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Luo Y, An C, Zhong K, Zhou P, Li D, Liu H, Guo Q, Wei W, Pan H, Min Z, Li R, Yu Y, Fan Y. Exploring the impacts of senescence on implantation and early embryonic development using totipotent cell-derived blastoids. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00073-0. [PMID: 38402947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Advanced maternal age is associated with reduced implantation and pregnancy rates, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, and research models are limited. OBJECTIVES Here, we aim to elucidate the impacts of senescence on implantation ability by employing blastoids to construct a novel research model. METHODS We used a novel three-dimensional system with totipotent blastomere-like cells (TBLCs) to construct TBL-blastoids and established senescence-related embryo models derived from oxidative stress-induced TBLCs. RESULTS Morphological and transcriptomic analyses revealed that TBL-blastoids exhibited characteristic blastocyst morphology, cell lineages, and a higher consistency in developmental rate. TBL-blastoids demonstrated the ability to develop into postimplantation structures in vitro and successfully implanted into mouse uteri, inducing decidualization and forming embryonic tissues. Importantly, senescence impaired the implantation potential of TBL-blastoids, effectively mimicking the impaired implantation ability and reduced pregnancy rates associated with advanced age. Furthermore, analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in human homologous deciduae revealed enrichment in multiple fertility-related diseases and other complications of pregnancy. The genes implicated in these diseases and the common DEGs identified in the lineage-like cells of the two types of TBL-blastoids and deciduae may represent potential targets for addressing impaired implantation potential. CONCLUSION These results unveiled that TBL blastoids are an improved model for investigating implantation and early postimplantation, offering valuable insights into pregnancy-related disorders in women with advanced age and potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chenrui An
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Ke Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dan Li
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hen Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zheying Min
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China.
| | - Rong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yong Fan
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China.
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2
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Tietze E, Barbosa AR, Araujo B, Euclydes V, Spiegelberg B, Cho HJ, Lee YK, Wang Y, McCord A, Lorenzetti A, Feltrin A, van de Leemput J, Di Carlo P, Ursini G, Benjamin KJ, Brentani H, Kleinman JE, Hyde TM, Weinberger DR, McKay R, Shin JH, Sawada T, Paquola ACM, Erwin JA. Human archetypal pluripotent stem cells differentiate into trophoblast stem cells via endogenous BMP5/7 induction without transitioning through naive state. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3291. [PMID: 38332235 PMCID: PMC10853519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53381-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and TSCs derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can potentially model placental processes in vitro. Yet, the pluripotent states and factors involved in the differentiation of hPSCs to TSCs remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the primed pluripotent state can generate TSCs by activating pathways such as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Wingless-related integration site (WNT), and by suppressing tumor growth factor beta (TGFβ), histone deacetylases (HDAC), and Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathways, all without the addition of exogenous Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)-a condition we refer to as the TS condition. We characterized this process using temporal single-cell RNA sequencing to compare TS conditions with differentiation protocols involving BMP4 activation alone or BMP4 activation in conjunction with WNT inhibition. The TS condition consistently produced a stable, proliferative cell type that closely mimics first-trimester placental cytotrophoblasts, marked by the activation of endogenous retroviral genes and the absence of amnion expression. This was observed across multiple cell lines, including various primed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. Primed-derived TSCs can proliferate for over 30 passages and further specify into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblast cells. Our research establishes that the differentiation of primed hPSCs to TSC under TS conditions triggers the induction of TMSB4X, BMP5/7, GATA3, and TFAP2A without progressing through a naive state. These findings propose that the primed hPSC state is part of a continuum of potency with the capacity to differentiate into TSCs through multiple routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Tietze
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andre Rocha Barbosa
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Inter-Institutional Graduate Program on Bioinformatics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Araujo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Veronica Euclydes
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bailey Spiegelberg
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hyeon Jin Cho
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yong Kyu Lee
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Arthur Feltrin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Joyce van de Leemput
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Pasquale Di Carlo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ursini
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kynon J Benjamin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Helena Brentani
- Inter-Institutional Graduate Program on Bioinformatics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald McKay
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joo Heon Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tomoyo Sawada
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Apua C M Paquola
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer A Erwin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Ihirwe RG, Martel J, Rahimi S, Trasler J. Protective and sex-specific effects of moderate dose folic acid supplementation on the placenta following assisted reproduction in mice. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22677. [PMID: 36515682 PMCID: PMC10108070 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201428r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic defects induced by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been suggested as a potential mechanism contributing to suboptimal placentation. Here, we hypothesize that ART perturbs DNA methylation (DNAme) and gene expression during early placenta development, leading to abnormal placental phenotypes observed at term. Since folic acid (FA) plays a crucial role in epigenetic regulation, we propose that FA supplementation can rescue ART-induced placental defects. Female mice were placed on a control diet (CD), a moderate 4-fold (FAS4) or high dose 10-fold (FAS10) FA-supplemented diet prior to ART and compared to a natural mating group. ART resulted in 41 and 28 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in E10.5 female and male placentas, respectively. Many DEGs were implicated in early placenta development and associated with DNAme changes; a number clustered at known imprinting control regions (ICR). In females, FAS4 partially corrected alterations in gene expression while FAS10 showed evidence of male-biased adverse effects. DNAme and gene expression for five genes involved in early placentation (Phlda2, EphB2, Igf2, Peg3, L3mbtl1) were followed up in placentas from normal as well as delayed and abnormal embryos. Phlda2 and Igf2 expression levels were lowest after ART in placentas of female delayed embryos. Moreover, ART concomitantly reduced DNAme at the Kcnq1ot1 ICR which regulates Phlda2 expression; FAS4 partially improved DNAme in a sex-specific manner. In conclusion, ART-associated placental DNAme and transcriptome alterations observed at mid-gestation are sex-specific; they may help explain adverse placental phenotypes detected at term and are partially corrected by maternal moderate dose FA supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Gloria Ihirwe
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sophia Rahimi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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4
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Latchney SE, Cadney MD, Hopkins A, Garland T. DNA Methylation Analysis of Imprinted Genes in the Cortex and Hippocampus of Cross-Fostered Mice Selectively Bred for Increased Voluntary Wheel-Running. Behav Genet 2022; 52:281-297. [PMID: 35988119 PMCID: PMC9463359 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-022-10112-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWe have previously shown that high runner (HR) mice (from a line genetically selected for increased wheel-running behavior) have distinct, genetically based, neurobiological phenotypes as compared with non-selected control (C) mice. However, developmental programming effects during early life, including maternal care and parent-of-origin-dependent expression of imprinted genes, can also contribute to variation in physical activity. Here, we used cross-fostering to address two questions. First, do HR mice have altered DNA methylation profiles of imprinted genes in the brain compared to C mice? Second, does maternal upbringing further modify the DNA methylation status of these imprinted genes? To address these questions, we cross-fostered all offspring at birth to create four experimental groups: C pups to other C dams, HR pups to other HR dams, C pups to HR dams, and HR pups to C dams. Bisulfite sequencing of 16 imprinted genes in the cortex and hippocampus revealed that the HR line had altered DNA methylation patterns of the paternally imprinted genes, Rasgrf1 and Zdbf2, as compared with the C line. Both fostering between the HR and C lines and sex modified the DNA methylation profiles for the paternally expressed genes Mest, Peg3, Igf2, Snrpn, and Impact. Ig-DMR, a gene with multiple paternal and maternal imprinted clusters, was also affected by maternal upbringing and sex. Our results suggest that differential methylation patterns of imprinted genes in the brain could contribute to evolutionary increases in wheel-running behavior and are also dependent on maternal upbringing and sex.
