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Stoccoro A, Smith AR, Mosca L, Marocchi A, Gerardi F, Lunetta C, Lunnon K, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Mitochondrial D-loop methylation levels inversely correlate with disease duration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Epigenomics 2024; 16:203-214. [PMID: 38312023 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: To correlate mitochondrial D-loop region methylation levels and mtDNA copy number with disease duration in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Patients & methods: The study population included 12 ALS patients with a mutation in SOD1 and 13 ALS patients with the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. Methylation levels of the D-loop region and mtDNA copy number were quantified using pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR, respectively. Results: We observed that D-loop methylation levels inversely correlated while mtDNA copy number positively correlated with disease duration. Conclusion: Considering the central role played by mitochondria in ALS, this preliminary study provides new knowledge for future studies aimed at identifying biomarkers of disease progression and new targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Adam R Smith
- Department of Clinical & Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Lorena Mosca
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical Services, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, 20162, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marocchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical Services, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, 20162, Italy
| | | | - Christian Lunetta
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Neurorehabilitation Unit of Milan Institute, Milan, 20138, Italy
| | - Katie Lunnon
- Department of Clinical & Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology & Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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2
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Coppedè F. Mitochondrial DNA methylation and mitochondria-related epigenetics in neurodegeneration. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:405-406. [PMID: 37488903 PMCID: PMC10503600 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.379045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology and Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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3
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Coppedè F. Cancer Epigenetic Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5365. [PMID: 38001625 PMCID: PMC10669964 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This series of nine articles (six original articles, three reviews) is presented by international experts in cancer epigenetics [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; ; Tel.: +39-050-2218544
- Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology and Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Pardini E, Cucchiara F, Palumbo S, Tarrini G, Di Vita A, Coppedè F, Nicolì V, Guida M, Maestri M, Ricciardi R, Aprile V, Ambrogi MC, Barachini S, Lucchi M, Petrini I. Somatic mutations of thymic epithelial tumors with myasthenia gravis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1224491. [PMID: 37671056 PMCID: PMC10475716 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1224491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Thymic epithelial tumors are rare malignant neoplasms that are frequently associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, especially myasthenia gravis. GTF2I is an oncogene mutated in a subgroup of thymomas that is reputed to drive their growth. However, for GTF2I wild-type tumors, the relevant mutations remain to be identified. Methods We performed a meta-analysis and identified 4,208 mutations in 339 patients. We defined a panel of 63 genes frequently mutated in thymic epithelial tumors, which we used to design a custom assay for next-generation sequencing. We sequenced tumor DNA from 67 thymomas of patients with myasthenia gravis who underwent resection in our institution. Results Among the 67 thymomas, there were 238 mutations, 83 of which were in coding sequences. There were 14 GTF2I mutations in 6 A, 5 AB, 2 B2 thymomas, and one in a thymoma with unspecified histology. No other oncogenes showed recurrent mutations, while sixteen tumor suppressor genes were predicted to be inactivated. Even with a dedicated assay for the identification of specific somatic mutations in thymic epithelial tumors, only GTF2I mutations were found to be significantly recurrent. Conclusion Our evaluation provides insights into the mutational landscape of thymic epithelial tumors, identifies recurrent mutations in different histotypes, and describes the design and implementation of a custom panel for targeted resequencing. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of thymic epithelial tumors and may have implications for future research and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pardini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Cucchiara
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Palumbo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Tarrini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Vita
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Melania Guida
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Maestri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricciardi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittorio Aprile
- Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marcello C. Ambrogi
- Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Barachini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Coppedè F. Special Issue "Genetics and Epigenetics of Neuromuscular Diseases". Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1522. [PMID: 37628574 PMCID: PMC10454685 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) include several hereditary or acquired conditions that impair the neuromuscular system and muscle function [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Coppedè F, Bhaduri U, Stoccoro A, Nicolì V, Di Venere E, Merla G. DNA Methylation in the Fields of Prenatal Diagnosis and Early Detection of Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11715. [PMID: 37511475 PMCID: PMC10380460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The central objective of the metamorphosis of discovery science into biomedical applications is to serve the purpose of patients and curtail the global disease burden. The journey from the discovery of DNA methylation (DNAm) as a biological process to its emergence as a diagnostic tool is one of the finest examples of such metamorphosis and has taken nearly a century. Particularly in the last decade, the application of DNA methylation studies in the clinic has been standardized more than ever before, with great potential to diagnose a multitude of diseases that are associated with a burgeoning number of genes with this epigenetic alteration. Fetal DNAm detection is becoming useful for noninvasive prenatal testing, whereas, in very preterm infants, DNAm is also shown to be a potential biological indicator of prenatal risk factors. In the context of cancer, liquid biopsy-based DNA-methylation profiling is offering valuable epigenetic biomarkers for noninvasive early-stage diagnosis. In this review, we focus on the applications of DNA methylation in prenatal diagnosis for delivering timely therapy before or after birth and in detecting early-stage cancers for better clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we also provide an up-to-date commercial landscape of DNAm biomarkers for cancer detection and screening of cancers of unknown origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology and Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Utsa Bhaduri
- Laboratory of Regulatory & Functional Genomics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Di Venere
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merla
- Laboratory of Regulatory & Functional Genomics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Ginani CTA, da Luz JRD, de Medeiros KS, Sarmento ACA, Coppedè F, das Graças Almeida M. Association of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene with maternal risk for Down syndrome: A meta-analysis of case-control studies. Mutat Res Rev Mutat Res 2023; 792:108470. [PMID: 37689109 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2023.108470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies around the world support the hypothesis that genetic polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism could be related to the maternal risk for Down syndrome (DS). Most of them investigated the role of MTHFR C677T and/or A1298C polymorphisms as maternal risk factors for DS, but their results are often conflicting and still inconclusive. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the association of MTHFR C677T and/or A1298C polymorphisms with the maternal risk of DS. Our search strategy selected 42 eligible case control studies for a total of 4131 case mothers and 5452 control mothers. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the selected studies. To assess the confidence of statistically significant associations we applied false positive report probability test, and we performed the trial sequential analysis to minimize the type I error and random error. RESULTS We observed significant associations between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and maternal risk for DS for each of the genetic models investigated (dominant, recessive, codominant, and allelic contrast). Subgroup analysis by region revelated significant association in the Asian population for all the genetic models investigated. Significant associations were also found for certain genetic models in North American, South American, and Middle Eastern populations, while no association was observed in Europeans. The MTHFR A1298C polymorphism did not show any association with the maternal risk of DS, either alone or in combination with the C677T one. The results of false positive report probability to verify the confidence of a significant association suggest that the association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the maternal risk for DS is noteworthy, with high confidence in Asians. CONCLUSION The results of this meta-analysis support that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, but not the A1298C one, is associated with the maternal risk for DS. Further studies are required to better characterize the contribution of gene-gene and gene-nutrient interactions as well as those of other regional or ethnic factors that could explain the observed different effect size in different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Talita Azevedo Ginani
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Health Sciences Center, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, DACT, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Romáryo Duarte da Luz
- Organic Chemistry and biochemistry Laboratory, State University of Amapá (UEAP), Macapá, Brazil; Institute of Education, Research and Innovation of the League Against Cancer, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Kleyton Santos de Medeiros
