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Hillary RF, Ng HK, McCartney DL, Elliott HR, Walker RM, Campbell A, Huang F, Direk K, Welsh P, Sattar N, Corley J, Hayward C, McIntosh AM, Sudlow C, Evans KL, Cox SR, Chambers JC, Loh M, Relton CL, Marioni RE, Yousefi PD, Suderman M. Blood-based epigenome-wide analyses of chronic low-grade inflammation across diverse population cohorts. Cell Genom 2024; 4:100544. [PMID: 38692281 PMCID: PMC11099341 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100544] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of age-related disease states. The effectiveness of inflammatory proteins including C-reactive protein (CRP) in assessing long-term inflammation is hindered by their phasic nature. DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures of CRP may act as more reliable markers of chronic inflammation. We show that inter-individual differences in DNAm capture 50% of the variance in circulating CRP (N = 17,936, Generation Scotland). We develop a series of DNAm predictors of CRP using state-of-the-art algorithms. An elastic-net-regression-based predictor outperformed competing methods and explained 18% of phenotypic variance in the Lothian Birth Cohort of 1936 (LBC1936) cohort, doubling that of existing DNAm predictors. DNAm predictors performed comparably in four additional test cohorts (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, Health for Life in Singapore, Southall and Brent Revisited, and LBC1921), including for individuals of diverse genetic ancestry and different age groups. The best-performing predictor surpassed assay-measured CRP and a genetic score in its associations with 26 health outcomes. Our findings forge new avenues for assessing chronic low-grade inflammation in diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Hong Kiat Ng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Clinical Sciences Building, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Daniel L McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Hannah R Elliott
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UD, UK
| | - Rosie M Walker
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Felicia Huang
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Kenan Direk
- Imperial Clinical Trials Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul Welsh
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Naveed Sattar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Janie Corley
- Lothian Birth Cohort Studies, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Caroline Hayward
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
| | - Cathie Sudlow
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Imaging and UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre, Health Data Research UK, London NW1 2BE, UK; Health Data Research UK, London NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohort Studies, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - John C Chambers
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Clinical Sciences Building, Singapore 308232, Singapore; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Marie Loh
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Clinical Sciences Building, Singapore 308232, Singapore; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, UK; National Skin Centre, Singapore 308205, Singapore; Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Caroline L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UD, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
| | - Paul D Yousefi
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UD, UK.
| | - Matthew Suderman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UD, UK.
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Smith HM, Moodie JE, Monterrubio-Gómez K, Gadd DA, Hillary RF, Chybowska AD, McCartney DL, Campbell A, Redmond P, Page D, Taylor A, Corley J, Harris SE, Valdés Hernández M, Muñoz Maniega S, Bastin ME, Wardlaw JM, Deary IJ, Boardman JP, Mullin DS, Russ TC, Cox SR, Marioni RE. Epigenetic scores of blood-based proteins as biomarkers of general cognitive function and brain health. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:46. [PMID: 38528588 PMCID: PMC10962132 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01661-7] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic Scores (EpiScores) for blood protein levels have been associated with disease outcomes and measures of brain health, highlighting their potential usefulness as clinical biomarkers. They are typically derived via penalised regression, whereby a linear weighted sum of DNA methylation (DNAm) levels at CpG sites are predictive of protein levels. Here, we examine 84 previously published protein EpiScores as possible biomarkers of cross-sectional and longitudinal measures of general cognitive function and brain health, and incident dementia across three independent cohorts. RESULTS Using 84 protein EpiScores as candidate biomarkers, associations with general cognitive function (both cross-sectionally and longitudinally) were tested in three independent cohorts: Generation Scotland (GS), and the Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 and 1936 (LBC1921 and LBC1936, respectively). A meta-analysis of general cognitive functioning results in all three cohorts identified 18 EpiScore associations (absolute meta-analytic standardised estimates ranged from 0.03 to 0.14, median of 0.04, PFDR < 0.05). Several associations were also observed between EpiScores and global brain volumetric measures in the LBC1936. An EpiScore for the S100A9 protein (a known Alzheimer disease biomarker) was associated with general cognitive functioning (meta-analytic standardised beta: - 0.06, P = 1.3 × 10-9), and with time-to-dementia in GS (Hazard ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.44, P = 0.003), but not in LBC1936 (Hazard ratio 1.11, P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS EpiScores might make a contribution to the risk profile of poor general cognitive function and global brain health, and risk of dementia, however these scores require replication in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Smith
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna E Moodie
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karla Monterrubio-Gómez
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Danni A Gadd
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Aleksandra D Chybowska
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel L McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paul Redmond
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Danielle Page
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adele Taylor
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Janie Corley
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah E Harris
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maria Valdés Hernández
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susana Muñoz Maniega
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James P Boardman
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Donncha S Mullin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tom C Russ
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Edinburgh Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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3
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Chybowska AD, Gadd DA, Cheng Y, Bernabeu E, Campbell A, Walker RM, McIntosh AM, Wrobel N, Murphy L, Welsh P, Sattar N, Price JF, McCartney DL, Evans KL, Marioni RE. Epigenetic Contributions to Clinical Risk Prediction of Cardiovascular Disease. Circ Genom Precis Med 2024; 17:e004265. [PMID: 38288591 PMCID: PMC10876178 DOI: 10.1161/circgen.123.004265] [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: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the leading causes of death worldwide. The discovery of new omics biomarkers could help to improve risk stratification algorithms and expand our understanding of molecular pathways contributing to the disease. Here, ASSIGN-a cardiovascular risk prediction tool recommended for use in Scotland-was examined in tandem with epigenetic and proteomic features in risk prediction models in ≥12 657 participants from the Generation Scotland cohort. METHODS Previously generated DNA methylation-derived epigenetic scores (EpiScores) for 109 protein levels were considered, in addition to both measured levels and an EpiScore for cTnI (cardiac troponin I). The associations between individual protein EpiScores and the CVD risk were examined using Cox regression (ncases≥1274; ncontrols≥11 383) and visualized in a tailored R application. Splitting the cohort into independent training (n=6880) and test (n=3659) subsets, a composite CVD EpiScore was then developed. RESULTS Sixty-five protein EpiScores were associated with incident CVD independently of ASSIGN and the measured concentration of cTnI (P<0.05), over a follow-up of up to 16 years of electronic health record linkage. The most significant EpiScores were for proteins involved in metabolic, immune response, and tissue development/regeneration pathways. A composite CVD EpiScore (based on 45 protein EpiScores) was a significant predictor of CVD risk independent of ASSIGN and the concentration of cTnI (hazard ratio, 1.32; P=3.7×10-3; 0.3% increase in C-statistic). CONCLUSIONS EpiScores for circulating protein levels are associated with CVD risk independent of traditional risk factors and may increase our understanding of the etiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra D Chybowska
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Danni A Gadd
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Yipeng Cheng
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Bernabeu
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie M Walker
- School of Psychology, University of Exeter, United Kingdom (R.M.W.)
