additionally adjusting for maternal PCA factor scores. CONCLUSION Paternal mixtures of urinary concentrations of DEHP metabolites were related to higher infertility treatment failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón
- Departments of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States.
| | - Andrea Bellavia
- Departments of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Audrey J Gaskins
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Departments of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States; Departments of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Jennifer B Ford
- Departments of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Irene Souter
- Division of Reproductive Medicine and IVF, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Russ Hauser
- Departments of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States; Departments of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States; Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Paige L Williams
- Departments of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States; Departments of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
de Gannes M, Ko CI, Zhang X, Biesiada J, Niu L, Koch SE, Medvedovic M, Rubinstein J, Puga A. Dioxin Disrupts Dynamic DNA Methylation Patterns in Genes That Govern Cardiomyocyte Maturation. Toxicol Sci 2020; 178:325-337. [PMID: 33017471 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD), the leading birth defect worldwide, has a largely unknown etiology, likely to result from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors during heart development, at a time when the heart adapts to diverse physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Crucial among these is the regulation of cardiomyocyte development and postnatal maturation, governed by dynamic changes in DNA methylation. Previous work from our laboratory has shown that exposure to the environmental toxicant tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) disrupts several molecular networks responsible for heart development and function. To test the hypothesis that the disruption caused by TCDD in the heart results from changes in DNA methylation and gene expression patterns of cardiomyocytes, we established a stable mouse embryonic stem cell line expressing a puromycin resistance selectable marker under control of the cardiomyocyte-specific Nkx2-5 promoter. Differentiation of these cells in the presence of puromycin induces the expression of a large suite of cardiomyocyte-specific markers. To assess the consequences of TCDD treatment on gene expression and DNA methylation in these cardiomyocytes, we subjected them to transcriptome and methylome analyses in the presence of TCDD. Unlike control cardiomyocytes maintained in vehicle, the TCDD-treated cardiomyocytes showed extensive gene expression changes, with a significant correlation between differential RNA expression and DNA methylation in 111 genes, many of which are key elements of pathways that regulate cardiovascular development and function. Our findings provide an important clue toward the elucidation of the complex interactions between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms after developmental TCDD exposure that may contribute to CHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew de Gannes
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Chia-I Ko
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Jacek Biesiada
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Liang Niu
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Sheryl E Koch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| | - Jack Rubinstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Li D, Zhu X, Li Y, Zeng X. Novel insights into the roles of RNA N 6-methyladenosine modification in regulating gene expression during environmental exposures. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 261:127757. [PMID: 32726721 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common RNA modifications in eukaryotes involved in the regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression, as well as the occurrence and development of diseases related to environmental exposures. Adverse factors produced by environmental exposures, such as reactive oxygen species, inflammation, and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, mediate m6A modification, thereby regulating downstream gene and protein expression, and signaling pathways, such as FTO/m6A RNA/p53 axis, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and PARP/METTL3/m6A RNA/Pol κ pathway. Moreover, an imbalance in m6A methylation levels directly mediates disease pathogenesis. To date, some studies have detailed the mechanisms underlying environmental exposure-mediated global changes in RNA m6A methylation. Based on our current understanding, we aimed to elaborate on the molecular mechanisms through which RNA m6A methylation regulates gene expression under environmental exposures. In this review, we outline the biogenesis and functions of RNA m6A modification. Furthermore, we focus on the effects of environmental exposures on m6A levels and highlight the relationships between environmental exposures (doses and time) and m6A levels. Although the molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression remains to be elucidated, m6A has potential applications as a disease biomarker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637009, China
| | - Yunxiang Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637009, China
