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Venkateswaran S, Somineni HK, Matthews JD, Kilaru V, Hyams JS, Denson LA, Kellamayer R, Gibson G, Cutler DJ, Conneely KN, Smith AK, Kugathasan S. Longitudinal DNA methylation profiling of the rectal mucosa identifies cell-specific signatures of disease status, severity and clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis cell-specific DNA methylation signatures of UC. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:50. [PMID: 36964596 PMCID: PMC10039532 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01462-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In peripheral blood, DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns in inflammatory bowel disease patients reflect inflammatory status rather than disease status. Here, we examined DNAm in diseased rectal mucosa from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, focusing on constituent cell types with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets for UC other than the immune system. We profiled DNAm of rectal mucosal biopsies of pediatric UC at diagnosis (n = 211) and non-IBD control (n = 85) patients and performed epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of specific cell types to understand DNAm changes in epithelial, immune and fibroblast cells across disease states, course, and clinical outcomes. We also examined longitudinal analysis on follow-up samples (n = 73), and comparisons were made among patients with clinical outcomes including those undergoing colectomy versus those who did not. Additionally, we included RNA-seq from the same subjects to assess the impact of CpG sites on the transcription of nearby genes during the disease course. RESULTS At diagnosis, UC rectal mucosa exhibited a lower proportion of epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and higher proportion of immune cells, in conjunction with variation in the DNAm pattern. While treatment had significant effects on the methylation signature of immune cells, its effects on fibroblasts and epithelial cells were attenuated. Individuals who required colectomy exhibited cell composition and DNAm patterns at follow-up more similar to disease onset than patients who did not require colectomy. Combining these results with gene expression profiles, we identify CpG sites whose methylation patterns are most consistent with a contribution to poor disease outcomes and could thus be potential therapeutic targets. CONCLUSIONS Cell-specific epigenetic changes in the rectal mucosa in UC are associated with disease severity and outcome. Current therapeutics may more effectively target the immune than the epithelial and fibroblast compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Venkateswaran
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, W-427, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Hari K Somineni
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, W-427, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jason D Matthews
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, W-427, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Hyams
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Lee A Denson
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Richard Kellamayer
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Texas Children's Hospital Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Greg Gibson
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David J Cutler
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Subra Kugathasan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, W-427, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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2
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Venkateswaran S, Somineni HK, Kilaru V, Katrinli S, Prince J, Okou DT, Hyams JS, Denson LA, Kellermayer R, Gibson G, Cutler DJ, Smith AK, Kugathasan S, Conneely KN. Methylation quantitative trait loci are largely consistent across disease states in Crohn’s disease. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics 2022; 12:6529543. [PMID: 35172000 PMCID: PMC8982416 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac041] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Recently, we identified 1,189 CpG sites whose DNA methylation level in blood associated with Crohn’s disease. Here, we examined associations between DNA methylation and genetic variants to identify methylation quantitative trait loci across disease states in (1) 402 blood samples from 164 newly diagnosed pediatric Crohn’s disease patients taken at 2 time points (diagnosis and follow-up), and 74 non-inflammatory bowel disease controls, (2) 780 blood samples from a non-Crohn’s disease adult population, and (3) 40 ileal biopsies (17 Crohn’s disease cases and 23 non-inflammatory bowel disease controls) from group (1). Genome-wide DNAm profiling and genotyping were performed using the Illumina MethylationEPIC and Illumina Multi-Ethnic arrays. SNP-CpG associations were identified via linear models adjusted for age, sex, disease status, disease subtype, estimated cell proportions, and genotype-based principal components. In total, we observed 535,448 SNP-CpG associations between 287,881 SNPs and 12,843 CpG sites (P < 8.21 × 10−14). Associations were highly consistent across different ages, races, disease states, and tissue types, suggesting that the majority of these methylation quantitative trait loci participate in common gene regulation. However, genes near CpGs associated with inflammatory bowel disease SNPs were enriched for 18 KEGG pathways relevant to inflammatory bowel disease-linked immune function and inflammatory responses. We observed suggestive evidence for a small number of tissue-specific associations and disease-specific associations in ileum, though larger studies will be needed to confirm these results. Our study concludes that the vast majority of blood-derived methylation quantitative trait loci are common across individuals, though a subset may be involved in processes related to Crohn’s disease. Independent cohort studies will be required to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Venkateswaran
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine & Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Hari K Somineni
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine & Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Seyma Katrinli
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jarod Prince
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine & Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - David T Okou
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine & Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Hyams
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT 06032, USA
| | - Lee A Denson
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Richard Kellermayer
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Texas Children's Hospital Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Greg Gibson
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - David J Cutler
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Subra Kugathasan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine & Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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3
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Katrinli S, Zheng Y, Gautam A, Hammamieh R, Yang R, Venkateswaran S, Kilaru V, Lori A, Hinrichs R, Powers A, Gillespie CF, Wingo AP, Michopoulos V, Jovanovic T, Wolf EJ, McGlinchey RE, Milberg WP, Miller MW, Kugathasan S, Jett M, Logue MW, Ressler KJ, Smith AK. PTSD is associated with increased DNA methylation across regions of HLA-DPB1 and SPATC1L. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 91:429-436. [PMID: 33152445 PMCID: PMC7749859 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and arousal symptoms that adversely affect mental and physical health. Recent evidence links changes in DNA methylation of CpG cites to PTSD. Since clusters of proximal CpGs share similar methylation signatures, identification of PTSD-associated differentially methylated regions (DMRs) may elucidate the pathways defining differential risk and resilience of PTSD. Here we aimed to identify epigenetic differences associated with PTSD. DNA methylation data profiled from blood samples using the MethylationEPIC BeadChip were used to perform a DMR analysis in 187 PTSD cases and 367 trauma-exposed controls from the Grady Trauma Project (GTP). DMRs were assessed with R package bumphunter. We identified two regions that associate with PTSD after multiple test correction. These regions were in the gene body of HLA-DPB1 and in the promoter of SPATC1L. The DMR in HLA-DPB1 was associated with PTSD in an independent cohort. Both DMRs included CpGs whose methylation associated with nearby sequence variation (meQTL) and that associated with expression of their respective genes (eQTM). This study supports an emerging literature linking PTSD risk to genetic and epigenetic variation in the HLA region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyma Katrinli