- Institute of Education, Research and Innovation of the League against Cancer, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Ayane Cristine Alves Sarmento
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Health Sciences Center, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology and Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Maria das Graças Almeida
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Health Sciences Center, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, DACT, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
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Stoccoro A, Conti E, Scaffei E, Calderoni S, Coppedè F, Migliore L, Battini R. DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Young Children with Idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119138. [PMID: 37298088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, the underlying pathological mechanisms of which are not yet completely understood. Although several genetic and genomic alterations have been linked to ASD, for the majority of ASD patients, the cause remains unknown, and the condition likely arises due to complex interactions between low-risk genes and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms that are highly sensitive to environmental factors and influence gene function without altering the DNA sequence, particularly aberrant DNA methylation, are involved in ASD pathogenesis. This systematic review aimed to update the clinical application of DNA methylation investigations in children with idiopathic ASD, investigating its potential application in clinical settings. To this end, a literature search was performed on different scientific databases using a combination of terms related to the association between peripheral DNA methylation and young children with idiopathic ASD; this search led to the identification of 18 articles. In the selected studies, DNA methylation is investigated in peripheral blood or saliva samples, at both gene-specific and genome-wide levels. The results obtained suggest that peripheral DNA methylation could represent a promising methodology in ASD biomarker research, although further studies are needed to develop DNA-methylation-based clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffei
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Stoccoro A, Smith AR, Coppedè F. Editorial: Role of genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors in human complex diseases from the mitochondrial point of view. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1207351. [PMID: 37265690 PMCID: PMC10230166 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1207351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Adam R. Smith
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology and Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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10
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Stoccoro A, Nicolì V, Coppedè F, Grossi E, Fedrizzi G, Menotta S, Lorenzoni F, Caretto M, Carmignani A, Pistolesi S, Burgio E, Fanos V, Migliore L. Prenatal Environmental Stressors and DNA Methylation Levels in Placenta and Peripheral Tissues of Mothers and Neonates Evaluated by Applying Artificial Neural Networks. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040836. [PMID: 37107594 PMCID: PMC10138241 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental stressors during pregnancy plays an important role in influencing subsequent susceptibility to certain chronic diseases through the modulation of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. Our aim was to explore the connections between environmental exposures during gestation with DNA methylation of placental cells, maternal and neonatal buccal cells by applying artificial neural networks (ANNs). A total of 28 mother-infant pairs were enrolled. Data on gestational exposure to adverse environmental factors and on mother health status were collected through the administration of a questionnaire. DNA methylation analyses at both gene-specific and global level were analyzed in placentas, maternal and neonatal buccal cells. In the placenta, the concentrations of various metals and dioxins were also analyzed. Analysis of ANNs revealed that suboptimal birth weight is associated with placental H19 methylation, maternal stress during pregnancy with methylation levels of NR3C1 and BDNF in placentas and mother's buccal DNA, respectively, and exposure to air pollutants with maternal MGMT methylation. Associations were also observed between placental concentrations of lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury with methylation levels of OXTR in placentas, HSD11B2 in maternal buccal cells and placentas, MECP2 in neonatal buccal cells, and MTHFR in maternal buccal cells. Furthermore, dioxin concentrations were associated with placental RELN, neonatal HSD11B2 and maternal H19 gene methylation levels. Current results suggest that exposure of pregnant women to environmental stressors during pregnancy could induce aberrant methylation levels in genes linked to several pathways important for embryogenesis in both the placenta, potentially affecting foetal development, and in the peripheral tissues of mothers and infants, potentially providing peripheral biomarkers of environmental exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enzo Grossi
- Autism Research Unit, Villa Santa Maria Foundation, 22038 Tavernerio, Italy
| | - Giorgio Fedrizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Chemical Department, Via P. Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Menotta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Chemical Department, Via P. Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Lorenzoni
- Division of Neonatology and NICU, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Caretto
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 1, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Arianna Carmignani
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabina Pistolesi
- First Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ernesto Burgio
- European Cancer and Environment Research Institute (ECERI), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vassilios Fanos
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, AOU Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Lintas C, Cassano I, Azzarà A, Stigliano MG, Gregorj C, Sacco R, Stoccoro A, Coppedè F, Gurrieri F. Maternal Epigenetic Dysregulation as a Possible Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030585. [PMID: 36980856 PMCID: PMC10048308 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders and are considered multifactorial diseases with both genetic and environmental components. Epigenetic dysregulation driven by adverse environmental factors has recently been documented in neurodevelopmental disorders as the possible etiological agent for their onset. However, most studies have focused on the epigenomes of the probands rather than on a possible epigenetic dysregulation arising in their mothers and influencing neurodevelopment during pregnancy. The aim of this research was to analyze the methylation profile of four well-known genes involved in neurodevelopment (BDNF, RELN, MTHFR and HTR1A) in the mothers of forty-five age-matched AS (Asperger Syndrome), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and typically developing children. We found a significant increase of methylation at the promoter of the RELN and HTR1A genes in AS mothers compared to ADHD and healthy control mothers. For the MTHFR gene, promoter methylation was significantly higher in AS mothers compared to healthy control mothers only. The observed dysregulation in AS mothers could potentially contribute to the affected condition in their children deserving further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Lintas
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-225419174
| | - Ilaria Cassano
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Alessia Azzarà
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Stigliano
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Chiara Gregorj
- Operative Research Unit of Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Roberto Sacco
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fiorella Gurrieri
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Roma, Italy
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128 Roma, Italy
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Coppedè F. Genes and the Environment in Cancer: Focus on Environmentally Induced DNA Methylation Changes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041019. [PMID: 36831363 PMCID: PMC9953779 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has traditionally been viewed as a genetic disorder resulting from the accumulation of gene mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, and aneuploidies in somatic cells [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; ; Tel.: +39-050-2218544
- Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology and Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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13
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Coppedè F. DNA methylation as a powerful tool to investigate the biology and pathology of aging. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1541-1544. [PMID: 36803012 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center of Biology & Pathology of Aging, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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14
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Coppedè F, Franzago M, Giardina E, Nigro CL, Matullo G, Moltrasio C, Nacmias B, Pileggi S, Sirchia SM, Stoccoro A, Storlazzi CT, Stuppia L, Tricarico R, Merla G. A perspective on diet, epigenetics and complex diseases: where is the field headed next? Epigenomics 2022; 14:1281-1304. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary factors can regulate epigenetic processes during life, modulating the intracellular pools of metabolites necessary for epigenetic reactions and regulating the activity of epigenetic enzymes. Their effects are strong during the prenatal life, when epigenetic patterns are written, allowing organogenesis. However, interactions between diet and the epigenome continue throughout life and likely contribute to the onset and progression of various complex diseases. Here, we review the contribution of dietary factors to the epigenetic changes observed in complex diseases and suggest future steps to better address this issue, focusing on neurobehavioral, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and Type 2 diabetes, cancer and inflammatory skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Marica Franzago
- Department of Medicine & Aging, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti–Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies & Technology, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti–Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Emiliano Giardina
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, 00179, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine & Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Matullo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Chiara Moltrasio