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5
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Sciorio R, El Hajj N. Epigenetic Risks of Medically Assisted Reproduction. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082151. [PMID: 35456243 PMCID: PMC9027760 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the first baby conceived via in vitro fertilization, more than 9 million children have been born worldwide using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In vivo fertilization takes place in the maternal oviduct, where the unique physiological conditions guarantee the healthy development of the embryo. During early embryogenesis, a major wave of epigenetic reprogramming takes place that is crucial for the correct development of the embryo. Epigenetic reprogramming is susceptible to environmental changes and non-physiological conditions such as those applied during in vitro culture, including shift in pH and temperature, oxygen tension, controlled ovarian stimulation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, as well as preimplantation embryo manipulations for genetic testing. In the last decade, concerns were raised of a possible link between ART and increased incidence of imprinting disorders, as well as epigenetic alterations in the germ cells of infertile parents that are transmitted to the offspring following ART. The aim of this review was to present evidence from the literature regarding epigenetic errors linked to assisted reproduction treatments and their consequences on the conceived children. Furthermore, we provide an overview of disease risk associated with epigenetic or imprinting alterations in children born via ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Nady El Hajj
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar;
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6
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Sciorio R, Esteves SC. Contemporary Use of ICSI and Epigenetic Risks to Future Generations. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082135. [PMID: 35456226 PMCID: PMC9031244 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978 via IVF, reproductive specialists have acquired enormous knowledge and refined several procedures, which are nowadays applied in assisted reproductive technology (ART). One of the most critical steps in this practice is the fertilization process. In the early days of IVF, a remarkable concern was the unpleasant outcomes of failed fertilization, overtaken by introducing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), delineating a real breakthrough in modern ART. ICSI became standard practice and was soon used as the most common method to fertilize oocytes. It has been used for severe male factor infertility and non-male factors, such as unexplained infertility or advanced maternal age, without robust scientific evidence. However, applying ICSI blindly is not free of potential detrimental consequences since novel studies report possible health consequences to offspring. DNA methylation and epigenetic alterations in sperm cells of infertile men might help explain some of the adverse effects reported in ICSI studies on reproductive health in future generations. Collected data concerning the health of ICSI children over the past thirty years seems to support the notion that there might be an increased risk of epigenetic disorders, congenital malformations, chromosomal alterations, and subfertility in babies born following ICSI compared to naturally conceived children. However, it is still to be elucidated to what level these data are associated with the cause of infertility or the ICSI technique. This review provides an overview of epigenetic mechanisms and possible imprinting alterations following the use of ART, in particular ICSI. It also highlights the sperm contribution to embryo epigenetic regulation and the risks of in vitro culture conditions on epigenetic dysregulation. Lastly, it summarizes the literature concerning the possible epigenetic disorders in children born after ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandro C. Esteves
- Androfert, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas 13075-460, Brazil;
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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Aykroyd BRL, Tunster SJ, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Loss of imprinting of the Igf2-H19 ICR1 enhances placental endocrine capacity via sex-specific alterations in signalling pathways in the mouse. Development 2022; 149:dev199811. [PMID: 34982814 PMCID: PMC8783045 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Imprinting control region (ICR1) controls the expression of the Igf2 and H19 genes in a parent-of-origin specific manner. Appropriate expression of the Igf2-H19 locus is fundamental for normal fetal development, yet the importance of ICR1 in the placental production of hormones that promote maternal nutrient allocation to the fetus is unknown. To address this, we used a novel mouse model to selectively delete ICR1 in the endocrine junctional zone (Jz) of the mouse placenta (Jz-ΔICR1). The Jz-ΔICR1 mice exhibit increased Igf2 and decreased H19 expression specifically in the Jz. This was accompanied by an expansion of Jz endocrine cell types due to enhanced rates of proliferation and increased expression of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 23 in the placenta of both fetal sexes. However, changes in the endocrine phenotype of the placenta were related to sexually-dimorphic alterations to the abundance of Igf2 receptors and downstream signalling pathways (Pi3k-Akt and Mapk). There was no effect of Jz-ΔICR1 on the expression of targets of the H19-embedded miR-675 or on fetal weight. Our results demonstrate that ICR1 controls placental endocrine capacity via sex-dependent changes in signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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Nagae G, Yamamoto S, Fujita M, Fujita T, Nonaka A, Umeda T, Fukuda S, Tatsuno K, Maejima K, Hayashi A, Kurihara S, Kojima M, Hishiki T, Watanabe K, Ida K, Yano M, Hiyama Y, Tanaka Y, Inoue T, Ueda H, Nakagawa H, Aburatani H, Hiyama E. Genetic and epigenetic basis of hepatoblastoma diversity. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5423. [PMID: 34538872 PMCID: PMC8450290 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25430-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver malignancy; however, hereditary predisposition and acquired molecular aberrations related to HB clinicopathological diversity are not well understood. Here, we perform an integrative genomic profiling of 163 pediatric liver tumors (154 HBs and nine hepatocellular carcinomas) based on the data acquired from a cohort study (JPLT-2). The total number of somatic mutations is precious low (0.52/Mb on exonic regions) but correlated with age at diagnosis. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations are prevalent in the tween HBs, selective in the transitional liver cell tumor (TLCT, > 8 years old). DNA methylation profiling reveals that classical HBs are characterized by the specific hypomethylated enhancers, which are enriched with binding sites for ASCL2, a regulatory transcription factor for definitive endoderm in Wnt-pathway. Prolonged upregulation of ASCL2, as well as fetal-liver-like methylation patterns of IGF2 promoters, suggests their "cell of origin" derived from the premature hepatoblast, similar to intestinal epithelial cells, which are highly proliferative. Systematic molecular profiling of HB is a promising approach for understanding the epigenetic drivers of hepatoblast carcinogenesis and deriving clues for risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genta Nagae
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shogo Yamamoto
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Fujita
- grid.509459.40000 0004 0472 0267Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takanori Fujita
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Nonaka
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Umeda
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiro Fukuda
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Tatsuno
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Maejima
- grid.509459.40000 0004 0472 0267Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Akimasa Hayashi
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.411205.30000 0000 9340 2869Department of Pathology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sho Kurihara
- grid.470097.d0000 0004 0618 7953Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masato Kojima
- grid.470097.d0000 0004 0618 7953Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tomoro Hishiki
- grid.136304.30000 0004 0370 1101Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Watanabe
- grid.415798.60000 0004 0378 1551Shizuoka Children’s Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kohmei Ida
- grid.412305.10000 0004 1769 1397Department of Pediatrics, Teikyo University Mizonokuchi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Michihiro Yano
- grid.411403.30000 0004 0631 7850Department of Pediatrics, Akita University Hospital, Akita, Japan
| | - Yoko Hiyama
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Biomedical Science, Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan 734-8551, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima
| | - Yukichi Tanaka
- grid.414947.b0000 0004 0377 7528Department of Pathology, Kanagawa Children’s Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Inoue
- grid.416948.60000 0004 1764 9308Department of Pathology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ueda
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidewaki Nakagawa
- grid.509459.40000 0004 0472 0267Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Aburatani
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGenome Science Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiso Hiyama
- grid.470097.d0000 0004 0618 7953Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Biomedical Science, Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan 734-8551, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima
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Yang J, Lu Z, Liu Z, Wang L, Qiang M. Methylation of Imprinted Genes in Sperm DNA Correlated to Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Exposure Levels in Reproductive-Aged Men and the Birth Outcomes of the Offspring. Front Genet 2021; 11:611276. [PMID: 33505432 PMCID: PMC7834272 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.611276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known environmental pollutants. Studies are very limited regarding the impacts of paternal PAHs exposure on birth outcomes as well as the underpinning mechanisms in human. In this study, 302 reproductive-aged males (22-46 years old) were enrolled and demographic informatics data were obtained by questionnaires. The levels of urinary hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs) were assessed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; and methylation levels of the imprinting genes H19, Meg3, and Peg3 of sperm DNA were evaluated via bisulfite pyrosequencing. The analysis of the correlation between OH-PAHs levels and methylation levels of imprinting genes showed that OH-PAHs are correlated with some CpG sites in H19, Peg3, and Meg3. To further investigate an association of urinary OH-PAHs with birth outcomes, follow-up study of wives of these subjects has been performed for 1-3 years. As the result, a total of 157 babies were born. The birth outcomes parameters including birth weight (BW), length (BL), and ponderal index (PI) were recorded. The further analysis of generalized estimating equation indicated a negative correlation between urinary total OH-PAHs levels and newborn BW (β = -0.081, p = 0.020); but this association has not been found for BL and PI. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis was employed for examining associations of the methylation of imprinting genes with birth outcomes parameters, which indicated a negative correlation between BW and H19, namely, each unit percent (%) elevation in methylation of H19 (but not Peg3 and Meg3) was significantly associated with a 0.135 g reduction of BW (β = -0.135; 95% CI 0.781-0.978). Putting together, these results show that paternal non-occupational environmental exposure to PAHs is associated with newborn BW. And imprinting gene H19 methylation may be involved in the underlying mechanisms. This study in human population adds a support for previous animal study and implies that environmental impact on the offspring through paternal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yang
- Department of Children and Adolescences Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhaoxu Lu
- Department of Children and Adolescences Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhichao Liu
- Department of Children and Adolescences Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Children and Adolescences Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Mei Qiang
- Department of Children and Adolescences Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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10
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Fauque P, De Mouzon J, Devaux A, Epelboin S, Gervoise-Boyer MJ, Levy R, Valentin M, Viot G, Bergère A, De Vienne C, Jonveaux P, Pessione F. Reproductive technologies, female infertility, and the risk of imprinting-related disorders. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:191. [PMID: 33308308 PMCID: PMC7731556 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00986-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiological studies suggest that singletons born from assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have a high risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, specifically for imprinting disorders. Because ART processes take place at times when epigenetic reprogramming/imprinting are occurring, there is concern that ART can affect genomic imprints. However, little is currently known about the risk of imprinting defects according to the type of ART or the type of underlying female infertility.