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuanchao Zheng
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aarti Gautam
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Rasha Hammamieh
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Ruoting Yang
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Suresh Venkateswaran
- Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adriana Lori
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca Hinrichs
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Charles F Gillespie
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aliza P Wingo
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA; Division of Mental Health, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Wayne State University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Erika J Wolf
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Regina E McGlinchey
- Geriatric Research Educational and Clinical Center and Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders, Boston, USA; VA Boston Health Care System, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William P Milberg
- Geriatric Research Educational and Clinical Center and Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders, Boston, USA; VA Boston Health Care System, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark W Miller
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Subra Kugathasan
- Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marti Jett
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Mark W Logue
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Boston, MA, USA; National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Biomedical Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA; Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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4
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Duvall R, Hagler G, Clements A, Benedict K, Barkjohn K, Kilaru V, Hanley T, Watkins N, Kaufman A, Kamal A, Reece S, Fransioli P, Gerboles M, Gillerman G, Habre R, Hannigan M, Ning Z, Papapostolou V, Pope R, Quintana P, Snyder JL. Deliberating Performance Targets: Follow-on workshop discussing PM 10, NO 2, CO, and SO 2 air sensor targets. Atmos Environ (1994) 2021; 246:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118099. [PMID: 33746555 PMCID: PMC7970457 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118099] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The use of air sensor technology is increasing worldwide for a variety of applications, however, with significant variability in data quality. The United States Environmental Protection Agency held a workshop in July 2019 to deliberate possible performance targets for air sensors measuring particles with aerodynamic diameters of 10 μm or less (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). These performance targets were discussed from the perspective of non-regulatory applications and with the sensors operating primarily in a stationary mode in outdoor environments. Attendees included representatives from multiple levels of government organizations, sensor developers, environmental nonprofits, international organizations, and academia. The workshop addressed the current lack of sensor technology requirements, discussed fit-for-purpose data quality needs, and debated transparency issues. This paper highlights the purpose and key outcomes of the workshop. While more information on performance and applications of sensors is available than in past years, the performance metrics, or parameters used to describe data quality, vary among the studies reports and there is a need for more clear and consistent approaches for evaluating sensor performance. Organizations worldwide are increasingly considering, or are in the process of developing, sensor performance targets and testing protocols. Workshop participants suggested that these new guidelines are highly desirable, would help improve data quality, and would give users more confidence in their data. Given the wide variety of uses for sensors and user backgrounds, as well as varied sensor design features (e.g., communication approaches, data tools, processing/adjustment algorithms and calibration procedures), the need for transparency was a key workshop theme. Suggestions for increasing transparency included documenting and sharing testing and performance data, detailing best practices, and sharing data processing and correction approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.M. Duvall
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - G.S.W. Hagler
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - A.L. Clements
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - K. Benedict
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - K. Barkjohn
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - V. Kilaru
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - T. Hanley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - N. Watkins
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - A. Kaufman
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - A. Kamal
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - S. Reece
- Former Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - P. Fransioli
- Clark County Department of Air Quality, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - M. Gerboles
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - G. Gillerman
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Standards Coordination Office, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - R. Habre
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M. Hannigan
- University of Colorado-Boulder, Mechanical Engineering Department, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Z. Ning
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - V. Papapostolou
- South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar, CA, USA
| | - R. Pope
- Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - P.J.E. Quintana
- San Diego State University, School of Public Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - J. Lam Snyder
- Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Sacramento, CA, USA
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5
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Smith AK, Ratanatharathorn A, Maihofer AX, Naviaux RK, Aiello AE, Amstadter AB, Ashley-Koch AE, Baker DG, Beckham JC, Boks MP, Bromet E, Dennis M, Galea S, Garrett ME, Geuze E, Guffanti G, Hauser MA, Katrinli S, Kilaru V, Kessler RC, Kimbrel NA, Koenen KC, Kuan PF, Li K, Logue MW, Lori A, Luft BJ, Miller MW, Naviaux JC, Nugent NR, Qin X, Ressler KJ, Risbrough VB, Rutten BPF, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Vermetten E, Vinkers CH, Wang L, Youssef NA, Uddin M, Nievergelt CM. Epigenome-wide meta-analysis of PTSD across 10 military and civilian cohorts identifies methylation changes in AHRR. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5965. [PMID: 33235198 PMCID: PMC7686485 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19615-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [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: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic differences may help to distinguish between PTSD cases and trauma-exposed controls. Here, we describe the results of the largest DNA methylation meta-analysis of PTSD to date. Ten cohorts, military and civilian, contribute blood-derived DNA methylation data from 1,896 PTSD cases and trauma-exposed controls. Four CpG sites within the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) associate with PTSD after adjustment for multiple comparisons, with lower DNA methylation in PTSD cases relative to controls. Although AHRR methylation is known to associate with smoking, the AHRR association with PTSD is most pronounced in non-smokers, suggesting the result was independent of smoking status. Evaluation of metabolomics data reveals that AHRR methylation associated with kynurenine levels, which are lower among subjects with PTSD. This study supports epigenetic differences in those with PTSD and suggests a role for decreased kynurenine as a contributor to immune dysregulation in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K Smith
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Adam X Maihofer
