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Gerra MC, Dallabona C, Cecchi R. Epigenetic analyses in forensic medicine: future and challenges. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:701-719. [PMID: 38242965 PMCID: PMC11003920 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03165-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The possibility of using epigenetics in forensic investigation has gradually risen over the last few years. Epigenetic changes with their dynamic nature can either be inherited or accumulated throughout a lifetime and be reversible, prompting investigation of their use across various fields. In forensic sciences, multiple applications have been proposed, such as the discrimination of monozygotic twins, identifying the source of a biological trace left at a crime scene, age prediction, determination of body fluids and tissues, human behavior association, wound healing progression, and determination of the post-mortem interval (PMI). Despite all these applications, not all the studies considered the impact of PMI and post-sampling effects on the epigenetic modifications and the tissue-specificity of the epigenetic marks.This review aims to highlight the substantial forensic significance that epigenetics could support in various forensic investigations. First, basic concepts in epigenetics, describing the main epigenetic modifications and their functions, in particular, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA, with a particular focus on forensic applications, were covered. For each epigenetic marker, post-mortem stability and tissue-specificity, factors that should be carefully considered in the study of epigenetic biomarkers in the forensic context, have been discussed. The advantages and limitations of using post-mortem tissues have been also addressed, proposing directions for these innovative strategies to analyze forensic specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 11a, Viale Delle Scienze 11a, 43124, Parma, PR, Italy
| | - Cristina Dallabona
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 11a, Viale Delle Scienze 11a, 43124, Parma, PR, Italy.
| | - Rossana Cecchi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Antonio Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, PR, Italy
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2
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Giordano R, Capriotti C, Gerra MC, Kappel A, Østgaard SE, Dallabona C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Petersen KKS. A potential link between inflammatory profiles, clinical pain, pain catastrophizing and long-term outcomes after total knee arthroplasty surgery. Eur J Pain 2024. [PMID: 38407518 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic postoperative pain after total knee replacement (TKR) is a major clinical problem. It is still unclear if specific inflammatory mediators are associated with long-term postoperative pain complications. The current exploratory study aimed to (1) evaluate a multiplex of inflammatory mediators 5 years after TKR surgery in patients with different degrees of postoperative pain intensities and (2) study any association of the markers with clinical pain intensity, cognitive and functional outcomes. METHODS Plasma samples were collected 5 years after TKR surgery from 76 knee patients (43 females; 33 males) and analysed for 44 inflammatory markers. Pain (using visual analogue scale, VAS), the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) and the Oxford knee score (OKS) were evaluated. Patients were categorized as high or low groups based on VAS, PCS and OKS scores. Associations between inflammatory markers, VAS, PCS and OKS were analysed and the marker expressions were compared between groups. RESULTS Pearson's correlations found 12 biomarkers associated with VAS (p < 0.05), 4 biomarkers with PCS and 3 biomarkers with OKS (p < 0.05). Four markers were altered in patients suffering from high compared to low chronic postoperative pain, three markers were altered in high compared to low catastrophizers and three markers were altered in patients with poor functional scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present exploratory study suggests that low-grade inflammation might be present in a subset of patients with high pain, high catastrophizing and low function 5 years after TKR. These exploratory results provide insights into some of the long-term postoperative complications after TKR surgery. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This exploratory study evaluated a subset of inflammatory markers and the association to clinical pain intensity, knee function and pain catastrophizing in patients 5 years after total knee replacement surgery. Our results provide insights into the understanding of the underlying mechanisms that may drive the long experience of pain after TKR surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Giordano
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Camilla Capriotti
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andreas Kappel
- Interdisciplinary Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Svend Erik Østgaard
- Interdisciplinary Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Cristina Dallabona
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Center for Mathematical Modeling of Knee Osteoarthritis (MathKOA), Department of Material and Production, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, MechSense, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kristian Kjaer-Staal Petersen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Center for Mathematical Modeling of Knee Osteoarthritis (MathKOA), Department of Material and Production, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Magistrati M, Gilea AI, Gerra MC, Baruffini E, Dallabona C. Drug Drop Test: How to Quickly Identify Potential Therapeutic Compounds for Mitochondrial Diseases Using Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10696. [PMID: 37445873 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases (MDs) refer to a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous pathologies characterized by defective mitochondrial function and energy production. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for most MDs, and current therapeutic management is limited to relieving symptoms. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been efficiently used as a model organism to study mitochondria-related disorders thanks to its easy manipulation and well-known mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism. It has been successfully exploited both to validate alleged pathogenic variants identified in patients and to discover potential beneficial molecules for their treatment. The so-called "drug drop test", a phenotype-based high-throughput screening, especially if coupled with a drug repurposing approach, allows the identification of molecules with high translational potential in a cost-effective and time-saving manner. In addition to drug identification, S. cerevisiae can be used to point out the drug's target or pathway. To date, drug drop tests have been successfully carried out for a variety of disease models, leading to very promising results. The most relevant aspect is that studies on more complex model organisms confirmed the effectiveness of the drugs, strengthening the results obtained in yeast and demonstrating the usefulness of this screening as a novel approach to revealing new therapeutic molecules for MDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Magistrati