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, 20122, Italy
- Department of Medical Surgical & Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, 34137, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research & Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, 50139, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, 50143, Italy
| | - Silvana Pileggi
- Department of Health Sciences, Medical Genetics, University of Milan, Milan, 20142, Italy
| | - Silvia Maria Sirchia
- Department of Health Sciences, Medical Genetics, University of Milan, Milan, 20142, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | | | - Liborio Stuppia
- Center for Advanced Studies & Technology, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti–Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Department of Psychological, Health & Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti–Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Rossella Tricarico
- Department of Biology & Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merla
- Laboratory of Regulatory & Functional Genomics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, 71013, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
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15
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Stoccoro A, Gallo R, Calderoni S, Cagiano R, Muratori F, Migliore L, Grossi E, Coppedè F. Artificial neural networks reveal sex differences in gene methylation, and connections between maternal risk factors and symptom severity in autism spectrum disorder. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1181-1195. [PMID: 36325841 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim and methods: Artificial neural networks were used to unravel connections among blood gene methylation levels, sex, maternal risk factors and symptom severity evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS-2) score in 58 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results: Methylation levels of MECP2, HTR1A and OXTR genes were connected to females, and those of EN2, BCL2 and RELN genes to males. High gestational weight gain, lack of folic acid supplements, advanced maternal age, preterm birth, low birthweight and living in rural context were the best predictors of a high ADOS-2 score. Conclusion: Artificial neural networks revealed links among ASD maternal risk factors, symptom severity, gene methylation levels and sex differences in methylation that warrant further investigation in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Roberta Gallo
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, 56128, Italy
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Romina Cagiano
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, 56128, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, 56128, Italy
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Enzo Grossi
- Villa Santa Maria Foundation, Tavernerio, Como, 22038, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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16
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Abstract
With the exception of a few monogenic forms, Alzheimer disease (AD) has a complex aetiology that is likely to involve multiple susceptibility genes and environmental factors. The role of environmental factors is difficult to determine and, until a few years ago, the molecular mechanisms underlying gene-environment (G × E) interactions in AD were largely unknown. Here, we review evidence that has emerged over the past two decades to explain how environmental factors, such as diet, lifestyle, alcohol, smoking and pollutants, might interact with the human genome. In particular, we discuss how various environmental AD risk factors can induce epigenetic modifications of key AD-related genes and pathways and consider how epigenetic mechanisms could contribute to the effects of oxidative stress on AD onset. Studies on early-life exposures are helping to uncover critical time windows of sensitivity to epigenetic influences from environmental factors, thereby laying the foundations for future primary preventative approaches. We conclude that epigenetic modifications need to be considered when assessing G × E interactions in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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17
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Coppedè F, Cereda C, Lintas C, Stoccoro A. Editorial: Epigenetics of Neurodevelopmental, Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:948827. [PMID: 35754706 PMCID: PMC9231183 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.948827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Department of Women, Mothers and Neonatal Care, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Carla Lintas
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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18
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Stoccoro A, Baldacci F, Ceravolo R, Giampietri L, Tognoni G, Siciliano G, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Increase in Mitochondrial D-Loop Region Methylation Levels in Mild Cognitive Impairment Individuals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105393. [PMID: 35628202 PMCID: PMC9142993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylation levels of the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) region have been reported to be altered in the brain and blood of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Moreover, a dynamic D-loop methylation pattern was observed in the brain of transgenic AD mice along with disease progression. However, investigations on the blood cells of AD patients in the prodromal phases of the disease have not been performed so far. The aim of this study was to analyze D-loop methylation levels by means of the MS-HRM technique in the peripheral blood cells of 14 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, 18 early stage AD patients, 70 advanced stage AD patients, and 105 healthy control subjects. We found higher D-loop methylation levels in MCI patients than in control subjects and AD patients. Moreover, higher D-loop methylation levels were observed in control subjects than in AD patients in advanced stages of the disease, but not in those at early stages. The present pilot study shows that peripheral D-loop methylation levels differ in patients at different stages of AD pathology, suggesting that further studies deserve to be performed in order to validate the usefulness of D-loop methylation analysis as a peripheral biomarker for the early detection of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (F.C.); Tel.: +39-0502-218549 (A.S.); +39-0502-218544 (F.C.)
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (R.C.); (L.G.); (G.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (R.C.); (L.G.); (G.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Linda Giampietri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (R.C.); (L.G.); (G.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Gloria Tognoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (R.C.); (L.G.); (G.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (R.C.); (L.G.); (G.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (F.C.); Tel.: +39-0502-218549 (A.S.); +39-0502-218544 (F.C.)
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19
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Gallo R, Stoccoro A, Cagiano R, Nicolì V, Ricciardi R, Tancredi R, Trovato R, Santorelli FM, Calderoni S, Muratori F, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Correlation among maternal risk factors, gene methylation and disease severity in females with autism spectrum disorder. Epigenomics 2022; 14:175-185. [PMID: 35081728 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To detect early-life environmental factors leading to DNA methylation changes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related genes in young ASD females and reveal epigenetic biomarkers of disease severity. Materials & methods: We investigated blood methylation levels of MECP2, OXTR, BDNF, RELN, BCL2, EN2 and HTR1A genes in 42 ASD females. Results: Maternal gestational weight gain correlated with BDNF methylation levels (Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.034), and lack of folic acid supplementation at periconception resulted in higher disease severity in the ASD children (Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.048). RELN methylation levels were inversely correlated with disease severity (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.042). Conclusion: The present study revealed gene-environment interactions and potential epigenetic biomarkers of disease severity in ASD females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Gallo
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Romina Cagiano
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, 56128, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Rosanna Ricciardi
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | | | - Rosanna Trovato
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, 56128, Italy
| | | | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, 56128, Italy.,Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, 56128, Italy.,Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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20
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Lori A, Coppedè F, Pellegrini S. Editorial: Shared Genetic Risk Factors Among Psychiatric Diseases and Other Medical Diseases and Traits. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:802064. [PMID: 35153661 PMCID: PMC8825864 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.802064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Adriana Lori
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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21
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Ginani CTA, da Luz JRD, Silva SVE, Coppedè F, Almeida MDG. Association between MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene polymorphisms and maternal risk for Down syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and/or meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28293. [PMID: 35060496 PMCID: PMC8772651 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities among live-born babies and one of the best-known intellectual disability disorders in humans. Errors leading to trisomy 21 are primarily arising from defects in chromosomal segregation during maternal meiosis (about 88% of cases), and the focus of many investigations has been to identify maternal risk factors favoring chromosome 21 malsegregation during oogenesis. Maternal polymorphisms of genes required for folate metabolism are the most investigated risk factors for the birth of children with DS. Through this review, we sought to investigate the association of the polymorphisms "C677T" and "A1298C" of the MTHFR gene with maternal risk for DS. METHODS We will use the databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science to search for case-control studies published from 1999 up to September 2021 without language restriction. Results will be presented as relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences, or standardized mean differences along with 95% confidence intervals, for continuous outcomes. The all data synthesis will be analyzed on the Review Manager 5.2 version software. RESULTS This study will be able to clarify all the doubts we seek and that it will be able to provide accurate data that will be able to describe how these polymorphisms can act to increase the predisposition for the birth of children with DS in different populations and under different dietary conditions. CONCLUSIONS This study will clarify the relationship between C677T and A1298C polymorphisms MTHFR gene with increased the maternal risk for Down syndrome. REGISTRATION This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol has been registered on the Prospective Registry of International Systematic Review and Meta-analyses: CRD42021269338.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Talita Azevedo Ginani