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (A.M.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Wrobel
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital (N.W., L.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Murphy
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital (N.W., L.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Welsh
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (P.W., N.S.)
| | - Naveed Sattar
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (P.W., N.S.)
| | - Jackie F Price
- Usher Institute, Old Medical School (J.F.P.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel L McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (A.D.C., D.A.G., Y.C., E.B., A.C., D.L.M., K.L.E., R.E.M.), The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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4
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Gaylord A, Cohen A, Kupsco A. Biomarkers of aging through the life course: A Recent Literature Update. Curr Opin Epidemiol Public Health 2023; 2:7-17. [PMID: 38130910 PMCID: PMC10732539 DOI: 10.1097/pxh.0000000000000018] [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: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of review The development of biomarkers of aging has greatly advanced epidemiological studies of aging processes. However, much debate remains on the timing of aging onset and the causal relevance of these biomarkers. In this review, we discuss the most recent biomarkers of aging that have been applied across the life course. Recent findings The most recently developed aging biomarkers that have been applied across the life course can be designated into three categories: epigenetic clocks, epigenetic markers of chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial DNA copy number. While these have been applied at different life stages, the development, validation, and application of these markers has been largely centered on populations of older adults. Few studies have examined trajectories of aging biomarkers across the life course. As the wealth of molecular and biochemical data increases, emerging biomarkers may be able to capture complex and system-specific aging processes. Recently developed biomarkers include novel epigenetic clocks; clocks based on ribosomal DNA, transcriptomic profiles, proteomics, metabolomics, and inflammatory markers; clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential gene mutations; and multi-omics approaches. Summary Attention should be placed on aging at early and middle life stages to better understand trajectories of aging biomarkers across the life course. Additionally, novel biomarkers will provide greater insight into aging processes. The specific mechanisms of aging reflected by these biomarkers should be considered when interpreting results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Gaylord
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alan Cohen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- PRIMUS Research Group, Department of Family Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Research Center on Aging and Research Center of Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Allison Kupsco
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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Verschoor CP, Vlasschaert C, Rauh MJ, Paré G. A DNA methylation based measure outperforms circulating CRP as a marker of chronic inflammation and partly reflects the monocytic response to long-term inflammatory exposure: A Canadian longitudinal study of aging analysis. Aging Cell 2023:e13863. [PMID: 37139638 PMCID: PMC10352553 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13863] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A key hallmark in the age-related dysfunction of physiological systems is disruption related to the regulation of inflammation, often resulting in a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state (i.e., inflammaging). In order to understand the causes of overall system decline, methods to quantify the life-long exposure or damage related to chronic inflammation are critical. Here, we characterize a comprehensive epigenetic inflammation score (EIS) based on DNA methylation loci (CpGs) that are associated with circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). In a cohort of 1446 older adults, we show that associations to age and health-related traits such as smoking history, chronic conditions, and established measures of accelerated aging were stronger for EIS than CRP, while the risk of longitudinal outcomes such as outpatient or inpatient visits and increased frailty were relatively similar. To determine whether variation in EIS actually reflects the cellular response to chronic inflammation we exposed THP1 myelo-monocytic cells to low levels of inflammatory mediators for 14 days, finding that EIS increased in response to both CRP (p = 0.011) and TNF (p = 0.068). Interestingly, a refined version of EIS based only on those CpGs that changed in vitro was more strongly associated with many of the aforementioned traits as compared to EIS. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that EIS outperforms circulating CRP with regard to its association to health-traits that are synonymous with chronic inflammation and accelerated aging, and substantiates its potential role as a clinically relevant tool for stratifying patient risk of adverse outcomes prior to treatment or following illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris P Verschoor
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Michael J Rauh
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guillaume Paré
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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6
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Conole ELS, Vaher K, Cabez MB, Sullivan G, Stevenson AJ, Hall J, Murphy L, Thrippleton MJ, Quigley AJ, Bastin ME, Miron VE, Whalley HC, Marioni RE, Boardman JP, Cox SR. Immuno-epigenetic signature derived in saliva associates with the encephalopathy of prematurity and perinatal inflammatory disorders. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:322-338. [PMID: 36948324 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.03.011] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth is closely associated with a phenotype that includes brain dysmaturation and neurocognitive impairment, commonly termed Encephalopathy of Prematurity (EoP), of which systemic inflammation is considered a key driver. DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures of inflammation from peripheral blood associate with poor brain imaging outcomes in adult cohorts. However, the robustness of DNAm inflammatory scores in infancy, their relation to comorbidities of preterm birth characterised by inflammation, neonatal neuroimaging metrics of EoP, and saliva cross-tissue applicability are unknown. METHODS Using salivary DNAm from 258 neonates (n = 155 preterm, gestational age at birth 23.28 - 34.84 weeks, n = 103 term, gestational age at birth 37.00 - 42.14 weeks), we investigated the impact of a DNAm surrogate for C-reactive protein (DNAm CRP) on brain structure and other clinically defined inflammatory exposures. We assessed i) if DNAm CRP estimates varied between preterm infants at term equivalent age and term infants, ii) how DNAm CRP related to different types of inflammatory exposure (maternal, fetal and postnatal) and iii) whether elevated DNAm CRP associated with poorer measures of neonatal brain volume and white matter connectivity. RESULTS Higher DNAm CRP was linked to preterm status (-0.0107 ± 0.0008, compared with -0.0118 ± 0.0006 among term infants; p < 0.001), as well as perinatal inflammatory diseases, including histologic chorioamnionitis, sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and necrotising enterocolitis (OR range |2.00 | to |4.71|, p < 0.01). Preterm infants with higher DNAm CRP scores had lower brain volume in deep grey matter, white matter, and hippocampi and amygdalae (β range |0.185| to |0.218|). No such associations were observed for term infants. Association magnitudes were largest for measures of white matter microstructure among preterms, where elevated epigenetic inflammation associated with poorer global measures of white matter integrity (β range |0.206| to |0.371|), independent of other confounding exposures. CONCLUSIONS Inflammatory-related DNAm captures the allostatic load of inflammatory burden in preterm infants. Such DNAm measures complement biological and clinical metrics when investigating the determinants of neurodevelopmental differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor L S Conole
- Lothian Birth Cohorts group, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK.