| | - Xianyin Zeng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rutkowska J, Lagisz M, Bonduriansky R, Nakagawa S. Mapping the past, present and future research landscape of paternal effects. BMC Biol 2020; 18:183. [PMID: 33246472 PMCID: PMC7694421 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00892-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although in all sexually reproducing organisms an individual has a mother and a father, non-genetic inheritance has been predominantly studied in mothers. Paternal effects have been far less frequently studied, until recently. In the last 5 years, research on environmentally induced paternal effects has grown rapidly in the number of publications and diversity of topics. Here, we provide an overview of this field using synthesis of evidence (systematic map) and influence (bibliometric analyses). RESULTS We find that motivations for studies into paternal effects are diverse. For example, from the ecological and evolutionary perspective, paternal effects are of interest as facilitators of response to environmental change and mediators of extended heredity. Medical researchers track how paternal pre-fertilization exposures to factors, such as diet or trauma, influence offspring health. Toxicologists look at the effects of toxins. We compare how these three research guilds design experiments in relation to objects of their studies: fathers, mothers and offspring. We highlight examples of research gaps, which, in turn, lead to future avenues of research. CONCLUSIONS The literature on paternal effects is large and disparate. Our study helps in fostering connections between areas of knowledge that develop in parallel, but which could benefit from the lateral transfer of concepts and methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Rutkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Russell Bonduriansky
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Huang W, Sundquist K, Sundquist J, Ji J. Risk of somatic diseases in offspring of survivors with childhood or adolescent central nervous system tumor in Sweden. Int J Cancer 2020; 148:2184-2192. [PMID: 33186480 PMCID: PMC8048456 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
With the improvement of treatments, a growing number of survivors with childhood or adolescent central nervous system (CNS) tumor are parenting their own children. We aimed to explore the risk of somatic diseases among children of these survivors compared to population controls. Children of survivors with CNS tumor below age of 20 were identified between 1973 and 2014 by combining the several Swedish registers. Five children without parental CNS tumor were matched randomly to generate the population comparisons. Relative risk (RR) and absolute excess risk (AER) were calculated for overall somatic diseases, and hazard ratio (HR) was calculated for specific type of somatic diseases. A total of 2231 somatic disease diagnoses were identified in children of survivors with a cumulative incidence rate of 94.77 per 1000 person‐years, whereas the rate was 92.79 in matched comparisons thus resulting in an overall RR of 1.02 (95% CI = 0.98‐1.07) and AER of 1.98 (95% CI = −2.06, 6.13). Specifically, five of 1364 children of survivors had CNS tumor with an incidence rate of 0.21 per 1000 person‐year, whereas the rate was 0.04 in children of matched children, generating a HR of 4.91 (95% CI = 1.42‐16.96). Children of male survivors were at a statistically increased risk of malignancy, as well as infectious and parasitic diseases. In conclusion, no significantly higher risk of overall somatic diseases was found in children of survivors with CNS tumor before the age of 20, but children with a paternal diagnosis of CNS tumor had significantly increased risk of malignancies and infectious and parasitic diseases. What's new? Survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumors are at higher risk of experiencing late adverse effects on reproductive function. However, it remains unknown if the tumor or related treatments subsequently affect the physical health of their offspring. This population‐based study did not find an association of parental CNS tutors in childhood or adolescence with the risk of overall somatic diseases in the offspring. Nonetheless, an increased risk was observed in preterm born children, and children of male survivors had an increased risk of malignancies and infectious and parasitic diseases, calling for a tailored surveillance strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wuqing Huang
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristina Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Center for Community-based Healthcare Research and Education (CoHRE), Department of Functional Pathology, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Center for Community-based Healthcare Research and Education (CoHRE), Department of Functional Pathology, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
| | - Jianguang Ji
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Gibb Z, Griffin RA, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. Functions and effects of reactive oxygen species in male fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 220:106456. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
24
|