From the French national health database, a cohort of 3,501,495 singletons born over a 5-year period (2013–2017) following fresh embryo or frozen embryo transfers (fresh-ET or FET from in vitro fertilization), intrauterine insemination, or natural conception was followed up to early childhood. Based on clinical features, several syndromes/diseases involving imprinted genes were monitored. The effects of ART conception and the underlying cause of female infertility were assessed. Results Compared with infants conceived naturally, children born after fresh-ET had a higher prevalence of imprinting-related diseases, with an aOR of 1.43 [95% CI 1.13–1.81, p = 0.003]. Namely, we observed an increased risk of neonatal diabetes mellitus (1.96 aOR [95% CI 1.43–2.70], p < 0.001). There was an overall independent increase in risk of imprinting diseases for children with mothers diagnosed with endometriosis (1.38 aOR [95% CI 1.06–1.80], p = 0.02). Young and advanced maternal age, primiparity, obesity, smoking, and history of high blood pressure or diabetes were also associated with high global risk. Conclusions This prospective epidemiological study showed that the risk of clinically diagnosed imprinting-related diseases is increased in children conceived after fresh embryo transfers or from mothers with endometriosis. The increased perturbations in genomic imprinting could be caused by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and potentially endometriosis through the impairment of endometrial receptivity and placentation, leading to epigenetic feto-placental changes. Further studies are now needed to improve understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms (i.e. genetic or epigenetic causes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Fauque
- CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS - Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté - INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France.
| | | | - Aviva Devaux
- Centre d'assistance medicale à la procreation, biologie de la reproduction, CHU Amiens, Amiens, France
| | - Sylvie Epelboin
- Centre d'assistance medicale à la procreation, gynécologie obstétrique, médecine de la reproduction, Université Paris 7 Diderot, groupe hospitalier Bichat Claude-Bernard, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - Rachel Levy
- Sorbonne Université, Saint Antoine Research Center, INSERM équipe Lipodystrophies genetiques et acquises, Service de biologie de la reproduction-CECOS, Hôpital Tenon, AP-HP, 75012, Paris, France
| | - Morgane Valentin
- Diagnostic antenatal, gynécologie obstétrique, Université Paris 7 Diderot, groupe hospitalier Bichat Claude-Bernard, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Géraldine Viot
- Unité de Génétique Clinique de La Muette, 50 rue Nicolo, 75116, Paris, France
| | - Arianne Bergère
- Agence de la Biomédecine, 1 avenue du stade de France, 93212, La Plaine Saint Denis, France
| | - Claire De Vienne
- Agence de la Biomédecine, 1 avenue du stade de France, 93212, La Plaine Saint Denis, France
| | - Philippe Jonveaux
- Agence de la Biomédecine, 1 avenue du stade de France, 93212, La Plaine Saint Denis, France
| | - Fabienne Pessione
- Agence de la Biomédecine, 1 avenue du stade de France, 93212, La Plaine Saint Denis, France
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11
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Molaro A, Wood AJ, Janssens D, Kindelay SM, Eickbush MT, Wu S, Singh P, Muller CH, Henikoff S, Malik HS. Biparental contributions of the H2A.B histone variant control embryonic development in mice. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3001001. [PMID: 33362208 PMCID: PMC7757805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone variants expand chromatin functions in eukaryote genomes. H2A.B genes are testis-expressed short histone H2A variants that arose in placental mammals. Their biological functions remain largely unknown. To investigate their function, we generated a knockout (KO) model that disrupts all 3 H2A.B genes in mice. We show that H2A.B KO males have globally altered chromatin structure in postmeiotic germ cells. Yet, they do not show impaired spermatogenesis or testis function. Instead, we find that H2A.B plays a crucial role postfertilization. Crosses between H2A.B KO males and females yield embryos with lower viability and reduced size. Using a series of genetic crosses that separate parental and zygotic contributions, we show that the H2A.B status of both the father and mother, but not of the zygote, affects embryonic viability and growth during gestation. We conclude that H2A.B is a novel parental-effect gene, establishing a role for short H2A histone variants in mammalian development. We posit that parental antagonism over embryonic growth drove the origin and ongoing diversification of short histone H2A variants in placental mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Molaro
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Anna J. Wood
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Derek Janssens
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Selina M. Kindelay
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Michael T. Eickbush
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven Wu
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Priti Singh
- Comparative Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Charles H. Muller
- Male Fertility Laboratory, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Harmit S. Malik
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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12
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Bowman CE, Arany Z, Wolfgang MJ. Regulation of maternal-fetal metabolic communication. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:1455-1486. [PMID: 33084944 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03674-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy may be the most nutritionally sensitive stage in the life cycle, and improved metabolic health during gestation and early postnatal life can reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Successful pregnancy requires coordinated metabolic, hormonal, and immunological communication. In this review, maternal-fetal metabolic communication is defined as the bidirectional communication of nutritional status and metabolic demand by various modes including circulating metabolites, endocrine molecules, and other secreted factors. Emphasis is placed on metabolites as a means of maternal-fetal communication by synthesizing findings from studies in humans, non-human primates, domestic animals, rabbits, and rodents. In this review, fetal, placental, and maternal metabolic adaptations are discussed in turn. (1) Fetal macronutrient needs are summarized in terms of the physiological adaptations in place to ensure their proper allocation. (2) Placental metabolite transport and maternal physiological adaptations during gestation, including changes in energy budget, are also discussed. (3) Maternal nutrient limitation and metabolic disorders of pregnancy serve as case studies of the dynamic nature of maternal-fetal metabolic communication. The review concludes with a summary of recent research efforts to identify metabolites, endocrine molecules, and other secreted factors that mediate this communication, with particular emphasis on serum/plasma metabolomics in humans, non-human primates, and rodents. A better understanding of maternal-fetal metabolic communication in health and disease may reveal novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn E Bowman
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zoltan Arany
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Wolfgang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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13
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Vrooman LA, Rhon-Calderon EA, Chao OY, Nguyen DK, Narapareddy L, Dahiya AK, Putt ME, Schultz RM, Bartolomei MS. Assisted reproductive technologies induce temporally specific placental defects and the preeclampsia risk marker sFLT1 in mouse. Development 2020; 147:147/11/dev186551. [PMID: 32471820 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although widely used, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. To elucidate their underlying causes, we have conducted a longitudinal analysis of placental development and fetal growth using a mouse model to investigate the effects of individual ART procedures: hormone stimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo culture and embryo transfer. We demonstrate that transfer of blastocysts naturally conceived without hormone stimulation and developed in vivo prior to transfer can impair early placentation and fetal growth, but this effect normalizes by term. In contrast, embryos cultured in vitro before transfer do not exhibit this compensation but rather display placental overgrowth, reduced fetal weight, reduced placental DNA methylation and increased levels of sFLT1, an anti-angiogenic protein implicated in causing the maternal symptoms of preeclampsia in humans. Increases in sFLT1 observed in this study suggest that IVF procedures could increase the risk for preeclampsia. Moreover, our results indicate that embryo culture is the major factor contributing to most placental abnormalities and should therefore be targeted for optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Vrooman
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric A Rhon-Calderon
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Olivia Y Chao
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Duy K Nguyen
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laren Narapareddy
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Family and Community Health, Claire M. Fagin School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Asha K Dahiya
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mary E Putt
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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14
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Xu H, Zhao L, Feng X, Ma Y, Chen W, Zou L, Yang Q, Sun J, Yu H, Jiao B. Landscape of genomic imprinting and its functions in the mouse mammary gland. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 12:857-869. [PMID: 32369566 PMCID: PMC7883822 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic modification of DNA, whereby gene expression is restricted to either maternally or paternally inherited alleles. Imprinted genes (IGs) in the placenta and embryo are essential for growth regulation and nutrient supply. However, despite being an important nutrition delivery organ, studies on mammary gland genomic imprinting remain limited. In this study, we found that both the number of IGs and their expression levels decreased during development of the mouse mammary gland. IG expression was lineage-specific and related to mammary gland development and lactation. Meta-analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed that mammary gland IGs were co-expressed in a network that regulated cell stemness and differentiation, which was confirmed by our functional studies. Accordingly, our data indicated that IGs were essential for the self-renewal of mammary gland stem cells and IG decline was correlated with mammary gland maturity. Taken together, our findings revealed the importance of IGs in a poorly studied nutrition-related organ, i.e. the mammary gland, thus providing a reference for further studies on genomic imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Xu Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yujie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Li Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Qin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Jihong Sun
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Baowei Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
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15
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Wang R, Su L, Yu S, Ma X, Jiang C, Yu Y. Inhibition of PHLDA2 transcription by DNA methylation and YY1 in goat placenta. Gene 2020; 739:144512. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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16
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Arévalo L, Campbell P. Placental effects on the maternal brain revealed by disrupted placental gene expression in mouse hybrids. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20192563. [PMID: 31937228 PMCID: PMC7003458 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian placenta is both the physical interface between mother and fetus, and the source of endocrine signals that target the maternal hypothalamus, priming females for parturition, lactation and motherhood. Despite the importance of this connection, the effects of altered placental signalling on the maternal brain are insufficiently studied. Here, we show that placental dysfunction alters gene expression in the maternal brain, with the potential to affect maternal behaviour. Using a cross between the house mouse and the Algerian mouse, in which hybrid placental development is abnormal, we sequenced late-gestation placental and maternal medial preoptic area transcriptomes and quantified differential expression and placenta-maternal brain co-expression between normal and hybrid pregnancies. The expression of Fmn1 and Drd3 was significantly altered in the brains of females exposed to hybrid placentas. Most strikingly, expression patterns of placenta-specific gene families and Drd3 in the brains of house mouse females carrying hybrid litters matched those of female Algerian mice, the paternal species in the cross. Our results indicate that the paternally derived placental genome can influence the expression of maternal-fetal communication genes, including placental hormones, suggesting an effect of the offspring's father on the mother's brain.