| | - Kadi Vaher
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Manuel Blesa Cabez
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Gemma Sullivan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Jill Hall
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lee Murphy
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Michael J Thrippleton
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Alan J Quigley
- Imaging Department, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Lothian Birth Cohorts group, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Veronique E Miron
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Heather C Whalley
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - James P Boardman
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohorts group, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
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7
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Nigg JT. Considerations toward an epigenetic and common pathways theory of mental disorder. J Psychopathol Clin Sci 2023; 132:297-313. [PMID: 37126061 PMCID: PMC10153068 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000748] [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] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Psychopathology emerges from the dynamic interplay of physiological and mental processes and ecological context. It can be seen as a failure of recursive, homeostatic processes to achieve adaptive re-equilibrium. This general statement can be actualized with consideration of polygenic liability, early exposures, and multiunit (multi-"level") analysis of the psychological action and the associated physiological and neural operations, all in the context of the developmental exposome. This article begins by identifying key principles and clarifying key terms necessary to mental disorder theory. It then ventures a sketch of a model that highlights epigenetic dynamics and proposes a common pathways hypothesis toward psychopathology. An epigenetic perspective elevates the importance of developmental context and adaptive systems, particularly in early life, while opening the door to new mechanistic discovery. The key proposal is that a finite number of homeostatic biological and psychological mechanisms are shared across most risky environments (and possibly many genetic liabilities) for psychopathology. Perturbation of these mediating mechanisms leads to development of psychopathology. A focus on dynamic changes in these homeostatic mechanisms across multiple units of analysis and time points can render the problem of explaining psychopathology tractable. Key questions include the mapping of recursive processes over time, at adequate density, as mental disorders unfold across development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Nigg
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University
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8
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Raffington L, Tanksley PT, Sabhlok A, Vinnik L, Mallard T, King LS, Goosby B, Harden KP, Tucker-Drob EM. Socially Stratified Epigenetic Profiles Are Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Children and Adolescents. Psychol Sci 2023; 34:170-185. [PMID: 36459657 PMCID: PMC10068508 DOI: 10.1177/09567976221122760] [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: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Children's cognitive functioning and educational performance are socially stratified. Social inequality, including classism and racism, may operate partly via epigenetic mechanisms that modulate neurocognitive development. Following preregistered analyses of data from 1,183 participants, ages 8 to 19 years, from the Texas Twin Project, we found that children growing up in more socioeconomically disadvantaged families and neighborhoods and children from marginalized racial/ethnic groups exhibit DNA methylation profiles that, in previous studies of adults, were indicative of higher chronic inflammation, lower cognitive functioning, and a faster pace of biological aging. Furthermore, children's salivary DNA methylation profiles were associated with their performance on in-laboratory tests of cognitive and academic skills, including processing speed, general executive function, perceptual reasoning, verbal comprehension, reading, and math. Given that the DNA methylation measures that we examined were originally developed in adults, our results suggest that children show molecular signatures that reflect the early life social determinants of lifelong disparities in health and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel Raffington
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
- Population Research Center, The
University of Texas at Austin
- Max Planck Research Group Biosocial –
Biology, Social Disparities, and Development; Max Planck Institute for Human
Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter T. Tanksley
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
- Population Research Center, The
University of Texas at Austin
| | - Aditi Sabhlok
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
| | - Liza Vinnik
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
| | - Travis Mallard
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
| | - Lucy S. King
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine
| | - Bridget Goosby
- Population Research Center, The
University of Texas at Austin
- Department of Sociology, The University
of Texas at Austin
| | - K. Paige Harden
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
- Population Research Center, The
University of Texas at Austin
| | - Elliot M. Tucker-Drob
- Department of Psychology, The
University of Texas at Austin
- Population Research Center, The
University of Texas at Austin
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9
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Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline in older individuals accompanied by the presence of two pathological protein aggregates - amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau - in the brain. The disease results in brain atrophy caused by neuronal loss and synapse degeneration. Synaptic loss strongly correlates with cognitive decline in both humans and animal models of AD. Indeed, evidence suggests that soluble forms of amyloid-β and tau can cause synaptotoxicity and spread through neural circuits. These pathological changes are accompanied by an altered phenotype in the glial cells of the brain - one hypothesis is that glia excessively ingest synapses and modulate the trans-synaptic spread of pathology. To date, effective therapies for the treatment or prevention of AD are lacking, but understanding how synaptic degeneration occurs will be essential for the development of new interventions. Here, we highlight the mechanisms through which synapses degenerate in the AD brain, and discuss key questions that still need to be answered. We also cover the ways in which our understanding of the mechanisms of synaptic degeneration is leading to new therapeutic approaches for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makis Tzioras
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert I McGeachan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,The Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire S Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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10
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Shang M, Tang M, Xue Y. Neurodevelopmental toxicity induced by airborne particulate matter. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:167-185. [PMID: 35995895 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter (PM), the primary component associated with health risks in air pollution, can negatively impact human health. Studies have shown that PM can enter the brain by inhalation, but data on the exact quantity of particles that reach the brain are unknown. Particulate matter exposure can result in neurotoxicity. Exposure to PM poses a greater health risk to infants and children because their nervous systems are not fully developed. This review paper highlights the association between PM and neurodevelopmental toxicity (NDT). Exposure to PM can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially resulting in blood-brain barrier damage and increased susceptibility to development of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), such as autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit disorders. In addition, human and animal exposure to PM can induce microglia activation and epigenetic alterations and alter the neurotransmitter levels, which may increase risks for development of NDD. However, the systematic comparisons of the effects of PM on NDD at different ages of exposure are deficient. The elucidation of PM exposure risks and NDT in children during the early developmental stages are of great importance. The synthesis of current research may help to identify markers and mechanisms of PM-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity, allowing for the development of strategies to prevent permanent damage of developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Shang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuying Xue
