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Roizen J, Long C, Casella A, Nguyen M, Danahy L, Seiler C, Lei M, Mark J. High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling. Res Sq 2024:rs.3.rs-4202165. [PMID: 38766160 PMCID: PMC11100886 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4202165/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Obesity occurs because the body stores surplus calories as fat rather than as muscle. Fat secretes a hormone, leptin, that modulates energy balance at the brain. Changes in fat mass are mirrored by changes in serum leptin. Elevated leptin prompts the brain to decrease appetite and increase energy expenditure. In obesity, however, impaired leptin sensitivity mutes these leptin-mediated changes. We have limited understanding of what controls leptin production by fat or leptin sensitivity in the brain. Muscle produces a hormone, myostatin, that plays a role in muscle analogous to the one that leptin plays in fat. Absent myostatin leads to increased muscle mass and strength. As with leptin, we also do not know what controls myostatin production or sensitivity. Although fat mass and muscle mass are closely linked, the interplay between leptin and myostatin remains obscure. Here we describe an interplay linked thru vitamin D. Conventionally, it is thought that vitamin D improves strength via trophic effects at the muscle. However, we find here that high dose dietary vitamin D allocates excess calories to muscle and linear growth instead of storage as fat. Vitamin D mediates this allocation by decreasing myostatin production and increasing leptin production and sensitivity. That is, high dose vitamin D improves integration of organismal energy balance. Obesity, aging and other chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with increased fat mass and decreased muscle mass and function (e.g. sarcopenia). Our work provides a physiologic framework for how high-dose vitamin D would increase allocation of calories to muscle instead of fat in these pathologies. Additionally, our work reveals a novel link between the myostatin and leptin signaling whereby myostatin conveys energy needs to modulate leptin effects on calorie allocation. This result provides evidence to update the conventional model of energy stores sensing to a new model of energy balance sensing. In our proposed model, integration of leptin and myostatin signaling allows control of body composition independent of weight. Furthermore, our work reveals how physiologic seasonal variation in vitamin D may be important in controlling season-specific metabolism and calorie allocation to fat in winter and muscle and growth in summer.
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Gao X, Wang Y, Song Z, Jiang M, Huang T, Baccarelli AA. Early-life risk factors, accelerated biological aging and the late-life risk of mortality and morbidity. QJM 2024; 117:257-268. [PMID: 37930885 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcad247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life exposure increases health risks throughout an individual's lifetime. Biological aging is influenced by early-life risks as a key process of disease development, but whether early-life risks could accelerate biological aging and elevate late-life mortality and morbidity risks remains unknown. Knowledge is also limited on the potential moderating role of healthy lifestyle. METHODS We investigate associations of three early-life risks around birth, breastfeeding, maternal smoking and birth weight, with biological aging of 202 580 UK Biobank participants (54.9 ± 8.1 years old). Biological aging was quantified as KDM-BA, PhenoAge and frailty. Moderate alcohol intake, no current smoking, healthy diet, BMI <30 kg/m2 and regular physical activity were considered as healthy lifestyles. Mortality and morbidity data were retrieved from health records. RESULTS Individual early-life risk factors were robustly associated with accelerated biological aging. A one-unit increase in the 'early-life risk score' integrating the three factors was associated with 0.060 (SE=0.0019) and 0.036-unit (SE = 0.0027) increase in z-scored KDM-BA acceleration and PhenoAge acceleration, respectively, and with 22.3% higher odds (95% CI: 1.185-1.262) of frailty. Increased chronological age and healthy lifestyles could mitigate the accelerations of KDM-BA and PhenoAge, respectively. Associations of early-life risk score with late-life mortality and morbidity were mediated by biological aging (proportions: 5.66-43.12%). KDM-BA and PhenoAge accelerations could significantly mediate the impact on most outcomes except anxiety, and frailty could not mediate the impact on T2D. CONCLUSION Biological aging could capture and mediate the late-life health risks stemming from the early-life risks, and could be potentially targeted for healthy longevity promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Gao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Center for Healthy Aging, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Y Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Z Song
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - M Jiang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - T Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - A A Baccarelli
- Laboratory of Environmental Precision Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Mulder RH, Neumann A, Felix JF, Suderman M, Cecil CAM. What makes clocks tick? Characterizing developmental dynamics of adult epigenetic clock sites. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.12.584597. [PMID: 38559237 PMCID: PMC10979995 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.12.584597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) at specific sites can be used to calculate 'epigenetic clocks', which in adulthood are used as indicators of age(ing). However, little is known about how these clock sites 'behave' during development and what factors influence their variability in early life. This knowledge could be used to optimize healthy aging well before the onset of age-related conditions. Here, we leveraged results from two longitudinal population-based cohorts (N=5,019 samples from 2,348 individuals) to characterize trajectories of adult clock sites from birth to early adulthood. We find that clock sites (i) diverge widely in their developmental trajectories, often showing non-linear change over time; (ii) are substantially more likely than non-clock sites to vary between individuals already from birth, differences that are predictive of DNAm variation at later ages; and (iii) show enrichment for genetic and prenatal environmental exposures, supporting an early-origins perspective to epigenetic aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa H. Mulder
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry / Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry / Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janine F. Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew Suderman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Charlotte A. M. Cecil
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry / Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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4
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Peters TJ, Meyer B, Ryan L, Achinger-Kawecka J, Song J, Campbell EM, Qu W, Nair S, Loi-Luu P, Stricker P, Lim E, Stirzaker C, Clark SJ, Pidsley R. Characterisation and reproducibility of the HumanMethylationEPIC v2.0 BeadChip for DNA methylation profiling. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:251. [PMID: 38448820 PMCID: PMC10916044 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Illumina family of Infinium Methylation BeadChip microarrays has been widely used over the last 15 years for genome-wide DNA methylation profiling, including large-scale and population-based studies, due to their ease of use and cost effectiveness. Succeeding the popular HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip (EPICv1), the recently released Infinium MethylationEPIC v2.0 BeadChip (EPICv2) claims to extend genomic coverage to more than 935,000 CpG sites. Here, we comprehensively characterise the reproducibility, reliability and annotation of the EPICv2 array, based on bioinformatic analysis of both manifest data and new EPICv2 data from diverse biological samples. RESULTS We find a high degree of reproducibility with EPICv1, evidenced by comparable sensitivity and precision from empirical cross-platform comparison incorporating whole genome bisulphite sequencing (WGBS), and high correlation between technical sample replicates, including between samples with DNA input levels below the manufacturer's recommendation. We provide a full assessment of probe content, evaluating genomic distribution and changes from previous array versions. We characterise EPICv2's new feature of replicated probes and provide recommendations as to the superior probes. In silico analysis of probe sequences demonstrates that probe cross-hybridisation remains a significant problem in EPICv2. By mapping the off-target sites at single nucleotide resolution and comparing with WGBS we show empirical evidence for preferential off-target binding. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we find EPICv2 a worthy successor to the previous Infinium methylation microarrays, however some technical issues remain. To support optimal EPICv2 data analysis we provide an expanded version of the EPICv2 manifest to aid researchers in understanding probe design, data processing, choosing appropriate probes for analysis and for integration with methylation datasets from previous versions of the Infinium Methylation BeadChip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Peters
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Braydon Meyer
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Lauren Ryan
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Joanna Achinger-Kawecka
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Jenny Song
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Elyssa M Campbell
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Wenjia Qu
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Shalima Nair
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Phuc Loi-Luu
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Phillip Stricker
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- Department of Urology, St. Vincent's Prostate Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Clare Stirzaker
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Susan J Clark
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
| | - Ruth Pidsley
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
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Bozack AK, Rifas-Shiman SL, Baccarelli AA, Wright RO, Gold DR, Oken E, Hivert MF, Cardenas A. Associations of prenatal one-carbon metabolism nutrients and metals with epigenetic aging biomarkers at birth and in childhood in a US cohort. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:3107-3136. [PMID: 38412256 PMCID: PMC10929819 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic gestational age acceleration (EGAA) at birth and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in childhood may be biomarkers of the intrauterine environment. We investigated the extent to which first-trimester folate, B12, 5 essential, and 7 non-essential metals in maternal circulation are associated with EGAA and EAA in early life. Bohlin EGAA and Horvath pan-tissue and skin and blood EAA were calculated using DNA methylation measured in cord blood (N=351) and mid-childhood blood (N=326; median age = 7.7 years) in the Project Viva pre-birth cohort. A one standard deviation increase in individual essential metals (copper, manganese, and zinc) was associated with 0.94-1.2 weeks lower Horvath EAA at birth, and patterns of exposures identified by exploratory factor analysis suggested that a common source of essential metals was associated with Horvath EAA. We also observed evidence nonlinear associations of zinc with Bohlin EGAA, magnesium and lead with Horvath EAA, and cesium with skin and blood EAA at birth. Overall, associations at birth did not persist in mid-childhood; however, arsenic was associated with greater EAA at birth and in childhood. Prenatal metals, including essential metals and arsenic, are associated with epigenetic aging in early life, which might be associated with future health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K. Bozack
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Andrea A. Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert O. Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY 10029, USA
| | - Diane R. Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Sosnowski DW, Rojo-Wissar DM, Peng G, Parade SH, Sharkey K, Hoyo C, Murphy SK, Hernandez RG, Johnson SB. Maternal Childhood Adversity and Infant Epigenetic Aging: Moderation by Restless Sleep During Pregnancy. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22464. [PMID: 38601952 PMCID: PMC11003750 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to childhood adversity is associated with detrimental health outcomes throughout the lifespan and may have implications for offspring. Evidence links maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to detrimental birth outcomes, yet the impact on the infant's epigenome is unclear. Moreover, maternal sleep habits during pregnancy may influence this association. Here, we explore whether restless sleep during pregnancy moderates the association between exposure to maternal childhood adversity and infant epigenetic age acceleration in 332 mother-infant dyads (56% female; 39% Black; 25% Hispanic). During the 2nd trimester, mothers self-reported childhood adversity and past-week restless sleep; DNA methylation from umbilical vein endothelial cells was used to estimate five epigenetic clocks. Multivariable linear regression was used to test study hypotheses. Despite no evidence of main effects, there was evidence of an interaction between maternal ACEs and restless sleep in predicting infant epigenetic age acceleration using the EPIC Gestational Age clock. Only infants whose mothers reported exposure to both ACEs and restless sleep demonstrated accelerated epigenetic aging. Results provide preliminary evidence that maternal childhood adversity and sleep may influence the infant epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Sosnowski
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Darlynn M. Rojo-Wissar
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center, E.P. Bradley Hospital
| | - Gang Peng
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Stephanie H. Parade
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center, E.P. Bradley Hospital
| | - Katherine Sharkey
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Department of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment North Carolina State University
| | - Susan K. Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine
| | | | - Sara B. Johnson
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
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7
