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Zakeri S, Rahimi Z, Rezvani N, Vaisi-Raygani A, Alibakhshi R, Zakeri S, Yari K. The influence of Nrf2 gene promoter methylation on gene expression and oxidative stress parameters in preeclampsia. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:64. [PMID: 38419047 PMCID: PMC10903067 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious medical condition that usually causes high blood pressure and affects multiple organs. Considering the adverse effect of oxidative stress on the process of PE in pregnant women and regarding the role of the Nrf2 gene in placental oxidative pathways, this study was conducted to investigate the DNA methylation status of Nrf2 in PE and healthy pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present case-control study consisted of 70 PE and 70 healthy pregnant women. Blood and placenta samples were taken from all subjects, and the percentage of the Nrf2 gene methylation in the samples was assessed by the Methyl Light PCR method. Also, the Nrf2 gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS) were measured by the colorimetric method. RESULTS In PE women, there was a significant increase in blood pressure, term of pregnancy, and BMI. In addition, there were enhanced Nrf2 DNA methylation percentage in placenta tissue and increased TOS levels in placenta tissue and blood compared to healthy pregnant women (P < 0.05). Also, in the PE group, there was a significant decrease in Nrf2 gene expression and TAC level in placenta tissue compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The Nrf2 gene undergoes epigenetic modifications of DNA hypermethylation in the PE placenta. Decreased expression of this gene and the changes in the level of oxidative parameters (TAC, TOS) confirm it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Zakeri
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Avenue, Kermanshah, P.O.Box: 67148-69914, Iran
| | - Zohreh Rahimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Avenue, Kermanshah, P.O.Box: 67148-69914, Iran.
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Nayebali Rezvani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Avenue, Kermanshah, P.O.Box: 67148-69914, Iran
| | - Asad Vaisi-Raygani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Avenue, Kermanshah, P.O.Box: 67148-69914, Iran
| | - Reza Alibakhshi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Avenue, Kermanshah, P.O.Box: 67148-69914, Iran
| | - Sahel Zakeri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Kheirolah Yari
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Phung J, Wang C, Reeders J, Zakar T, Paul JW, Tyagi S, Pennell CE, Smith R. Preterm labor with and without chorioamnionitis is associated with activation of myometrial inflammatory networks: a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:330.e1-330.e18. [PMID: 36002050 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The onset of preterm labor is associated with inflammation. Previous studies suggested that this is distinct from the inflammation observed during term labor. Our previous work on 44 genes differentially expressed in myometria in term labor demonstrated a different pattern of gene expression from that observed in preterm laboring and nonlaboring myometria. We found increased expression of inflammatory genes in preterm labor associated with chorioamnionitis, but in the absence of chorioamnionitis observed no difference in gene expression in preterm myometria regardless of laboring status, suggesting that preterm labor is associated with different myometrial genes or signals originating from outside the myometrium. Given that a small subset of genes were assessed, this study aimed to use RNA sequencing and bioinformatics to assess the myometrial transcriptome during preterm labor in the presence and absence of chorioamnionitis. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to comprehensively determine protein-coding transcriptomic differences between preterm nonlaboring and preterm laboring myometria with and without chorioamnionitis. STUDY DESIGN Myometria were collected at cesarean delivery from preterm patients not in labor (n=16) and preterm patients in labor with chorioamnionitis (n=8) or without chorioamnionitis (n=6). Extracted RNA from myometrial tissue was prepared and sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq. Gene expression was quantified by mapping the sequence reads to the human reference genome (hg38). Differential gene expression analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and weighted gene coexpression network analysis were used to comprehensively interrogate transcriptomic differences and their associated biology. RESULTS Differential gene expression analysis comparing preterm patients in labor with chorioamnionitis with preterm patients not in labor identified 931 differentially expressed genes, whereas comparing preterm patients in labor without chorioamnionitis with preterm patients not in labor identified no statistically significant gene expression changes. In contrast, gene set enrichment analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis demonstrated that preterm labor with and without chorioamnionitis was associated with enrichment of pathways involved in activation of the innate immune system and inflammation, and activation of G protein-coupled receptors. Key genes identified included chemotactic CYP4F3, CXCL8, DOCK2, and IRF1 in preterm labor with chorioamnionitis and CYP4F3, FCAR, CHUK, and IL13RA2 in preterm labor without chorioamnionitis. There was marked overlap in the pathways enriched in both preterm labor subtypes. CONCLUSION Differential gene expression analysis demonstrated that myometria from preterm patients in labor without chorioamnionitis and preterm patients not in labor were transcriptionally similar, whereas the presence of chorioamnionitis was associated with marked gene changes. In contrast, comprehensive bioinformatic analysis indicated that preterm labor with or without chorioamnionitis was associated with innate immune activation. All causes of preterm labor were associated with activation of the innate immune system, but this was more marked in the presence of chorioamnionitis. These data suggest that anti-inflammatory therapy may be relevant in managing preterm labor of all etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Phung