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert K Naviaux
- University of California, The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Pathology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Allison E Aiello
- University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ananda B Amstadter
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Psychiatry, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Allison E Ashley-Koch
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dewleen G Baker
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jean C Beckham
- VA Mid-Atlantic, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Veterans Affairs Durham Healthcare System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marco P Boks
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Evelyn Bromet
- State University of New York at Stony Brook, Epidemiology Research Group, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Dennis
- VA Mid-Atlantic, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sandro Galea
- Boston University, School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melanie E Garrett
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Elbert Geuze
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Ministry of Defence, Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guia Guffanti
- McLean Hospital, Division of Depression and Anxiety, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Hauser
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University, Department of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Seyma Katrinli
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Nathan A Kimbrel
- VA Mid-Atlantic, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Veterans Affairs Durham Healthcare System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, and Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Pei-Fen Kuan
- State University of New York at Stony Brook, Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Kefeng Li
- University of California, The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Department of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mark W Logue
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriana Lori
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Benjamin J Luft
- State University of New York at Stony Brook, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Mark W Miller
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jane C Naviaux
- University of California, The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Department of Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicole R Nugent
- Brown University, Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Department of Pediatric Research, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Xuejun Qin
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
- McLean Hospital, Division of Depression and Anxiety, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victoria B Risbrough
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Maastricht University Medical Centre, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Murray B Stein
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- University of California San Diego, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric Vermetten
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Defense Department, Research Center, Utrecht, UT, The Netherlands
- Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lin Wang
- University of California, The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Department of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nagy A Youssef
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and Office of Academic Affairs, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, CA, USA
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6
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Katrinli S, Stevens J, Wani AH, Lori A, Kilaru V, van Rooij SJH, Hinrichs R, Powers A, Gillespie CF, Michopoulos V, Gautam A, Jett M, Hammamieh R, Yang R, Wildman D, Qu A, Koenen K, Aiello AE, Jovanovic T, Uddin M, Ressler KJ, Smith AK. Evaluating the impact of trauma and PTSD on epigenetic prediction of lifespan and neural integrity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1609-1616. [PMID: 32380512 PMCID: PMC7421899 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0700-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder that develops in some people following trauma exposure. Trauma and PTSD have been associated with accelerated cellular aging. This study evaluated the effect of trauma and PTSD on accelerated GrimAge, an epigenetic predictor of lifespan, in traumatized civilians. This study included 218 individuals with current PTSD, 427 trauma-exposed controls without any history of PTSD and 209 subjects with lifetime PTSD history who are not categorized as current PTSD cases. The Traumatic Events Inventory (TEI) and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) were used to measure lifetime trauma burden and PTSD, respectively. DNA from whole blood was interrogated using the MethylationEPIC or HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. GrimAge estimates were calculated using the methylation age calculator. Cortical thickness of 69 female subjects was assessed by using T1-weighted structural MRI images. Associations between trauma exposure, PTSD, cortical thickness, and GrimAge acceleration were tested with multiple regression models. Lifetime trauma burden (p = 0.03), current PTSD (p = 0.02) and lifetime PTSD (p = 0.005) were associated with GrimAge acceleration, indicative of a shorter predicted lifespan. The association with lifetime PTSD was replicated in an independent cohort (p = 0.04). In the MRI sub sample, GrimAge acceleration also associated with cortical atrophy in the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex (padj = 0.03) and right posterior cingulate (padj = 0.04), brain areas associated with emotion-regulation and threat-regulation. Our findings suggest that lifetime trauma and PTSD may contribute to a higher epigenetic-based mortality risk. We also demonstrate a relationship between cortical atrophy in PTSD-relevant brain regions and shorter predicted lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyma Katrinli
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Agaz H Wani
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sanne J H van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca Hinrichs
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Charles F Gillespie
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aarti Gautam
- Integrative Systems Biology, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Marti Jett
- Integrative Systems Biology, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Rasha Hammamieh
- Integrative Systems Biology, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Ruoting Yang
- Integrative Systems Biology, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
- The Geneva Foundation, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Derek Wildman
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Annie Qu
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Karestan Koenen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit (PNGU), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison E Aiello
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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7
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Curtis SW, Cobb DO, Kilaru V, Terrell ML, Marder ME, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Marcus M, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Genome-wide DNA methylation differences and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure in a US population. Epigenetics 2020; 16:338-352. [PMID: 32660331 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1795605] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), an endocrine-disrupting compound, is ubiquitous despite decades-old bans on the manufacture and use of PCBs. Increased exposure to PCBs is associated with adverse health consequences throughout life, including type 2 diabetes and cancer. PCB exposure is also associated with alterations in epigenetic marks and gene transcription, which could lead to adverse health outcomes, but many of these are population-specific. To further investigate the association between PCB and epigenetic marks, DNA methylation was measured at 787,684 CpG sites in 641 peripheral blood samples from the Michigan Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) Registry. 1345 CpGs were associated with increased total PCB level after controlling for age, sex, and 24 surrogate variables (FDR < 0.05). These CpGs were enriched in active promoter and transcription associated regions (p < 0.05), and in regions around the binding sites for transcription factors involved in xenobiotic metabolism and immune function (FDR < 0.05). PCB exposure also associated with proportions of CD4T, NK, and granulocyte cell types, and with the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p < 0.05), and the estimated effect sizes of PCB on the epigenome were correlated with the effect sizes previously reported in an epigenome-wide study of C-reactive protein (r = 0.29; p = 2.22e-5), supporting previous studies on the association between PCB and immune dysfunction. These results indicate that PCB exposure is associated with differences in epigenetic marks in active regions of the genome, and future work should investigate whether these may mediate the association between PCB and health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W Curtis