Carbone M, Arron ST, Beutler B, Bononi A, Cavenee W, Cleaver JE, Croce CM, D'Andrea A, Foulkes WD, Gaudino G, Groden JL, Henske EP, Hickson ID, Hwang PM, Kolodner RD, Mak TW, Malkin D, Monnat RJ, Novelli F, Pass HI, Petrini JH, Schmidt LS, Yang H. Tumour predisposition and cancer syndromes as models to study gene-environment interactions. Nat Rev Cancer 2020; 20:533-549. [PMID: 32472073 PMCID: PMC8104546 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-0265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cell division and organismal development are exquisitely orchestrated and regulated processes. The dysregulation of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes may cause cancer, a consequence of cell-intrinsic and/or cell-extrinsic events. Cellular DNA can be damaged by spontaneous hydrolysis, reactive oxygen species, aberrant cellular metabolism or other perturbations that cause DNA damage. Moreover, several environmental factors may damage the DNA, alter cellular metabolism or affect the ability of cells to interact with their microenvironment. While some environmental factors are well established as carcinogens, there remains a large knowledge gap of others owing to the difficulty in identifying them because of the typically long interval between carcinogen exposure and cancer diagnosis. DNA damage increases in cells harbouring mutations that impair their ability to correctly repair the DNA. Tumour predisposition syndromes in which cancers arise at an accelerated rate and in different organs - the equivalent of a sensitized background - provide a unique opportunity to examine how gene-environment interactions influence cancer risk when the initiating genetic defect responsible for malignancy is known. Understanding the molecular processes that are altered by specific germline mutations, environmental exposures and related mechanisms that promote cancer will allow the design of novel and effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Carbone
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Sarah T Arron
- STA, JEC, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for Genetic Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Angela Bononi
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Webster Cavenee
- Ludwig Institute, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - James E Cleaver
- STA, JEC, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alan D'Andrea
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William D Foulkes
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Giovanni Gaudino
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth P Henske
- Center for LAM Research, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ian D Hickson
- Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paul M Hwang
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard D Kolodner
- Ludwig Institute, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tak W Mak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Malkin
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Raymond J Monnat
- Department Pathology, Washington University, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Science, Washington University, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Flavia Novelli
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Harvey I Pass
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John H Petrini
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura S Schmidt
- Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Haining Yang
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Roth Z, Komsky-Elbaz A, Kalo D. Effect of environmental contamination on female and male gametes - A lesson from bovines. Anim Reprod 2020; 17:e20200041. [PMID: 33029217 PMCID: PMC7534576 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2020-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and foodborne contaminants are environmental pollutants that are considered reproductive toxicants due to their deleterious effects on female and male gametes. Among the EDCs, the phthalate plasticizers are of growing concern. In-vivo and in-vitro models indicate that the oocyte is highly sensitive to phthalates. This review summarizes the effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and its major metabolite mono(2-ethyhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on the oocyte. MEHP reduces the proportion of oocytes that fertilize, cleave and develop to the blastocyst stage. This is associated with negative effects on meiotic progression, and disruption of cortical granules, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial reorganization. MEHP alters mitochondrial membrane polarity, increases reactive oxygen species levels and induces alterations in genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation. A carryover effect from the oocyte to the blastocyst is manifested by alterations in the transcriptomic profile of blastocysts developed from MEHP-treated oocytes. Among foodborne contaminants, the pesticide atrazine (ATZ) and the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are of high concern. The potential hazards associated with exposure of spermatozoa to these contaminants and their carryover effect to the blastocyst are described. AFB1 and ATZ reduce spermatozoa's viability, as reflected by a high proportion of cells with damaged plasma membrane; induce acrosome reaction, expressed as damage to the acrosomal membrane; and interfere with mitochondrial function, characterized by hyperpolarization of the membrane. ATZ and AFB1-treated spermatozoa show a high proportion of cells with fragmented DNA. Exposure of spermatozoa to AFB1 and ATZ reduces fertilization and cleavage rates, but not that of blastocyst formation. However, fertilization with AFB1- or ATZ-treated spermatozoa impairs transcript expression in the formed blastocysts, implying a carryover effect. Taken together, the review indicates the risk of exposing farm animals to environmental contaminants, and their deleterious effects on female and male gametes and the developing embryo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zvi Roth