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Short AK, Weber R, Kamei N, Thai CW, Arora H, Mortazavi A, Stern HS, Glynn L, Baram TZ. Within-subject changes in methylome profile identify individual signatures of early-life adversity, with a potential to predict neuropsychiatric outcome. bioRxiv 2023:2023.12.16.571594. [PMID: 38187766 PMCID: PMC10769190 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.16.571594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Adverse early-life experiences (ELA), including poverty, trauma and neglect, affect a majority of the world's children. Whereas the impact of ELA on cognitive and emotional health throughout the lifespan is well-established, it is not clear how distinct types of ELA influence child development, and there are no tools to predict for an individual child their vulnerability or resilience to the consequences of ELAs. Epigenetic markers including DNA-methylation profiles of peripheral cells may encode ELA and provide a predictive outcome marker. However, the rapid dynamic changes in DNA methylation in childhood and the inter-individual variance of the human genome pose barriers to identifying profiles predicting outcomes of ELA exposure. Here, we examined the relation of several dimensions of ELA to changes of DNA methylation, using a longitudinal within-subject design and a high threshold for methylation changes in the hope of mitigating the above challenges. Methods We analyzed DNA methylation in buccal swab samples collected twice for each of 110 infants: neonatally and at 12 months. We identified CpGs differentially methylated across time, calculated methylation changes for each child, and determined whether several indicators of ELA associated with changes of DNA methylation for individual infants. We then correlated select dimensions of ELA with methylation changes as well as with measures of executive function at age 5 years. We examined for sex differences, and derived a sex-dependent 'impact score' based on sites that most contributed to the methylation changes. Findings Setting a high threshold for methylation changes, we discovered that changes in methylation between two samples of an individual child reflected age-related trends towards augmented methylation, and also correlated with executive function years later. Among the tested factors and ELA dimensions, including income to needs ratios, maternal sensitivity, body mass index and sex, unpredictability of parental and household signals was the strongest predictor of executive function. In girls, an interaction was observed between a measure of high early-life unpredictability and methylation changes, in presaging executive function. Interpretation These findings establish longitudinal, within-subject changes in methylation profiles as a signature of some types of ELA in an individual child. Notably, such changes are detectable beyond the age-associated DNA methylation dynamics. Future studies are required to determine if the methylation profile changes identified here provide a predictive marker of vulnerabilities to poorer cognitive and emotional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel K. Short
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia, 6009 (current)
- Division of Paediatrics/Centre for Child Health Research, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia, 6009 (current)
| | - Ryan Weber
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Noriko Kamei
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Christina Wilcox Thai
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Hina Arora
- Department of Statistics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Hal S. Stern
- Department of Statistics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Laura Glynn
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, 92866
| | - Tallie Z. Baram
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
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Strawn M, Safranski TJ, Behura SK. Does DNA methylation in the fetal brain leave an epigenetic memory in the blood? Gene 2023; 887:147788. [PMID: 37696423 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic memory is an emerging concept that refers to the process in which epigenetic changes occurring early-in life can lead to long-term programs of gene regulation in time and space. By leveraging neural network regression modeling of DNA methylation data in pigs, we show that specific methylations in the adult blood can reliably predict methylation changes that occurred in the fetal brain. Genes associated with these methylations represented known markers of specific cell types of blood including bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells, and ependymal and oligodendrocyte cells of brain. This suggested that methylation changes that occurred in the developing brain were maintained as an epigenetic memory in the blood through the adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Strawn
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - Timothy J Safranski
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - Susanta K Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States; MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
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Tuminello S, Nguyen E, Durmus N, Alptekin R, Yilmaz M, Crisanti MC, Snuderl M, Chen Y, Shao Y, Reibman J, Taioli E, Arslan AA. World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence. Epigenomes 2023; 7:31. [PMID: 38131903 PMCID: PMC10742700 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. Methods: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free "Survivors" and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from "Responders" with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. Results: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Tuminello
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
| | - Emelie Nguyen
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Nedim Durmus
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ramazan Alptekin
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Muhammed Yilmaz
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Matija Snuderl
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alan A. Arslan
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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10
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Zeidan RS, McElroy T, Rathor L, Martenson MS, Lin Y, Mankowski RT. Sex differences in frailty among older adults. Exp Gerontol 2023; 184:112333. [PMID: 37993077 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
By definition, aging is a natural, gradual and continuous process. On the other hand, frailty reflects the increase in vulnerability to stressors and shortens the time without disease (health span) while longevity refers to the length of life (lifespan). The average life expectancy has significantly increased during the last few decades. A longer lifespan has been accompanied by an increase in frailty and decreased independence in older adults, with major differences existing between men and women. For example, women tend to live longer than men but also experience higher rates of frailty and disability. Sex differences prevent optimization of lifestyle interventions and therapies to effectively prevent frailty. Sex differences in frailty and aging are rooted in a complex interplay between uncontrollable (genetic, epigenetic, physiological), and controllable factors (psychosocial and lifestyle factors). Thus, understanding the underlying causes of sex differences in frailty and aging is essential for developing personalized interventions to promote healthy aging and improve quality of life in older men and women. In this review, we have discussed the key contributors and knowledge gaps related to sex differences in aging and frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola S Zeidan
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Taylor McElroy
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Laxmi Rathor
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Matthew S Martenson
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Yi Lin
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Robert T Mankowski
- Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
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Katrinli S, Smith AK, Drury SS, Covault J, Ford JD, Singh V, Reese B, Johnson A, Scranton V, Fall P, Briggs-Gowan M, Grasso DJ. Cumulative stress, PTSD, and emotion dysregulation during pregnancy and epigenetic age acceleration in Hispanic mothers and their newborn infants. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2231722. [PMID: 37433036 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2231722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy can exacerbate or prompt the onset of stress-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is associated with heightened stress responsivity and emotional dysregulation, as well as increased risk of chronic disorders and mortality. Further, maternal PTSD is associated with gestational epigenetic age acceleration in newborns, implicating the prenatal period as a developmental time period for the transmission of effects across generations. Here, we evaluated the associations between PTSD symptoms, maternal epigenetic age acceleration, and infant gestational epigenetic age acceleration in 89 maternal-neonatal dyads. Trauma-related experiences and PTSD symptoms in mothers were assessed during the third trimester of pregnancy. The MethylationEPIC array was used to generate DNA methylation data from maternal and neonatal saliva samples collected within 24 h of infant birth. Maternal epigenetic age acceleration was calculated using Horvath's multi-tissue clock, PhenoAge and GrimAge. Gestational epigenetic age was estimated using the Haftorn clock. Maternal cumulative past-year stress (GrimAge: p = 3.23e-04, PhenoAge: p = 9.92e-03), PTSD symptoms (GrimAge: p = 0.019), and difficulties in emotion regulation (GrimAge: p = 0.028) were associated with accelerated epigenetic age in mothers. Maternal PTSD symptoms were associated with lower gestational epigenetic age acceleration in neonates (p = 0.032). Overall, our results suggest that maternal cumulative past-year stress exposure and trauma-related symptoms may increase the risk for age-related problems in mothers and developmental problems in their newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyma Katrinli
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stacy S Drury
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Covault
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Julian D Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Vijender Singh
- Computational Biology Core, University of Connecticut, School of Medicine, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Bo Reese
- Center for Genome Innovation, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Amy Johnson
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Victoria Scranton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Pamela Fall
- Clinical Research Center Core Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Margaret Briggs-Gowan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Damion J Grasso
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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San-Cristobal R, de Toro-Martín J, Guénard F, Pérusse L, Biron S, Marceau S, Lafortune Payette A, Vohl MC. Impact of maternal cardiometabolic status after bariatric surgery on the association between telomere length and adiposity in offspring. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20771. [PMID: 38008763 PMCID: PMC10679094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47813-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of bariatric surgery on metabolic and inflammatory status are reflected in the epigenetic profile and telomere length mediated by the changes in the metabolic status of the patients. This study compared the telomere length of children born before versus after maternal bariatric surgery as a surrogate to test the influence of the mother's metabolic status on children's telomere length. DNA methylation telomere length (DNAmTL) was estimated from Methylation-EPIC BeadChip array data from a total of 24 children born before and after maternal bariatric surgery in the greater Quebec City area. DNAmTL was inversely associated with chronological age in children (r = - 0.80, p < 0.001) and significant differences were observed on age-adjusted DNAmTL between children born before versus after the maternal bariatric surgery. The associations found between body mass index and body fat percentage with DNAmTL in children born after the surgery were influenced by maternal triglycerides, TG/HDL-C ratio and TyG index. This study reports the impact of maternal bariatric surgery on offspring telomere length. The influence of maternal metabolic status on the association between telomere length and markers of adiposity in children suggests a putative modulating effect of bariatric surgery on the cardiometabolic risk in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo San-Cristobal
- Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- School of Nutrition, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Juan de Toro-Martín
- Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- School of Nutrition, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Guénard
- Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Louis Pérusse
- Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Biron
- Department of Surgery, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Simon Marceau
- Department of Surgery, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Annie Lafortune Payette
- Department of Surgery, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Vohl
- Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
- Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.
- School of Nutrition, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.
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Meir AY, Wang G, Hong X, Wang X, Liang L. Newborn DNA methylation age differentiates long-term weight trajectory: The Boston Birth Cohort. medRxiv 2023:2023.11.02.23297965. [PMID: 37961472 PMCID: PMC10635264 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.02.23297965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Background Gestational age (GEAA) estimated by newborn DNA methylation (GAmAge) is associated with maternal prenatal exposures and immediate birth outcomes. However, the association of GAmAge with long-term overweight or obesity (OWO) trajectories is yet to be determined. Methods GAmAge was calculated for 831 children from a US predominantly urban, low-income, multi-ethnic birth cohort using Illumina EPIC array and cord-blood DNA samples. Repeated anthropometric measurements aligned with pediatric primary care schedule allowed us to calculate body-mass-index percentiles (BMIPCT) at specific age and to define long-term weight trajectories from birth to 18 years. Results Four BMIPCT trajectory groups described the long-term weight trajectories: stable (consistent OWO: "early OWO"; constant normal weight: "NW") or non-stable (OWO by year 1 of follow-up: "late OWO"; OWO by year 6 of follow-up: "NW to very late OWO") BMIPCT. were used GAmAge was a predictor of long-term obesity, differentiating between group with consistently high BMIPCT and group with normal BMIPCT patterns and groups with late OWO development. Such differentiation can be observed in the age periods of birth to 1year, 3years, 6years, 10years, and 14years (p<0.05 for all; multivariate models adjusted for GEAA, maternal smoking, delivery method, and child's sex). Birth weight was a mediator for the GAmAge effect on OWO status for specific groups at multiple age periods. Conclusions GAmAge is associated with BMI trajectories from birth to age 18 years, independent of GEAA and birth weight. If further confirmed, GAmAge may serve as an early biomarker for future OWO risk.