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dawayland O Cobb
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Metrecia L Terrell
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Marder
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michele Marcus
- Departments of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics Emory University School of Medicine, Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics & Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
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8
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Curtis SW, Gerkowicz SA, Cobb DO, Kilaru V, Terrell ML, Marder ME, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Marcus M, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Sex-specific DNA methylation differences in people exposed to polybrominated biphenyl. Epigenomics 2020; 12:757-770. [PMID: 32496131 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Michigan residents were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) when it was accidentally added to the food supply. Highly exposed individuals report sex-specific health problems, but the underlying biological mechanism behind these different health risks is not known. Materials and methods: DNA methylation in blood from 381 women and 277 men with PBB exposure was analyzed with the MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Results: 675 CpGs were associated with PBBs levels in males, while only 17 CpGs were associated in females (false discovery rate <0.05). No CpGs were associated in both sexes. These CpGs were enriched in different functional regions and transcription factor binding sites in each sex. Conclusion: Exposure to PBBs may have sex-specific effects on the epigenome that may underlie sex-specific adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W Curtis
- Genetics & Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Ste 4217, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sabrina A Gerkowicz
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Ste 4217, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dawayland O Cobb
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Ste 4217, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Ste 4217, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Metrecia L Terrell
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Marder
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Michele Marcus
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Pediatrics Emory University School of Medicine, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Ste 4217, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Ste 4217, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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9
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Kilaru V, Knight AK, Katrinli S, Cobb D, Lori A, Gillespie CF, Maihofer AX, Nievergelt CM, Dunlop AL, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Critical evaluation of copy number variant calling methods using DNA methylation. Genet Epidemiol 2019; 44:148-158. [PMID: 31737926 PMCID: PMC7028453 DOI: 10.1002/gepi.22269] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent technological and methodological developments have enabled the use of array-based DNA methylation data to call copy number variants (CNVs). ChAMP, Conumee, and cnAnalysis450k are popular methods currently used to call CNVs using methylation data. However, so far, no studies have analyzed the reliability of these methods using real samples. Data from a cohort of individuals with genotype and DNA methylation data generated using the HumanMethylation450 and MethylationEPIC BeadChips were used to assess the consistency between the CNV calls generated by methylation and genotype data. We also took advantage of repeated measures of methylation data collected from the same individuals to compare the reliability of CNVs called by ChAMP, Conumee, and cnAnalysis450k for both the methylation arrays. ChAMP identified more CNVs than Conumee and cnAnalysis450k for both the arrays and, as a consequence, had a higher overlap (~62%) with the calls from the genotype data. However, all methods had relatively low reliability. For the MethylationEPIC array, Conumee had the highest reliability (57.6%), whereas for the HumanMethylation450 array, cnAnalysis450k had the highest reliability (43.0%). Overall, the MethylationEPIC array provided significant gains in reliability for CNV calling over the HumanMethylation450 array but not for overlap with CNVs called using genotype data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anna K Knight
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Seyma Katrinli
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dawayland Cobb
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Charles F Gillespie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Adam X Maihofer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.,Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California.,Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | - Anne L Dunlop
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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10
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Katrinli S, Lori A, Kilaru V, Carter S, Powers A, Gillespie CF, Wingo AP, Michopoulos V, Jovanovic T, Ressler KJ, Smith AK. Association of HLA locus alleles with posttraumatic stress disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 81:655-658. [PMID: 31310798 PMCID: PMC6754776 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.07.016] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune dysregulation has been widely observed in those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An individual's immune response is shaped, in part, by the highly polymorphic Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) locus that is associated with major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between common HLA alleles and PTSD. METHODS Genome-wide association data was used to predict alleles of 7 classical polymorphic HLA genes (A, B, C, DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPB1) in 403 lifetime PTSD cases and 369 trauma exposed controls of African ancestry. Association of HLA allelic variations with lifetime PTSD was analyzed using logistic regression, controlling for ancestry, sex and multiple comparisons. The effect of HLA alleles on gene expression was assessed by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), using 353 subjects with available expression data. Enrichment analysis was performed using anRichment to identify associated pathways of each module. RESULTS HLA-B*58:01 (p = 0.035), HLA-C*07:01 (p = 0.035), HLA-DQA1*01:01 (p = 0.003), HLA-DQB1*05:01 (p = 0.009) and HLA-DPB1*17:01 (p = 0.017) were more common in PTSD cases, while HLA-A*02:01 (p = 0.026), HLA-DQA1*05:05 (p = 0.011) and HLA-DRB1*11:01 (p < 0.001) were more frequent in controls. WGCNA was used to explore expression patterns of the PTSD related alleles. Gene expression modules of PTSD-related HLA alleles were enriched in various pathways, including pathways related to immune and neural activity. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report an association of HLA alleles with PTSD. Altogether, our results support the link between the immune system, brain and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyma Katrinli
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Adriana Lori
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sierra Carter
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Charles F. Gillespie
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aliza P. Wingo
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA,Division of Mental Health, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA,Corresponding author: Dr Alicia K Smith,