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Alisa Komsky-Elbaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Dorit Kalo
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Xu Q, Qi W, Zhang Y, Wang Q, Ding S, Han X, Zhao Y, Song X, Zhao T, Zhou L, Ye L. DNA methylation of JAK3/STAT5/PPARγ regulated the changes of lipid levels induced by di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and high-fat diet in adolescent rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:30232-30242. [PMID: 32451896 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08976-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and high-fat diet (HFD) could induce lipid metabolic disorder. This study was undertaken to identify the effect of DNA methylation of JAK3/STAT5/PPARγ on lipid metabolic disorder induced by DEHP and HFD. Wistar rats were divided into a normal diet (ND) group and HFD group. Each diet group treated with DEHP (0, 5, 50, 500 mg/kg/d) for 8 weeks' gavage. The DNA-methylated levels of PPARγ, JAK3, STAT5a, and STAT5b in rats' livers and adipose were analyzed with MethylTarget. The lipid levels of rats' livers and adipose were detected with ELISA. Results showed in ND group that the DNA methylation levels of PPARγ, JAK3 in livers, and STAT5b in adipose were lower in 500 mg/kg/d group than the control. And the level of total cholesterol (TC) in adipose was higher in 500 mg/kg/d group than the control. In HFD group, the DNA methylation level of JAK3 was the lowest in livers and the highest in adipose in 50 mg/kg/d group. And the level of TC in livers was the lowest in 50 mg/kg/d group. In the 500 mg/kg/d group, the DNA methylation level of STAT5b was lower in livers and higher in adipose in HFD group than that in ND group. And the levels of TC in livers were lower in HFD group than those in ND group. Therefore, DNA methylation of JAK3/STAT5/PPARγ regulated the changes in lipid levels induced by DEHP and HFD in adolescent rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Wen Qi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yuezhu Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Shuang Ding
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yaming Zhao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xinyue Song
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Tianyang Zhao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Liting Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Lin Ye
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xin Min Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Del Corvo M, Bongiorni S, Stefanon B, Sgorlon S, Valentini A, Ajmone Marsan P, Chillemi G. Genome-Wide DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Profiles in Cows Subjected to Different Stress Level as Assessed by Cortisol in Milk. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11080850. [PMID: 32722461 PMCID: PMC7464205 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dairy cattle health, wellbeing and productivity are deeply affected by stress. Its influence on metabolism and immune response is well known, but the underlying epigenetic mechanisms require further investigation. In this study, we compared DNA methylation and gene expression signatures between two dairy cattle populations falling in the high- and low-variant tails of the distribution of milk cortisol concentration (MC), a neuroendocrine marker of stress in dairy cows. Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing was used to obtain a methylation map from blood samples of these animals. The high and low groups exhibited similar amounts of methylated CpGs, while we found differences among non-CpG sites. Significant methylation changes were detected in 248 genes. We also identified significant fold differences in the expression of 324 genes. KEGG and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that genes of both groups act together in several pathways, such as nervous system activity, immune regulatory functions and glucocorticoid metabolism. These preliminary results suggest that, in livestock, cortisol secretion could act as a trigger for epigenetic regulation and that peripheral changes in methylation can provide an insight into central nervous system functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Del Corvo
- Department of Animal Science Food and Nutrition—DIANA, Nutrigenomics and Proteomics Research Centre—PRONUTRIGEN, and Biodiversity and Ancient DNA Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy;
- Istituto di Biologia e BiotecnologiaAgraria, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Silvia Bongiorni
- Department of Ecological and Biological sciences DEB, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Bruno Stefanon
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Science–University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (B.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sandy Sgorlon
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Science–University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (B.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Alessio Valentini
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems DIBAF, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Paolo Ajmone Marsan
- Department of Animal Science Food and Nutrition—DIANA, Nutrigenomics and Proteomics Research Centre—PRONUTRIGEN, and Biodiversity and Ancient DNA Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Chillemi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems DIBAF, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.V.); (G.C.)