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Musci RJ, Raghunathan RS, Johnson SB, Klein L, Ladd-Acosta C, Ansah R, Hassoun R, Voegtline KM. Using Epigenetic Clocks to Characterize Biological Aging in Studies of Children and Childhood Exposures: a Systematic Review. Prev Sci 2023; 24:1398-1423. [PMID: 37477807 PMCID: PMC10964791 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01576-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Biological age, measured via epigenetic clocks, offers a unique and useful tool for prevention scientists to explore the short- and long-term implications of age deviations for health, development, and behavior. The use of epigenetic clocks in pediatric research is rapidly increasing, and there is a need to review the landscape of this work to understand the utility of these clocks for prevention scientists. We summarize the current state of the literature on the use of specific epigenetic clocks in childhood. Using systematic review methods, we identified studies published through February 2023 that used one of three epigenetic clocks as a measure of biological aging. These epigenetic clocks could either be used as a predictor of health outcomes or as a health outcome of interest. The database search identified 982 records, 908 of which were included in a title and abstract review. After full-text screening, 68 studies were eligible for inclusion. While findings were somewhat mixed, a majority of included studies found significant associations between the epigenetic clock used and the health outcome of interest or between an exposure and the epigenetic clock used. From these results, we propose the use of epigenetic clocks as a tool to understand how exposures impact biologic aging pathways and development in early life, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of preventive interventions that aim to reduce exposure and associated adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashelle J Musci
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | | | - Sara B Johnson
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Lauren Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Rosemary Ansah
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Ronda Hassoun
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kristin M Voegtline
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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15
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Vasileva D, Greenwood CMT, Daley D. A Review of the Epigenetic Clock: Emerging Biomarkers for Asthma and Allergic Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1724. [PMID: 37761864 PMCID: PMC10531327 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) is a dynamic, age-dependent epigenetic modification that can be used to study interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Environmental exposures during critical periods of growth and development may alter DNAm patterns, leading to increased susceptibility to diseases such as asthma and allergies. One method to study the role of DNAm is the epigenetic clock-an algorithm that uses DNAm levels at select age-informative Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) dinucleotides to predict epigenetic age (EA). The difference between EA and calendar age (CA) is termed epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and reveals information about the biological capacity of an individual. Associations between EAA and disease susceptibility have been demonstrated for a variety of age-related conditions and, more recently, phenotypes such as asthma and allergic diseases, which often begin in childhood and progress throughout the lifespan. In this review, we explore different epigenetic clocks and how they have been applied, particularly as related to childhood asthma. We delve into how in utero and early life exposures (e.g., smoking, air pollution, maternal BMI) result in methylation changes. Furthermore, we explore the potential for EAA to be used as a biomarker for asthma and allergic diseases and identify areas for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denitsa Vasileva
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia and Saint Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada;
| | - Celia M. T. Greenwood
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada;
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Denise Daley
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia and Saint Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, Respiratory Division, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Lussier AA, Zhu Y, Smith BJ, Cerutti J, Fisher J, Melton PE, Wood NM, Cohen-Woods S, Huang RC, Mitchell C, Schneper L, Notterman DA, Simpkin AJ, Smith ADAC, Suderman MJ, Walton E, Relton CL, Ressler KJ, Dunn EC. Association between the timing of childhood adversity and epigenetic patterns across childhood and adolescence: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) prospective cohort. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2023; 7:532-543. [PMID: 37327798 PMCID: PMC10527482 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(23)00127-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood adversity is a potent determinant of health across development and is associated with altered DNA methylation signatures, which might be more common in children exposed during sensitive periods in development. However, it remains unclear whether adversity has persistent epigenetic associations across childhood and adolescence. We aimed to examine the relationship between time-varying adversity (defined through sensitive period, accumulation of risk, and recency life course hypotheses) and genome-wide DNA methylation, measured three times from birth to adolescence, using data from a prospective, longitudinal cohort study. METHODS We first investigated the relationship between the timing of exposure to childhood adversity between birth and 11 years and blood DNA methylation at age 15 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) prospective cohort study. Our analytic sample included ALSPAC participants with DNA methylation data and complete childhood adversity data between birth and 11 years. We analysed seven types of adversity (caregiver physical or emotional abuse, sexual or physical abuse [by anyone], maternal psychopathology, one-adult households, family instability, financial hardship, and neighbourhood disadvantage) reported by mothers five to eight times between birth and 11 years. We used the structured life course modelling approach (SLCMA) to identify time-varying associations between childhood adversity and adolescent DNA methylation. Top loci were identified using an R2 threshold of 0·035 (ie, ≥3·5% of DNA methylation variance explained by adversity). We attempted to replicate these associations using data from the Raine Study and Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). We also assessed the persistence of adversity-DNA methylation associations we previously identified from age 7 blood DNA methylation into adolescence and the influence of adversity on DNA methylation trajectories from ages 0-15 years. FINDINGS Of 13 988 children in the ALSPAC cohort, 609-665 children (311-337 [50-51%] boys and 298-332 [49-50%] girls) had complete data available for at least one of the seven childhood adversities and DNA methylation at 15 years. Exposure to adversity was associated with differences in DNA methylation at 15 years for 41 loci (R2 ≥0·035). Sensitive periods were the most often selected life course hypothesis by the SLCMA. 20 (49%) of 41 loci were associated with adversities occurring between age 3 and 5 years. Exposure to one-adult households was associated with differences in DNA methylation at 20 [49%] of 41 loci, exposure to financial hardship was associated with changes at nine (22%) loci, and physical or sexual abuse was associated with changes at four (10%) loci. We replicated the direction of associations for 18 (90%) of 20 loci associated with exposure to one-adult household using adolescent blood DNA methylation from the Raine Study and 18 (64%) of 28 loci using saliva DNA methylation from the FFCWS. The directions of effects for 11 one-adult household loci were replicated in both cohorts. Differences in DNA methylation at 15 years were not present at 7 years and differences identified at 7 years were no longer apparent by 15 years. We also identified six distinct DNA methylation trajectories from these patterns of stability and persistence. INTERPRETATION These findings highlight the time-varying effect of childhood adversity on DNA methylation profiles across development, which might link exposure to adversity to potential adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents. If replicated, these epigenetic signatures could ultimately serve as biological indicators or early warning signs of initiated disease processes, helping identify people at greater risk for the adverse health consequences of childhood adversity. FUNDING Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources, EU's Horizon 2020, US National Institute of Mental Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre A Lussier
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, The Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Yiwen Zhu
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brooke J Smith
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janine Cerutti
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonah Fisher
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Abor, MI, USA
| | - Phillip E Melton
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Natasha M Wood
- College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sarah Cohen-Woods
- College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Rae-Chi Huang
- Nutrition Health Innovation Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Colter Mitchell
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Abor, MI, USA
| | - Lisa Schneper
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel A Notterman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Andrew J Simpkin
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Andrew D A C Smith
- Mathematics and Statistics Research Group, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew J Suderman
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Esther Walton
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Caroline L Relton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Erin C Dunn
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, The Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Mareckova K, Pacinkova A, Marecek R, Sebejova L, Izakovicova Holla L, Klanova J, Brazdil M, Nikolova YS. Longitudinal study of epigenetic aging and its relationship with brain aging and cognitive skills in young adulthood. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1215957. [PMID: 37593374 PMCID: PMC10427722 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1215957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The proportion of older adults within society is sharply increasing and a better understanding of how we age starts to be critical. However, given the paucity of longitudinal studies with both neuroimaging and epigenetic data, it remains largely unknown whether the speed of the epigenetic clock changes over the life course and whether any such changes are proportional to changes in brain aging and cognitive skills. To fill these knowledge gaps, we conducted a longitudinal study of a prenatal birth cohort, studied epigenetic aging across adolescence and young adulthood, and evaluated its relationship with brain aging and cognitive outcomes. Methods DNA methylation was assessed using the Illumina EPIC Platform in adolescence, early and late 20 s, DNA methylation age was estimated using Horvath's epigenetic clock, and epigenetic age gap (EpiAGE) was calculated as DNA methylation age residualized for batch, chronological age and the proportion of epithelial cells. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was acquired in both the early 20 s and late 20 s using the same 3T Prisma MRI scanner and brain age was calculated using the Neuroanatomical Age Prediction using R (NAPR) platform. Cognitive skills were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) in the late 20 s. Results The EpiAGE in adolescence, the early 20 s, and the late 20 s were positively correlated (r = 0.34-0.47), suggesting that EpiAGE is a relatively stable characteristic of an individual. Further, a faster pace of aging between the measurements was positively correlated with EpiAGE at the end of the period (r = 0.48-0.77) but negatively correlated with EpiAGE at the earlier time point (r = -0.42 to -0.55), suggesting a compensatory mechanism where late matures might be catching up with the early matures. Finally, higher positive EpiAGE showed small (Adj R2 = 0.03) but significant relationships with a higher positive brain age gap in all participants and lower full-scale IQ in young adult women in the late 20 s. Discussion We conclude that the EpiAGE is a relatively stable characteristic of an individual across adolescence and early adulthood, but that it shows only a small relationship with accelerated brain aging and a women-specific relationship with worse performance IQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Mareckova
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
- 1 Department of Neurology, St. Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Anna Pacinkova
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
- Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Radek Marecek
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
| | | | - Lydie Izakovicova Holla
- Department of Stomatology, St. Anne’s Univ. Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jana Klanova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Milan Brazdil
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
- 1 Department of Neurology, St. Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Yuliya S. Nikolova
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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18
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Simpson DJ, Zhao Q, Olova NN, Dabrowski J, Xie X, Latorre‐Crespo E, Chandra T. Region-based epigenetic clock design improves RRBS-based age prediction. Aging Cell 2023; 22:e13866. [PMID: 37170475 PMCID: PMC10410054 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that epigenetic rejuvenation can be achieved using drugs that mimic calorie restriction and techniques such as reprogramming-induced rejuvenation. To effectively test rejuvenation in vivo, mouse models are the safest alternative. However, we have found that the recent epigenetic clocks developed for mouse reduced-representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) data have significantly poor performance when applied to external datasets. We show that the sites captured and the coverage of key CpGs required for age prediction vary greatly between datasets, which likely contributes to the lack of transferability in RRBS clocks. To mitigate these coverage issues in RRBS-based age prediction, we present two novel design strategies that use average methylation over large regions rather than individual CpGs, whereby regions are defined by sliding windows (e.g. 5 kb), or density-based clustering of CpGs. We observe improved correlation and error in our regional blood clocks (RegBCs) compared to published individual-CpG-based techniques when applied to external datasets. The RegBCs are also more robust when applied to low coverage data and detect a negative age acceleration in mice undergoing calorie restriction. Our RegBCs offer a proof of principle that age prediction of RRBS datasets can be improved by accounting for multiple CpGs over a region, which negates the lack of read depth currently hindering individual-CpG-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Simpson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Qian Zhao
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Nelly N. Olova
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Jan Dabrowski
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Xiaoxiao Xie