- Department of Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia; Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
| | - Carol Wang
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Jocelyn Reeders
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Tamas Zakar
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Jonathan W Paul
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Sonika Tyagi
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Craig E Pennell
- Department of Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia; Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Roger Smith
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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Zuccarello D, Sorrentino U, Brasson V, Marin L, Piccolo C, Capalbo A, Andrisani A, Cassina M. Epigenetics of pregnancy: looking beyond the DNA code. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:801-816. [PMID: 35301622 PMCID: PMC9050975 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is the branch of genetics that studies the different mechanisms that influence gene expression without direct modification of the DNA sequence. An ever-increasing amount of evidence suggests that such regulatory processes may play a pivotal role both in the initiation of pregnancy and in the later processes of embryonic and fetal development, thus determining long-term effects even in adult life. In this narrative review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of epigenetics in pregnancy, from its most studied and well-known mechanisms to the new frontiers of epigenetic regulation, such as the role of ncRNAs and the effects of the gestational environment on fetal brain development. Epigenetic mechanisms in pregnancy are a dynamic phenomenon that responds both to maternal-fetal and environmental factors, which can influence and modify the embryo-fetal development during the various gestational phases. Therefore, we also recapitulate the effects of the most notable environmental factors that can affect pregnancy and prenatal development, such as maternal nutrition, stress hormones, microbiome, and teratogens, focusing on their ability to cause epigenetic modifications in the gestational environment and ultimately in the fetus. Despite the promising advancements in the knowledge of epigenetics in pregnancy, more experience and data on this topic are still needed. A better understanding of epigenetic regulation in pregnancy could in fact prove valuable towards a better management of both physiological pregnancies and assisted reproduction treatments, other than allowing to better comprehend the origin of multifactorial pathological conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Zuccarello
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Ugo Sorrentino
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Valeria Brasson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Loris Marin
- Gynaecological Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Piccolo
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Andrisani
- Gynaecological Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassina
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
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Starzyńska A, Wychowański P, Nowak M, Sobocki BK, Jereczek-Fossa BA, Słupecka-Ziemilska M. Association between Maternal Periodontitis and Development of Systematic Diseases in Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052473. [PMID: 35269617 PMCID: PMC8910384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most common oral conditions affecting both youths and adults. There are some research works suggesting a high incidence of PD in pregnant women. As an inflammatory disease of bacterial origin, PD may result in the activation of the pathways affecting the course and the pregnancy outcome. The authors, based on the literature review, try to answer the PICO question: Does maternal periodontitis (exposure) influence the incidence of complications rates in pregnancy and the development of systemic diseases in childhood and adult offspring (outcome) in the humans of any race (population) compared to the offspring of mothers with healthy periodontium (comparison)? The authors try to describe the molecular pathways and mechanisms of these interdependencies. There is some evidence that maternal periodontitis may affect the pregnancy course and outcome, resulting in preeclampsia, preterm delivery, vulvovaginitis and low birth weight. It can be suggested that maternal periodontitis may affect offspring epigenome and result in some health consequences in their adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Starzyńska
- Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Piotr Wychowański
- Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, 6 Binieckiego Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Specialized Private Implantology Clinic Wychowanski Stomatologia, 9/33 Rakowiecka Street, 02-517 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Nowak
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 6 Binieckiego Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Bartosz Kamil Sobocki
- Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Dębinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 7 Festa del Perdono Street, 20-112 Milan, Italy;
- Division of Radiotherapy, IEO European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 435 Ripamonti Street, 20-141 Milan, Italy
| | - Monika Słupecka-Ziemilska
- Department of Human Epigenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
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