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, IBIOM, CNR, 70126 Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Profiling the DNA methylation patterns of imprinted genes in abnormal semen samples by next-generation bisulfite sequencing. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2211-2221. [PMID: 32572674 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Changes in DNA methylation modifications have been associated with male infertility. With the development of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), abnormal DNA methylation in sperm, especially in imprinted genes, may impact the health of offspring and requires an in-depth study. METHODS In this study, we collected abnormal human semen samples, including asthenospermic, oligospermic, oligoasthenospermic and deformed sperm, and investigated the methylation of imprinted genes by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and bisulfite amplicon sequencing on the Illumina platform. RESULTS The differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of imprinted genes, including H19, GNAS, MEG8 and SNRPN, were different in the abnormal semen groups. MEG8 DMR methylation in the asthenospermic group was significantly increased. Furthermore, higher methylation levels of MEG8, GNAS and SNRPN DMR in the oligospermic and oligoasthenospermic groups and a decrease in the H19 DMR methylation level in the oligospermic group were observed. However, the methylation levels of these regions varied greatly among the different semen samples and among individual sperm within the same semen sample. The SNP rs2525883 genotype in the H19 DMR affected DNA methylation. Moreover, DNA methylation levels differed in the abnormal semen groups in the non-imprinted genomic regions, including repetitive sequence DNA transposons and long/short interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs and SINEs). CONCLUSION Our study established that imprinted gene DMRs, such as H19, GNAS, SNRPN and MEG8, were differentially methylated in the abnormal semen groups with obvious inter- and intra-sample heterogeneities. These results suggest that special attention needs to be paid to possible epigenetic risks during reproduction.
Collapse
|
29
|
Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Jenkins TG, Colicino E, Cardenas A, Baccarelli AA, Boyer EW. Serum dioxin levels and sperm DNA methylation age: Findings in Vietnam war veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:27-35. [PMID: 32522586 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to dioxin, a known endocrine disruptor and carcinogen, is associated with poor reproductive outcomes. Yet, few studies have explored the role of DNA methylation in these relationships. Utilizing a publicly available dataset from 37 male Air Force Health Study participants exposed to dioxin-contaminated Agent Orange during the Vietnam war, we cross-sectionally examined the relationship of serum dioxin levels with a novel DNA methylation-based measure of sperm age (DNAm-agesperm). DNAm-agesperm was calculated using CpG sites on the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. We estimated associations of dioxin levels with DNAm-agesperm using linear regression models adjusted for chronological age, body mass index, and smoking status. Chronological age was highly correlated with DNAmagesperm (r = 0.80). In fully-adjusted linear models, a one percent increase in serum dioxin levels was significantly associated with a 0.0126-year (i.e. 4.6-day) increase in DNAm-agesperm (95%CI: 0.003, 0.022, p = 0.01). Further analyses demonstrated significant negative associations of dioxin levels (β = -0.0005, 95%CI: -0.0010, 0.00004, P = 0.03) and DNAm-agesperm (β = -0.02, 95%CI: -0.04, -0.001, P = 0.03) with methylation levels of FOXK2 - a gene previously reported to be hypomethylated in infertile men. In sum, we demonstrate associations of dioxin with increased methylation aging of sperm. DNAm-agesperm may provide utility for understanding how dioxin levels impact sperm health and potentially male reproductive capacity in human population studies. Moreover, our pilot study contributes further evidence that some environmental toxicants are associated with methylation aging. Additional studies are necessary to confirm these findings, and better characterize dioxin and sperm methylation relationships with male reproductive health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and MD/PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Timothy G Jenkins
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Elena Colicino
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward W Boyer
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Leisegang K, Dutta S. Do lifestyle practices impede male fertility? Andrologia 2020; 53:e13595. [PMID: 32330362 DOI: 10.1111/and.13595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alongside an increasing prevalence of couple and male infertility, evidence suggests there is a global declining trend in male fertility parameters over the past few decades. This may, at least in part, be explained through detrimental lifestyle practices and exposures. These include alcohol and tobacco consumption, use of recreational drugs (e.g., cannabis, opioids and anabolic steroids), poor nutritional habits, obesity and metabolic syndrome, genital heat stress (e.g., radiation exposure through cell phones and laptops, prolonged periods of sitting, tight-fitting underwear and recurrent hot baths or saunas), exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (e.g., pesticide residue, bisphenol A, phthalates and dioxins) and psychological stress. This review discusses these lifestyle practices and the current evidence associated with male infertility. Furthermore, known mechanisms of action are also discussed for each of these. Common mechanisms associated with a reduction in spermatogenesis and/or steroidogenesis due to unfavourable lifestyle practices include inflammation and oxidative stress locally or systemically. It is recommended that relevant lifestyle practices are investigated in clinical history of male infertility cases, particularly in unexplained or idiopathic male infertility. Appropriate modification of detrimental lifestyle practices is further suggested and recommended in the management of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Leisegang