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11
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Curtis SW, Cobb DO, Kilaru V, Terrell ML, Marder ME, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Marcus M, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Environmental exposure to polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) associates with an increased rate of biological aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:5498-5517. [PMID: 31375641 PMCID: PMC6710070 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Advanced age increases risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. However, people do not age at the same rate, and biological age (frequently measured through DNA methylation) can be older than chronological age. Environmental factors have been associated with the rate of biological aging, but it is not known whether persistent endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) like polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) would associate with age acceleration. Three different epigenetic age acceleration measures (intrinsic, extrinsic, and phenotypic) were calculated from existing epigenetic data in whole blood from a population highly exposed to PBB (N=658). Association between serum PBB concentration and these measures was tested, controlling for sex, lipid levels, and estimated cell type proportions. Higher PBB levels associated with increased age acceleration (intrinsic: β=0.24, 95%CI=0.01-0.46, p = 0.03; extrinsic: β=0.39, 95%CI=0.12-0.65, p = 0.004; and phenotypic: β=0.30, 95%CI=0.05-0.54, p = 0.01). Neither age when exposed to PBB nor sex statistically interacted with PBB to predict age acceleration, but, in stratified analyses, the association between PBB and age acceleration was only in people exposed before finishing puberty and in men. This suggests that EDCs can associate with the biological aging process, and further studies are warranted to investigate other environmental pollutants' effect on aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W. Curtis
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dawayland O. Cobb
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Metrecia L. Terrell
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - M. Elizabeth Marder
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Michele Marcus
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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12
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Curtis SW, Cobb DO, Kilaru V, Terrell ML, Marder ME, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Marcus M, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Exposure to polybrominated biphenyl and stochastic epigenetic mutations: application of a novel epigenetic approach to environmental exposure in the Michigan polybrominated biphenyl registry. Epigenetics 2019; 14:1003-1018. [PMID: 31200609 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1629232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds are associated with altered epigenetic regulation and adverse health outcomes, although inconsistent results suggest that people have varied responses to the same exposure. Interpersonal variation in response to environmental exposures is not identified using standard, population-based methods. However, methods that capture an individual's response, such as analyzing stochastic epigenetic mutations (SEMs), may capture currently missed effects of environmental exposure. To test whether polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) was associated with SEMs, DNA methylation was measured using Illumina's MethylationEPIC array in PBB-exposed individuals, and SEMs were identified. Association was tested using a linear regression with robust sandwich variance estimators, controlling for age, sex, lipids, and cell types. The number of SEMs was variable (range: 119-18,309), and positively associated with age (p = 1.23e-17), but not with sex (p = 0.97). PBBs and SEMs were only positively associated in people who were older when they were exposed (p = 0.02 vs. p = 0.91). Many subjects had SEMs enriched in biological pathways, particularly in pathways involved with xenobiotic metabolism and endocrine function. Higher number of SEMs was also associated with higher age acceleration (intrinsic: p = 1.70e-3; extrinsic: p = 3.59e-11), indicating that SEMs may be associated with age-related health problems. Finding an association between environmental contaminants and higher SEMs may provide insight into individual differences in response to environmental contaminants, as well as into the biological mechanism behind SEM formation. Furthermore, these results suggest that people may be particularly vulnerable to epigenetic dysregulation from environmental exposures as they age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W Curtis
- a Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Dawayland O Cobb
- b Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- b Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Metrecia L Terrell
- c Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - M Elizabeth Marder
- d Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- d Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- d Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Michele Marcus
- e Departments of Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, and Department of Pediatrics Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- f Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- g Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics & Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
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13
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Somineni HK, Venkateswaran S, Kilaru V, Marigorta UM, Mo A, Okou DT, Kellermayer R, Mondal K, Cobb D, Walters TD, Griffiths A, Noe JD, Crandall WV, Rosh JR, Mack DR, Heyman MB, Baker SS, Stephens MC, Baldassano RN, Markowitz JF, Dubinsky MC, Cho J, Hyams JS, Denson LA, Gibson G, Cutler DJ, Conneely KN, Smith AK, Kugathasan S. Blood-Derived DNA Methylation Signatures of Crohn's Disease and Severity of Intestinal Inflammation. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:2254-2265.e3. [PMID: 30779925 PMCID: PMC6529254 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.01.270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Crohn's disease is a relapsing and remitting inflammatory disorder with a variable clinical course. Although most patients present with an inflammatory phenotype (B1), approximately 20% of patients rapidly progress to complicated disease, which includes stricturing (B2), within 5 years. We analyzed DNA methylation patterns in blood samples of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease at diagnosis and later time points to identify changes that associate with and might contribute to disease development and progression. METHODS We obtained blood samples from 164 pediatric patients (1-17 years old) with Crohn's disease (B1 or B2) who participated in a North American study and were followed for 5 years. Participants without intestinal inflammation or symptoms served as controls (n = 74). DNA methylation patterns were analyzed in samples collected at time of diagnosis and 1-3 years later at approximately 850,000 sites. We used genetic association and the concept of Mendelian randomization to identify changes in DNA methylation patterns that might contribute to the development of or result from Crohn's disease. RESULTS We identified 1189 5'-cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-3' (CpG) sites that were differentially methylated between patients with Crohn's disease (at diagnosis) and controls. Methylation changes at these sites correlated with plasma levels of C-reactive protein. A comparison of methylation profiles of DNA collected at diagnosis of Crohn's disease vs during the follow-up period showed that, during treatment, alterations identified in methylation profiles at the time of diagnosis of Crohn's disease more closely resembled patterns observed in controls, irrespective of disease progression to B2. We identified methylation changes at 3 CpG sites that might contribute to the development of Crohn's disease. Most CpG methylation changes associated with Crohn's disease disappeared with treatment of inflammation and might be a result of Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS Methylation patterns observed in blood samples from patients with Crohn's disease accompany acute inflammation; with treatment, these change to resemble methylation patterns observed in patients without intestinal inflammation. These findings indicate that Crohn's disease-associated patterns of DNA methylation observed in blood samples are a result of the inflammatory features of the disease and are less likely to contribute to disease development or progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari K Somineni