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alexandru Ionut Gilea
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Enrico Baruffini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Dallabona
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
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Giordano R, Gerra MC, Okutani H, Lo Vecchio S, Stensballe A, Petersen KKS, Arendt-Nielsen L. The temporal expression of circulating microRNAs after acute experimental pain in humans. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:366-377. [PMID: 36453122 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2062] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate several biological systems, including the pain system. This study aimed to evaluate the temporal expression of circulating miRNAs in the plasma of healthy volunteers as a marker for epigenetic changes before and after an acute, experimental, pain provocation by intramuscular hypertonic saline injection. METHODS Twenty volunteers were randomly allocated into two groups and received either hypertonic (pain) or isotonic (control) saline injection in the first dorsal interosseous muscle of their dominant hand. Pain intensity was continuously recorded for 20 minutes after injection on a VAS scale from 0 to 100 (0 indicates no pain and 100 the worst imaginable pain). Blood samples were taken at baseline, 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours post-injection, and plasma was separated. MiRNA extracts were used for RNA sequencing with the Illumina NextSeq platform. MiRNA transcripts were compared between the pain and the no-pain, control group at every time point. Significant differences were considered when folds were >2 and the False Discovery Rate was p < 0.05. RESULTS After 30 minutes, 4 miRNAs were significantly altered in the pain group compared to controls, which increased to 24 after 3 hours and to 42 after 24 hours from baseline (p < 0.0001). Two miRNAs were consistently upregulated throughout the experiment. Enrichment analysis showed significant miRNAs involved in brain perception of pain, brain signalling and response to stimuli. CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study is the first to report on the temporal expression of circulating miRNAs after an acute, human experimental muscle pain model. SIGNIFICANCE This exploratory study evaluated the temporal profile of circulating miRNAs in the plasma of healthy subjects after acute experimental pain. Several miRNAs were altered in subjects at the times of follow-up after the acute pain model when compared to controls. MiRNAs previously associated with pain processes were altered in the pain group. Our results, by showing the fast and prolonged modifications of miRNA elicited by the acute experimental pain model, add new perspectives to the topic of epigenetics and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Giordano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Aalborg University, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Department of Chemistry, Life science, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Hiroai Okutani
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Aalborg University, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Silvia Lo Vecchio
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Aalborg University, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Allan Stensballe
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kristian Kjaer-Staal Petersen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Aalborg University, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg, Denmark
- Center for Mathematical Modeling of Knee Osteoarthritis (MathKOA), Aalborg University, Department of Material and Production, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Aalborg University, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, (Mech-Sense), Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Barbetti M, Vilella R, Dallabona C, Gerra MC, Bocchi L, Ielpo D, Andolina D, Sgoifo A, Savi M, Carnevali L. Decline of cardiomyocyte contractile performance and bioenergetic function in socially stressed male rats. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11466. [PMID: 36387533 PMCID: PMC9660606 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11466] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic social stress has been epidemiologically linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are still largely elusive. Mitochondrial (dys)function represents a potential intersection point between social stress exposure and (mal)adaptive cardiac responses. In this study, we used a rodent model of social stress to study the extent to which alterations in the cellular mechanical properties of the heart were associated with changes in indexes of mitochondrial function. Male adult rats were exposed to repeated episodes of social defeat stress or left undisturbed (controls). ECG signals were recorded during and after social defeat stress. Twenty-four hours after the last social defeat, cardiomyocytes were isolated for analyses of mechanical properties and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, mitochondrial respiration, and ATP content. Results indicated that social defeat stress induced potent cardiac sympathetic activation that lasted well beyond stress exposure. Moreover, cardiomyocytes of stressed rats showed poor contractile performance (e.g., slower contraction and relaxation rates) and intracellular Ca2+ derangement (e.g., slower Ca2+ clearing), which were associated with indexes of reduced reserve respiratory capacity and decreased ATP production. In conclusion, this study suggests that repeated social stress provokes impaired cardiomyocyte contractile performance and signs of altered mitochondrial bioenergetics in the rat heart. Future studies are needed to clarify the causal link between cardiac and mitochondrial functional remodeling under conditions of chronic social stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Barbetti
- Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Rocchina Vilella
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Dallabona
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Bocchi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Donald Ielpo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Andolina
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sgoifo
- Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| | - Monia Savi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| | - Luca Carnevali
- Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Corresponding author.