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17
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Menelaou K, Prater M, Tunster S, Blake G, Geary Joo C, Cross JC, Hamilton R, Watson E. Blastocyst transfer in mice alters the placental transcriptome and growth. Reproduction 2019; 159:115-132. [PMID: 31751309 PMCID: PMC6993209 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Assisted reproduction technologies (ART) are becoming increasingly common. Therefore, how these procedures influence gene regulation and feto-placental development are important to explore. Here, we assess the effects of blastocyst transfer on mouse placental growth and transcriptome. C57Bl/6 blastocysts were transferred into uteri of B6D2F1 pseudopregnant females and dissected at embryonic day 10.5 for analysis. Compared to non-transferred controls, placentas from transferred conceptuses weighed less even though the embryos were larger on average. This suggested a compensatory increase in placental efficiency. RNA-sequencing of whole male placentas revealed 543 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after blastocyst transfer: 188 and 355 genes were down-regulated and up-regulated, respectively. DEGs were independently validated in male and female placentas. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that DEGs represented expression in all major placental cell types and included genes that are critical for placenta development and/or function. Furthermore, the direction of transcriptional change in response to blastocyst transfer implied an adaptive response to improve placental function to maintain fetal growth. Our analysis revealed that CpG methylation at regulatory regions of two DEGs was unchanged in female transferred placentas and that DEGs had fewer gene-associated CpG islands (within ~20 kb region) compared to the larger genome. These data suggested that altered methylation at proximal promoter regions might not lead to transcriptional disruption in transferred placentas. Genomic clustering of some DEGs warrants further investigation of long-range, cis-acting epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications together with DNA methylation. We conclude that embryo transfer, a protocol required for ART, significantly impacts the placental transcriptome and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Menelaou
- K Menelaou, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Malwina Prater
- M Prater, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Simon Tunster
- S Tunster, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Georgina Blake
- G Blake, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Colleen Geary Joo
- C Geary Joo, Clara Christie Centre for Mouse Genomics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - James C Cross
- J Cross, Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Russell Hamilton
- R Hamilton, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Erica Watson
- E Watson, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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18
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Millership SJ, Van de Pette M, Withers DJ. Genomic imprinting and its effects on postnatal growth and adult metabolism. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4009-4021. [PMID: 31270580 PMCID: PMC6785587 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03197-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Imprinted genes display parent-of-origin-specific expression with this epigenetic system of regulation found exclusively in therian mammals. Historically, defined imprinted gene functions were almost solely focused on pregnancy and the influence on the growth parameters of the developing embryo and placenta. More recently, a number of postnatal functions have been identified which converge on resource allocation, both for animals in the nest and in adults. While many of the prenatal functions of imprinted genes that have so far been described adhere to the "parental conflict" hypothesis, no clear picture has yet emerged on the functional role of imprints on postnatal metabolism. As these roles are uncovered, interest in the potential for these genes to influence postnatal metabolism and associated adult-onset disease outcomes when dysregulated has gathered pace. Here, we review the published data on imprinted genes and their influence on postnatal metabolism, starting in the nest, and then progressing through to adulthood. When observing the functional effects of these genes on adult metabolism, we must always be careful to acknowledge the influence both of direct expression in the relevant metabolic tissue, but also indirect metabolic programming effects caused by their modulation of both in utero and postnatal growth trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Millership
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Mathew Van de Pette
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Dominic J Withers
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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19
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Rhon-Calderon EA, Vrooman LA, Riesche L, Bartolomei MS. The effects of Assisted Reproductive Technologies on genomic imprinting in the placenta. Placenta 2019; 84:37-43. [PMID: 30871810 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a complex and poorly understood organ, which serves as the connection between the mother and the developing fetus. Genomic imprinting, defined as a regulatory process resulting in the expression of a gene in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, plays an important role in fetal development and placental function. Disturbances that occur during the establishment and maintenance of imprinting could compromise the placenta and fetus, and ultimately, offspring health. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) have been widely used to overcome infertility, however experimental studies have shown that ART procedures affect placentation and the expression of imprinted genes. Here we briefly review the role of imprinted genes in placental development and the evidence from mouse and human studies suggesting ART disrupts imprinted gene regulation in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Rhon-Calderon
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Smilow Center for Translational Research, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Bldg 421, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA
| | - Lisa A Vrooman
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Smilow Center for Translational Research, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Bldg 421, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA
| | - Laren Riesche
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Smilow Center for Translational Research, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Bldg 421, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA; Department of Family and Community Health, Claire M. Fagin School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Smilow Center for Translational Research, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Bldg 421, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6058, USA.
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Sharma A, Lacko LA, Argueta LB, Glendinning MD, Stuhlmann H. miR-126 regulates glycogen trophoblast proliferation and DNA methylation in the murine placenta. Dev Biol 2019; 449:21-34. [PMID: 30771304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A functional placenta develops through a delicate interplay of its vascular and trophoblast compartments. We have identified a previously unknown expression domain for the endothelial-specific microRNA miR-126 in trophoblasts of murine and human placentas. Here, we determine the role of miR-126 in placental development using a mouse model with a targeted deletion of miR-126. In addition to vascular defects observed only in the embryo, loss of miR-126 function in the placenta leads to junctional zone hyperplasia at E15.5 at the expense of the labyrinth, reduced placental volume for nutrient exchange and intra-uterine growth restriction of the embryos. Junctional zone hyperplasia results from increased numbers of proliferating glycogen trophoblast (GlyT) progenitors at E13.5 that give rise to an expanded glycogen trophoblast population at E15.5. Transcriptomic profile of miR-126-/- placentas revealed dysregulation of a large number of GlyT (Prl6a1, Prl7c1, Pcdh12) and trophoblast-specific genes (Tpbpa, Tpbpb, Prld1) and genes with known roles in placental development. We show that miR-126-/- placentas, but not miR-126-/- embryos, display aberrant expression of imprinted genes with important roles in glycogen trophoblasts and junctional zone development, including Igf2, H19, Cdkn1c and Phlda2, during mid-gestation. We also show that miR126-/- placentas display global hypermethylation, including at several imprint control centers. Our findings uncover a novel role for miR-126 in regulating extra-embryonic energy stores, expression of imprinted genes and DNA methylation in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet Sharma
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Lauretta A Lacko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Lissenya B Argueta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Michael D Glendinning
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Heidi Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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Ma Y, Ma Y, Wen L, Lei H, Chen S, Wang X. Changes in DNA methylation and imprinting disorders in E9.5 mouse fetuses and placentas derived from vitrified eight-cell embryos. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:404-415. [PMID: 30680835 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Vitrification is increasingly used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories worldwide, and potential vitrification-induced risks require further exploration. The effect of vitrification on changes in DNA methylation and imprinting disorders was investigated in E9.5 mouse fetuses and placentas. Fetus and placental tissues were collected from the natural mating (nautural conception [NC]) group, in vitro culture (IVC) group and vitrified embryo transfer (VET) group. The fetal crown-rump length at E9.5 in both the IVC (0.210 ± 0.059 mm) and VET (0.205 ± 0.048 mm) groups was significantly reduced compared with the NC group (0.288 ± 0.083 mm). The global methylation levels of fetuses were decreased in the IVC group compared with the NC group and it was increased after vitrification compared with IVC (p < 0.05), similar to what was observed in the NC group (p > 0.05). The changes could be attributed to the disorders of DNA methyltransferases and ten-eleven translocations. In the IVC and VET fetuses, a majority of maternally expressed genes were upregulated, which repressed fetal growth. Furthermore, vitrification led to a change in the methylation level of KvDMR1, which resulted in the disturbance of gene imprinting. According to our results, vitrification could contribute to increased methylation compared with IVC and contributes to a gene imprinting disorder rather than recovery. Despite the routine use of embryo vitrification in clinical settings, the effect that this procedure may have on genomic imprinting deserves much greater attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yefei Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liang Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Lei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuqiang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Reproductive Medicine Center, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Millership SJ, Tunster SJ, Van de Pette M, Choudhury AI, Irvine EE, Christian M, Fisher AG, John RM, Scott J, Withers DJ. Neuronatin deletion causes postnatal growth restriction and adult obesity in 129S2/Sv mice. Mol Metab 2018; 18:97-106. [PMID: 30279096 PMCID: PMC6308027 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Imprinted genes are crucial for the growth and development of fetal and juvenile mammals. Altered imprinted gene dosage causes a variety of human disorders, with growth and development during these crucial early stages strongly linked with future metabolic health in adulthood. Neuronatin (Nnat) is a paternally expressed imprinted gene found in neuroendocrine systems and white adipose tissue and is regulated by the diet and leptin. Neuronatin expression is downregulated in obese children and has been associated with stochastic obesity in C57BL/6 mice. However, our recent studies of Nnat null mice on this genetic background failed to display any body weight or feeding phenotypes but revealed a defect in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion due to the ability of neuronatin to potentiate signal peptidase cleavage of preproinsulin. Nnat deficiency in beta cells therefore caused a lack of appropriate storage and secretion of mature insulin. METHODS To further explore the potential role of Nnat in the regulation of body weight and adiposity, we studied classical imprinting-related phenotypes such as placental, fetal, and postnatal growth trajectory patterns that may impact upon subsequent adult metabolic phenotypes. RESULTS Here we find that, in contrast to the lack of any body weight or feeding phenotypes on the C57BL/6J background, deletion of Nnat in mice on 129S2/Sv background causes a postnatal growth restriction with reduced adipose tissue accumulation, followed by catch up growth after weaning. This was in the absence of any effect on fetal growth or placental development. In adult 129S2/Sv mice, Nnat deletion was associated with hyperphagia, reduced energy expenditure, and partial leptin resistance. Lack of neuronatin also potentiated obesity caused by either aging or high fat diet feeding. CONCLUSIONS The imprinted gene Nnat plays a key role in postnatal growth, adult energy homeostasis, and the pathogenesis of obesity via catch up growth effects, but this role is dependent upon genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Millership