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Suresh Venkateswaran
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Urko M Marigorta
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Angela Mo
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David T Okou
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Richard Kellermayer
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Kajari Mondal
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dawayland Cobb
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Thomas D Walters
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne Griffiths
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua D Noe
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Wallace V Crandall
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Joel R Rosh
- Department of Pediatrics, Goryeb Children's Hospital, Morristown, New Jersey
| | - David R Mack
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario IBD Centre and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melvin B Heyman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Susan S Baker
- Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Michael C Stephens
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Robert N Baldassano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Marla C Dubinsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Judy Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Jeffrey S Hyams
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
| | - Lee A Denson
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Greg Gibson
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David J Cutler
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Subra Kugathasan
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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14
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Curtis S, Kilaru V, Cobb D, Terrell M, Marsit C, Marcus M, Conneely K, Smith A. OR23-2 Increased Exposure to Brominated Flame Retardant Associates with Differences in DNA Methylation Similar to Natural Estrogen. J Endocr Soc 2019. [PMCID: PMC6554975 DOI: 10.1210/js.2019-or23-2] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1973, approximately 6.5 million Michigan residents were exposed to an industrial mixture of polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), an endocrine-disrupting compound, when it was added to farm animal feed during a factory accident. Highly exposed individuals and their children have numerous endocrine-related health problems, including genitourinary conditions, spontaneous abortions, and early puberty, though the underlying mechanism behind these health problems remains unknown. Other endocrine-disrupting compounds have been linked to epigenetic differences, but no epigenetic studies have been done for PBB. In this study, DNA from the blood of individuals with PBB exposure was interrogated with the MethylationEPIC BeadChip (N = 658). Associations between each of the ~850,000 CpG sites and current, serum PBB levels were tested with a linear regression that controlled for age, sex, lipid levels, and cell type proportions. After multiple test correction (FDR <0.05), 1890 CpG sites associated with total PBB levels. These CpGs were not enriched in any particular biological pathway, but were enriched in enhancer and insulator regions, and depleted in regions near the transcription start site or in CpG islands (p < 0.05). In order to better understand the function of the enhancers that were enriched, PBB-associated CpGs were also interrogated for transcription factor binding sites, correlations with hormones, and links to gene expression. They were also more likely to be in ARNT and ESR2 transcription factor binding sites (p = 3.27e-23 and p = 1.62e-6, respectively), and there was significant overlap between CpGs associated with PBB and CpGs associated with estrogen (p <2.2e-16). PBB-associated CpGs were also enriched for CpGs known to be associated with gene expression in blood (eQTMs) (p <0.05). These eQTMs were associated with the expression of genes that were enriched for pathways related to endocrine-related autoimmune disease (FDR <0.05). Taken together, these results indicate that exposure to PBB is associated with differences in epigenetic marks that suggest that it is acting similarly to estrogen and is associated with endocrine-related autoimmune pathways.
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15
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Williams R, Duvall R, Kilaru V, Hagler G, Hassinger L, Benedict K, Rice J, Kaufman A, Judge R, Pierce G, Allen G, Bergin M, Cohen R, Fransioli P, Gerboles M, Habre R, Hannigan M, Jack D, Louie P, Martin N, Penza M, Polidori A, Subramanian R, Ray K, Schauer J, Seto E, Thurston G, Turner J, Wexler A, Ning Z. Deliberating performance targets workshop: Potential paths for emerging PM 2.5 and O 3 air sensor progress. Atmos Environ X 2019; 2:100031. [PMID: 34322666 PMCID: PMC8314253 DOI: 10.1016/j.aeaoa.2019.100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The United States Environmental Protection Agency held an international two-day workshop in June 2018 to deliberate possible performance targets for non-regulatory fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) air sensors. The need for a workshop arose from the lack of any market-wide manufacturer requirement for Ozone documented sensor performance evaluations, the lack of any independent third party or government-based sensor performance certification program, and uncertainty among all users as to the general usability of air sensor data. A multi-sector subject matter expert panel was assembled to facilitate an open discussion on these issues with multiple stakeholders. This summary provides an overview of the workshop purpose, key findings from the deliberations, and considerations for future actions specific to sensors. Important findings concerning PM2.5 and O3 sensors included the lack of consistent performance indicators and statistical metrics as well as highly variable data quality requirements depending on the intended use. While the workshop did not attempt to yield consensus on any topic, a key message was that a number of possible future actions would be beneficial to all stakeholders regarding sensor technologies. These included documentation of best practices, sharing quality assurance results along with sensor data, and the development of a common performance target lexicon, performance targets, and test protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Williams
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - R. Duvall
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Corresponding author. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD E343-02, Research Triangle Park,
NC 27711, USA. (R. Duvall)
| | - V. Kilaru
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - G. Hagler
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - L. Hassinger
- Former Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
(ORISE) staff assigned to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - K. Benedict
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - J. Rice
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - A. Kaufman
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - R. Judge
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, North
Chelmsford, MA, USA
| | - G. Pierce
- Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment,
Denver, CO, USA
| | - G. Allen
- Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management,
Boston, MA, USA
| | - M. Bergin
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC,
USA
| | - R.C. Cohen
- College of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley,
Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - P. Fransioli
- Clark County Department of Air Quality (Nevada), Las Vegas,
NV, USA
| | - M. Gerboles
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra,
Italy
| | - R. Habre
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern
California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M. Hannigan
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of
Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - D. Jack
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New
York, NY, USA
| | - P. Louie
- Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong,
China
| | - N.A. Martin
- National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex,
United Kingdom
| | - M. Penza