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Health Sciences Center, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, DACT, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Romáryo Duarte da Luz
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Health Sciences Center, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, DACT, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Saulo Victor e Silva
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, DACT, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Post-graduation Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria das Graças Almeida
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Health Sciences Center, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, DACT, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Post-graduation Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil
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Abstract
Tweetable abstract The diagnostic application of genome-wide methylation signatures is increasing in various syndromic forms of autism, but further studies are warranted to clarify whether epigenetic biomarkers can be of diagnostic utility in idiopathic ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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23
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Abstract
One-carbon metabolism provides the methyl groups for both DNA and histone tail methylation reactions, two of the main epigenetic processes that tightly regulate the chromatin structure and gene expression levels. Several enzymes involved in one-carbon metabolism, as well as several epigenetic enzymes, are regulated by intracellular metabolites and redox cofactors, but their expression levels are in turn regulated by epigenetic modifications, in such a way that metabolism and gene expression reciprocally regulate each other to maintain homeostasis and regulate cell growth, survival, differentiation and response to environmental stimuli. Increasing evidence highlights the contribution of impaired one-carbon metabolism and epigenetic modifications in neurodegeneration. This article provides an overview of DNA and histone tail methylation changes in major neurodegenerative disorders, namely Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, discussing the contribution of oxidative stress and impaired one-carbon and redox metabolism to their onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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24
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Abstract
Premature-ageing syndromes are a heterogeneous group of rare genetic disorders resembling features of accelerated ageing and resulting from mutations in genes coding for proteins required for nuclear lamina architecture, DNA repair and maintenance of genome stability, mitochondrial function and other cellular processes. Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and Werner syndrome (WS) are two of the best-characterized progeroid syndromes referred to as childhood- and adulthood-progeria, respectively. This article provides an updated overview of the mutations leading to HGPS, WS, and to the spectrum of premature-ageing laminopathies ranging in severity from congenital restrictive dermopathy (RD) to adult-onset atypical WS, including RD-like laminopathies, typical and atypical HGPS, more and less severe forms of mandibuloacral dysplasia (MAD), Néstor-Guillermo progeria syndrome (NGPS), atypical WS, and atypical progeroid syndromes resembling features of HGPS and/or MAD but resulting from impaired DNA repair or mitochondrial functions, including mandibular hypoplasia, deafness, progeroid features, and lipodystrophy (MDPL) syndrome and mandibuloacral dysplasia associated to MTX2 (MADaM). The overlapping signs and symptoms among different premature-ageing syndromes, resulting from both a large genetic heterogeneity and shared pathological pathways underlying these conditions, require an expert clinical evaluation in specialized centers paralleled by next-generation sequencing of panels of genes involved in these disorders in order to establish as early as possible an accurate clinical and molecular diagnosis for a proper patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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25
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Abstract
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the primary form of dementia in the elderly. Changes in DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histone tails are increasingly observed in AD tissues, and likely contribute to disease onset and progression. The reversibility of these epigenetic marks offers the potential for therapeutic interventions.Areas covered: After a concise and updated overview of DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histone tails in AD tissues, this review provides an overview of the animal and cell culture studies investigating the potential of targeting these modifications to attenuate AD-like features. PubMed was searched for relevant literature between 2003 and 2021.Expert opinion: Methyl donor compounds and drugs acting on histone tail modifications attenuated the AD-like features and improved cognition in several transgenic AD mice; however, there are concerns about safety and tolerability for long-term treatment in humans. The challenges will be to take advantage of recent epigenome-wide investigations to identify the principal targets for future interventions, and to design novel, selective and safer agents. Natural compounds exerting epigenetic properties could represent a promising opportunity to delay disease onset in middle-aged individuals at increased AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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26
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Stoccoro A, Smith AR, Baldacci F, Del Gamba C, Lo Gerfo A, Ceravolo R, Lunnon K, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Mitochondrial D-Loop Region Methylation and Copy Number in Peripheral Blood DNA of Parkinson's Disease Patients. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050720. [PMID: 34065874 PMCID: PMC8151519 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation has been detected in several human pathologies, although little attention has been given to neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, altered methylation levels of the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) region, which regulates mtDNA replication, were observed in peripheral blood cells of Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. However, nothing is yet known about D-loop region methylation levels in peripheral blood of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. In the current study, we investigated D-loop methylation levels and mtDNA copy number in peripheral blood of 30 PD patients and 30 age- and sex-matched control subjects. DNA methylation analyses have been performed by means of methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) and pyrosequencing techniques, while mtDNA copy number was analyzed by quantitative PCR. MS-HRM and pyrosequencing analyses provided very similar D-loop methylation levels in PD patients and control subjects, and no differences between the two groups have been observed. Treatment with L-dopa and duration of the disease had no effect on D-loop methylation levels in PD patients. Additionally, mtDNA copy number did not differ between PD patients and control subjects. Current results suggest that D-loop methylation levels are not altered in peripheral blood of PD patients nor influenced by dopaminergic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.S.); (L.M.)
| | - Adam R. Smith
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK; (A.R.S.); (K.L.)
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.G.); (A.L.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Claudia Del Gamba
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.G.); (A.L.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Annalisa Lo Gerfo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.G.); (A.L.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.G.); (A.L.G.); (R.C.)
| | - Katie Lunnon
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK; (A.R.S.); (K.L.)
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.S.); (L.M.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.S.); (L.M.)
- Correspondence:
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27
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Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders are a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the neuromuscular system. The aim of this article is to review the major epigenetic findings in motor neuron diseases and major hereditary muscular dystrophies. DNA methylation changes are observed in both hereditary and sporadic forms, and combining DNA methylation analysis with mutational screening holds the potential for better diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. Novel, less toxic and more selective epigenetic drugs are designed and tested in animal and cell culture models of neuromuscular disorders, and non-coding RNAs are being investigated as either disease biomarkers or targets of therapeutic approaches to restore gene expression levels. Overall, neuromuscular disorder epigenetic biomarkers have a strong potential for clinical applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Coppedè F, Ricciardi R, Lopomo A, Stoccoro A, De Rosa A, Guida M, Petrucci L, Maestri M, Lucchi M, Migliore L. Investigation of MLH1, MGMT, CDKN2A, and RASSF1A Gene Methylation in Thymomas From Patients With Myasthenia Gravis. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:567676. [PMID: 33192293 PMCID: PMC7645111 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.567676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A feature of thymomas is their frequent association with myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed to different targets at the neuromuscular junction. Indeed, almost 30-40% of thymomas are found in patients with a type of MG termed thymoma-associated MG (TAMG). Recent studies suggest that TAMG-associated thymomas could represent a molecularly distinct subtype of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), but few data are still available concerning the epigenetic modifications occurring in TAMG tissues. The promoter methylation levels of DNA repair (MLH1 and MGMT) and tumor suppressor genes (CDKN2A and RASSF1A) have been frequently investigated in TETs, but methylation data in TAMG tissues are scarce and controversial. To further address this issue, we investigated MLH1, MGMT, CDKN2A, and RASSF1A methylation levels in blood samples and surgically resected thymomas from 69 patients with TAMG and in the adjacent normal thymus available from 44 of them. Promoter methylation levels of MLH1, MGMT, CDKN2A, and RASSF1A genes were not increased in cancer with respect to healthy tissues and did not correlate with the histological or pathological features of the tumor or with the MG symptoms. The present study suggests that hypermethylation of these genes is not frequent in TAMG tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricciardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angela Lopomo