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Simon J Tunster
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | | | | | - Elaine E Irvine
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mark Christian
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rosalind M John
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - James Scott
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Dominic J Withers
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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Sahara Y, Matsuzawa D, Ishii D, Fuchida T, Goto T, Sutoh C, Shimizu E. Paternal methyl donor deficient diets during development affect male offspring behavior and memory-related gene expression in mice. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 61:17-28. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Sahara
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Daisuke Matsuzawa
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Daisuke Ishii
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
- Center for Medical Sciences; Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences; Ibaraki Japan
| | - Takahiro Fuchida
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Takashi Goto
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Chihiro Sutoh
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
| | - Eiji Shimizu
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development; Chiba University; Chiba Japan
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Tunster SJ, Van de Pette M, Creeth HDJ, Lefebvre L, John RM. Fetal growth restriction in a genetic model of sporadic Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.035832. [PMID: 30158284 PMCID: PMC6262809 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.035832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a complex imprinting disorder involving fetal overgrowth and placentomegaly, and is associated with a variety of genetic and epigenetic mutations affecting the expression of imprinted genes on human chromosome 11p15.5. Most BWS cases are linked to loss of methylation at the imprint control region 2 (ICR2) within this domain, which in mice regulates the silencing of several maternally expressed imprinted genes. Modelling this disorder in mice is confounded by the unique embryonic requirement for Ascl2, which is imprinted in mice but not in humans. To overcome this issue, we generated a novel model combining a truncation of distal chromosome 7 allele (DelTel7) with transgenic rescue of Ascl2 expression. This novel model recapitulated placentomegaly associated with BWS, but did not lead to fetal overgrowth. Summary: A novel genetic mouse model of sporadic Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) recapitulates placentomegaly, but placental defects lead to late gestation fetal growth restriction, which contrasts with the fetal overgrowth characteristic of BWS in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Tunster
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | | | - Hugo D J Creeth
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Louis Lefebvre
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
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Huntriss J, Balen AH, Sinclair KD, Brison DR, Picton HM. Epigenetics and Reproductive Medicine. BJOG 2018; 125:e43-e54. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Ly L, Chan D, Aarabi M, Landry M, Behan NA, MacFarlane AJ, Trasler J. Intergenerational impact of paternal lifetime exposures to both folic acid deficiency and supplementation on reproductive outcomes and imprinted gene methylation. Mol Hum Reprod 2018; 23:461-477. [PMID: 28535307 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gax029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do paternal exposures to folic acid deficient (FD), and/or folic acid supplemented (FS) diets, throughout germ cell development adversely affect male germ cells and consequently offspring health outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER Male mice exposed over their lifetimes to both FD and FS diets showed decreased sperm counts and altered imprinted gene methylation with evidence of transmission of adverse effects to the offspring, including increased postnatal-preweaning mortality and variability in imprinted gene methylation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is increasing evidence that disruptions in male germ cell epigenetic reprogramming are associated with offspring abnormalities and intergenerational disease. The fetal period is the critical time of DNA methylation pattern acquisition for developing male germ cells and an adequate supply of methyl donors is required. In addition, DNA methylation patterns continue to be remodeled during postnatal spermatogenesis. Previous studies have shown that lifetime (prenatal and postnatal) folic acid deficiency can alter the sperm epigenome and increase the incidence of fetal morphological abnormalities. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Female BALB/c mice (F0) were placed on one of four amino-acid defined diets for 4 weeks before pregnancy and throughout pregnancy and lactation: folic acid control (Ctrl; 2 mg/kg), 7-fold folic acid deficient (7FD; 0.3 mg/kg), 10-fold high FS (10FS, 20 mg/kg) or 20-fold high FS (20FS, 40 mg/kg) diets. F1 males were weaned to their respective prenatal diets to allow for diet exposure during all windows of germline epigenetic reprogramming: the erasure, re-establishment and maintenance phases. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS F0 females were mated with chow-fed males to produce F1 litters whose germ cells were exposed to the diets throughout embryonic development. F1 males were subsequently mated with chow-fed female mice. Two F2 litters, unexposed to the experimental diets, were generated from each F1 male; one litter was collected at embryonic day (E)18.5 and one delivered and followed postnatally. DNA methylation at a global level and at the differentially methylated regions of imprinted genes (H19, Imprinted Maternally Expressed Transcript (Non-Protein Coding)-H19, Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Polypeptide N-Snrpn, KCNQ1 Opposite Strand/Antisense Transcript 1 (Non-Protein Coding)-Kcnq1ot1, Paternally Expressed Gene 1-Peg1 and Paternally Expressed Gene 3-Peg3) was assessed by luminometric methylation analysis and bisulfite pyrosequencing, respectively, in F1 sperm, F2 E18.5 placenta and F2 E18.5 brain cortex. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE F1 males exhibited lower sperm counts following lifetime exposure to both folic acid deficiency and the highest dose of folic acid supplementation (20FS), (both P < 0.05). Post-implantation losses were increased amongst F2 E18.5 day litters from 20FS exposed F1 males (P < 0.05). F2 litters derived from both 7FD and 20FS exposed F1 males had significantly higher postnatal-preweaning pup death (both P < 0.05). Sperm from 10FS exposed males had increased variance in methylation across imprinted gene H19, P < 0.05; increased variance at a few sites within H19 was also found for the 7FD and 20FS groups (P < 0.05). While the 20FS diet resulted in inter-individual alterations in methylation across the imprinted genes Snrpn and Peg3 in F2 E18.5 placenta, ≥50% of individual sites tested in Peg1 and/or Peg3 were affected in the 7FD and 10FS groups. Inter-individual alterations in Peg1 methylation were found in F2 E18.5 day 10FS group brain cortex (P < 0.05). LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The cause of the increase in postnatal-preweaning mortality was not investigated post-mortem. Further studies are required to understand the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of folic acid deficiency and supplementation on developing male germ cells. Genome-wide DNA and histone methylome studies as well as gene expression studies are required to better understand the links between folic acid exposures, an altered germ cell epigenome and offspring outcomes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings of this study provide further support for paternally transmitted environmental effects. The results indicate that both folic acid deficiency and high dose supplementation can be detrimental to germ cell development and reproductive fitness, in part by altering DNA methylation in sperm. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS This study was supported by a grant to J.M.T. from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR #89944). The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lundi Ly
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1.,Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Donovan Chan
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Mahmoud Aarabi
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1.,Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Mylène Landry
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Nathalie A Behan
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, 251 Promenade Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0K9
| | - Amanda J MacFarlane
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, 251 Promenade Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0K9
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1.,Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1.,Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 3655 Prom. Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada H3G 1Y6
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Expression of tissue-specific imprinted gene tumor Suppressing Subtransferable Candidate 4 (TSSC4) is altered in placentae produced by nuclear transfer in cattle. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 187:174-180. [PMID: 29113726 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic and placental development is highly orchestrated by epigenetic processes. Disruptions in normal placental development, commonly observed in pregnancies produced by nuclear transfer, are associated with abnormal gene expression and altered epigenetic regulation of imprinted and vital placental genes. The objective of this study was to evaluate expression and epigenetic regulation of the imprinted gene TSSC4 in cotyledonary and intercotyledonary tissues from day 60 pregnancies produced by embryo transfer (ET), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and nuclear transfer (NT) in cattle. TSSC4 expression was reduced by 30% in cotyledons at 60days of gestation in the NT group. The proximal promoter region of TSSC4 showed an increase in the permissive histone mark (H3K4me2) and a reduction in the inhibitory histone mark (H3K9me2) in the cotyledons produced by NT, in relation to cotyledons produced by embryo transfer. Interestingly, H3K9me2 was also significantly reduced in cotyledons produced by IVF, compared to the ET controls. DNA methylation, in CpG-rich regions located at the proximal promoter region and the coding region of TSSC4 did not differ. These results suggest that the reduction in TSSC4 expression, observed following NT, can not be explained by the histone changes investigated in the proximal promoter region of the gene, or by changes in methylation in three regions evaluated. Also, a decrease in the levels of H3K9 dimethylation in IVF samples, indicate that in vitro culturing could corroborate with the alterations seen in the NT group.