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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11
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Stevenson AJ, McCartney DL, Gadd DA, Shireby G, Hillary RF, King D, Tzioras M, Wrobel N, McCafferty S, Murphy L, McColl BW, Redmond P, Taylor AM, Harris SE, Russ TC, McIntosh AM, Mill J, Smith C, Deary IJ, Cox SR, Marioni RE, Spires‐Jones TL. A comparison of blood and brain-derived ageing and inflammation-related DNA methylation signatures and their association with microglial burdens. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5637-5649. [PMID: 35362642 PMCID: PMC9525452 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15661] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation and ageing-related DNA methylation patterns in the blood have been linked to a variety of morbidities, including cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease. However, it is unclear how these blood-based patterns relate to patterns within the brain and how each associates with central cellular profiles. In this study, we profiled DNA methylation in both the blood and in five post mortem brain regions (BA17, BA20/21, BA24, BA46 and hippocampus) in 14 individuals from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Microglial burdens were additionally quantified in the same brain regions. DNA methylation signatures of five epigenetic ageing biomarkers ('epigenetic clocks'), and two inflammatory biomarkers (methylation proxies for C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) were compared across tissues and regions. Divergent associations between the inflammation and ageing signatures in the blood and brain were identified, depending on region assessed. Four out of the five assessed epigenetic age acceleration measures were found to be highest in the hippocampus (β range = 0.83-1.14, p ≤ 0.02). The inflammation-related DNA methylation signatures showed no clear variation across brain regions. Reactive microglial burdens were found to be highest in the hippocampus (β = 1.32, p = 5 × 10-4 ); however, the only association identified between the blood- and brain-based methylation signatures and microglia was a significant positive association with acceleration of one epigenetic clock (termed DNAm PhenoAge) averaged over all five brain regions (β = 0.40, p = 0.002). This work highlights a potential vulnerability of the hippocampus to epigenetic ageing and provides preliminary evidence of a relationship between DNA methylation signatures in the brain and differences in microglial burdens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J. Stevenson
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Daniel L. McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Danni A. Gadd
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Gemma Shireby
- University of Exeter Medical SchoolUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Robert F. Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Declan King
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Makis Tzioras
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Nicola Wrobel
- Edinburgh Clinical Research FacilityWestern General HospitalEdinburghUK
| | - Sarah McCafferty
- Edinburgh Clinical Research FacilityWestern General HospitalEdinburghUK
| | - Lee Murphy
- Edinburgh Clinical Research FacilityWestern General HospitalEdinburghUK
| | - Barry W. McColl
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Paul Redmond
- Lothian Birth CohortsUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | | | - Sarah E. Harris
- Lothian Birth CohortsUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Tom C. Russ
- Lothian Birth CohortsUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, 7 George SquareUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh HospitalEdinburghUK
| | - Andrew M. McIntosh
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh HospitalEdinburghUK
| | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical SchoolUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Ian J. Deary
- Lothian Birth CohortsUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Simon R. Cox
- Lothian Birth CohortsUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Riccardo E. Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular MedicineUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Lothian Birth CohortsUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Tara L. Spires‐Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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12
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Cappozzo A, McCrory C, Robinson O, Freni Sterrantino A, Sacerdote C, Krogh V, Panico S, Tumino R, Iacoviello L, Ricceri F, Sieri S, Chiodini P, McKay GJ, McKnight AJ, Kee F, Young IS, McGuinness B, Crimmins EM, Arpawong TE, Kenny RA, O'Halloran A, Polidoro S, Solinas G, Vineis P, Ieva F, Fiorito G. A blood DNA methylation biomarker for predicting short-term risk of cardiovascular events. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:121. [PMID: 36175966 PMCID: PMC9521011 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01341-4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence highlights the epidemiological value of blood DNA methylation (DNAm) as surrogate biomarker for exposure to risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD). DNAm surrogate of exposures predicts diseases and longevity better than self-reported or measured exposures in many cases. Consequently, disease prediction models based on blood DNAm surrogates may outperform current state-of-the-art prediction models. This study aims to develop novel DNAm surrogates for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors and develop a composite biomarker predictive of CVD risk. We compared the prediction performance of our newly developed risk score with the state-of-the-art DNAm risk scores for cardiovascular diseases, the 'next-generation' epigenetic clock DNAmGrimAge, and the prediction model based on traditional risk factors SCORE2. RESULTS Using data from the EPIC Italy cohort, we derived novel DNAm surrogates for BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and coagulation biomarkers. We validated them in four independent data sets from Europe and the USA. Further, we derived a DNAmCVDscore predictive of the time-to-CVD event as a combination of several DNAm surrogates. ROC curve analyses show that DNAmCVDscore outperforms previously developed DNAm scores for CVD risk and SCORE2 for short-term CVD risk. Interestingly, the performance of DNAmGrimAge and DNAmCVDscore was comparable (slightly lower for DNAmGrimAge, although the differences were not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS We described novel DNAm surrogates for CVD risk factors useful for future molecular epidemiology research, and we described a blood DNAm-based composite biomarker, DNAmCVDscore, predictive of short-term cardiovascular events. Our results highlight the usefulness of DNAm surrogate biomarkers of risk factors in epigenetic epidemiology to identify high-risk populations. In addition, we provide further evidence on the effectiveness of prediction models based on DNAm surrogates and discuss methodological aspects for further improvements. Finally, our results encourage testing this approach for other NCD diseases by training and developing DNAm surrogates for disease-specific risk factors and exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cappozzo
- MOX - Laboratory for Modeling and Scientific Computing, Department of Mathematics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cathal McCrory
- Department of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Oliver Robinson
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Freni Sterrantino
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Alan Turing Institute, London, UK
| | - Carlotta Sacerdote
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Città della Salute e della Scienza University-Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Vittorio Krogh
- Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Panico