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna De Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Melania Guida
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Loredana Petrucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Maestri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Stoccoro A, Smith AR, Mosca L, Marocchi A, Gerardi F, Lunetta C, Cereda C, Gagliardi S, Lunnon K, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Reduced mitochondrial D-loop methylation levels in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:137. [PMID: 32917270 PMCID: PMC7488473 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00933-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mitochondrial dysregulation and aberrant epigenetic mechanisms have been frequently reported in neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and several researchers suggested that epigenetic dysregulation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) could contribute to the neurodegenerative process. We recently screened families with mutations in the major ALS causative genes, namely C9orf72, SOD1, FUS, and TARDBP, observing reduced methylation levels of the mtDNA regulatory region (D-loop) only in peripheral lymphocytes of SOD1 carriers. However, until now no studies investigated the potential role of mtDNA methylation impairment in the sporadic form of ALS, which accounts for the majority of disease cases. The aim of the current study was to investigate the D-loop methylation levels and the mtDNA copy number in sporadic ALS patients and compare them to those observed in healthy controls and in familial ALS patients. Pyrosequencing analysis of D-loop methylation levels and quantitative analysis of mtDNA copy number were performed in peripheral white blood cells from 36 sporadic ALS patients, 51 age- and sex-matched controls, and 27 familial ALS patients with germinal mutations in SOD1 or C9orf72 that represent the major familial ALS forms. Results In the total sample, D-loop methylation levels were significantly lower in ALS patients compared to controls, and a significant inverse correlation between D-loop methylation levels and the mtDNA copy number was observed. Stratification of ALS patients into different subtypes revealed that both SOD1-mutant and sporadic ALS patients showed lower D-loop methylation levels compared to controls, while C9orf72-ALS patients showed similar D-loop methylation levels than controls. In healthy controls, but not in ALS patients, D-loop methylation levels decreased with increasing age at sampling and were higher in males compared to females. Conclusions Present data reveal altered D-loop methylation levels in sporadic ALS and confirm previous evidence of an inverse correlation between D-loop methylation levels and the mtDNA copy number, as well as differences among the major familial ALS subtypes. Overall, present results suggest that D-loop methylation and mitochondrial replication are strictly related to each other and could represent compensatory mechanisms to counteract mitochondrial impairment in sporadic and SOD1-related ALS forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Adam R Smith
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Lorena Mosca
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marocchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stella Gagliardi
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Katie Lunnon
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Monti N, Cavallaro RA, Stoccoro A, Nicolia V, Scarpa S, Kovacs GG, Fiorenza MT, Lucarelli M, Aronica E, Ferrer I, Coppedè F, Troen AM, Fuso A. CpG and non-CpG Presenilin1 methylation pattern in course of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration is associated with gene expression in human and murine brain. Epigenetics 2020; 15:781-799. [PMID: 32019393 PMCID: PMC7518704 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1722917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Presenilin1 (PSEN1) gene encodes the catalytic peptide of the γ-secretase complex, a key enzyme that cleaves the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP), to generate the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, involved in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Other substrates of the γ-secretase, such as E-cadherin and Notch1, are involved in neurodevelopment and haematopoiesis. Gene-specific DNA methylation influences PSEN1 expression in AD animal models. Here we evaluated canonical and non-canonical cytosine methylation patterns of the PSEN1 5'-flanking during brain development and AD progression, in DNA extracted from the frontal cortex of AD transgenic mice (TgCRND8) and post-mortem human brain. Mapping CpG and non-CpG methylation revealed different methylation profiles in mice and humans. PSEN1 expression only correlated with DNA methylation in adult female mice. However, in post-mortem human brain, lower methylation, both at CpG and non-CpG sites, correlated closely with higher PSEN1 expression during brain development and in disease progression. PSEN1 methylation in blood DNA was significantly lower in AD patients than in controls. The present study is the first to demonstrate a temporal correlation between dynamic changes in PSEN1 CpG and non-CpG methylation patterns and mRNA expression during neurodevelopment and AD neurodegeneration. These observations were made possible by the use of an improved bisulphite methylation assay employing primers that are not biased towards non-CpG methylation. Our findings deepen the understanding of γ-secretase regulation and support the hypothesis that epigenetic changes can promote the pathophysiology of AD. Moreover, they suggest that PSEN1 DNA methylation in peripheral blood may provide a biomarker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Monti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Surgery “P. Valdoni”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzina Nicolia
- Department of Surgery “P. Valdoni”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sigfrido Scarpa
- Department of Surgery “P. Valdoni”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabor G. Kovacs
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Teresa Fiorenza
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Neuropathology, Service of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERNED, Hospitalet De Llobregat, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Aron M. Troen
- Nutrition and Brain Health Laboratory, the Institute of Biochemistry Food and Nutrition Science, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and the Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Andrea Fuso
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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31
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Piras IS, Costa A, Tirindelli MC, Stoccoro A, Huentelman MJ, Sacco R, Coppedè F, Lintas C. Genetic and epigenetic MTHFR gene variants in the mothers of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affected children as possible risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. Epigenomics 2020; 12:813-823. [PMID: 32485115 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To assess promoter methylation levels, gene expression levels and 677C>T/1298A>C genotype and allele frequencies of the MTHFR gene in 45 mothers of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affected child/children (ADHDM) and compare it with age matched healthy control mothers (HCM). Materials & methods: High resolution melting analysis, quantitative real time PCR and PCR-RFLP were performed to assess methylation, gene expression and genotyping, respectively. Significance between ADHDM and HCM was assessed by linear (methylation and gene expression) and logistic regression (genotypes). Results: MTHFR gene expression levels were significantly higher in the ADHDM compared with the HCM group (adj-p < 7.7E-04). No differences in MTHFR promoter methylation level and 677C>T/1298A>C genotype frequencies were detected between ADHDM and HCM. Conclusion: We observed increased MTHFR expression levels not resulting from promoter methylation changes in ADHDM respect to HMC, potentially contributing to the ADHD condition in their children and deserving further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio Stefano Piras
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Anna Costa
- Service for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matthew J Huentelman
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Roberto Sacco
- Service for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carla Lintas
- Service for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Stoccoro A, Tannorella P, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Polymorphisms of genes required for methionine synthesis and DNA methylation influence mitochondrial DNA methylation. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1003-1012. [PMID: 32393056 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Impaired methylation of the mitochondrial DNA and particularly in the regulatory displacement loop (D-loop) region, is increasingly observed in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. The present study aims to investigate if common polymorphisms of genes required for one-carbon metabolism (MTHFR, MTRR, MTR and RFC-1) and DNA methylation reactions (DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B) influence D-loop methylation levels. Materials & methods: D-loop methylation data were available from 133 late-onset Alzheimer's disease patients and 130 matched controls. Genotyping was performed with PCR-RFLP or high resolution melting techniques. Results: Both MTRR 66A > G and DNMT3A -448A > G polymorphisms were significantly associated with D-loop methylation levels. Conclusion: This exploratory study suggests that MTRR and DNMT3A polymorphisms influence mitochondrial DNA methylation; further research is required to better address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Pierpaola Tannorella
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Current address: Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative & Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & of New Surgical & Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