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Vilella R, Izzo S, Naponelli V, Savi M, Bocchi L, Dallabona C, Gerra MC, Stilli D, Bettuzzi S. In Vivo Treatment with a Standardized Green Tea Extract Restores Cardiomyocyte Contractility in Diabetic Rats by Improving Mitochondrial Function through SIRT1 Activation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1337. [PMID: 36355510 PMCID: PMC9692907 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111337] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Green tea catechins are known to promote mitochondrial function, and to modulate gene expression and signalling pathways that are altered in the diabetic heart. We thus evaluated the effectiveness of the in vivo administration of a standardized green tea extract (GTE) in restoring cardiac performance, in a rat model of early streptozotocin-induced diabetes, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms. Methods. Twenty-five male adult Wistar rats were studied: the control (n = 9), untreated diabetic animals (n = 7) and diabetic rats subjected to daily GTE administration for 28 days (n = 9). Isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes were used for ex vivo measurements of cell mechanics and calcium transients, and molecular assays, including the analysis of functional protein and specific miRNA expression. Results. GTE treatment induced an almost complete recovery of cardiomyocyte contractility that was markedly impaired in the diabetic cells, by preserving mitochondrial function and energy availability, and modulating the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase and phospholamban. Increased Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression and activity substantially contributed to the observed cardioprotective effects. Conclusions. The data supported the hypothesis that green tea dietary polyphenols, by targeting SIRT1, can constitute an adjuvant strategy for counteracting the initial damage of the diabetic heart, before the occurrence of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocchina Vilella
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Izzo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Valeria Naponelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Monia Savi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Bocchi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Dallabona
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Donatella Stilli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Saverio Bettuzzi
- Adamas Biotech, 73024 Maglie, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystems (INBB), 00136 Rome, Italy
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Gerra ML, Gerra MC, Tadonio L, Pellegrini P, Marchesi C, Mattfeld E, Gerra G, Ossola P. Early parent-child interactions and substance use disorder: An attachment perspective on a biopsychosocial entanglement. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:560-580. [PMID: 34606823 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review aims to elucidate environmental and genetic factors, as well as their epigenetic and neuroendocrine moderators, that may underlie the association between early childhood experiences and Substance Use Disorders (SUD), through the lens of parental attachment. Here we review those attachment-related studies that examined the monoaminergic systems, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal stress response system, the oxytoninergic system, and the endogenous opioid system from a genetic, epigenetic, and neuroendocrine perspective. Overall, the selected studies point to a moderating effect of insecure attachment between genetic vulnerability and SUD, reasonably through epigenetic modifications. Preliminary evidence suggests that vulnerability to SUDs is related with hypo-methylation (e.g. hyper-expression) of high-risk polymorphisms on the monoaminergic and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal system and hyper-methylation (e.g. hypo-expressions) of protective polymorphisms on the opioid and oxytocin system. These epigenetic modifications may induce a cascade of neuroendocrine changes contributing to the subclinical and behavioural manifestations that precede the clinical onset of SUD. Protective and supportive parenting could hence represent a key therapeutic target to prevent addiction and moderate insecure attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | | | | | - Carlo Marchesi
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Elizabeth Mattfeld
- Drug Prevention and Health Branch, Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Gilberto Gerra
- Department of Mental Health, AUSL of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ossola
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
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Gerra MC, Dallabona C, Arendt-Nielsen L. Epigenetic Alterations in Prescription Opioid Misuse: New Strategies for Precision Pain Management. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081226. [PMID: 34440400 PMCID: PMC8392465 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prescription opioids are used for some chronic pain conditions. However, generally, long-term therapy has unwanted side effects which may trigger addiction, overdose, and eventually cause deaths. Opioid addiction and chronic pain conditions have both been associated with evidence of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Despite intense research interest, many questions about the contribution of epigenetic changes to this typology of addiction vulnerability and development remain unanswered. The aim of this review was to summarize the epigenetic modifications detected in specific tissues or brain areas and associated with opioid prescription and misuse in patients who have initiated prescribed opioid management for chronic non-cancer pain. The review considers the effects of opioid exposure on the epigenome in central and peripheral tissues in animal models and human subjects and highlights the mechanisms in which opioid epigenetics may be involved. This will improve our current understanding, provide the basis for targeted, personalized pain management, and thus balance opioid risks and benefits in managing chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristina Dallabona