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and
Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Brindisi Research Center, Brindisi,
Italy
- European Network on New Sensing Technologies for
Air-Pollution Control and Environmental Sustainability (EuNetAir), Brindisi,
Italy
| | - A. Polidori
- South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar,
CA, USA
| | - R. Subramanian
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - K. Ray
- Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Nespelem,
WAashington, USA
| | - J. Schauer
- College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI, USA
| | - E. Seto
- School of Public Health, University of Washington,
Seattle, WA, USA
| | - G. Thurston
- School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY,
USA
| | - J. Turner
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Washington
University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - A.S. Wexler
- Air Quality Research Center, University of
California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Z. Ning
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong,
China
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16
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Curtis SW, Cobb DO, Kilaru V, Terrell ML, Kennedy EM, Marder ME, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Marcus M, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Exposure to polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) associates with genome-wide DNA methylation differences in peripheral blood. Epigenetics 2019; 14:52-66. [PMID: 30676242 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1565590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [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] Open
Abstract
In 1973, Michigan residents were exposed to polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) when it was accidentally added to farm animal feed. Highly exposed individuals and their children have experienced endocrine-related health problems, though the underlying mechanism behind these remains unknown. We investigated whether PBB exposure is associated with variation in DNA methylation in peripheral blood samples from 658 participants of the Michigan PBB registry using the MethylationEPIC BeadChip, as well as investigated what the potential function of the affected regions are and whether these epigenetic marks are known to associate with endocrine system pathways. After multiple test correction (FDR <0.05), 1890 CpG sites associated with total PBB levels. These CpGs were not enriched in any particular biological pathway, but were enriched in enhancer and insulator regions, and depleted in regions near the transcription start site or in CpG islands (p < 0.05). They were also more likely to be in ARNT and ESR2 transcription factor binding sites (p = 3.27e-23 and p = 1.62e-6, respectively), and there was significant overlap between CpGs associated with PBB and CpGs associated with estrogen (p < 2.2e-16). PBB-associated CpGs were also enriched for CpGs known to be associated with gene expression in blood (eQTMs) (p < 0.05). These eQTMs were enriched for pathways related to immune function and endocrine-related autoimmune disease (FDR <0.05). These results indicate that exposure to PBB is associated with differences in epigenetic marks that suggest that it is acting similarly to estrogen and is associated with dysregulated immune system pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W Curtis
- a Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate SchoolLaney Graduate School , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Dawayland O Cobb
- b Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- b Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Metrecia L Terrell
- c Department of Epidemiology , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Elizabeth M Kennedy
- d Department of Environmental Health , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - M Elizabeth Marder
- d Department of Environmental Health , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- d Department of Environmental Health , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- d Department of Environmental Health , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Michele Marcus
- e Departments of Epidemiology, Environmental Health , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , GA , USA.,f Department of Pediatrics , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- g Department of Human Genetics , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- a Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate SchoolLaney Graduate School , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA.,b Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA.,h Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
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17
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Shade DC, Park HJ, Hausman DB, Hohos N, Meagher RB, Kauwell GPA, Kilaru V, Lewis RD, Smith AK, Bailey LB. DNA Methylation Changes in Whole Blood and CD16+ Neutrophils in Response to Chronic Folic Acid Supplementation in Women of Childbearing Age. INT J VITAM NUTR RES 2018; 87:271-278. [PMID: 30499755 DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Folate, a water-soluble vitamin, is a key source of one-carbon groups for DNA methylation, but studies of the DNA methylation response to supplemental folic acid yield inconsistent results. These studies are commonly conducted using whole blood, which contains a mixed population of white blood cells that have been shown to confound results. The objective of this study was to determine if CD16+ neutrophils may provide more specific data than whole blood for identifying DNA methylation response to chronic folic acid supplementation. The study was performed in normal weight (BMI 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2) women (18 - 35 y; n = 12), with blood samples taken before and after 8 weeks of folic acid supplementation at 800 μg/day. DNA methylation patterns from whole blood and isolated CD16+ neutrophils were measured across >485,000 CpG sites throughout the genome using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Over the course of the 8-week supplementation, 6746 and 7513 CpG sites changed (p < 0.05) in whole blood and CD16+ neutrophils, respectively. DNA methylation decreased in 68.4% (whole blood) and 71.8% (CD16+ neutrophils) of these sites. There were only 182 CpG sites that changed in both the whole blood and CD16+ neutrophils, 139 of which changed in the same direction. These results suggest that the genome-wide DNA methylation response to chronic folic acid supplementation is different between whole blood and CD16+ neutrophils and that a single white blood cell type may function as a more specific epigenetic reporter of folate status than whole blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna C Shade
- a Co-first authors; these authors contributed equally.,1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Hea Jin Park
- a Co-first authors; these authors contributed equally.,1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Dorothy B Hausman
- 1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Natalie Hohos
- 1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Gail P A Kauwell
- 3 Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- 4 Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Richard D Lewis
- 1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- 4 Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lynn B Bailey
- 1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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18
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Knight AK, Dunlop AL, Kilaru V, Cobb D, Corwin EJ, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Characterization of gene expression changes over healthy term pregnancies. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204228. [PMID: 30303981 PMCID: PMC6179206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, women experience numerous physiological changes but, to date, there is limited published data that characterize accompanying changes in gene expression over pregnancy. This study sought to characterize the complexity of the transcriptome over the course of pregnancy among women with healthy pregnancies. Subjects provided a venous blood sample during early (6-15 weeks) and late (22-33 weeks) pregnancy, which was used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells prior to RNA extraction. Gene expression was examined for 63 women with uncomplicated, term deliveries. We evaluated the association between weeks gestation at sample collection and expression of each transcript. Of the 16,311 transcripts evaluated, 439 changed over pregnancy after a Bonferroni correction to account for multiple comparisons. Genes whose expression increased over pregnancy were associated with oxygen transport, the immune system, and host response to bacteria. Characterization of changes in the transcriptome over the course of healthy term pregnancies may enable the identification of genes whose expression predicts complications or adverse outcomes of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Knight