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McNamara GI, Davis BA, Browne M, Humby T, Dalley JW, Xia J, John RM, Isles AR. Dopaminergic and behavioural changes in a loss-of-imprinting model of Cdkn1c. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:149-157. [PMID: 28857482 PMCID: PMC5836939 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The imprinted gene Cdkn1c is expressed exclusively from the maternally inherited allele as a consequences of epigenetic regulation. Cdkn1c exemplifies many of the functional characteristics of imprinted genes, playing a role in foetal growth and placental development. However, Cdkn1c also plays an important role in the brain, being key to the appropriate proliferation and differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Using a transgenic model (Cdkn1cBACx1) with a twofold elevation in Cdkn1c expression that mimics loss‐of‐imprinting, we show that increased expression of Cdkn1c in the brain gives rise to neurobiological and behavioural changes indicative of a functionally altered dopaminergic system. Cdkn1cBACX1 mice displayed altered expression of dopamine system‐related genes, increased tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) staining and increased tissue content of dopamine in the striatum. In addition, Cdkn1cBACx1 animals were hypersensitive to amphetamine as showed by c‐fos expression in the nucleus accumbens. Cdkn1cBACX1 mice had significant changes in behaviours that are dependent on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. Specifically, increased motivation for palatable food stuffs, as indexed on a progressive ratio task. In addition, Cdkn1cBACX1 mice displayed enhanced social dominance. These data show, for the first time, the consequence of elevated Cdkn1c expression on dopamine‐related behaviours highlighting the importance of correct dosage of this imprinted gene in the brain. This work has significant relevance for deepening our understanding of the epigenetic factors that can shape neurobiology and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- G I McNamara
- Behavioural Genetics Group, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - B A Davis
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - M Browne
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - T Humby
- Behavioural Genetics Group, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - J W Dalley
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J Xia
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - R M John
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - A R Isles
- Behavioural Genetics Group, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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John RM. Imprinted genes and the regulation of placental endocrine function: Pregnancy and beyond. Placenta 2017; 56:86-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.01.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
Epidemiological evidence links an individual's susceptibility to chronic disease in adult life to events during their intrauterine phase of development. Biologically this should not be unexpected, for organ systems are at their most plastic when progenitor cells are proliferating and differentiating. Influences operating at this time can permanently affect their structure and functional capacity, and the activity of enzyme systems and endocrine axes. It is now appreciated that such effects lay the foundations for a diverse array of diseases that become manifest many years later, often in response to secondary environmental stressors. Fetal development is underpinned by the placenta, the organ that forms the interface between the fetus and its mother. All nutrients and oxygen reaching the fetus must pass through this organ. The placenta also has major endocrine functions, orchestrating maternal adaptations to pregnancy and mobilizing resources for fetal use. In addition, it acts as a selective barrier, creating a protective milieu by minimizing exposure of the fetus to maternal hormones, such as glucocorticoids, xenobiotics, pathogens, and parasites. The placenta shows a remarkable capacity to adapt to adverse environmental cues and lessen their impact on the fetus. However, if placental function is impaired, or its capacity to adapt is exceeded, then fetal development may be compromised. Here, we explore the complex relationships between the placental phenotype and developmental programming of chronic disease in the offspring. Ensuring optimal placentation offers a new approach to the prevention of disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, which are reaching epidemic proportions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham J Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, and Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Abigail L Fowden
- Centre for Trophoblast Research and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, and Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Kent L Thornburg
- Centre for Trophoblast Research and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, and Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Yingjun X, Zhiyang H, Linhua L, Fangming S, Linhuan H, Jinfeng T, Qianying P, Xiaofang S. Chromosomal uniparental disomy 16 and fetal intrauterine growth restriction. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2017; 211:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Transcriptome profile of the human placenta. Funct Integr Genomics 2017; 17:551-563. [PMID: 28251419 PMCID: PMC5561170 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-017-0555-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The human placenta is a particular organ that inseparably binds the mother and the fetus. The proper development and survival of the conceptus relies on the essential interplay between maternal and fetal factors involved in cooperation within the placenta. In our study, high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq) was applied to analyze the global transcriptome of the human placenta during uncomplicated pregnancies. The RNA-seq was utilized to identify the global pattern of the gene expression in placentas (N = 4) from women in single and twin pregnancies. During analyses, we obtained 228,044 transcripts. More than 91% of them were multi-exon, and among them 134 were potentially unknown protein coding genes. Expression levels (FPKM) were estimated for 38,948 transcriptional active regions, and more than 3000 of genes were expressed with FPKM >20 in each sample. Additionally, all unannotated transcripts with estimated FPKM values were localized on the human genome. Highly covered splice junctions unannotated in the human genome (6497) were identified, and among them 30 were novel. To gain a better understanding of the biological implications, the assembled transcripts were annotated with gene ontology (GO) terms. Single nucleotide variants were predicted for the transcripts assigned to each analyzed GO category. Our results may be useful for establishing a general pattern of the gene expression in the human placenta. Characterizing placental transcriptome, which is crucial for a pregnancy’s outcome, can serve as a basis for identifying the mechanisms underlying physiological pregnancy, as well as may be useful for an early detection of the genomic defects.
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Benonisdottir S, Oddsson A, Helgason A, Kristjansson RP, Sveinbjornsson G, Oskarsdottir A, Thorleifsson G, Davidsson OB, Arnadottir GA, Sulem G, Jensson BO, Holm H, Alexandersson KF, Tryggvadottir L, Walters GB, Gudjonsson SA, Ward LD, Sigurdsson JK, Iordache PD, Frigge ML, Rafnar T, Kong A, Masson G, Helgason H, Thorsteinsdottir U, Gudbjartsson DF, Sulem P, Stefansson K. Epigenetic and genetic components of height regulation. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13490. [PMID: 27848971 PMCID: PMC5116096 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult height is a highly heritable trait. Here we identified 31.6 million sequence variants by whole-genome sequencing of 8,453 Icelanders and tested them for association with adult height by imputing them into 88,835 Icelanders. Here we discovered 13 novel height associations by testing four different models including parent-of-origin (|β|=0.4-10.6 cm). The minor alleles of three parent-of-origin signals associate with less height only when inherited from the father and are located within imprinted regions (IGF2-H19 and DLK1-MEG3). We also examined the association of these sequence variants in a set of 12,645 Icelanders with birth length measurements. Two of the novel variants, (IGF2-H19 and TET1), show significant association with both adult height and birth length, indicating a role in early growth regulation. Among the parent-of-origin signals, we observed opposing parental effects raising questions about underlying mechanisms. These findings demonstrate that common variations affect human growth by parental imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Agnar Helgason
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,Department of Anthropology, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gerald Sulem
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Hilma Holm
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Laufey Tryggvadottir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,Icelandic Cancer Registry, 105 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Lucas D Ward
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Paul D Iordache
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,Reykjavik University, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Augustine Kong
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Gisli Masson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Hannes Helgason
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Unnur Thorsteinsdottir
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Daniel F Gudbjartsson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Kari Stefansson
- deCODE Genetics/Amgen, Inc., 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
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36
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Cardenas A, Houseman EA, Baccarelli AA, Quamruzzaman Q, Rahman M, Mostofa G, Wright RO, Christiani DC, Kile ML. In utero arsenic exposure and epigenome-wide associations in placenta, umbilical artery, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Epigenetics 2016; 10:1054-63. [PMID: 26646901 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1105424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to arsenic early in life has been associated with increased risk of several chronic diseases and is believed to alter epigenetic programming in utero. In the present study, we evaluate the epigenome-wide association of arsenic exposure in utero and DNA methylation in placenta (n = 37), umbilical artery (n = 45) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) (n = 52) in a birth cohort using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. Unadjusted and cell mixture adjusted associations for each tissue were examined along with enrichment analyses relative to CpG island location and omnibus permutation tests of association among biological pathways. One CpG in artery (cg26587014) and 4 CpGs in placenta (cg12825509; cg20554753; cg23439277; cg21055948) reached a Bonferroni adjusted level of significance. Several CpGs were differentially methylated in artery and placenta when controlling the false discovery rate (q-value<0.05), but none in HUVEC. Enrichment of hypomethylated CpG islands was observed for artery while hypermethylation of open sea regions were present in placenta relative to prenatal arsenic exposure. The melanogenesis pathway was differentially methylated in artery (Max F P < 0.001), placenta (Max F P < 0.001), and HUVEC (Max F P = 0.02). Similarly, the insulin-signaling pathway was differentially methylated in artery (Max F P = 0.02), placenta (Max F P = 0.02), and HUVEC (Max F P = 0.02). Our results show that prenatal arsenic exposure can alter DNA methylation in artery and placenta but not in HUVEC. Further studies are needed to determine if these alterations in DNA methylation mediate the effect of prenatal arsenic exposure and health outcomes later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Cardenas
- a School of Biological and Population Health Sciences; College of Public Health and Human Sciences; Oregon State University ; Corvallis , OR USA
| | - E Andres Houseman
- a School of Biological and Population Health Sciences; College of Public Health and Human Sciences; Oregon State University ; Corvallis , OR USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert O Wright
- d Preventative Medicine and Pediatrics; Mt Sinai School of Medicine ; New York , NY USA
| | | | - Molly L Kile
- a School of Biological and Population Health Sciences; College of Public Health and Human Sciences; Oregon State University ; Corvallis , OR USA
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37
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Janssen AB, Capron LE, O'Donnell K, Tunster SJ, Ramchandani PG, Heazell AEP, Glover V, John RM. Maternal prenatal depression is associated with decreased placental expression of the imprinted gene PEG3. Psychol Med 2016; 46:2999-3011. [PMID: 27523184 PMCID: PMC5080674 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291716001598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal prenatal stress during pregnancy is associated with fetal growth restriction and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, which may be mediated by impaired placental function. Imprinted genes control fetal growth, placental development, adult behaviour (including maternal behaviour) and placental lactogen production. This study examined whether maternal prenatal depression was associated with aberrant placental expression of the imprinted genes paternally expressed gene 3 (PEG3), paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10), pleckstrin homology-like domain family a member 2 (PHLDA2) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C), and resulting impaired placental human placental lactogen (hPL) expression. METHOD A diagnosis of depression during pregnancy was recorded from Manchester cohort participants' medical notes (n = 75). Queen Charlotte's (n = 40) and My Baby and Me study (MBAM) (n = 81) cohort participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale self-rating psychometric questionnaire. Villous trophoblast tissue samples were analysed for gene expression. RESULTS In a pilot study, diagnosed depression during pregnancy was associated with a significant reduction in placental PEG3 expression (41%, p = 0.02). In two further independent cohorts, the Queen Charlotte's and MBAM cohorts, placental PEG3 expression was also inversely associated with maternal depression scores, an association that was significant in male but not female placentas. Finally, hPL expression was significantly decreased in women with clinically diagnosed depression (44%, p < 0.05) and in those with high depression scores (31% and 21%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence that maternal prenatal depression is associated with changes in the placental expression of PEG3, co-incident with decreased expression of hPL. This aberrant placental gene expression could provide a possible mechanistic explanation for the co-occurrence of maternal depression, fetal growth restriction, impaired maternal behaviour and poorer offspring outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. B. Janssen