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Eric Latorre‐Crespo
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Tamir Chandra
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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Corrigan M, O'Rourke A, Moran B, Fletcher J, Harkin A. Inflammation in the pathogenesis of depression: a disorder of neuroimmune origin. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220054. [PMID: 37457896 PMCID: PMC10345431 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There are several hypotheses concerning the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of major depression, which centre largely around adaptive changes in neuronal transmission and plasticity, neurogenesis, and circuit and regional connectivity. The immune and endocrine systems are commonly implicated in driving these changes. An intricate interaction of stress hormones, innate immune cells and the actions of soluble mediators of immunity within the nervous system is described as being associated with the symptoms of depression. Bridging endocrine and immune processes to neurotransmission and signalling within key cortical and limbic brain circuits are critical to understanding depression as a disorder of neuroimmune origins. Emergent areas of research include a growing recognition of the adaptive immune system, advances in neuroimaging techniques and mechanistic insights gained from transgenic animals. Elucidation of glial-neuronal interactions is providing additional avenues into promising areas of research, the development of clinically relevant disease models and the discovery of novel therapies. This narrative review focuses on molecular and cellular mechanisms that are influenced by inflammation and stress. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of our current understanding of depression as a disorder of neuroimmune origin, focusing on neuroendocrine and neuroimmune dysregulation in depression pathophysiology. Advances in current understanding lie in pursuit of relevant biomarkers, as the potential of biomarker signatures to improve clinical outcomes is yet to be fully realised. Further investigations to expand biomarker panels including integration with neuroimaging, utilising individual symptoms to stratify patients into more homogenous subpopulations and targeting the immune system for new treatment approaches will help to address current unmet clinical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myles Corrigan
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Transpharmation Ireland, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife M. O'Rourke
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biosciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Barry Moran
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biosciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jean M. Fletcher
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biosciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andrew Harkin
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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Peng G, Sosnowski DW, Murphy SK, Johnson SB, Skaar D, Schleif WS, Hernandez RG, Monforte H, Zhao H, Hoyo C. An epigenetic clock for gestational age based on human umbilical vein endothelial cells from a diverse population of newborns. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-3112428. [PMID: 37461438 PMCID: PMC10350106 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3112428/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Background Epigenetic clocks are emerging as a useful tool in many areas of research. Many epigenetic clocks have been developed for adults; however, there are fewer clocks focused on newborns and most are trained using blood from European ancestry populations. In this study, we built an epigenetic clock based on primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells from a racially and ethnically diverse population. Results Using human umbilical vein endothelial cell [HUVEC]-derived DNA, we calculated epigenetic gestational age using 83 CpG sites selected through elastic net regression. In this study with newborns from different racial/ethnic identities, epigenetic gestational age and clinical gestational age were more highly correlated (r = 0.85), than epigenetic clocks built from adult and other pediatric populations. The correlation was also higher than clocks based on blood samples from newborns with European ancestry. We also found that birth weight was positively associated with epigenetic gestational age acceleration (EGAA), while NICU admission was associated with lower EGAA. Newborns self-identified as Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black had lower EGAA than self-identified as non-Hispanic White. Conclusions Epigenetic gestational age can be used to estimate clinical gestational age and may help index neonatal development. Caution should be exercised when using epigenetic clocks built from adults with children, especially newborns. We highlight the importance of cell type-specific epigenetic clocks and general pan tissue epigenetic clocks derived from a large racially and ethnically diverse population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Peng
- Indiana University School of Medicine
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21
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Quinn EB, Hsiao CJ, Maisha FM, Mulligan CJ. Low birthweight is associated with epigenetic age acceleration in the first 3 years of life. Evol Med Public Health 2023; 11:251-261. [PMID: 37485054 PMCID: PMC10360162 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis posits that early life adversity is associated with poor adult health outcomes. Epidemiological evidence has supported this framework by linking low birthweight with adult health and mortality, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Accelerated epigenetic aging may be a pathway to connect early life experiences with adult health outcomes, based on associations of accelerated epigenetic aging with increased morbidity and mortality. Methodology Sixty-seven mother-infant dyads were recruited in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Birthweight data were collected at birth, and blood samples were collected at birth and follow-up visits up to age 3. DNA methylation data were generated with the Illumina MethylationEPIC array and used to estimate epigenetic age. A multilevel model was used to test for associations between birthweight and epigenetic age acceleration. Results Chronological age was highly correlated with epigenetic age from birth to age 3 (r = 0.95, p < 2.2 × 10-16). Variation in epigenetic age acceleration increased over time. Birthweight, dichotomized around 2500 g, predicted epigenetic age acceleration over the first 3 years of life (b = -0.39, p = 0.005). Conclusions and implications Our longitudinal analysis provides the first evidence for accelerated epigenetic aging that emerges between birth and age 3 and associates with low birthweight. These results suggest that early life experiences, such as low birthweight, may shape the trajectory of epigenetic aging in early childhood. Furthermore, accelerated epigenetic aging may be a pathway that links low birthweight and poor adult health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward B Quinn
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Chu J Hsiao
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Felicien M Maisha
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Maisha Institute, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Connie J Mulligan
- Corresponding author. Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, PO Box 103610, Gainesville, FL 32610-3610, USA. Tel: 352-273-8092; E-mail:
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22
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Bozack AK, Rifas-Shiman SL, Gold DR, Laubach ZM, Perng W, Hivert MF, Cardenas A. DNA methylation age at birth and childhood: performance of epigenetic clocks and characteristics associated with epigenetic age acceleration in the Project Viva cohort. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:62. [PMID: 37046280 PMCID: PMC10099681 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01480-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and epigenetic gestational age acceleration (EGAA) are biomarkers of physiological development and may be affected by the perinatal environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate performance of epigenetic clocks and to identify biological and sociodemographic correlates of EGAA and EAA at birth and in childhood. In the Project Viva pre-birth cohort, DNA methylation was measured in nucleated cells in cord blood (leukocytes and nucleated red blood cells, N = 485) and leukocytes in early (N = 120, median age = 3.2 years) and mid-childhood (N = 460, median age = 7.7 years). We calculated epigenetic gestational age (EGA; Bohlin and Knight clocks) and epigenetic age (EA; Horvath and skin & blood clocks), and respective measures of EGAA and EAA. We evaluated the performance of clocks relative to chronological age using correlations and median absolute error. We tested for associations of maternal-child characteristics with EGAA and EAA using mutually adjusted linear models controlling for estimated cell type proportions. We also tested associations of Horvath EA at birth with childhood EAA. RESULTS Bohlin EGA was strongly correlated with chronological gestational age (Bohlin EGA r = 0.82, p < 0.001). Horvath and skin & blood EA were weakly correlated with gestational age, but moderately correlated with chronological age in childhood (r = 0.45-0.65). Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with higher skin & blood EAA at birth [B (95% CI) = 1.17 weeks (- 0.09, 2.42)] and in early childhood [0.34 years (0.03, 0.64)]. Female newborns and children had lower Bohlin EGAA [- 0.17 weeks (- 0.30, - 0.04)] and Horvath EAA at birth [B (95% CI) = - 2.88 weeks (- 4.41, - 1.35)] and in childhood [early childhood: - 0.3 years (- 0.60, 0.01); mid-childhood: - 0.48 years (- 0.77, - 0.18)] than males. When comparing self-reported Asian, Black, Hispanic, and more than one race or other racial/ethnic groups to White, we identified significant differences in EGAA and EAA at birth and in mid-childhood, but associations varied across clocks. Horvath EA at birth was positively associated with childhood Horvath and skin & blood EAA. CONCLUSIONS Maternal smoking during pregnancy and child sex were associated with EGAA and EAA at multiple timepoints. Further research may provide insight into the relationship between perinatal factors, pediatric epigenetic aging, and health and development across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Bozack
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Research Park, 1701 Page Mill Road, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diane R Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary M Laubach
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Wei Perng
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health and Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Research Park, 1701 Page Mill Road, Stanford, CA, USA.
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23
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Dye CK, Wu H, Monk C, Belsky DW, Alschuler D, Lee S, O’Donnell K, Scorza P. Mother's childhood adversity is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging in pregnancy and in male newborns. bioRxiv 2023:2023.03.02.530806. [PMID: 36945654 PMCID: PMC10028804 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.02.530806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are correlated with accelerated epigenetic aging, but it is not clear whether altered epigenetic aging from childhood adversities persists into adulthood and can be transmitted to the next generation. Thus, we tested whether mothers' childhood adversity is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging during pregnancy and in their newborn offspring. Methods Data were from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) sub-study, Accessible Resource for Integrated Epigenomic Studies (ARIES). Women provided retrospective self-reports during pregnancy of ACE exposure. DNA methylation was measured in mothers during pregnancy and cord blood at birth. Estimates of epigenetic age acceleration were calculated using Principal Components of Horvath, Hannum skin & blood, GrimAge, PhenoAge, and DunedinPACE epigenetic clocks for mothers; and the Knight and Bohlin cord blood clocks for newborns. Associations between a cumulative maternal ACE score and epigenetic age acceleration were estimated using linear regression models, adjusting for maternal age at pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, education, and pre-pregnancy BMI. Models for offspring were stratified by sex and additionally adjusted for gestation age. Results Mothers' total ACE score was positively associated with accelerated maternal PhenoAge and GrimAge. In newborn offspring, mothers' total ACE score was positively associated with accelerated epigenetic aging in males using the Bohlin clock, but not in females using either epigenetic clock. We found male offsprings' epigenetic age was accelerated in those born to mothers exposed to neglect using the Knight clock; and parental substance abuse using the Bohlin clock. Conclusion Our results show that mothers' ACE exposure is associated with DNAm age acceleration in male offspring, supporting the notion that DNAm age could be a marker of intergenerational biological embedding of mothers' childhood adversity. This is consistent with findings on vulnerability of male fetuses to environmental insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian K. Dye
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Haotian Wu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Catherine Monk
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Division of Behavioral Medicine, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel W. Belsky
- Department of Epidemiology & Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Alschuler
- Division of Behavioral Medicine, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Seonjoo Lee
- Division of Behavioral Medicine, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kieran O’Donnell
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Pamela Scorza
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Manczak EM, Scott SR, Millwood SN. Accelerated epigenetic aging at birth interacts with parenting hostility to predict child temperament and subsequent psychological symptoms. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:109-18. [PMID: 34620266 DOI: 10.1017/S0954579421000614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In an effort to elucidate new factors that may contribute to developmental psychopathology, the current study examined whether accelerated epigenetic aging at birth related to children's differential susceptibility to the effects of aversive parenting on early emerging mental health risk. Using data from a multiethnic birth cohort, the interaction between Horvath's methylation age in umbilical cord blood and hostile parenting behaviors was examined in relation to perceptions of infant's temperament at 6 months and to children's psychological symptoms at 3 years in 154 families. Results broadly revealed that children with higher levels of accelerated methylation aging evinced more unpredictable temperaments and more psychological symptoms if their mothers reported more hostile parenting, but showed fewer difficulties if mothers engaged in less hostile parenting; children with lower levels of accelerated methylation age did not show associations between hostility and temperament or psychological symptoms. Effects were not accounted for by gestational age at birth, demographic factors, or the distribution of cell subtypes. These findings suggest that accelerated epigenetic age may function as a form of differential susceptibility, signaling increased risk for psychopathology in more aversive contexts but decreased risk in less aversive early environments. Taken together, they point to a novel biological process to consider within risk for psychopathology.