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43123 Parma, Italy;
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
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Ossola P, Gerra MC, Gerra ML, Milano G, Zatti M, Zavan V, Volpi R, Marchesi C, Donnini C, Gerra G, Di Gennaro C. Alcohol use disorders among adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs): Gene-environment resilience factors. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 108:110167. [PMID: 33166669 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110167] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Both genetic and early environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Gender and psychopathology symptoms might further moderate this association, resulting in an impairment of both the dopaminergic and serotoninergic pathways that sustain the binge, withdrawal and craving cycle. In a sample of of adult children of alcoholic parents (ACOAs) (n = 107) we compared those with and without an AUD, on socio-demographic variables, adverse childhood experiences, psychopathology symptoms and two polymorphisms associated with an impaired serotoninergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission (5HTTLPR and Taq1A/DRD2). A logistic regression revealed that an early caring environment might lower the risk of developing an AUD. When controlling for the actual psychopathology symptoms, being male and having the genotype associated with an impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission were still associated with AUD. Results were confirmed by an unsupervised approach that showed how the clusters characterised by being male and having the high risk genotypes were still associated with AUD compared to being female without the unfavourable dopamine genotype.Our results point to the need for implementing prevention strategies aimed at creating a caring environment especially in those families with an alcoholic parent. We further suggest that psycho-education as a symptom recognition and avoiding self-medication could improve the outcome in those subjects at higher risk, especially males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ossola
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Maria Lidia Gerra
- Department of Mental Health, Local Health Agency Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Milano
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marta Zatti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Valeria Zavan
- Department of Addiction Pathology, Local Health Agency Alessandria, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Riccardo Volpi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Carlo Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Claudia Donnini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Gilberto Gerra
- Drug Prevention and Health Branch, Division for Operations, United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria.
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Gerra MC, González-Villar A, Arendt-Nielsen L, Søkilde Pedersen I, Triñanes Y, Donnini C, Manfredini M, Walther D, Moeller GL, Pidal-Miranda M, Romero-Yuste S, Arias-Gómez M, Carrillo-de-la-Peña MT. A family-based study to identify genetic biomarkers of fibromyalgia: consideration of patients' subgroups. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2021; 39 Suppl 130:144-152. [PMID: 34161225 DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/bq7x9n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evidence from genome-wide and candidate gene association studies, familial aggregation and linkage analyses demonstrate the genetic contribution to fibromyalgia (FM) disease. This study aimed to identify genetic biomarkers of FM and its related comorbid disorders, by exploring 41 polymorphisms potentially involved in FM pathogenesis in families with at least one patient with FM. METHODS Core symptoms were assessed, and blood samples collected from 556 patients with FM and 395 healthy relatives. For the genetic study, a final sample of 401 FM patients and 232 healthy controls was selected, discarding patients with concomitant pathologies and controls with chronic pain. A family-based approach using DFAM test (Plink) and SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) combination analyses to compare FM patients vs. controls were first applied. Second, the genotypic distribution of subgroups of FM patients, stratified by severe vs. mild symptoms of pain, depression and sleep impairment, was considered. RESULTS No evidence of associations with FM per se were detected, using either a family-based approach or SNPs combination analyses. However, considering the subgroups of FM patients, the SNP rs6454674 (CNR1, cannabinoid receptor 1 gene) was found as a potential genetic marker of FM correlated with depression (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS No significant associations using either the family-based analysis or the SNPs combination tests dissociated FM patients and their healthy relatives. FM patients with and without depression showed a significant difference in the genotypic distribution related to the SNP rs6454674 in the cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) indicating that FM is not a homogenous disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- Centre for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Alberto González-Villar
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Centre for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Inge Søkilde Pedersen