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Tumino
- Association for Epidemiology Research, AIRE ONLYS, Ragusa, Italy
| | - Licia Iacoviello
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Research Center in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (EPIMED), Turin, Italy
| | - Fulvio Ricceri
- Epidemiology Unit, Regional Health Service TO3, Grugliasco, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Centre for Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health (C-BEPH), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sabina Sieri
- Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Chiodini
- Department of Mental, Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Caserta, Italy
| | - Gareth J McKay
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Frank Kee
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Ian S Young
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Eileen M Crimmins
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thalida Em Arpawong
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- Department of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aisling O'Halloran
- Department of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Giuliana Solinas
- Laboratory Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Padre Manzella 4, Sassari, Italy
| | - Paolo Vineis
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Ieva
- MOX - Laboratory for Modeling and Scientific Computing, Department of Mathematics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- CHDS - Health Data Science Center, Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fiorito
- Department of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- Laboratory Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Padre Manzella 4, Sassari, Italy.
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13
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Mudra Rakshasa-Loots A, Whalley HC, Vera JH, Cox SR. Neuroinflammation in HIV-associated depression: evidence and future perspectives. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3619-3632. [PMID: 35618889 PMCID: PMC9708589 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01619-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
People living with HIV face a high risk of mental illness, especially depression. We do not yet know the precise neurobiological mechanisms underlying HIV-associated depression. Depression severity in the general population has been linked to acute and chronic markers of systemic inflammation. Given the associations between depression and peripheral inflammation, and since HIV infection in the brain elicits a neuroinflammatory response, it is possible that neuroinflammation contributes to the high prevalence of depression amongst people living with HIV. The purpose of this review was to synthesise existing evidence for associations between inflammation, depression, and HIV. While there is strong evidence for independent associations between these three conditions, few preclinical or clinical studies have attempted to characterise their interrelationship, representing a major gap in the literature. This review identifies key areas of debate in the field and offers perspectives for future investigations of the pathophysiology of HIV-associated depression. Reproducing findings across diverse populations will be crucial in obtaining robust and generalisable results to elucidate the precise role of neuroinflammation in this pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots
- Edinburgh Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Heather C Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jaime H Vera
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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14
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Alimohammadi M, Makaremi S, Rahimi A, Asghariazar V, Taghadosi M, Safarzadeh E. DNA methylation changes and inflammaging in aging-associated diseases. Epigenomics 2022; 14:965-986. [PMID: 36043685 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0143] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging as an inevitable phenomenon is associated with pervasive changes in physiological functions. There is a relationship between aging and the increase of several chronic diseases. Most age-related disorders are accompanied by an underlying chronic inflammatory state, as demonstrated by local infiltration of inflammatory cells and greater levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the bloodstream. Within inflammaging, many epigenetic events, especially DNA methylation, change. During the aging process, due to aberrations of DNA methylation, biological processes are disrupted, leading to the emergence or progression of a variety of human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The focus of this review is on DNA methylation, which is involved in inflammaging-related activities, and how its dysregulation leads to human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Alimohammadi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1983969411, Iran
| | - Shima Makaremi
- School of Medicine & Allied Medical Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, 5618985991, Iran
| | - Ali Rahimi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 5618985991, Iran
| | - Vahid Asghariazar
- Deputy of Research & Technology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, 5618985991, Iran
| | - Mahdi Taghadosi
- Department of Immunology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, 6714869914, Iran
| | - Elham Safarzadeh
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, & Immunology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, 5618985991, Iran
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15
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Gadd DA, Hillary RF, McCartney DL, Zaghlool SB, Stevenson AJ, Cheng Y, Fawns-Ritchie C, Nangle C, Campbell A, Flaig R, Harris SE, Walker RM, Shi L, Tucker-Drob EM, Gieger C, Peters A, Waldenberger M, Graumann J, McRae AF, Deary IJ, Porteous DJ, Hayward C, Visscher PM, Cox SR, Evans KL, McIntosh AM, Suhre K, Marioni RE. Epigenetic scores for the circulating proteome as tools for disease prediction. eLife 2022; 11:e71802. [PMID: 35023833 PMCID: PMC8880990 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [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: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein biomarkers have been identified across many age-related morbidities. However, characterising epigenetic influences could further inform disease predictions. Here, we leverage epigenome-wide data to study links between the DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures of the circulating proteome and incident diseases. Using data from four cohorts, we trained and tested epigenetic scores (EpiScores) for 953 plasma proteins, identifying 109 scores that explained between 1% and 58% of the variance in protein levels after adjusting for known protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) genetic effects. By projecting these EpiScores into an independent sample (Generation Scotland; n = 9537) and relating them to incident morbidities over a follow-up of 14 years, we uncovered 137 EpiScore-disease associations. These associations were largely independent of immune cell proportions, common lifestyle and health factors, and biological aging. Notably, we found that our diabetes-associated EpiScores highlighted previous top biomarker associations from proteome-wide assessments of diabetes. These EpiScores for protein levels can therefore be a valuable resource for disease prediction and risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni A Gadd
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel L McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Shaza B Zaghlool
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education CityDohaQatar
- Computer Engineering Department, Virginia TechBlacksburgUnited States
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Yipeng Cheng
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Chloe Fawns-Ritchie
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Cliff Nangle
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Robin Flaig
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Harris
- Department of Psychology, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Rosie M Walker
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Chancellor’s Building, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Liu Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Elliot M Tucker-Drob
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Christian Gieger