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Banszerus VL, König M, Landmesser U, Vetter VM, Demuth I. Epigenetic aging in patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease: results of the LipidCardio study. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:16. [PMID: 36721243 PMCID: PMC9887837 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01434-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People age biologically at different rates. Epigenetic clock-derived DNA methylation age acceleration (DNAmAA) is among the most promising markers proposed to assess the interindividual differences in biological age. Further research is needed to evaluate the characteristics of the different epigenetic clock biomarkers available with respect to the health domains they reflect best. METHODS In this study, we have analyzed 779 participants of the LipidCardio study (mean chronological age 69.9 ± 11.0 years, 30.6% women) who underwent diagnostic angiography at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany. DNA methylation age (DNAm age) was measured by methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (MS-SNuPE) and calculated with the 7-CpG clock. We compared the biological age as assessed as DNAmAA of participants with an angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD, n = 554) with participants with lumen reduction of 50% or less (n = 90) and patients with a normal angiogram (n = 135). RESULTS Participants with a confirmed CAD had on average a 2.5-year higher DNAmAA than patients with a normal angiogram. This association did not persist after adjustment for sex in a logistic regression analysis. High-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, lipoprotein (a), estimated glomerular filtration rate, physical activity, BMI, alcohol consumption, and smoking were not associated with DNAmAA. CONCLUSION The association between higher DNAmAA and angiographically confirmed CAD seems to be mainly driven by sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Laura Banszerus
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Biology of Aging Working Group, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian König
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Biology of Aging Working Group, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Cardiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin (CBF), Berlin, Germany ,grid.484013.a0000 0004 6879 971XBerlin Institute of Health (BIH), Deutsches Zentrum Für Herzkreislaufforschung (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valentin Max Vetter
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Biology of Aging Working Group, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilja Demuth
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Biology of Aging Working Group, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany. .,BCRT - Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Xie J, Xie L, Wei H, Li XJ, Lin L. Dynamic Regulation of DNA Methylation and Brain Functions. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12. [PMID: 36829430 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
DNA cytosine methylation is a principal epigenetic mechanism underlying transcription during development and aging. Growing evidence suggests that DNA methylation plays a critical role in brain function, including neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, synaptogenesis, learning, and memory. However, the mechanisms underlying aberrant DNA methylation in neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. In this review, we provide an overview of the contribution of 5-methycytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxylcytosine (5hmC) to brain development and aging, with a focus on the roles of dynamic 5mC and 5hmC changes in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Identification of aberrant DNA methylation sites could provide potential candidates for epigenetic-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Kanney N, Patki A, Chandler-Laney P, Garvey WT, Hidalgo BA. Epigenetic Age Acceleration in Mothers and Offspring 4-10 Years after a Pregnancy Complicated by Gestational Diabetes and Obesity. Metabolites 2022; 12:1226. [PMID: 36557264 PMCID: PMC9785326 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12121226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A known association exists between exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in GDM-exposed offspring compared to those without GDM exposure. This association has not been assessed previously in mothers with pregnancies complicated by GDM. A total of 137 mother-child dyads with an index pregnancy 4−10 years before study enrollment were included. Clinical data and whole blood samples were collected and quantified to obtain DNA methylation (DNAm) estimates using the Illumina MethylEPIC 850K array in mothers and offspring. DNAm age and age acceleration were evaluated using the Horvath and Hannum clocks. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to determine the association between EAA and leptin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. Mothers with a GDM and non-GDM pregnancy had strong correlations between chronological age and DNAm age (r > 0.70). Offspring of GDM mothers had moderate to strong correlations, whereas offspring of non-GDM mothers had moderate correlations between chronological age and DNAm age. Association analyses revealed a significant association between EAA and fasting insulin in offspring (FDR < 0.05), while HDL-C was the only metabolic marker significantly associated with EAA in mothers (FDR < 0.05). Mothers in the GDM group had a higher predicted epigenetic age and age acceleration than mothers in the non-GDM group. The association between EAA with elevated fasting insulin in offspring and elevated HDL-C in mothers suggests possible biomarkers that can better elucidate the effects of exposure to a GDM pregnancy and future cardiometabolic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nita Kanney
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Amit Patki
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Paula Chandler-Laney
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - W. Timothy Garvey
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Bertha A. Hidalgo
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Clark J, Bulka CM, Martin CL, Roell K, Santos HP, O’Shea TM, Smeester L, Fry R, Dhingra R. Placental epigenetic gestational aging in relation to maternal sociodemographic factors and smoking among infants born extremely preterm: a descriptive study. Epigenetics 2022; 17:2389-2403. [PMID: 36134874 PMCID: PMC9665142 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2125717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH) are defined as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. The distribution of these conditions is influenced by underlying structural factors and may be linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes through epigenetic modifications of gestational tissues. A promising modification is epigenetic gestational age (eGA), which captures 'biological' age at birth. Measuring eGA in placenta, an organ critical for foetal development, may provide information about how SDoH 'get under the skin' during pregnancy to influence birth outcomes and ethnic/racial disparities. We examined relationships of placental eGA with sociodemographic factors, smoking, and two key clinical outcomes: Apgar scores and NICU length of stay. Using the Robust Placental Clock, we estimated eGA for placental samples from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns cohort (N = 408). Regression modelling revealed smoking during pregnancy was associated with placental eGA acceleration (i.e., eGA higher than chronologic gestational age). This association differed by maternal race: among infants born to mothers racialized as Black, we observed greater eGA acceleration (+0.89 week, 95% CI: 0.38, 1.40) as compared to those racialized as white (+0.27 week, 95% CI: -0.06, 0.59). Placental eGA acceleration was also correlated with shorter NICU lengths of stay, but only among infants born to mothers racialized as Black (-0.08 d/week-eGA, 95% CI: -0.12, -0.05). Together, these observed associations suggest that interpretations of epigenetic gestational aging may be tissue-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeliyah Clark
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Catherine M. Bulka
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chantel L. Martin
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kyle Roell
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hudson P. Santos
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Biobehavioral Lab, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - T. Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lisa Smeester
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Radhika Dhingra
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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29
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Bolhuis E, Belsky J, Frankenhuis WE, Shalev I, Hastings WJ, Tollenaar MS, O’Donnell KJ, McGill MG, Pokhvisneva I, Lin DT, MacIsaac JL, Kobor MS, de Weerth C, Beijers R. Attachment insecurity and the biological embedding of reproductive strategies: Investigating the role of cellular aging. Biol Psychol 2022; 175:108446. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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30
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Duan R, Fu Q, Sun Y, Li Q. Epigenetic clock: A promising biomarker and practical tool in aging. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 81:101743. [PMID: 36206857 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
As a complicated process, aging is characterized by various changes at the cellular, subcellular and nuclear levels, one of which is epigenetic aging. With increasing awareness of the critical role that epigenetic alternations play in aging, DNA methylation patterns have been employed as a measure of biological age, currently referred to as the epigenetic clock. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epigenetic clock as a biomarker of aging and a useful tool to manage healthy aging. In this burgeoning scientific field, various kinds of epigenetic clocks continue to emerge, including Horvath's clock, Hannum's clock, DNA PhenoAge, and DNA GrimAge. We hereby present the most classic epigenetic clocks, as well as their differences. Correlations of epigenetic age with morbidity, mortality and other factors suggest the potential of epigenetic clocks for risk prediction and identification in the context of aging. In particular, we summarize studies on promising age-reversing interventions, with epigenetic clocks employed as a practical tool in the efficacy evaluation. We also discuss how the lack of higher-quality information poses a major challenge, and offer some suggestions to address existing obstacles. Hopefully, our review will help provide an appropriate understanding of the epigenetic clocks, thereby enabling novel insights into the aging process and how it can be manipulated to promote healthy aging.
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31
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Kuzawa CW, Ryan CP, Adair LS, Lee NR, Carba DB, MacIsaac JL, Dever K, Atashzay P, Kobor MS, McDade TW. Birth weight and maternal energy status during pregnancy as predictors of epigenetic age acceleration in young adults from metropolitan Cebu, Philippines. Epigenetics 2022; 17:1535-1545. [PMID: 35574972 PMCID: PMC9586628 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2070105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic clocks quantify regular changes in DNA methylation that occur with age, or in relation to biomarkers of ageing, and are strong predictors of morbidity and mortality. Here, we assess whether measures of fetal nutrition and growth that predict adult chronic disease also predict accelerated biological ageing in young adulthood using a suite of commonly used epigenetic clocks. Data come from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS), a long-running cohort followed since birth in metropolitan Cebu, Philippines. Past work has shown that birth weight (BW) and the mother's arm fat during pregnancy (a measure of pregnancy energy status) relate inversely to health outcomes in the CLHNS but primarily in males. Genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed in whole blood using the Infinium EPIC array. Participants included males (n=895) and females (n=803) measured in 2005 (20.8-22.5 years). Clocks included the Hannum and Horvath clocks trained on chronological age, the DNAmPhenoAge and DNAmGrimAge clocks trained on clinical biomarkers, the Dunedin pace of ageing (DunedinPACE) clock trained on longitudinal changes in ageing biomarkers, and the DNAmTL clock trained on leukocyte telomere length. In males, lower BW predicted advanced biological ageing using the Hannum, DNAmPhenoAge, DunedinPoAm, and DNAmTL clocks. In contrast, BW did not predict any clock in female participants. Participants' mothers' pregnancy arm fat only predicted DNAmTL in males. These findings suggest that epigenetic clocks are a useful tool for gauging long-term outcomes predicted by fetal growth, and add to existing evidence in the CLHNS for sex differences in these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Kuzawa
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.,Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA
| | - Calen P Ryan
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
| | - Linda S Adair
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Nanette R Lee
- USC-Office of Population Studies Foundation, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City
| | - Delia B Carba
- USC-Office of Population Studies Foundation, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City
| | - Julia L MacIsaac
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kristy Dever
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Parmida Atashzay
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Thomas W McDade
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.,Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA
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32
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Fuggle NR, Laskou F, Harvey NC, Dennison EM. A review of epigenetics and its association with ageing of muscle and bone. Maturitas 2022; 165:12-17. [PMID: 35841774 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Ageing is defined as the 'increasing frailty of an organism with time that reduces the ability of that organism to deal with stress'. It has been suggested that epigenetics may underlie the observation that some individuals appear to age faster than others. Epigenetics is the study of changes which occur in an organism due to changes in expression of the genetic code rather than changes to the genetic code itself; that is, epigenetic mechanisms impact upon the function of DNA without changing the DNA sequence. It is important to recognise that epigenetic changes, in contrast to genetic changes, can vary according to different cell types and therefore can demonstrate significant tissue-specificity. There are different types of epigenetic mechanisms: histone modification, non-coding RNAs and DNA methylation. Epigenetic clocks have been developed using statistical techniques to identify the optimal combination of CpG sites (from methylation arrays) to correlate with chronological age. This review considers how epigenetic factors may affect rates of ageing of muscle and bone and provides an overview of current understanding in this area. We discuss studies using first-generation epigenetic clocks, as well as the second-generation iterations, which appear to show stronger associations with the ageing muscle phenotype. We also review epigenome-wide association studies that have been performed in various tissues examining relationships with osteoporosis and fracture. It is hoped that an understanding of this area will lead to interventions that might prevent or reduce rates of musculoskeletal ageing in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Fuggle
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - F Laskou
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - N C Harvey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - E M Dennison
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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33
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Vetter VM, Drewelies J, Sommerer Y, Kalies CH, Regitz-Zagrosek V, Bertram L, Gerstorf D, Demuth I. Epigenetic aging and perceived psychological stress in old age. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:410. [PMID: 36163242 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02181-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse effects of psychological stress on physical and mental health, especially in older age, are well documented. How perceived stress relates to the epigenetic clock measure, DNA methylation age acceleration (DNAmAA), is less well understood and existing studies reported inconsistent results. DNAmAA was estimated from five epigenetic clocks (7-CpG, Horvath's, Hannum's, PhenoAge and GrimAge DNAmAA). Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used as marker of psychological stress. We analyzed data from 1,100 Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) participants assessed as part of the GendAge study (mean age = 75.6 years, SD = 3.8 years, 52.1% women). In a first step, we replicated well-established associations of perceived stress with morbidity, frailty, and symptoms of depression in the BASE-II cohort studied here. In a second step, we did not find any statistically significant association of perceived stress with any of the five epigenetic clocks in multiple linear regression analyses that adjusted for covariates. Although the body of literature suggests an association between higher DNAmAA and stress or trauma during early childhood, the current study found no evidence for an association of perception of stress with DNAmAA in older people. We discuss possible reasons for the lack of associations and highlight directions for future research.