- Aalborg University Hospital and Aalborg University, Molecular Diagnostics and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Yolanda Triñanes
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Claudia Donnini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Manfredini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Donna Walther
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gert Lykke Moeller
- Genokey ApS, ScionDTU, Technical University of Denmark, Hoersholm, Denmark
| | - Marina Pidal-Miranda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Arias-Gómez
- Neurology Service, University Complex Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Gerra MC, Carnevali D, Pedersen IS, Donnini C, Manfredini M, González-Villar A, Triñanes Y, Pidal-Miranda M, Arendt-Nielsen L, Carrillo-de-la-Peña MT. DNA methylation changes in genes involved in inflammation and depression in fibromyalgia: a pilot study. Scand J Pain 2020; 21:372-383. [PMID: 34387961 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2020-0124] [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: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present pilot study aims to investigate DNA methylation changes of genes related to fibromyalgia (FM) development and its main comorbid symptoms, including sleep impairment, inflammation, depression and other psychiatric disorders. Epigenetic modifications might trigger or perpetuate complex interplay between pain transduction/transmission, central pain processing and experienced stressors in vulnerable individuals. METHODS We conducted DNA methylation analysis by targeted bisulfite NGS sequencing testing differential methylation in 112 genomic regions from leukocytes of eight women with FM and their eight healthy sisters as controls. RESULTS Tests for differentially methylated regions and cytosines brought focus on the GRM2 gene, encoding the metabotropic glutamate receptor2. The slightly increased DNA methylation observed in the GRM2 region of FM patients may confirm the involvement of the glutamate pathway in this pathological condition. Logistic regression highlighted the simultaneous association of methylation levels of depression and inflammation-related genes with FM. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, the results evidence the glutamate pathway involvement in FM and support the idea that a combination of methylated and unmethylated genes could represent a risk factor to FM or its consequence, more than single genes. Further studies on the identified biomarkers could contribute to unravel the causative underlying FM mechanisms, giving reliable directions to research, improving the diagnosis and effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Davide Carnevali
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma (UNIPR), Parma, Italy
| | - Inge Søkilde Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital and Aalborg University, Molecular Diagnostics, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Claudia Donnini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma (UNIPR), Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Manfredini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma (UNIPR), Parma, Italy
| | - Alberto González-Villar
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Yolanda Triñanes
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marina Pidal-Miranda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Møller Johansen L, Gerra MC, Arendt-Nielsen L. Time course of DNA methylation in pain conditions: From experimental models to humans. Eur J Pain 2020; 25:296-312. [PMID: 33063322 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1674] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Throughout the last decade, research has uncovered associations between pain and epigenetic alterations caused by environmental factors. Specifically, studies have demonstrated correlations between pain conditions and altered DNA methylation patterns. Thus, DNA methylation has been revealed as a possible modulator or contributor to pain conditions, providing a potential therapeutic target for treatment by DNA methylation modification. To develop such treatments, it is necessary to clarify a wide number of aspects on how DNA methylation affects pain perception; first and foremost, the temporal dynamics. The objective of the present review is to provide an overview of current knowledge on temporal dynamics of DNA methylation in response to pain, and to investigate if a timeframe can be established based on the data of currently published studies. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Embase were searched comprehensively for studies of DNA methylation in neuropathic, inflammatory and alternative animal pain models, and in chronic pain patients including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, chronic postsurgical pain, chronic widespread pain, fibromyalgia and Crohn's disease. RESULTS We identified 34 articles highlighting variations in temporal dynamics of DNA methylation across species and between different types of pain. These studies represent a starting point to uncover new insights in the DNA methylation time course in pain. CONCLUSIONS No timeframe can currently be made for the DNA methylation response to pain in any of the reviewed conditions, highlighting an important focus area for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonnie Møller Johansen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, The Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Maria Carla Gerra