- Research Unit Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental HealthNeuherbergGermany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental HealthNeuherbergGermany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart AllianceMunichGermany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD)NeuherbergGermany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental HealthNeuherbergGermany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart AllianceMunichGermany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD)NeuherbergGermany
| | - Melanie Waldenberger
- Research Unit Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental HealthNeuherbergGermany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental HealthNeuherbergGermany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart AllianceMunichGermany
| | - Johannes Graumann
- Scientific Service Group Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, W.G. Kerckhoff InstituteBad NauheimGermany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Max Planck Institute of Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Allan F McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Ian J Deary
- Department of Psychology, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - David J Porteous
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Caroline Hayward
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter M Visscher
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Simon R Cox
- Department of Psychology, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh HospitalEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Karsten Suhre
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education CityDohaQatar
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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16
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Gopcevic KR, Gkaliagkousi E, Nemcsik J, Acet Ö, Bernal-Lopez MR, Bruno RM, Climie RE, Fountoulakis N, Fraenkel E, Lazaridis A, Navickas P, Rochfort KD, Šatrauskienė A, Zupkauskienė J, Terentes-Printzios D. Pathophysiology of Circulating Biomarkers and Relationship With Vascular Aging: A Review of the Literature From VascAgeNet Group on Circulating Biomarkers, European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action 18216. Front Physiol 2021; 12:789690. [PMID: 34970157 PMCID: PMC8712891 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.789690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairment of the arteries is a product of sustained exposure to various deleterious factors and progresses with time; a phenomenon inherent to vascular aging. Oxidative stress, inflammation, the accumulation of harmful agents in high cardiovascular risk conditions, changes to the extracellular matrix, and/or alterations of the epigenetic modification of molecules, are all vital pathophysiological processes proven to contribute to vascular aging, and also lead to changes in levels of associated circulating molecules. Many of these molecules are consequently recognized as markers of vascular impairment and accelerated vascular aging in clinical and research settings, however, for these molecules to be classified as biomarkers of vascular aging, further criteria must be met. In this paper, we conducted a scoping literature review identifying thirty of the most important, and eight less important, biomarkers of vascular aging. Herein, we overview a selection of the most important molecules connected with the above-mentioned pathological conditions and study their usefulness as circulating biomarkers of vascular aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina R. Gopcevic
- Laboratory for Analytics of Biomolecules, Department of Chemistry in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - János Nemcsik
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Health Service of ZUGLO, Department of Family Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ömür Acet
- Vocational School of Health Science, Pharmacy Services Program, Tarsus University, Tarsus, Turkey
| | - M. Rosa Bernal-Lopez
- Internal Medicine Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga, University of Malaga, CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Málaga, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Bruno
- Unversite de Paris, INSERM, U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Paris, France
| | - Rachel E. Climie
- Unversite de Paris, INSERM, U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Paris, France
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Sports Cardiology Lab, Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nikolaos Fountoulakis
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London - Waterloo Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emil Fraenkel
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Antonios Lazaridis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Petras Navickas
- Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Keith D. Rochfort
- School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Agnė Šatrauskienė
- Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Centre of Cardiology and Angiology, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jūratė Zupkauskienė
- Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dimitrios Terentes-Printzios
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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17
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Conole ELS, Stevenson AJ, Muñoz Maniega S, Harris SE, Green C, Valdés Hernández MDC, Harris MA, Bastin ME, Wardlaw JM, Deary IJ, Miron VE, Whalley HC, Marioni RE, Cox SR. DNA Methylation and Protein Markers of Chronic Inflammation and Their Associations With Brain and Cognitive Aging. Neurology 2021; 97:e2340-e2352. [PMID: 34789543 PMCID: PMC8665430 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To investigate chronic inflammation in relation to cognitive aging by comparison of an epigenetic and serum biomarker of C-reactive protein and their associations with neuroimaging and cognitive outcomes. METHODS At baseline, participants (n = 521) were cognitively normal, around 73 years of age (mean 72.4, SD 0.716), and had inflammation, vascular risk (cardiovascular disease history, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index), and neuroimaging (structural and diffusion MRI) data available. Baseline inflammatory status was quantified by a traditional measure of peripheral inflammation-serum C-reactive protein (CRP)-and an epigenetic measure (DNA methylation [DNAm] signature of CRP). Linear models were used to examine the inflammation-brain health associations; mediation analyses were performed to interrogate the relationship between chronic inflammation, brain structure, and cognitive functioning. RESULTS We demonstrate that DNAm CRP shows significantly (on average 6.4-fold) stronger associations with brain health outcomes than serum CRP. DNAm CRP is associated with total brain volume (β = -0.197, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.28 to -0.12, p FDR = 8.42 × 10-6), gray matter volume (β = -0.200, 95% CI -0.28 to -0.12, p FDR = 1.66 × 10-5), and white matter volume (β = -0.150, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.07, p FDR = 0.001) and regional brain atrophy. We also find that DNAm CRP has an inverse association with global and domain-specific (speed, visuospatial, and memory) cognitive functioning and that brain structure partially mediates this CRP-cognitive association (up to 29.7%), dependent on lifestyle and health factors. DISCUSSION These results support the hypothesis that chronic inflammation may contribute to neurodegenerative brain changes that underlie differences in cognitive ability in later life and highlight the potential of DNAm proxies for indexing chronic inflammatory status. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class II evidence that a DNAm signature of CRP levels is more strongly associated with brain health outcomes than serum CRP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor L S Conole
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susana Muñoz Maniega
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah E Harris
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire Green
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maria Del C Valdés Hernández
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mathew A Harris
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark E Bastin
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Veronique E Miron
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Heather C Whalley