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Franzago M, Pilenzi L, Di Rado S, Vitacolonna E, Stuppia L. The epigenetic aging, obesity, and lifestyle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:985274. [PMID: 36176280 PMCID: PMC9514048 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.985274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased worldwide over the past decades. Aging-related chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are more prevalent in individuals with obesity, thus reducing their lifespan. Epigenetic clocks, the new metrics of biological age based on DNA methylation patterns, could be considered a reflection of the state of one’s health. Several environmental exposures and lifestyle factors can induce epigenetic aging accelerations, including obesity, thus leading to an increased risk of age-related diseases. The insight into the complex link between obesity and aging might have significant implications for the promotion of health and the mitigation of future disease risk. The present narrative review takes into account the interaction between epigenetic aging and obesity, suggesting that epigenome may be an intriguing target for age-related physiological changes and that its modification could influence aging and prolong a healthy lifespan. Therefore, we have focused on DNA methylation age as a clinical biomarker, as well as on the potential reversal of epigenetic age using a personalized diet- and lifestyle-based intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Franzago
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Pilenzi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Psychological Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Sara Di Rado
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ester Vitacolonna
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Psychological Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
- *Correspondence: Liborio Stuppia,
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Carter A, Bares C, Lin L, Reed BG, Bowden M, Zucker RA, Zhao W, Smith JA, Becker JB. Sex-specific and generational effects of alcohol and tobacco use on epigenetic age acceleration in the Michigan longitudinal study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports 2022; 4. [PMID: 36285173 PMCID: PMC9592053 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Background: Methods: Results: Conclusions:
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36
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Daredia S, Huen K, Van Der Laan L, Collender PA, Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Harley K, Deardorff J, Eskenazi B, Holland N, Cardenas A. Prenatal and birth associations of epigenetic gestational age acceleration in the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) cohort. Epigenetics 2022; 17:2006-2021. [PMID: 35912433 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2102846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational age (GA) is an important determinant of child health and disease risk. Two epigenetic GA clocks have been developed using DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns in cord blood. We investigate the accuracy of GA clocks and determinants of epigenetic GA acceleration (GAA), a biomarker of biological ageing. We hypothesize that prenatal and birth characteristics are associated with altered GAA, thereby disrupting foetal biological ageing. We examined 372 mother-child pairs from the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study of primarily Latino farmworkers in California. Chronological GA was robustly correlated with epigenetic GA (DNAm GA) estimated by the Knight (r = 0.48, p < 2.2x10-16) and Bohlin clocks (r = 0.67, p < 2.2x10-16) using the Illumina 450K array in cord blood samples collected at birth. GA clock performance was robust, though slightly lower, using DNAm profiles from the Illumina EPIC array in a smaller subsample (Knight: r = 0.39, p < 3.5x10-5; Bohlin: r = 0.60, p < 7.7x10-12). After adjusting for confounders, high maternal serum triglyceride levels (Bohlin: β = -0.01 days per mg/dL, p = 0.03), high maternal serum lipid levels (Bohlin: β = -4.31x10-3 days per mg/dL, p = 0.04), preterm delivery (Bohlin: β = -4.03 days, p = 9.64x10-4), greater maternal parity (Knight: β = -4.07 days, p = 0.01; Bohlin: β = -2.43 days, p = 0.01), and male infant sex (Knight: β = -3.15 days, p = 3.10x10-3) were associated with decreased GAA.Prenatal and birth characteristics affect GAA in newborns. Understanding factors that accelerate or delay biological ageing at birth may identify early-life targets for disease prevention and improve ageing across the life-course. Future research should test the impact of altered GAA on the long-term burden of age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saher Daredia
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Karen Huen
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lars Van Der Laan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Philip A Collender
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Kim Harley
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Julianna Deardorff
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nina Holland
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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37
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Ryan CP, Rege RJ, Lee NR, Carba DB, Kobor MS, MacIsaac JL, Lin DS, Atashzay P, Kuzawa CW. Maternal epigenetic clocks measured during pregnancy do not predict gestational age at delivery or offspring birth outcomes: a replication study in metropolitan Cebu, Philippines. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:78. [PMID: 35733189 PMCID: PMC9219190 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01296-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse birth outcomes, such as early gestational age and low birth weight, can have lasting effects on morbidity and mortality, with impacts that persist into adulthood. Identifying the maternal factors that contribute to adverse birth outcomes in the next generation is thus a priority. Epigenetic clocks, which have emerged as powerful tools for quantifying biological aging and various dimensions of physiological dysregulation, hold promise for clarifying relationships between maternal biology and infant health, including the maternal factors or states that predict birth outcomes. Nevertheless, studies exploring the relationship between maternal epigenetic age and birth outcomes remain few. Here, we attempt to replicate a series of analyses previously reported in a US-based sample, using a larger similarly aged sample (n = 296) of participants of a long-running study in the Philippines. New pregnancies were identified prospectively, dried blood spot samples were collected during the third trimester, and information was obtained on gestational age at delivery and offspring weight after birth. Genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed with the Infinium EPIC array. Using a suite of 15 epigenetic clocks, we only found one significant relationship: advanced age on the epigenetic clock trained on leptin predicted a significantly earlier gestational age at delivery (β = - 0.15, p = 0.009). Of the other 29 relationships tested predicting gestational age and offspring birth weight, none were statistically significant. In this sample of Filipino women, epigenetic clocks capturing multiple dimensions of biology and health do not predict birth outcomes in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calen P Ryan
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
| | - Raviraj J Rege
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Nanette R Lee
- USC-Office of Population Studies Foundation, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Delia B Carba
- USC-Office of Population Studies Foundation, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julie L MacIsaac
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David S Lin
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Parmida Atashzay
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher W Kuzawa
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Early life presents a pivotal period during which nutritional exposures are more likely to cause epigenetic modifications, which may impact an individual's health during adulthood. This article reviews the current evidence regarding maternal and early childhood nutritional exposures and their role in epigenetic aging. RECENT FINDINGS Maternal and early life consumption of diets higher in fiber, antioxidants, polyphenols, B vitamins, vitamin D, and ω-3 fatty acids is associated with slower epigenetic aging. Conversely, diets higher in glycemic load, fat, saturated fat, and ω-6 fatty acids demonstrate a positive association with epigenetic aging. Maternal and early life nutrition directly and indirectly influences epigenetic aging via changes in one-carbon metabolism, cardiometabolic health, and the microbiome. Clinical trials are warranted to determine the specific foods, dietary patterns, and dietary supplements that will normalize or lower epigenetic aging across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Koemel
- The Boden Initiative, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael R. Skilton
- The Boden Initiative, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Women, Children and Their Families, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
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Schmitz LL, Zhao W, Ratliff SM, Goodwin J, Miao J, Lu Q, Guo X, Taylor KD, Ding J, Liu Y, Levine M, Smith JA. The Socioeconomic Gradient in Epigenetic Ageing Clocks: Evidence from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and the Health and Retirement Study. Epigenetics 2022; 17:589-611. [PMID: 34227900 PMCID: PMC9235889 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1939479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic clocks have been widely used to predict disease risk in multiple tissues or cells. Their success as a measure of biological ageing has prompted research on the connection between epigenetic pathways of ageing and the socioeconomic gradient in health and mortality. However, studies examining social correlates of epigenetic ageing have yielded inconsistent results. We conducted a comprehensive, comparative analysis of associations between various dimensions of socioeconomic status (SES) (education, income, wealth, occupation, neighbourhood environment, and childhood SES) and eight epigenetic clocks in two well-powered US ageing studies: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) (n = 1,211) and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (n = 4,018). In both studies, we found robust associations between SES measures in adulthood and the GrimAge and DunedinPoAm clocks (Bonferroni-corrected p-value < 0.01). In the HRS, significant associations with the Levine and Yang clocks were also evident. These associations were only partially mediated by smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, which suggests that differences in health behaviours alone cannot explain the SES gradient in epigenetic ageing in older adults. Further analyses revealed concurrent associations between polygenic risk for accelerated intrinsic epigenetic ageing, SES, and the Levine clock, indicating that genetic risk and social disadvantage may contribute additively to faster biological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren L. Schmitz
- Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, USA
| | - Scott M. Ratliff
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, USA
| | - Julia Goodwin
- Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Jiacheng Miao
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Qiongshi Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Xiuqing Guo
- The Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, USA
| | - Kent D. Taylor
- The Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, USA
| | - Jingzhong Ding
- Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, USA
| | - Yongmei Liu
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Duke University, USA
| | - Morgan Levine
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yale University, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, USA
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, USA
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40
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Vetter VM, Sommerer Y, Kalies CH, Spira D, Bertram L, Demuth I. Vitamin D supplementation is associated with slower epigenetic aging. GeroScience 2022; 44:1847-1859. [PMID: 35562603 PMCID: PMC9213628 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00581-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse effects of low vitamin D level on mortality and morbidity are controversially discussed. Especially older people are at risk for vitamin D deficiency and therefore exposed to its potentially harmful consequences. A way of measuring differences in the biological age is through DNA methylation age (DNAm age) and its deviation from chronological age, DNAm age acceleration (DNAmAA). We previously reported on an association between vitamin D deficiency and higher 7-CpG DNAmAA in participants of the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II). In this study, we employ a quasi-interventional study design to assess the relationship between DNAmAA of five epigenetic clocks and vitamin D supplementation. Longitudinal data were available for 1,036 participants of BASE-II that were reexamined on average 7.4 years later in the GendAge study (mean age at follow-up: 75.6 years, SD = 3.8 years, age range: 64.9–94.1 years, 51.9% female). DNAmAA was estimated with the 7-CpG clock, Horvath’s clock, Hannum’s clock, PhenoAge, and GrimAge. Methylation data were obtained through methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (MS-SNuPE) or Illumina’s Infinium “MethylationEPIC” array. Vitamin D–deficient participants who chose to start vitamin D supplementation after baseline examination showed a 2.6-year lower 7-CpG DNAmAA (p = 0.011) and 1.3-year lower Horvath DNAmAA (p = 0.042) compared to untreated and vitamin D–deficient participants. DNAmAA did not statistically differ between participants with successfully treated vitamin D deficiency and healthy controls (p > 0.16). Therefore, we conclude that intake of vitamin D supplement is associated with lower DNAmAA in participants with vitamin D deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Max Vetter