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - L. E. Capron
- Centre for Mental Health, Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - K. O'Donnell
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 La Salle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - S. J. Tunster
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - P. G. Ramchandani
- Centre for Mental Health, Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - A. E. P. Heazell
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - V. Glover
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - R. M. John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
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38
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Rienecker KDA, Hill MJ, Isles AR. Methods of epigenome editing for probing the function of genomic imprinting. Epigenomics 2016; 8:1389-1398. [PMID: 27625199 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The curious patterns of imprinted gene expression draw interest from several scientific disciplines to the functional consequences of genomic imprinting. Methods of probing the function of imprinting itself have largely been indirect and correlational, relying heavily on conventional transgenics. Recently, the burgeoning field of epigenome editing has provided new tools and suggested strategies for asking causal questions with site specificity. This perspective article aims to outline how these new methods may be applied to questions of functional imprinting and, with this aim in mind, to suggest new dimensions for the expansion of these epigenome-editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira DA Rienecker
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics, Department of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Matthew J Hill
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics, Department of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Anthony R Isles
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics, Department of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
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Ginart P, Kalish JM, Jiang CL, Yu AC, Bartolomei MS, Raj A. Visualizing allele-specific expression in single cells reveals epigenetic mosaicism in an H19 loss-of-imprinting mutant. Genes Dev 2016; 30:567-78. [PMID: 26944681 PMCID: PMC4782050 DOI: 10.1101/gad.275958.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Imprinting defects can lead to inappropriate expression from the normally silenced allele, but it remains unclear whether every cell in a mutant organism follows the population average. Ginart et al. applied a new fluorescence in situ hybridization method that measures allele-specific expression in single cells to address this question in mutants exhibiting aberrant H19/Igf2 imprinting. Imprinting is a classic mammalian epigenetic phenomenon that results in expression from a single parental allele. Imprinting defects can lead to inappropriate expression from the normally silenced allele, but it remains unclear whether every cell in a mutant organism follows the population average, which would have profound implications for human imprinting disorders. Here, we apply a new fluorescence in situ hybridization method that measures allele-specific expression in single cells to address this question in mutants exhibiting aberrant H19/Igf2 (insulin-like growth factor 2) imprinting. We show that mutant primary embryonic mouse fibroblasts are comprised of two subpopulations: one expressing both H19 alleles and another expressing only the maternal copy. Only in the latter cell population is Igf2 expression detected. Furthermore, the two subpopulations are stable in that cells do not interconvert between the two expression patterns. Combined small input methylation analysis and transcriptional imaging revealed that these two mutant subpopulations exhibit distinct methylation patterns at their imprinting control regions. Consistently, pharmacological inhibition of DNA methylation reduced the proportion of monoallelic cells. Importantly, we observed that the same two subpopulations are also present in vivo within murine cardiac tissue. Our results establish that imprinting disorders can display striking single-cell heterogeneity in their molecular phenotypes and suggest that such heterogeneity may underlie epigenetic mosaicism in human imprinting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ginart
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer M Kalish
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA; Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Connie L Jiang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Alice C Yu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Arjun Raj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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40
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Branco MR, King M, Perez-Garcia V, Bogutz AB, Caley M, Fineberg E, Lefebvre L, Cook SJ, Dean W, Hemberger M, Reik W. Maternal DNA Methylation Regulates Early Trophoblast Development. Dev Cell 2016; 36:152-63. [PMID: 26812015 PMCID: PMC4729543 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Revised: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Critical roles for DNA methylation in embryonic development are well established, but less is known about its roles during trophoblast development, the extraembryonic lineage that gives rise to the placenta. We dissected the role of DNA methylation in trophoblast development by performing mRNA and DNA methylation profiling of Dnmt3a/3b mutants. We find that oocyte-derived methylation plays a major role in regulating trophoblast development but that imprinting of the key placental regulator Ascl2 is only partially responsible for these effects. We have identified several methylation-regulated genes associated with trophoblast differentiation that are involved in cell adhesion and migration, potentially affecting trophoblast invasion. Specifically, trophoblast-specific DNA methylation is linked to the silencing of Scml2, a Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 protein that drives loss of cell adhesion in methylation-deficient trophoblast. Our results reveal that maternal DNA methylation controls multiple differentiation-related and physiological processes in trophoblast via both imprinting-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Oocyte-derived DNA methylation is an important regulator of trophoblast transcription DNA methylation controls trophoblast cell adhesion Silencing of Polycomb gene Scml2 is necessary for normal trophoblast development
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel R Branco
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, QMUL, London E1 2AT, UK.
| | - Michelle King
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Vicente Perez-Garcia
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Aaron B Bogutz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Matthew Caley
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, QMUL, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Elena Fineberg
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Louis Lefebvre
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Simon J Cook
- Signalling Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Wendy Dean
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Myriam Hemberger
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
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41
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Piyasena C, Reynolds RM, Khulan B, Seckl JR, Menon G, Drake AJ. Placental 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine patterns associate with size at birth. Epigenetics 2016; 10:692-7. [PMID: 26091021 PMCID: PMC4623028 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1062963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered placental function as a consequence of aberrant imprinted gene expression may be one mechanism mediating the association between low birth weight and increased cardiometabolic disease risk. Imprinted gene expression is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation (5mC) at differentially methylated regions (DMRs). While 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is also present at DMRs, many techniques do not distinguish between 5mC and 5hmC. Using human placental samples, we show that the expression of the imprinted gene CDKN1C associates with birth weight. Using specific techniques to map 5mC and 5hmC at DMRs controlling the expression of CDKN1C and the imprinted gene IGF2, we show that 5mC enrichment at KvDMR and DMR0, and 5hmC enrichment within the H19 gene body, associate positively with birth weight. Importantly, the presence of 5hmC at imprinted DMRs may complicate the interpretation of DNA methylation studies in placenta; future studies should consider using techniques that distinguish between, and permit quantification of, both modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinthika Piyasena
- a University/British Heart Foundation Center for Cardiovascular Science; University of Edinburgh; The Queen's Medical Research Institute ; Edinburgh , UK
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42
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Goto S, Cao F, Kono T, Ogawa H. Microarray Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in Inner Cell Mass and Trophectoderm of Parthenogenetic Embryos. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1274/032.033.0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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43
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Perez JD, Rubinstein ND, Dulac C. New Perspectives on Genomic Imprinting, an Essential and Multifaceted Mode of Epigenetic Control in the Developing and Adult Brain. Annu Rev Neurosci 2016; 39:347-84. [PMID: 27145912 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-061010-113708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian evolution entailed multiple innovations in gene regulation, including the emergence of genomic imprinting, an epigenetic regulation leading to the preferential expression of a gene from its maternal or paternal allele. Genomic imprinting is highly prevalent in the brain, yet, until recently, its central roles in neural processes have not been fully appreciated. Here, we provide a comprehensive survey of adult and developmental brain functions influenced by imprinted genes, from neural development and wiring to synaptic function and plasticity, energy balance, social behaviors, emotions, and cognition. We further review the widespread identification of parental biases alongside monoallelic expression in brain tissues, discuss their potential roles in dosage regulation of key neural pathways, and suggest possible mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation of imprinting in the brain. This review should help provide a better understanding of the significance of genomic imprinting in the normal and pathological brain of mammals including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio D Perez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
| | - Nimrod D Rubinstein
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
| | - Catherine Dulac
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138;
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44
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Janssen AB, Tunster SJ, Heazell AEP, John RM. Placental PHLDA2 expression is increased in cases of fetal growth restriction following reduced fetal movements. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2016; 17:17. [PMID: 26944942 PMCID: PMC4779203 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-016-0279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Maternal perception of reduced fetal movements (RFM) is associated with increased risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and stillbirth, mediated by placental insufficiency. The maternally expressed imprinted gene PHLDA2 controls fetal growth, placental development and placental lactogen production in a mouse model. A number of studies have also demonstrated abnormally elevated placental PHLDA2 expression in human growth restricted pregnancies. This study examined whether PHLDA2 was aberrantly expressed in placentas of RFM pregnancies resulting in delivery of an FGR infant and explored a possible relationship between PHLDA2 expression and placental lactogen release from the human placenta. Methods Villous trophoblast samples were obtained from a cohort of women reporting RFM (N = 109) and PHLDA2 gene expression analysed. hPL levels were assayed in the maternal serum (N = 74). Results Placental PHLDA2 expression was significantly 2.3 fold higher in RFM pregnancies resulting in delivery of an infant with FGR (p < 0.01), with highest levels of PHLDA2 expression in the most severe cases. Placental PHLDA2 expression was associated with maternal serum hPL levels (r = −0.30, p = 0.008, n = 74) although this failed to reach statistical significance in multiple linear regression analysis controlling for birth weight (p = 0.07). Conclusions These results further highlight a role for placental PHLDA2 in poor perinatal outcomes, specifically FGR associated with RFM. Furthermore, this study suggests a potential relationship between placental PHLDA2 expression and hPL production by the placenta, an association that requires further investigation in a larger cohort. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12881-016-0279-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bugge Janssen
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK.
| | - Simon J Tunster
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK.