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Gerra MC, Manfredini M, Cortese E, Antonioni MC, Leonardi C, Magnelli F, Somaini L, Jayanthi S, Cadet JL, Donnini C. Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Cannabis Use: Preliminary Results for the Role of Parental Care Perception. Subst Use Misuse 2019; 54:670-680. [PMID: 30663487 PMCID: PMC7643561 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1531430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vulnerability to cannabis use (CU) initiation and problematic use have been shown to be affected by both genetic and environmental factors, with still inconclusive and uncertain evidence. OBJECTIVE Aim of the present study was to investigate the possible interplay between gene polymorphisms and psychosocial conditions in CU susceptibility. METHODS Ninety-two cannabis users and ninety-three controls have been included in the study. Exclusion criteria were serious mental health disorders and severe somatic disorders, use of other drugs and alcohol abuse; control subjects were not screened to remove Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) behaviors. A candidate gene association study was performed, including variants related to dopaminergic and endocannabinoids pathways. Adverse childhood experiences and quality of parental care have been retrospectively explored utilizing ACES (Adverse Children Experience Scale), CECA-q (Child Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire), PBI (Parental Bonding Instrument). RESULTS Our findings evidenced a significant association between rs1800497 Taq1A of ANKK1 gene and CU. Parental care was found to be protective factor, with emotional and physical neglect specifically influencing CU. Gender also played a role in CU, with males smoking more than females. However, when tested together genotypes and psychosocial variables, the significance of observed genetic differences disappeared. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm a significant role of Taq1A polymorphism in CU vulnerability. A primary role of environmental factors in mediating genetic risk has been highlighted: parental care could be considered the main target to design early prevention programs and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- a Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Matteo Manfredini
- a Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Elena Cortese
- b Addiction Treatment Center, Local Health Service , Rome , Italy
| | | | - Claudio Leonardi
- b Addiction Treatment Center, Local Health Service , Rome , Italy
| | - Fernanda Magnelli
- d Addiction Treatment Centre, Local Health Service , Cosenza , Biella , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Somaini
- d Addiction Treatment Centre, Local Health Service , Cosenza , Biella , Italy
| | - Subramaniam Jayanthi
- e Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch , NIDA Intramural Research Program , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- e Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch , NIDA Intramural Research Program , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Claudia Donnini
- a Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
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Gerra MC, Jayanthi S, Manfredini M, Walther D, Schroeder J, Phillips KA, Cadet JL, Donnini C. Gene variants and educational attainment in cannabis use: mediating role of DNA methylation. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:23. [PMID: 29353877 PMCID: PMC5802451 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-017-0087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic and sociodemographic risk factors potentially associated with cannabis use (CU) were investigated in 40 cannabis users and 96 control subjects. DNA methylation analyses were also performed to explore the possibility of epigenetic changes related to CU. We conducted a candidate gene association study that included variants involved in the dopaminergic (ANKK1, NCAM1 genes) and endocannabinoid (CNR1, CNR2 gene) pathways. Sociodemographic data included gender, marital status, level of education, and body mass index. We used MeDIP-qPCR to test whether variations in DNA methylation might be associated with CU. We found a significant association between SNP rs1049353 of CNR1 gene (p = 0.01) and CU. Differences were also observed related to rs2501431 of CNR2 gene (p = 0.058). A higher education level appears to decrease the risk of CU. Interestingly, females were less likely to use cannabis than males. There was a significantly higher level of DNA methylation in cannabis users compared to controls in two of the genes tested: hypermethylation at exon 8 of DRD2 gene (p = 0.034) and at the CpG-rich region in the NCAM1 gene (p = 0.0004). Both genetic variants and educational attainment were also related to CU. The higher rate of DNA methylation, evidenced among cannabis users, may be either a marker of CU or a consequence of long-term exposure to cannabis. The identified genetic variants and the differentially methylated regions may represent biomarkers and/or potential targets for designs of pharmacological therapeutic agents. Our observations also suggest that educational programs may be useful strategies for CU prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Gerra
- 0000 0004 1758 0937grid.10383.39Department of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Subramaniam Jayanthi
- 0000 0004 0533 7147grid.420090.fMolecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Matteo Manfredini
- 0000 0004 1758 0937grid.10383.39Department of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Donna Walther
- 0000 0004 0533 7147grid.420090.fMolecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Jennifer Schroeder
- 0000 0004 0533 7147grid.420090.fOffice of the Clinical Director, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Karran A. Phillips
- 0000 0004 0533 7147grid.420090.fOffice of the Clinical Director, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Claudia Donnini
- 0000 0004 1758 0937grid.10383.39Department of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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