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- From the Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, Department of Psychology (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., S.E.H., M.d.C.V.H., M.A.H., J.M.W., I.J.D., R.E.M., S.R.C.), Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (E.L.S.C., A.J.S., R.E.M.), Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.L.S.C., S.M.M., M.d.C.V.H., M.E.B., J.M.W., H.C.W.), UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School (A.J.S., V.E.M.), Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital (C.G., M.A.H., H.C.W.), and The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter (V.E.M.), University of Edinburgh, UK
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18
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Abstract
Animal and humans exposed to stress early in life are more likely to suffer from long-term behavioral, mental health, metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular health consequences. The hypothalamus plays a nodal role in programming, controlling, and regulating stress responses throughout the life course. Epigenetic reprogramming in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus play an important role in adapting genome function to experiences and exposures during the perinatal and early life periods and setting up stable phenotypic outcomes. Epigenetic programming during development enables one genome to express multiple cell type identities. The most proximal epigenetic mark to DNA is a covalent modification of the DNA itself by enzymatic addition of methyl moieties. Cell-type-specific DNA methylation profiles are generated during gestational development and define cell and tissue specific phenotypes. Programming of neuronal phenotypes and sex differences in the hypothalamus is achieved by developmentally timed rearrangement of DNA methylation profiles. Similarly, other stations in the life trajectory such as puberty and aging involve predictable and scheduled reorganization of DNA methylation profiles. DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks are critical for maintaining cell-type identity in the brain, across the body, and throughout life. Data that have emerged in the last 15 years suggest that like its role in defining cell-specific phenotype during development, DNA methylation might be involved in defining experiential identities, programming similar genes to perform differently in response to diverse experiential histories. Early life stress impact on lifelong phenotypes is proposed to be mediated by DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks. Epigenetic marks, as opposed to genetic mutations, are reversible by either pharmacological or behavioral strategies and therefore offer the potential for reversing or preventing disease including behavioral and mental health disorders. This chapter discusses data testing the hypothesis that DNA methylation modulations of the HPA axis mediate the impact of early life stress on lifelong behavioral and physical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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19
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Abstract
DNA methylation is an important biological process that involves the reversible addition of chemical tags called methyl groups to DNA and affects whether genes are active or inactive. Individual methylation profiles are determined by both genetic and environmental influences. Inter-individual variation in DNA methylation profiles can be exploited to estimate or predict a wide variety of human characteristics and disease risk profiles. Indeed, a number of methylation-based predictors of human traits have been developed and linked to important health outcomes. However, there is an unmet need to communicate the applicability and limitations of state-of-the-art methylation-based predictors to the wider community. To address this need, we have created a secure, web-based interactive platform called 'MethylDetectR' which automates the calculation of estimated values or scores for a variety of human traits using blood methylation data. These traits include age, lifestyle traits and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Methylation-based predictors often return scores on arbitrary scales. To provide meaning to these scores, users can interactively view how estimated trait scores for a given individual compare against other individuals in the sample. Users can optionally upload binary phenotypes and investigate how estimated traits vary according to case vs. control status for these phenotypes. Users can also view how different methylation-based predictors correlate with one another, and with phenotypic values for corresponding traits in a large reference sample (n = 4,450; Generation Scotland). The 'MethylDetectR' platform allows for the fast and secure calculation of DNA methylation-derived estimates for several human traits. This platform also helps to show the correlations between methylation-based scores and corresponding traits at the level of a sample, report estimated health profiles at an individual level, demonstrate how scores relate to important binary outcomes of interest and highlight the current limitations of molecular health predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F. Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Riccardo E. Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
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20
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Stevenson AJ, Gadd DA, Hillary RF, McCartney DL, Campbell A, Walker RM, Evans KL, Harris SE, Spires-Jones TL, McRae AF, Visscher PM, McIntosh AM, Deary IJ, Marioni RE. Creating and validating a DNA methylation-based proxy for interleukin-6. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 76:2284-2292. [PMID: 33595649 PMCID: PMC8599002 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies evaluating the relationship between chronic inflammation and cognitive functioning have produced heterogeneous results. A potential reason for this is the variability of inflammatory mediators which could lead to misclassifications of individuals’ persisting levels of inflammation. DNA methylation (DNAm) has shown utility in indexing environmental exposures and could be leveraged to provide proxy signatures of chronic inflammation. Method We conducted an elastic net regression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a cohort of 875 older adults (Lothian Birth Cohort 1936; mean age: 70 years) to develop a DNAm-based predictor. The predictor was tested in an independent cohort (Generation Scotland; N = 7028 [417 with measured IL-6], mean age: 51 years). Results A weighted score from 35 CpG sites optimally predicted IL-6 in the independent test set (Generation Scotland; R2 = 4.4%, p = 2.1 × 10−5). In the independent test cohort, both measured IL-6 and the DNAm proxy increased with age (serum IL-6: n = 417, β = 0.02, SE = 0.004, p = 1.3 × 10−7; DNAm IL-6 score: N = 7028, β = 0.02, SE = 0.0009, p < 2 × 10−16). Serum IL-6 did not associate with cognitive ability (n = 417, β = −0.06, SE = 0.05, p = .19); however, an inverse association was identified between the DNAm score and cognitive functioning (N = 7028, β = −0.16, SE = 0.02, pFDR < 2 × 10−16). Conclusions These results suggest methylation-based predictors can be used as proxies for inflammatory markers, potentially allowing for further insight into the relationship between inflammation and pertinent health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Stevenson
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Danni A Gadd
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel L McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosie M Walker
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah E Harris
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Allan F McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter M Visscher
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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21