- School of Natural Medicine, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sulagna Dutta
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gunes S, Esteves SC. Role of genetics and epigenetics in male infertility. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13586. [PMID: 32314821 DOI: 10.1111/and.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a complex condition with a strong genetic and epigenetic background. This review discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathophysiology of male infertility. The interplay between thousands of genes, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and environmental and lifestyle factors, which influence genetic and epigenetic variants, determines the resulting male infertility phenotype. Currently, karyotyping, Y-chromosome microdeletion screening and CFTR gene mutation tests are routinely performed to investigate a possible genetic aetiology in patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. However, current testing is limited in its ability to identify a variety of genetic and epigenetic conditions that might be implicated in both idiopathic and unexplained infertility. Several epimutations of imprinting genes and developmental genes have been postulated to be candidate markers for male infertility. As such, development of novel diagnostic panels is essential to change the current landscape with regard to prevention, diagnosis and management. Understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms related to the pathophysiology of male infertility, and the impact of environmental exposures and lifestyle factors on gene expression might aid clinicians in developing individualised treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sezgin Gunes
- Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.,Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Early Programming of Adult Systemic Essential Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041203. [PMID: 32054074 PMCID: PMC7072742 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are being included in the study of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) and essential systemic hypertension has also been added to this field. Epigenetic modifications are one of the main mechanisms leading to early programming of disease. Different environmental factors occurring during critical windows in the early stages of life may leave epigenetic cues, which may be involved in the programming of hypertension when individuals reach adulthood. Such environmental factors include pre-term birth, low weight at birth, altered programming of different organs such as the blood vessels and the kidney, and living in disadvantageous conditions in the programming of hypertension. Mechanisms behind these factors that impact on the programming include undernutrition, oxidative stress, inflammation, emotional stress, and changes in the microbiota. These factors and their underlying causes acting at the vascular level will be discussed in this paper. We also explore the establishment of epigenetic cues that may lead to hypertension at the vascular level such as DNA methylation, histone modifications (methylation and acetylation), and the role of microRNAs in the endothelial cells and blood vessel smooth muscle which participate in hypertension. Since epigenetic changes are reversible, the knowledge of this type of markers could be useful in the field of prevention, diagnosis or epigenetic drugs as a therapeutic approach to hypertension.
Collapse
|
33
|
Blin G, Liand M, Mauduit C, Chehade H, Benahmed M, Simeoni U, Siddeek B. Maternal Exposure to High-Fat Diet Induces Long-Term Derepressive Chromatin Marks in the Heart. Nutrients 2020; 12:E181. [PMID: 31936461 PMCID: PMC7019950 DOI: 10.3390/nu12010181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart diseases are a leading cause of death. While the link between early exposure to nutritional excess and heart disease risk is clear, the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. In the developmental programming field, increasing evidence is pointing out the critical role of epigenetic mechanisms. Among them, polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and DNA methylation play a critical role in heart development and pathogenesis. In this context, we aimed at evaluating the role of these epigenetic marks in the long-term cardiac alterations induced by early dietary challenge. Using a model of rats exposed to maternal high-fat diet during gestation and lactation, we evaluated cardiac alterations at adulthood. Expression levels of PRC2 components, its histone marks di- and trimethylated histone H3 (H3K27me2/3), associated histone mark (ubiquitinated histone H2A, H2AK119ub1) and target genes were measured by Western blot. Global DNA methylation level and DNA methyl transferase 3B (DNMT3B) protein levels were measured. Maternal high-fat diet decreased H3K27me3, H2Ak119ub1 and DNA methylation levels, down-regulated the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), and DNMT3B expression. The levels of the target genes, isl lim homeobox 1 (Isl1), six homeobox 1 (Six1) and mads box transcription enhancer factor 2, polypeptide C (Mef2c), involved in cardiac pathogenesis were up regulated. Overall, our data suggest that the programming of cardiac alterations by maternal exposure to high-fat diet involves the derepression of pro-fibrotic and pro-hypertrophic genes through the induction of EZH2 and DNMT3B deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Blin
- Woman-Mother-Child Department, Division of Pediatrics, DOHaD Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 27, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (G.B.); (M.L.); (H.C.); (U.S.)