- Biology of Aging Working Group, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yasmine Sommerer
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian Humberto Kalies
- Biology of Aging Working Group, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Spira
- Biology of Aging Working Group, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Bertram
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ilja Demuth
- Biology of Aging Working Group, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- BCRT - Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Biology of Aging Group, Lipid Clinic at the Interdisciplinary Metabolism Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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Herrera-Moreno JF, Estrada-Gutierrez G, Wu H, Bloomquist TR, Rosa MJ, Just AC, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Téllez-Rojo MM, Wright RO, Baccarelli AA. Prenatal lead exposure, telomere length in cord blood, and DNA methylation age in the PROGRESS prenatal cohort. Environ Res 2022; 205:112577. [PMID: 34921825 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead is a ubiquitous pollutant with deleterious effects on human health and remains a major current public health concern in developing countries. This heavy metal may interfere with nucleic acids via oxidative stress or epigenetic changes that affect biological markers of aging, e.g., telomere length and DNA methylation (DNAm). Telomere shortening associates with biological age in newborns, and DNA methylation at specific CpG sites can be used to calculate "epigenetic clocks". OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the associations of prenatal lead exposures with telomere length and DNA-methylation-based predictors of age in cord blood. DESIGN The study included 507 mother-child pairs from the Programming Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment and Social Stressors (PROGRESS) study, a birth cohort in Mexico City. Maternal blood (second trimester, third trimester and at delivery) and bone lead levels (one month postpartum) were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence, respectively. Cord blood leukocyte telomere length was measured using quantitative PCR and apparent age by DNA methylation biomarkers, i.e., Horvath's DNA methylation age and the Knight's predictor of gestational age. RESULTS Average maternal age was 28.5 ± 5.5 years, and 51.5% reported low socioeconomic status. Children's mean telomere length was 1.2 ± 1.3 relative units, and mean DNA methylation ages using the Horvath's and Knight's clocks were -2.6 ± 0.1 years and 37.9 ± 1.4 weeks (mean ± SD), respectively. No significant associations were found between maternal blood and bone lead concentrations with telomere length and DNAm age in newborns. CONCLUSION We found no associations of prenatal lead exposure with telomere length and DNA methylation age biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- José F Herrera-Moreno
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Haotian Wu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tessa R Bloomquist
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria José Rosa
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allan C Just
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hector Lamadrid-Figueroa
- Department of Perinatal Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Martha M Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Carroll JE, Bower JE, Ganz PA. Cancer-related accelerated ageing and biobehavioural modifiers: a framework for research and clinical care. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:173-87. [PMID: 34873313 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that patients with cancer who receive cytotoxic treatments (such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy) have an increased risk of accelerated physical and cognitive ageing. Furthermore, accelerated biological ageing is a suspected driving force behind many of these observed effects. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms of biological ageing and how they apply to patients with cancer. We highlight the important role of specific behavioural factors, namely stress, sleep and lifestyle-related factors such as physical activity, weight management, diet and substance use, in the accelerated ageing of patients with cancer and cancer survivors. We also present a framework of how modifiable behaviours could operate to either increase the risk of accelerated ageing, provide protection, or promote resilience at both the biological level and in terms of patient-reported outcomes.
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McGill MG, Pokhvisneva I, Clappison AS, McEwen LM, Beijers R, Tollenaar MS, Pham H, Kee MZL, Garg E, de Mendonça Filho EJ, Karnani N, Silveira PP, Kobor MS, de Weerth C, Meaney MJ, O'Donnell KJ. Maternal Prenatal Anxiety and the Fetal Origins of Epigenetic Aging. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:303-312. [PMID: 34756561 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fetal origins of mental health is a well-established framework that currently lacks a robust index of the biological embedding of prenatal adversity. The Pediatric-Buccal-Epigenetic (PedBE) clock is a novel epigenetic tool that associates with aspects of the prenatal environment, but additional validation in longitudinal datasets is required. Likewise, the relationship between prenatal maternal mental health and the PedBE clock has not been described. METHODS Longitudinal cohorts from the Netherlands (Basal Influences on Baby Development [BIBO] n = 165) and Singapore (Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes [GUSTO] n = 340) provided data on prenatal maternal anxiety and longitudinal assessments of buccal cell-derived genome-wide DNA methylation assessed at 6 and 10 years of age in BIBO, and at 3, 9, and 48 months of age in GUSTO. Measures of epigenetic age acceleration were calculated using the PedBE clock and benchmarked against an established multi-tissue epigenetic predictor. RESULTS Prenatal maternal anxiety predicted child PedBE epigenetic age acceleration in both cohorts, with effects largely restricted to males and not females. These results were independent of obstetric, socioeconomic, and genetic risk factors, with a larger effect size for prenatal anxiety than depression. PedBE age acceleration predicted increased externalizing symptoms in males from mid- to late childhood in the BIBO cohort only. CONCLUSIONS These findings point to the fetal origins of epigenetic age acceleration and reveal an increased sensitivity in males. Convergent evidence underscores the societal importance of providing timely and effective mental health support to pregnant individuals, which may have lasting consequences for both mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G McGill
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Irina Pokhvisneva
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrew S Clappison
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lisa M McEwen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke S Tollenaar
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hung Pham
- Yale Child Study Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Elika Garg
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Neerja Karnani
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore
| | - Patricia P Silveira
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Child and Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore; Child and Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kieran J O'Donnell
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Yale Child Study Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Child and Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Vetter VM, Kalies CH, Sommerer Y, Bertram L, Demuth I. Seven-CpG DNA Methylation Age Determined by Single Nucleotide Primer Extension and Illumina's Infinium MethylationEPIC Array Provide Highly Comparable Results. Front Genet 2022; 12:759357. [PMID: 35111197 PMCID: PMC8802213 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.759357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation age (DNAm age, epigenetic clock) is a novel and promising biomarker of aging. It is calculated from the methylation fraction of specific cytosine phosphate guanine sites (CpG sites) of genomic DNA. Several groups have proposed epigenetic clock algorithms and these differ mostly regarding the number and location of the CpG sites considered and the method used to assess the methylation status. Most epigenetic clocks are based on a large number of CpGs, e.g. as measured by DNAm microarrays. We have recently evaluated an epigenetic clock based on the methylation fraction of seven CpGs that were determined by methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (MS-SNuPE). This method is more cost-effective when compared to array-based technologies as only a few CpGs need to be examined. However, there is only little data on the correspondence in epigenetic age estimation using the 7-CpG clock and other algorithms. To bridge this gap, in this study we measured the 7-CpG DNAm age using two methods, via MS-SNuPE and via the MethylationEPIC array, in a sample of 1,058 participants of the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II), assessed as part of the GendAge study. On average, participants were 75.6 years old (SD: 3.7, age range: 64.9-90.0, 52.6% female). Agreement between methods was assessed by Bland-Altman plots. DNAm age was highly correlated between methods (Pearson's r = 0.9) and Bland-Altman plots showed a difference of 3.1 years. DNAm age by the 7-CpG formula was 71.2 years (SD: 6.9 years, SNuPE) and 68.1 years (SD: 6.4 years, EPIC array). The mean of difference in methylation fraction between methods for the seven individual CpG sites was between 0.7 and 13 percent. To allow direct conversion of DNAm age obtained from both methods we developed an adjustment formula with a randomly selected training set of 529 participants using linear regression. After conversion of the Illumina data in a second and independent validation set, the adjusted DNAm age was 71.44 years (SD: 6.1 years, n = 529). In summary, we found the results of DNAm clocks to be highly comparable. Furthermore, we developed an adjustment formula that allows for direct conversion of DNAm age estimates between methods and enables one singular clock to be used in studies that employ either the Illumina or the SNuPE method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Max Vetter
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Biology of Aging Working Group, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Humberto Kalies
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Biology of Aging Working Group, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yasmine Sommerer
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Lars Bertram
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Dept of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ilja Demuth
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (Including Division of Lipid Metabolism), Biology of Aging Working Group, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BCRT - Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin, Germany
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Vetter VM, Kalies CH, Sommerer Y, Spira D, Drewelies J, Regitz-Zagrosek V, Bertram L, Gerstorf D, Demuth I. Relationship between five Epigenetic Clocks, Telomere Length and Functional Capacity assessed in Older Adults: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Analyses. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2022; 77:1724-1733. [PMID: 35032170 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation age acceleration (DNAmAA, derived from an epigenetic clock) and relative leukocyte telomere length (rLTL) are widely accepted biomarkers of aging. Nevertheless, it is still unclear which aspects of aging they represent best. Here we evaluated longitudinal associations between baseline rLTL and DNAmAA (estimated with 7-CpG clock) and functional assessments covering different domains of aging. Additionally, we made use of cross-sectional data on these assessments and examined their association with DNAmAA estimated by five different DNAm age measures. Two-wave longitudinal data was available for 1,083 participants of the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) who were re-examined on average 7.4 years after baseline as part of the GendAge study. Functional outcomes were assessed with Fried's frailty score, Tinetti mobility test, falls in the past 12 months (yes/no), Finger-floor distance, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumented ADL (IADL) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Overall, we found no evidence for an association between the molecular biomarkers measured at baseline, rLTL and DNAmAA (7-CpG clock), and functional assessments assessed at follow-up. Similarly, a cross-sectional analyses of follow-up data did also not show evidence for associations of the various DNAmAA measures (7-CpG clock, Horvath's clock, Hannum's clock PhenoAge, and GrimAge) with functional assessments. In conclusion, neither rLTL nor 7-CpG DNAmAA were able to predict impairment in the analyzed assessments over a ~7-year time-course. Similarly, DNAmAA estimated from five epigenetic clocks was not a good cross-sectional marker of health deterioration either.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Max Vetter
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Lipid Clinic at the Interdisciplinary Metabolism Center, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Humberto Kalies
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Lipid Clinic at the Interdisciplinary Metabolism Center, Germany
| | - Yasmine Sommerer
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Dominik Spira
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Lipid Clinic at the Interdisciplinary Metabolism Center, Germany