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Coppedè F, Stoccoro A, Nicolì V, Gallo R, De Rosa A, Guida M, Maestri M, Lucchi M, Ricciardi R, Migliore L. Investigation of GHSR methylation levels in thymomas from patients with Myasthenia Gravis. Gene 2020; 752:144774. [PMID: 32442579 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypermethylation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor gene (GHSR) is increasingly observed in human cancers, suggesting that it could represent a pan-cancer biomarker of clinical interest. However, little is still known concerning GHSR methylation levels in thymic epithelial tumors, and particularly in thymomas from patients with Myasthenia Gravis (TAMG). MATERIAL AND METHODS In the present study we collected DNA samples from circulating lymphocytes and surgically resected tumor tissues of 65 TAMG patients, and from the adjacent healthy thymic tissue available from 43 of them. We then investigated GHSR methylation levels in the collected tissues searching for correlation with the clinical characteristics of the samples. RESULTS GHSR hypermethylation was observed in 18 thymoma samples (28%) compared to the healthy thymic tissues (P < 1 × 10-4), and those samples were particularly enriched in advanced disease stages than stage I (94% were in stage II or higher). GHSR was demethylated in the remaining 47 thymomas, as well as in all the investigated healthy thymic samples and in circulating lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS GHSR hypermethylation is not a pan-cancer marker or an early event in TAMG, but occurs in almost 1/4 of them and mainly from stage II onward. Subsequent studies are required to clarify the molecular pathways leading to GHSR hypermethylation in TAMG tissues and their relevance to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Gallo
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna De Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Melania Guida
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Maestri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy; Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricciardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Lab. of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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Coppedè F, Stoccoro A, Tannorella P, Gallo R, Nicolì V, Migliore L. Association of Polymorphisms in Genes Involved in One-Carbon Metabolism with MTHFR Methylation Levels. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3754. [PMID: 31370354 PMCID: PMC6696388 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a pivotal enzyme in the one-carbon metabolism, a metabolic pathway required for DNA synthesis and methylation reactions. MTHFR hypermethylation, resulting in reduced gene expression, can contribute to several human disorders, but little is still known about the factors that regulate MTHFR methylation levels. We performed the present study to investigate if common polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism genes contribute to MTHFR methylation levels. MTHFR methylation was assessed in peripheral blood DNA samples from 206 healthy subjects with methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM); genotyping was performed for MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) and 1298A>C (rs1801131), MTRR 66A>G (rs1801394), MTR 2756A>G (rs1805087), SLC19A1 (RFC1) 80G>A (rs1051266), TYMS 28-bp tandem repeats (rs34743033) and 1494 6-bp ins/del (rs34489327), DNMT3A -448A>G (rs1550117), and DNMT3B -149C>T (rs2424913) polymorphisms. We observed a statistically significant effect of the DNMT3B -149C>T polymorphism on mean MTHFR methylation levels, and particularly CT and TT carriers showed increased methylation levels than CC carriers. The present study revealed an association between a functional polymorphism of DNMT3B and MTHFR methylation levels that could be of relevance in those disorders, such as inborn defects, metabolic disorders and cancer, that have been linked to impaired DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Pierpaola Tannorella
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Gallo
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Doctoral School in Genetics, Oncology and Clinical Medicine, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Doctoral School in Genetics, Oncology and Clinical Medicine, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Coppedè F, Seghieri M, Stoccoro A, Santini E, Giannini L, Rossi C, Migliore L, Solini A. DNA methylation of genes regulating appetite and prediction of weight loss after bariatric surgery in obese individuals. J Endocrinol Invest 2019; 42:37-44. [PMID: 29603098 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0881-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Epigenetic traits are influenced by clinical variables; interaction between DNA methylation (DNAmeth) and bariatric surgery-induced weight loss has been scarcely explored. We investigated whether DNAmeth of genes encoding for molecules/hormones regulating appetite, food intake or obesity could predict successful weight outcome following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS Forty-five obese individuals with no known comorbidities were stratified accordingly to weight decrease one-year after RYGB (excess weight loss, EWL ≥ 50%: good responders, GR; EWL < 50%: worse responders, WR). DNAmeth of leptin (LEP), ghrelin (GHRL), ghrelin receptor (GHSR) and insulin-growth factor-2 (IGF2) was assessed before intervention. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes affecting DNAmeth, DNMT3A and DNMT3B, were also determined. RESULTS At baseline, type 2 diabetes was diagnosed by OGTT in 13 patients. Post-operatively, GR (n = 23) and WR (n = 22) achieved an EWL of 67.7 ± 9.6 vs 38.2 ± 9.0%, respectively. Baseline DNAmeth did not differ between GR and WR for any tested genes, even when the analysis was restricted to subjects with no diabetes. A relationship between GHRL and LEP methylation profiles emerged (r = 0.47, p = 0.001). Searching for correlation between DNAmeth of the studied genes with demographic characteristics and baseline biochemical parameters of the studied population, we observed a correlation between IGF2 methylation and folate (r = 0.44, p = 0.003). Rs11683424 for DNMT3A and rs2424913 for DNMT3B did not correlate with DNAmeth of the studied genes. CONCLUSIONS In severely obese subjects, the degree of DNAmeth of some genes affecting obesity and related conditions does not work as predictor of successful response to RYGB.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Seghieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - E Santini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Giannini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Solini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Abstract
Mitochondrial impairment and increased oxidative stress are common features in neurodegenerative disorders, leading researchers to speculate that epigenetic changes in the mitochondrial DNA (mitoepigenetics) could contribute to neurodegeneration. The few studies performed so far to address this issue revealed impaired methylation levels of the mitochondrial regulatory region (D-loop region) in both animal models, postmortem brain regions, or circulating blood cells of patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Those studies also revealed that mtDNA D-loop methylation levels are subjected to a dynamic regulation within the progression of the neurodegenerative process, could be affected by certain neurodegenerative disease-causative mutations, and are inversely correlated with the mtDNA copy number. The methylation levels of other mtDNA regions than the D-loop have been scarcely investigated in human specimens from patients with neurodegenerative disorders or in animal models of the disease, and evidence of impaired methylation levels is often limited to a single study, making it difficult to clarify their correlation with mitochondrial dynamics and gene expression levels in these disorders. Overall, the preliminary results of the studies performed so far are encouraging making mitoepigenetics a timely and attractive field of investigation, but additional research is warranted to clarify the connections among epigenetic changes occurring in the mitochondrial genome, mitochondrial DNA dynamics and gene expression, and the neurodegenerative process.
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Stoccoro A, Mosca L, Carnicelli V, Cavallari U, Lunetta C, Marocchi A, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Mitochondrial DNA copy number and D-loop region methylation in carriers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis gene mutations. Epigenomics 2018; 10:1431-1443. [PMID: 30088417 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2018-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and D-loop region methylation in carriers of SOD1, TARDBP, FUS and C9orf72 mutations. METHODS Investigations were performed in blood DNA from 114 individuals, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, presymptomatic carriers and noncarrier family members. RESULTS Increased mtDNA copy number (p = 0.0001) was observed in ALS patients, and particularly in those with SOD1 or C9orf72 mutations. SOD1 mutation carriers showed also a significant decrease in D-loop methylation levels (p = 0.003). An inverse correlation between D-loop methylation levels and the mtDNA copy number (p = 0.0005) was observed. CONCLUSION Demethylation of the D-loop region could represent a compensatory mechanism for mtDNA upregulation in carriers of ALS-linked SOD1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Doctoral School in Genetics Oncology & Clinical Medicine, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lorena Mosca
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical & Molecular Pathology & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ugo Cavallari
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marocchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
AIM To investigate GHSR and GHRL methylation in 73 pairs of colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and healthy adjacent mucosa. METHODS Methylation was assessed with methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting. RESULTS GHSR was significantly hypermethylated in CRC tissues than in healthy mucosa (p < 1 × 10-5), but no significant changes of GHRL methylation were observed. GHSR hypermethylation was already detectable at the adenoma stage and maintained in later stages independently of age, gender, anatomical location, histological grading, MLH1 deficiency, as well as of major polymorphisms in folate-pathway genes, yielding an area under the curve of 0.824 for discriminating cancers from respective non-neoplastic mucosa specimens. CONCLUSION GHSR hypermethylation occurs early in CRC, but is not paralleled by significant changes of GHRL methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lazzarotti
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Spisni
- Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, & Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Advances in molecular biology technologies have allowed uncovering the role of epigenetic regulation in several complex diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Although the role of epigenetic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease is still little understood, recent findings clearly show that such mechanisms are dysregulated during disease progression, already in its early stages. However, it is not clear if the observed epigenetic changes represent a cause or a consequence of the disease. Promising results are emerging from studies performed in peripheral blood DNA that could provide early biomarkers of the pathology. Moreover, given the dynamic nature of the epigenetic marks, intense research is carried out to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of compounds exerting epigenetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Doctoral School in Genetics, Oncology & Clinical Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Stoccoro A, Siciliano G, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Decreased Methylation of the Mitochondrial D-Loop Region in Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 59:559-564. [PMID: 28655136 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial impairment is a feature of neurodegeneration and many investigators have suggested that epigenetic modifications of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) might be involved in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), but evidence in humans is limited. We assessed the methylation levels of the mtDNA D-loop region in blood DNA from 133 LOAD patients and 130 controls, observing a significant 25% reduction of DNA methylation levels in the first group (2.3 versus 3.1%). Overall, the present data indicate that there is a decreased methylation of the D-loop region in LOAD peripheral blood DNA, suggesting that mtDNA epimutations deserve further investigations in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Doctoral School in Genetics, Oncology, and Clinical Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Neurological Clinic, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Stoccoro A, Tannorella P, Salluzzo MG, Ferri R, Romano C, Nacmias B, Siciliano G, Migliore L, Coppedè F. The Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphism and Risk for Late-Onset Alzheimer's disease: Further Evidence in an Italian Multicenter Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 56:1451-1457. [PMID: 28211809 DOI: 10.3233/jad-161081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A functional polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, namely C677T (rs1801133), results in increased Hcy levels and has been associated with risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Many investigators reported association between rs1801133 and LOAD risk in Asian populations and in carriers of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele, but recent meta-analyses suggest a contribution also in other populations, including Caucasians and/or northern Africans. OBJECTIVE To further address this issue, we performed a relatively large case-control study, including 581 LOAD patients and 468 matched controls of Italian origin. APOE data were available for a subgroup of almost 600 subjects. METHODS Genotyping for rs1801133 was performed with PCR-RFLP techniques. RESULTS In the total population, the MTHFR 677T allele (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.01-1.43) and carriers of the MTHFR 677T allele (CT+TT versus CC: OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.03-1.73) resulted in increased LOAD risk. Similarly, in APOEɛ4 carriers, we observed an increased frequency of MTHFR 677CT carriers (CT versus CC: OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.25-6.32). Very interestingly, also in non-APOEɛ4 carriers, both MTHFR 677T allele (OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.03-1.85) and MTHFR 677TT genotype (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.11-3.90) were associated with LOAD. All these associations survived after corrections for age, gender, and multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism is likely a LOAD risk factor in our cohort, either in APOEɛ4 or in non-APOEɛ4 carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Doctoral School in Genetics Oncology and Clinical Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Pierpaola Tannorella
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Salluzzo
- IRCCS, Oasi Maria SS Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- IRCCS, Oasi Maria SS Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Corrado Romano
- IRCCS, Oasi Maria SS Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Neurological Clinic, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood Nutraceuticals and Food for Health, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood Nutraceuticals and Food for Health, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Our understanding of the epigenetic changes occurring in gastrointestinal cancers has gained tremendous advancements in recent years, and some epigenetic biomarkers are already translated into the clinics for cancer diagnostics. In parallel, pharmacoepigenetics and pharmacoepigenomics of solid tumors are relevant novel, but emerging and promising fields. Areas covered: A comprehensive review of the literature to summarize and update the emerging field of pharmacoepigenetics and pharmacoepigenomics of gastrointestinal cancers. Expert commentary: Several epigenetic modifications have been proposed to account for interindividual variations in drug response in gastrointestinal cancers. Similarly, single-agent or combined strategies with high doses of drugs that target epigenetic modifications (epi-drugs) were scarcely tolerated by the patients, and current research has moved to their combination with standard therapies to achieve chemosensitization, radiosensitization, and immune modulation of cancerous cells. In parallel, recent genome-wide technologies are revealing the pathways that are epigenetically deregulated during cancer-acquired resistance, including those targeted by non-coding RNAs. Indeed, novel, less toxic, and more specific molecules are under investigation to specifically target those pathways. The field is rapidly expanding and gathering together information coming from these investigations has the potential to lead to clinical applications in the coming new years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lopomo
- a Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Laboratory of Medical Genetics , University of Pisa, Medical School , Pisa , Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- a Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Laboratory of Medical Genetics , University of Pisa, Medical School , Pisa , Italy
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Vitolo E, Santini E, Seghieri M, Giannini L, Coppedè F, Rossi C, Dardano A, Solini A. Heterozygosity for the rs696217 SNP in the Preproghrelin Gene Predicts Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery in Severely Obese Individuals. Obes Surg 2017; 27:961-967. [PMID: 27681093 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-016-2387-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several patients encompass a scarce weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). As such event is not related to surgical complications, finding markers able to identify "well responders" and to predict weight loss outcome is clinically relevant. Ghrelin regulates appetite and energy balance. Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in its encoding genes have been associated with body weight regulation. Other peptides involved in satiety modulation, like the CD40/CD40L complex, are less explored. METHODS One hundred, otherwise healthy, obese subjects (aged 45 ± 11 years, 65 females, BMI 48.0 ± 0.7 kg/m2) were sequentially enrolled in years 2014-2015. SNPs rs2241766 for adiponectin gene, rs490683 for ghrelin receptor, rs696217 and rs27647 for the preproghrelin/ghrelin gene, and rs1126535 for the CD40L gene were determined on DNA extracted from circulating lymphomonocytes. Patients were reevaluated at 6 (n = 100), 26 (n = 91), and 52 weeks (n = 79) after RYGB. RESULTS Subjects carrying the rs696217 T allele encompassed a significantly greater reduction in BMI 52 weeks after surgery (GG vs GT 30.5 ± 1.1 vs 38.1 ± 2.1 %; p < 0.001). Carrying the rs1126535 C allele in the CD40L gene was associated with a significantly lower BMI reduction at week 52 (TT vs CT 33.2 ± 1.1 vs 28.1 ± 2.3 %, p = 0.049). rs490683 and rs27647 SNPs of ghrelin and rs2241766 for adiponectin gene did not show any difference between carriers and non-carriers of the mutant allele. CONCLUSION Carrying a G to T substitution in rs696217 (preproghrelin gene) seems to mark a successful weight loss outcome; we also report for the first time that the rs1126535 C allele (CD40L gene) may predict a worse response to bariatric surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Vitolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Santini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Seghieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Livia Giannini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angela Dardano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Solini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Coppedè F, Stoccoro A, Mosca L, Gallo R, Tarlarini C, Lunetta C, Marocchi A, Migliore L, Penco S. Increase in DNA methylation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis carriers of not fully penetrant SOD1 mutations. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2017; 19:93-101. [PMID: 28859526 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2017.1367401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE More than 180 different superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutations have been described to date in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, including not completely penetrant ones leading to phenotypic heterogeneity among carriers. We collected DNA samples from five ALS families with not fully penetrant SOD1 mutations (p.Asn65Ser, p.Gly72Ser, p.Gly93Asp, and p.Gly130_Glu133del) searching for epigenetic differences among ALS patients, asymptomatic/paucisymptomatic carriers and non-carrier family members. METHODS Global DNA methylation levels (5-methylcytosine levels) were determined in blood DNA samples with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the methylation analysis of SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72 genes was performed using Methylation-Sensitive High-Resolution Melting (MS-HRM) technique. RESULTS Global DNA methylation levels were significantly higher in blood DNA of ALS patients than in asymptomatic/paucisymptomatic carriers or family members non-carriers of SOD1 mutations, and a positive correlation between global DNA methylation levels and disease duration (months) was observed. SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72 gene promoters were demethylated in all subjects. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that global changes in DNA methylation might contribute to the ALS phenotype in carriers of not fully penetrant SOD1 mutations, thus reinforcing the role of epigenetic factors in modulating the phenotypic expression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- a Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery , Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- a Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery , Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.,b Doctoral School in Genetics Oncology and Clinical Medicine, Department of Medical Biotechnologies , University of Siena , Siena , Italy