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK.
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Li B, Chen S, Tang N, Xiao X, Huang J, Jiang F, Huang X, Sun F, Wang X. Assisted Reproduction Causes Reduced Fetal Growth Associated with Downregulation of Paternally Expressed Imprinted Genes That Enhance Fetal Growth in Mice1. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:45. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.136051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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46
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de Waal E, Vrooman LA, Fischer E, Ord T, Mainigi MA, Coutifaris C, Schultz RM, Bartolomei MS. The cumulative effect of assisted reproduction procedures on placental development and epigenetic perturbations in a mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6975-85. [PMID: 26401051 PMCID: PMC4654053 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are associated with several complications including low birth weight, abnormal placentation and increased risk for rare imprinting disorders. Indeed, experimental studies demonstrate ART procedures independent of existing infertility induce epigenetic perturbations in the embryo and extraembryonic tissues. To test the hypothesis that these epigenetic perturbations persist and result in adverse outcomes at term, we assessed placental morphology and methylation profiles in E18.5 mouse concepti generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) in two different genetic backgrounds. We also examined embryo transfer (ET) and superovulation procedures to ascertain if they contribute to developmental and epigenetic effects. Increased placental weight and reduced fetal-to-placental weight ratio were observed in all ART groups when compared with naturally conceived controls, demonstrating that non-surgical embryo transfer alone can impact placental development. Furthermore, superovulation further induced overgrowth of the placental junctional zone. Embryo transfer and superovulation defects were limited to these morphological changes, as we did not observe any differences in epigenetic profiles. IVF placentae, however, displayed hypomethylation of imprinting control regions of select imprinted genes and a global reduction in DNA methylation levels. Although we did not detect significant differences in DNA methylation in fetal brain or liver samples, rare IVF concepti displayed very low methylation and abnormal gene expression from the normally repressed allele. Our findings suggest that individual ART procedures cumulatively increase placental morphological abnormalities and epigenetic perturbations, potentially causing adverse neonatal and long-term health outcomes in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teri Ord
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA and
| | - Monica A Mainigi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA and
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA and
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Ogawa H, Takyu R, Morimoto H, Toei S, Sakon H, Goto S, Moriya S, Kono T. Cell proliferation potency is independent of FGF4 signaling in trophoblast stem cells derived from androgenetic embryos. J Reprod Dev 2015; 62:51-8. [PMID: 26498204 PMCID: PMC4768778 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously established trophoblast stem cells from mouse androgenetic embryos (AGTS cells). In this study, to further characterize AGTS cells, we compared cell proliferation activity between trophoblast stem (TS) cells and AGTS cells under fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) signaling. TS cells continued to proliferate and maintained mitotic cell division in the presence of FGF4. After FGF4 deprivation, the cell proliferation stopped, the rate of M-phase cells decreased, and trophoblast giant cells formed. In contrast, some of AGTS cells continued to proliferate, and the rate of M-phase cells did not decrease after FGF4 deprivation, although the other cells differentiated into giant cells. RO3306, an ATP competitor that selectively inhibits CDK1, inhibited the cell proliferation of both TS and AGTS cells. Under RO3306 treatment, cell death was induced in AGTS cells but not in TS cells. These results indicate that RO3306 caused TS cells to shift mitotic cell division to endoreduplication but that some of AGTS cells did not shift to endoreduplication and induced cell death. In conclusion, the paternal genome facilitated the proliferation of trophoblast cells without FGF4 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidehiko Ogawa
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
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48
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Tunster SJ, Creeth HDJ, John RM. The imprinted Phlda2 gene modulates a major endocrine compartment of the placenta to regulate placental demands for maternal resources. Dev Biol 2015; 409:251-260. [PMID: 26476147 PMCID: PMC4684229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Imprinted genes, which are expressed from a single parental allele in response to epigenetic marks first established in the germline, function in a myriad of processes to regulate mammalian development. Recent work suggests that imprinted genes may regulate the signalling function of the placenta by modulating the size of the endocrine compartment. Here we provide in vivo evidence that this hypothesis is well founded. Elevated expression of the imprinted Pleckstrin homology-like domain, family a, member 2 (Phlda2) gene drives a reduction of the spongiotrophoblast endocrine compartment, diminished placental glycogen and asymmetric foetal growth restriction. Using both loss-of-function and gain-in-expression mouse models, here we further show that Phlda2 exclusively modulates the spongiotrophoblast compartment of the placenta without significantly altering the composition of the trophoblast giant cell endocrine lineages that share a common progenitor with this lineage. Additionally, we show that Phlda2 loss-of-function placentae contain nearly three times more placental glycogen than non-transgenic placentae. Remarkably, relative to a fully wild type scenario, wild type placentae also accumulate excessive glycogen. While loss-of-function of Phlda2 increased both placental weight and placental glycogen, the weight of both mutant and non-transgenic fetuses was lower than that found in a fully wild type scenario indicating that excessive glycogen accumulation comes at the cost of foetal growth. This work firstly highlights a novel signalling function for the spongiotrophoblast in stimulating the global accumulation of placental glycogen. Furthermore, this work suggests that Phlda2 manipulates the placenta's demands for maternal resources, a process that must be tightly regulated by epigenetic marks to ensure optimal foetal growth. Phlda2 specifically restrains development of the spongiotrophoblast. The spongiotrophoblast is a major endocrine compartment of the placenta. The spongiotrophoblast locally and globally boosts glycogen accumulation. Excessive glycogen accumulation is associated with foetal growth restriction. Phlda2 regulates placental demands from maternal resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Tunster
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, UK
| | - H D J Creeth
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, UK
| | - R M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, UK.
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49
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Perez JD, Rubinstein ND, Fernandez DE, Santoro SW, Needleman LA, Ho-Shing O, Choi JJ, Zirlinger M, Chen SK, Liu JS, Dulac C. Quantitative and functional interrogation of parent-of-origin allelic expression biases in the brain. eLife 2015; 4:e07860. [PMID: 26140685 PMCID: PMC4512258 DOI: 10.7554/elife.07860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal and paternal genomes play different roles in mammalian brains as a result of genomic imprinting, an epigenetic regulation leading to differential expression of the parental alleles of some genes. Here we investigate genomic imprinting in the cerebellum using a newly developed Bayesian statistical model that provides unprecedented transcript-level resolution. We uncover 160 imprinted transcripts, including 41 novel and independently validated imprinted genes. Strikingly, many genes exhibit parentally biased--rather than monoallelic--expression, with different magnitudes according to age, organ, and brain region. Developmental changes in parental bias and overall gene expression are strongly correlated, suggesting combined roles in regulating gene dosage. Finally, brain-specific deletion of the paternal, but not maternal, allele of the paternally-biased Bcl-x, (Bcl2l1) results in loss of specific neuron types, supporting the functional significance of parental biases. These findings reveal the remarkable complexity of genomic imprinting, with important implications for understanding the normal and diseased brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio D Perez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Nimrod D Rubinstein
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | | | - Stephen W Santoro
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, United States
| | - Leigh A Needleman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Olivia Ho-Shing
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - John J Choi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | | | | | - Jun S Liu
- Department of Statistics, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Catherine Dulac
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
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50
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Assisted reproduction causes placental maldevelopment and dysfunction linked to reduced fetal weight in mice. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10596. [PMID: 26085229 PMCID: PMC4471727 DOI: 10.1038/srep10596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence indicates that stress in utero, as manifested by low birth weight (LBW), increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Singletons conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) display a significant increase in LBW risk and ART offspring have a different metabolic profile starting at birth. Here, used mouse as a model, we found that ART resulted in reduced fetal weight and placental overgrowth at embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5). The ART placentae exhibited histomorphological alterations with defects in placental layer segregation and glycogen cells migration at E18.5. Further, ART treatments resulted in downregulation of a majority of placental nutrient transporters and reduction in placental efficiency. Moreover, the ART placentae were associated with increased methylation levels at imprinting control regions of H19, KvDMR1 and disrupted expression of a majority of imprinted genes important for placental development and function at E18.5. Our results from the mouse model show the first piece of evidence that ART treatment could affect fetal growth by disrupting placental development and function, suggests that perturbation of genomic imprinting resulted from embryo manipulation may contribute to these problems.
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