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Green C, Shen X, Stevenson AJ, Conole ELS, Harris MA, Barbu MC, Hawkins EL, Adams MJ, Hillary RF, Lawrie SM, Evans KL, Walker RM, Morris SW, Porteous DJ, Wardlaw JM, Steele JD, Waiter GD, Sandu AL, Campbell A, Marioni RE, Cox SR, Cavanagh J, McIntosh AM, Whalley HC. Structural brain correlates of serum and epigenetic markers of inflammation in major depressive disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 92:39-48. [PMID: 33221487 PMCID: PMC7910280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory processes are implicated in the aetiology of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); however, the relationship between peripheral inflammation, brain structure and depression remains unclear, partly due to complexities around the use of acute/phasic inflammatory biomarkers. Here, we report the first large-scale study of both serological and methylomic signatures of CRP (considered to represent acute and chronic measures of inflammation respectively) and their associations with depression status/symptoms, and structural neuroimaging phenotypes (T1 and diffusion MRI) in a large community-based sample (Generation Scotland; NMDD cases = 271, Ncontrols = 609). Serum CRP was associated with overall MDD severity, and specifically with current somatic symptoms- general interest (β = 0.145, PFDR = 6 × 10-4) and energy levels (β = 0.101, PFDR = 0.027), along with reduced entorhinal cortex thickness (β = -0.095, PFDR = 0.037). DNAm CRP was significantly associated with reduced global grey matter/cortical volume and widespread reductions in integrity of 16/24 white matter tracts (with greatest regional effects in the external and internal capsules, βFA= -0.12 to -0.14). In general, the methylation-based measures showed stronger associations with imaging metrics than serum-based CRP measures (βaverage = -0.15 versus βaverage = 0.01 respectively). These findings provide evidence for central effects of peripheral inflammation from both serological and epigenetic markers of inflammation, including in brain regions previously implicated in depression. This suggests that these imaging measures may be involved in the relationship between peripheral inflammation and somatic/depressive symptoms. Notably, greater effects on brain morphology were seen for methylation-based rather than serum-based measures of inflammation, indicating the importance of such measures for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Green
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Xueyi Shen
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eleanor L S Conole
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mathew A Harris
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Miruna C Barbu
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emma L Hawkins
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark J Adams
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosie M Walker
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stewart W Morris
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David J Porteous
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J Douglas Steele
- Division of Imaging Science and Technology, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Gordon D Waiter
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Anca-Larisa Sandu
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohorts Group, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jonathan Cavanagh
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical and Veterinary Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical and Veterinary Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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22
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Abstract
DNA methylation is an important biological process which involves the reversible addition of chemical tags called methyl groups to DNA and affects whether genes are active or inactive. Individual methylation profiles are determined by both genetic and environmental influences. Inter-individual variation in DNA methylation profiles can be exploited to estimate or predict a wide variety of human characteristics and disease risk profiles. Indeed, a number of methylation-based predictors of human traits have been developed and linked to important health outcomes. However, there is an unmet need to communicate the applicability and limitations of state-of-the-art methylation-based predictors to the wider community. To address this, we created a secure, web-based interactive platform called 'MethylDetectR' which calculates estimated values or scores for a variety of human traits using blood methylation data. These traits include age, lifestyle traits, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the levels of 27 blood proteins related to inflammatory and neurological processes and disease. Methylation-based predictors often return scores on arbitrary scales. To provide meaning to these scores, users can interactively view how estimated trait scores for a given individual compare against other individuals in the sample. Users can optionally upload binary phenotypes and investigate how estimated traits vary according to case vs. control status for these phenotypes. Users can also view how different methylation-based predictors correlate with one another, and with phenotypic values for corresponding traits in a large reference sample (n = 4,450; Generation Scotland). The 'MethylDetectR' platform allows for the fast and secure calculation of DNA methylation-derived estimates for many human traits. This platform also helps to show the correlations between methylation-based scores and corresponding traits at the level of a sample, report estimated health profiles at an individual level, demonstrate how scores relate to important binary outcomes of interest and highlight the current limitations of molecular health predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F. Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Riccardo E. Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2XU, UK
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23
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Bachmann MC, Bellalta S, Basoalto R, Gómez-Valenzuela F, Jalil Y, Lépez M, Matamoros A, von Bernhardi R. The Challenge by Multiple Environmental and Biological Factors Induce Inflammation in Aging: Their Role in the Promotion of Chronic Disease. Front Immunol 2020; 11:570083. [PMID: 33162985 PMCID: PMC7591463 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.570083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aging process is driven by multiple mechanisms that lead to changes in energy production, oxidative stress, homeostatic dysregulation and eventually to loss of functionality and increased disease susceptibility. Most aged individuals develop chronic low-grade inflammation, which is an important risk factor for morbidity, physical and cognitive impairment, frailty, and death. At any age, chronic inflammatory diseases are major causes of morbimortality, affecting up to 5-8% of the population of industrialized countries. Several environmental factors can play an important role for modifying the inflammatory state. Genetics accounts for only a small fraction of chronic-inflammatory diseases, whereas environmental factors appear to participate, either with a causative or a promotional role in 50% to 75% of patients. Several of those changes depend on epigenetic changes that will further modify the individual response to additional stimuli. The interaction between inflammation and the environment offers important insights on aging and health. These conditions, often depending on the individual's sex, appear to lead to decreased longevity and physical and cognitive decline. In addition to biological factors, the environment is also involved in the generation of psychological and social context leading to stress. Poor psychological environments and other sources of stress also result in increased inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of environmental and psychosocial factors and nutrition on the regulation of inflammation, and how the response elicited for those factors interact among them, are poorly understood. Whereas certain deleterious environmental factors result in the generation of oxidative stress driven by an increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation, other factors, including nutrition (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and behavioral factors (exercise) confer protection against inflammation, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and thus ameliorate their deleterious effect. Here, we discuss processes and mechanisms of inflammation associated with environmental factors and behavior, their links to sex and gender, and their overall impact on aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofía Bellalta
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roque Basoalto
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Yorschua Jalil
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Macarena Lépez
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Anibal Matamoros
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Federal University of Pará, Belem, Brazil
| | - Rommy von Bernhardi
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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