| | - Lorena Mosca
- c Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine , ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda , Milan , Italy , and
| | - Roberta Gallo
- a Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery , Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Claudia Tarlarini
- c Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine , ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda , Milan , Italy , and
| | - Christian Lunetta
- d NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) , ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda , Milan , Italy
| | - Alessandro Marocchi
- c Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine , ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda , Milan , Italy , and
| | - Lucia Migliore
- a Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery , Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Silvana Penco
- c Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine , ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda , Milan , Italy , and
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Costa B, Pini S, Baldwin DS, Silove D, Manicavasagar V, Abelli M, Coppedè F, Martini C. Oxytocin receptor and G-protein polymorphisms in patients with depression and separation anxiety. J Affect Disord 2017; 218:365-373. [PMID: 28499211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.03.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of combined variants of Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) and G protein β3 subunit genes was investigated in relation to retrospective reports of childhood as well as contemporary adult separation anxiety (SA), based on evidence of a β/γ dimer-mediated signaling for OXTR. METHODS A case-control association study (225 healthy adults and 188 outpatients with depression) was performed to establish Risk-Combined Genotype (RCG) of the studied variants (OXTR rs53576 and the functional Gβ3 subunit rs5443). Current SA was evaluated by the ASA-27 and retrospective childhood symptoms by the SASI. GG genotype of OXTR rs53576 combined with T-carrier genotype of Gβ3 rs5443 represented the RCG. RESULTS Compared to non-RCG, those with RCG had significantly higher levels of childhood and adult SA. The RCG was significantly associated with childhood SA threshold score (OR=2.85, 90%CI: 1.08-7.50). Childhood SA was, in turn, strongly associated with a threshold SA score in adulthood (OR=15.58; 95% CI: 4.62-52.59). LIMITATIONS Although the overall sample size is sizable, comparisons among subgroups with specific combination of alleles are based on relatively small numbers. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that variations in OXTR and Gβ3 genes are specifically associated with presence and severity of SA in childhood and adulthood, but not with depression or anxiety in general. Because there is increasing interest in oxytocin in social behavior, the gene-SA associations identified have potential translational and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Costa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Pini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - David S Baldwin
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Academic Centre, College Keep, 4-12 Terminus Terrace, Southampton SO14 3DT, United Kingdom
| | - Derrick Silove
- Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Marianna Abelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications, including changes in DNA methylation, covalent modifications of histone tails, and gene silencing mediated by non-coding RNA molecules, play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders and might be seen as the result of environmental insults that trigger these conditions. Studies in cells and tissues of patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), and particularly in Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), are increasingly revealing altered epigenetic marks and resultant deregulation of gene expression levels, but the available data are still limited to be translated into the clinical settings. Particularly, genome-wide methylation and histone tail modification screenings are limited to a few studies in GD patients, and the diagnostic values of the observed epigenetic changes or their potential prognostic utility are still unclear. Similarly, data concerning microRNA expression in AITD patients are largely descriptive and not yet translated into the clinics. In addition, studies relating certain environmental exposures to specific epigenetic changes in AITD and studies evaluating the crosstalk between different epigenetic mechanisms are largely missing. In summary, despite that there is a clear evidence of epigenetic impairment in AITD, further research is required for a better understanding of the epigenetic networks involved in disease pathogenesis, thereby opening the way for potential diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as for epigenetic interventions in the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Lopomo A, Ricciardi R, Maestri M, De Rosa A, Melfi F, Lucchi M, Mussi A, Coppedè F, Migliore L. Gene-Specific Methylation Analysis in Thymomas of Patients with Myasthenia Gravis. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E2121. [PMID: 27999265 PMCID: PMC5187921 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17122121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymomas are uncommon neoplasms that arise from epithelial cells of the thymus and are often associated with myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies directed to different targets at the neuromuscular junction. Little is known, however, concerning epigenetic changes occurring in thymomas from MG individuals. To further address this issue, we analyzed DNA methylation levels of genes involved in one-carbon metabolism (MTHFR) and DNA methylation (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) in blood, tumor tissue, and healthy thymic epithelial cells from MG patients that underwent a surgical resection of a thymic neoplasm. For the analyses we applied the methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting technique. Both MTHFR and DNMT3A promoters showed significantly higher methylation in tumor tissue with respect to blood, and MTHFR also showed significantly higher methylation levels in tumor tissue respect to healthy adjacent thymic epithelial cells. Both DNMT1 and DNMT3B promoter regions were mostly hypomethylated in all the investigated tissues. The present study suggests that MTHFR methylation is increased in thymomas obtained from MG patients; furthermore, some degrees of methylation of the DNMT3A gene were observed in thymic tissue with respect to blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lopomo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Roberta Ricciardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Michelangelo Maestri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Anna De Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Franca Melfi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alfredo Mussi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Medical School, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Grossi E, Stoccoro A, Tannorella P, Migliore L, Coppedè F. Artificial Neural Networks Link One-Carbon Metabolism to Gene-Promoter Methylation in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 53:1517-22. [PMID: 27392858 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing interest in DNA methylation studies in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is still known concerning the relationship between gene-promoter methylation and circulating biomarkers of one-carbon metabolism in patients. OBJECTIVE To detect the connections among circulating folate, homocysteine (hcy) and vitamin B12 levels and promoter methylation levels of PSEN1, BACE1, DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and MTHFR genes in blood DNA. METHODS We applied a data mining system called Auto Contractive Map to an existing database of 100 AD and 100 control individuals. RESULTS Low vitamin B12 was linked to the AD condition, to low folates, and to high hcy. Low PSEN1 methylation was linked to low folate levels as well as to low promoter methylation of BACE1 and DNMTs genes. Low hcy was linked to controls, to high folates and vitamin B12, as well as to high methylation levels of most of the studied genes. CONCLUSIONS The present pilot study suggests that promoter methylation levels of the studied genes are linked to circulating levels of folates, hcy, and vitamin B12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Grossi
- Villa Santa Maria Institute, Tavernerio, Italy
- Semeion Research Center of Sciences of Communication, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Doctoral School in Genetics, Oncology, and Clinical Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Pierpaola Tannorella
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Coppedè F, Tannorella P, Stoccoro A, Chico L, Siciliano G, Bonuccelli U, Migliore L. Methylation analysis of DNA repair genes in Alzheimer's disease. Mech Ageing Dev 2016; 161:105-111. [PMID: 27080585 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
There is substantial evidence of impaired DNA repair activities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neurons and peripheral tissues, inducing some investigators to speculate that this could partially result from promoter hypermethylation of DNA repair genes, resulting in gene silencing in those tissues. In the present study a screening cohort composed by late-onset AD (LOAD) patients and healthy matched controls was evaluated with a commercially available DNA methylation array for the assessment of the methylation levels of a panel of 22 genes involved in major DNA repair pathways in blood DNA. We then applied a cost-effective PCR based methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) technique, in order to evaluate the promoter methylation levels of the following DNA repair genes: OGG1, PARP1, MRE11A, BRCA1, MLH1, and MGMT. The analysis was performed in blood DNA from 56 LOAD patients and 55 matched controls, including the samples previously assessed with the DNA methylation array as validating samples. Both approaches revealed that all the investigated genes were largely hypomethylated in LOAD and control blood DNA, and no difference between groups was observed. Collectively, present data do not support an increased promoter methylation of some of the major DNA repair genes in blood DNA of AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Pierpaola Tannorella
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Doctoral School in Genetics Oncology and Clinical Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Chico
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Neurological Clinic, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Bonuccelli
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Neurological Clinic, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Section of Medical Genetics, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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