| | - Johanna Drewelies
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vera Regitz-Zagrosek
- Institute for Gender in Medicine, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lars Bertram
- Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Dept of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Denis Gerstorf
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilja Demuth
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Lipid Clinic at the Interdisciplinary Metabolism Center, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BCRT - Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin, Germany
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Loke YJ, Muggli E, Saffery R, Ryan J, Lewis S, Elliott EJ, Halliday J, Craig JM. Sex- and tissue-specific effects of binge-level prenatal alcohol consumption on DNA methylation at birth. Epigenomics 2021; 13:1921-1938. [PMID: 34841896 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Binge-level prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes developmental abnormalities, which may be mediated in part by epigenetic mechanisms. Despite this, few studies have characterised the association of binge PAE with DNA methylation in offspring. Methods: We investigated the association between binge PAE and genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in a sex-specific manner in neonatal buccal and placental samples. Results: We identified no differentially methylated CpGs or differentially methylated regions (DMRs) at false discovery rate <0.05. However, using a sum-of-ranks approach, we identified a DMR in each tissue of female offspring. The DMR identified in buccal samples is located near regions with previously-reported associations to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and binge PAE. Conclusion: Our findings warrant further replication and highlight a potential epigenetic link between binge PAE and FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuk Jing Loke
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Evelyne Muggli
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Biological Neuropsychiatry & Dementia Unit, School of Public Health, Monash University, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Sharon Lewis
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- Specialty of Child & Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, NSW, 2045, Australia
| | - Jane Halliday
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,The Institute of Mental & Physical Health & Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Victoria, 3220, Australia
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Kankaanpää A, Tolvanen A, Saikkonen P, Heikkinen A, Laakkonen EK, Kaprio J, Ollikainen M, Sillanpää E. Do epigenetic clocks provide explanations for sex differences in lifespan? A cross-sectional twin study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 77:1898-1906. [PMID: 34752604 PMCID: PMC9434475 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sex gap in life expectancy has been narrowing in Finland over the past 4–5 decades; however, on average, women still live longer than men. Epigenetic clocks are markers for biological aging which predict life span. In this study, we examined the mediating role of lifestyle factors on the association between sex and biological aging in younger and older adults. Methods Our sample consists of younger and older twins (21‒42 years, n = 1 477; 50‒76 years, n = 763) including 151 complete younger opposite-sex twin pairs (21‒30 years). Blood-based DNA methylation was used to compute epigenetic age acceleration by 4 epigenetic clocks as a measure of biological aging. Path modeling was used to study whether the association between sex and biological aging is mediated through lifestyle-related factors, that is, education, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity. Results In comparison to women, men were biologically older and, in general, they had unhealthier life habits. The effect of sex on biological aging was partly mediated by body mass index and, in older twins, by smoking. Sex was directly associated with biological aging and the association was stronger in older twins. Conclusions Previously reported sex differences in life span are also evident in biological aging. Declining smoking prevalence among men is a plausible explanation for the narrowing of the difference in life expectancy between the sexes. Data generated by the epigenetic clocks may help in estimating the effects of lifestyle and environmental factors on aging and in predicting aging in future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kankaanpää
- Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Asko Tolvanen
- Methodology Center for Human Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Pirkko Saikkonen
- Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Aino Heikkinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eija K Laakkonen
- Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miina Ollikainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Sillanpää
- Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Lemaître JF, Rey B, Gaillard JM, Régis C, Gilot-Fromont E, Débias F, Duhayer J, Pardonnet S, Pellerin M, Haghani A, Zoller JA, Li CZ, Horvath S. DNA methylation as a tool to explore ageing in wild roe deer populations. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:1002-1015. [PMID: 34665921 PMCID: PMC9297961 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation‐based biomarkers of ageing (epigenetic clocks) promise to lead to new insights into evolutionary biology of ageing. Relatively little is known about how the natural environment affects epigenetic ageing effects in wild species. In this study, we took advantage of a unique long‐term (>40 years) longitudinal monitoring of individual roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) living in two wild populations (Chizé and Trois‐Fontaines, France) facing different ecological contexts, to investigate the relationship between chronological age and levels of DNA methylation (DNAm). We generated novel DNA methylation data from n = 94 blood samples, from which we extracted leucocyte DNA, using a custom methylation array (HorvathMammalMethylChip40). We present three DNA methylation‐based estimators of age (DNAm or epigenetic age), which were trained in males, females, and both sexes combined. We investigated how sex differences influenced the relationship between DNAm age and chronological age using sex‐specific epigenetic clocks. Our results highlight that old females may display a lower degree of biological ageing than males. Further, we identify the main sites of epigenetic alteration that have distinct ageing patterns between the two sexes. These findings open the door to promising avenues of research at the crossroads of evolutionary biology and biogerontology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Lemaître
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Benjamin Rey
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean-Michel Gaillard
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Corinne Régis
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Emmanuelle Gilot-Fromont
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France.,Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Marcy-l'Etoile, France
| | - François Débias
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jeanne Duhayer
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sylvia Pardonnet
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Maryline Pellerin
- Direction de la Recherche et de l'Appui Scientifique, Office Français de la Biodiversité, Unité Ongulés Sauvages, Gap, France
| | - Amin Haghani
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles California, USA
| | - Joseph A Zoller
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Caesar Z Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Steve Horvath
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles California, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Graw S, Camerota M, Carter BS, Helderman J, Hofheimer JA, McGowan EC, Neal CR, Pastyrnak SL, Smith LM, DellaGrotta SA, Dansereau LM, Padbury JF, O'Shea M, Lester BM, Marsit CJ, Everson TM. NEOage clocks - epigenetic clocks to estimate post-menstrual and postnatal age in preterm infants. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:23527-44. [PMID: 34655469 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation (DNAm) can accurately predict chronological age and are thought to capture biological aging. A variety of epigenetic clocks have been developed for different tissue types and age ranges, but none have focused on postnatal age prediction for preterm infants. Epigenetic estimators of biological age might be especially informative in epidemiologic studies of neonates since DNAm is highly dynamic during the neonatal period and this is a key developmental window. Additionally, markers of biological aging could be particularly important for those born preterm since they are at heightened risk of developmental impairments. We aimed to fill this gap by developing epigenetic clocks for neonatal aging in preterm infants. As part of the Neonatal Neurobehavior and Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants (NOVI) study, buccal cells were collected at NICU discharge to profile DNAm levels in 542 very preterm infants. We applied elastic net regression to identify four epigenetic clocks (NEOage Clocks) predictive of post-menstrual and postnatal age, compatible with the Illumina EPIC and 450K arrays. We observed high correlations between predicted and reported ages (0.93 - 0.94) with root mean squared errors (1.28 - 1.63 weeks). Epigenetic estimators of neonatal aging in preterm infants can be useful tools to evaluate biological maturity and associations with neonatal and long-term morbidities.
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Dammering F, Martins J, Dittrich K, Czamara D, Rex-Haffner M, Overfeld J, de Punder K, Buss C, Entringer S, Winter SM, Binder EB, Heim C. The pediatric buccal epigenetic clock identifies significant ageing acceleration in children with internalizing disorder and maltreatment exposure. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100394. [PMID: 34621920 PMCID: PMC8482287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies reporting accelerated ageing in children with affective disorders or maltreatment exposure have relied on algorithms for estimating epigenetic age derived from adult samples. These algorithms have limited validity for epigenetic age estimation during early development. We here use a pediatric buccal epigenetic (PedBE) clock to predict DNA methylation-based ageing deviation in children with and without internalizing disorder and assess the moderating effect of maltreatment exposure. We further conduct a gene set enrichment analysis to assess the contribution of glucocorticoid signaling to PedBE clock-based results. Method DNA was isolated from saliva of 158 children [73 girls, 85 boys; mean age (SD) = 4.25 (0.8) years] including children with internalizing disorder and maltreatment exposure. Epigenetic age was estimated based on DNA methylation across 94 CpGs of the PedBE clock. Residuals of epigenetic age regressed against chronological age were contrasted between children with and without internalizing disorder. Maltreatment was coded in 3 severity levels and entered in a moderation model. Genome-wide dexamethasone-responsive CpGs were derived from an independent sample and enrichment of these CpGs within the PedBE clock was identified. Results Children with internalizing disorder exhibited significant acceleration of epigenetic ageing as compared to children without internalizing disorder (F1,147 = 6.67, p = .011). This association was significantly moderated by maltreatment severity (b = 0.49, 95% CI [0.073, 0.909], t = 2.322, p = .022). Children with internalizing disorder who had experienced maltreatment exhibited ageing acceleration relative to children with no internalizing disorder (1–2 categories: b = 0.50, 95% CI [0.170, 0.821], t = 3.008, p = .003; 3 or more categories: b = 0.99, 95% CI [0.380, 1.593], t = 3.215, p = .002). Children with internalizing disorder who were not exposed to maltreatment did not show epigenetic ageing acceleration. There was significant enrichment of dexamethasone-responsive CpGs within the PedBE clock (OR = 4.36, p = 1.65*10–6). Among the 94 CpGs of the PedBE clock, 18 (19%) were responsive to dexamethasone. Conclusion Using the novel PedBE clock, we show that internalizing disorder is associated with accelerated epigenetic ageing in early childhood. This association is moderated by maltreatment severity and may, in part, be driven by glucocorticoids. Identifying developmental drivers of accelerated epigenetic ageing after maltreatment will be critical to devise early targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Dammering
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jade Martins
- Dept. of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Dittrich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Dept. of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Darina Czamara
- Dept. of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Rex-Haffner
- Dept. of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Overfeld
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin de Punder
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Buss
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany.,University of California, Irvine, Development, Health, and Disease Research Program, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Sonja Entringer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany.,University of California, Irvine, Development, Health, and Disease Research Program, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Sibylle M Winter
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Dept. of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Dept. of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Heim
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany.,Dept. of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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