| | - Marjorie Liand
- Woman-Mother-Child Department, Division of Pediatrics, DOHaD Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 27, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (G.B.); (M.L.); (H.C.); (U.S.)
| | - Claire Mauduit
- INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Team 5, 06204 Nice, France; (C.M.); (M.B.)
| | - Hassib Chehade
- Woman-Mother-Child Department, Division of Pediatrics, DOHaD Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 27, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (G.B.); (M.L.); (H.C.); (U.S.)
| | - Mohamed Benahmed
- INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Team 5, 06204 Nice, France; (C.M.); (M.B.)
| | - Umberto Simeoni
- Woman-Mother-Child Department, Division of Pediatrics, DOHaD Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 27, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (G.B.); (M.L.); (H.C.); (U.S.)
| | - Benazir Siddeek
- Woman-Mother-Child Department, Division of Pediatrics, DOHaD Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 27, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (G.B.); (M.L.); (H.C.); (U.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Li D, Li Z, Yang Y, Zeng X, Li Y, Du X, Zhu X. Circular RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in environmental chemical exposure-related diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 180:108825. [PMID: 31683121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical contamination in the environment is known to cause abnormal circular RNA (circRNA) expression through multiple exposure routes; yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially circRNAs, play important roles in epigenetic regulation and disease pathogenesis; however, few studies have examined the function of circRNAs in chemical contamination-induced diseases. CircRNAs are covalently closed continuous loops that do not possess 5' and 3' ends, increasing their structural stability and limiting degradation by exoribonucleases. In addition, environmental chemical exposure-related diseases are often accompanied by aberrant expression of specific circRNAs and those circRNAs are often detected in tissues and body fluids. Based on these characteristics, circRNAs may serve as candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of diseases related to environmental chemical exposure. Here, we review the generation and function of circRNAs, and the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of environmental chemical exposure-related disorders by circRNAs. This is the first comprehensive review of the relationship between environmental chemical exposure and circRNAs in chemical exposure-induced diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637009, China; College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, China
| | - Zeqin Li
- College of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610059, China
| | - Yan Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637009, China
| | - Xianyin Zeng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, China
| | - Youping Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637009, China
| | - Xiaogang Du
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637009, China; College of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610059, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhang W, Li M, Sun F, Xu X, Zhang Z, Liu J, Sun X, Zhang A, Shen Y, Xu J, Miao M, Wu B, Yuan Y, Huang X, Shi H, Du J. Association of Sperm Methylation at LINE-1, Four Candidate Genes, and Nicotine/Alcohol Exposure With the Risk of Infertility. Front Genet 2019; 10:1001. [PMID: 31681430 PMCID: PMC6813923 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined whether smoking and drinking affect sperm quality and the DNA methylation of the repetitive element LINE-1, MEST, P16, H19, and GNAS in sperm. Semen samples were obtained from 143 male residents in a minority-inhabited district of Guizhou province in southwest China. Quantitative DNA methylation analysis of the samples was performed using MassARRAY EpiTYPER assays. Sperm motility was significantly lower in both the nicotine-exposed (P = 0.0064) and the nicotine- and alcohol-exposed (P = 0.0008) groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were higher in the nicotine-exposed group (P = 0.0026). The repetitive element LINE-1 was hypermethylated in the three exposed groups, while P16 was hypomethylated in the alcohol and both the alcohol and nicotine exposure groups. Our results also show that alcohol and nicotine exposure altered sperm cell quality, which may be related to the methylation levels of MEST and GNAS. In addition, MEST, GNAS, and the repetitive element LINE1 methylation was significantly associated with the concentration of sperm as well as FSH and luteinizing hormone levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Changhai Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuting Xu
- Huzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhaofeng Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junwei Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowei Sun
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yupei Shen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Yuan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianliang Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Du
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Carrell DT. The Sperm Epigenome: Implications for Assisted Reproductive Technologies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1166:47-56. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21664-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|