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Dawayland Cobb
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth J. Corwin
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Hohos NM, Smith AK, Kilaru V, Park HJ, Hausman DB, Bailey LB, Lewis RD, Phillips BG, Meagher RB. CD4 + and CD8 + T-Cell-Specific DNA Cytosine Methylation Differences Associated With Obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2018; 26:1312-1321. [PMID: 29956501 PMCID: PMC6107382 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lifestyle factors associated with obesity may alter epigenome-regulated gene expression. Most studies examining epigenetic changes in obesity have analyzed DNA 5´-methylcytosine (5mC) in whole blood, representing a weighted average of several distantly related and regulated leukocyte classes. To examine leukocyte-specific differences associated with obesity, a pilot study examining 5mC in three distinct leukocyte types isolated from peripheral blood of women with normal weight and obesity was conducted. METHODS CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD16+ neutrophils were reiteratively isolated from blood, and 5mC levels were measured across >450,000 CG sites. RESULTS Nineteen CG sites were differentially methylated between women with obesity and with normal weight in CD4+ cells, 16 CG sites in CD8+ cells, and 0 CG sites in CD16+ neutrophils (q < 0.05). There were no common differentially methylated sites between the T-cell types. The amount of visceral adipose tissue was strongly associated with the methylation level of 79 CG sites in CD4+ cells, including 4 CG sites in CLSTN1's promoter, which, this study shows, may regulate its expression. CONCLUSIONS The methylomes of various leukocytes respond differently to obesity and levels of visceral adipose tissue. Highly significant differentially methylated sites in CD4+ and CD8+ cells in women with obesity that have apparent biological relevance to obesity were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Hohos
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Corresponding Author: 120 Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7223
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Physciatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Physciatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hea Jin Park
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Dorothy B Hausman
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lynn B Bailey
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Richard D Lewis
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Bradley G Phillips
- Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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20
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Bhavnani SK, Dang B, Kilaru V, Caro M, Visweswaran S, Saade G, Smith AK, Menon R. Methylation differences reveal heterogeneity in preterm pathophysiology: results from bipartite network analyses. J Perinat Med 2018; 46:509-521. [PMID: 28665803 PMCID: PMC5971156 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2017-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that epigenetic differences can increase the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). However, little is known about heterogeneity underlying such epigenetic differences, which could lead to hypotheses for biological pathways in specific patient subgroups, and corresponding targeted interventions critical for precision medicine. Using bipartite network analysis of fetal DNA methylation data we demonstrate a novel method for classification of PTB. METHODS The data consisted of DNA methylation across the genome (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) in cord blood from 50 African-American subjects consisting of 22 cases of early spontaneous PTB (24-34 weeks of gestation) and 28 controls (>39 weeks of gestation). These data were analyzed using a combination of (1) a supervised method to select the top 10 significant methylation sites, (2) unsupervised "subject-variable" bipartite networks to visualize and quantitatively analyze how those 10 methylation sites co-occurred across all the subjects, and across only the cases with the goal of analyzing subgroups and their underlying pathways, and (3) a simple linear regression to test whether there was an association between the total methylation in the cases, and gestational age. RESULTS The bipartite network analysis of all subjects and significant methylation sites revealed statistically significant clustering consisting of an inverse symmetrical relationship in the methylation profiles between a case-enriched subgroup and a control-enriched subgroup: the former was predominantly hypermethylated across seven methylation sites, and hypomethylated across three methylation sites, whereas the latter was predominantly hypomethylated across the above seven methylation sites and hypermethylated across the three methylation sites. Furthermore, the analysis of only cases revealed one subgroup that was predominantly hypomethylated across seven methylation sites, and another subgroup that was hypomethylated across all methylation sites suggesting the presence of heterogeneity in PTB pathophysiology. Finally, the analysis found a strong inverse linear relationship between total methylation and gestational age suggesting that methylation differences could be used as predictive markers for gestational length. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that unsupervised bipartite networks helped to identify a complex but comprehensible data-driven hypotheses related to patient subgroups and inferences about their underlying pathways, and therefore were an effective complement to supervised approaches currently used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh K. Bhavnani
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Bryant Dang
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Maria Caro
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Shyam Visweswaran
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - George Saade
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal-Medicine Perinatal Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal-Medicine Perinatal Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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Knight AK, Conneely KN, Kilaru V, Cobb D, Payne JL, Meilman S, Corwin EJ, Kaminsky ZA, Dunlop AL, Smith AK. SLC9B1 methylation predicts fetal intolerance of labor. Epigenetics 2018; 13:33-39. [PMID: 29235940 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2017.1411444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal intolerance of labor is a common indication for delivery by Caesarean section. Diagnosis is based on the presence of category III fetal heart rate tracing, which is an abnormal heart tracing associated with increased likelihood of fetal hypoxia and metabolic acidemia. This study analyzed data from 177 unique women who, during their prenatal visits (7-15 weeks and/or 24-32 weeks) to Atlanta area prenatal care clinics, consented to provide blood samples for DNA methylation (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) and gene expression (Human HT-12 v4 Expression BeadChip) analyses. We focused on 57 women aged 18-36 (mean 25.4), who had DNA methylation data available from their second prenatal visit. DNA methylation patterns at CpG sites across the genome were interrogated for associations with fetal intolerance of labor. Four CpG sites (P value <8.9 × 10-9, FDR <0.05) in gene SLC9B1, a Na+/H+ exchanger, were associated with fetal intolerance of labor. DNA methylation and gene expression were negatively associated when examined longitudinally during pregnancy using a linear mixed-effects model. Positive predictive values of methylation of these four sites ranged from 0.80 to 0.89, while negative predictive values ranged from 0.91 to 0.92. The four CpG sites were also associated with fetal intolerance of labor in an independent cohort (the Johns Hopkins Prospective PPD cohort). Therefore, fetal intolerance of labor could be accurately predicted from maternal blood samples obtained between 24-32 weeks gestation. Fetal intolerance of labor may be accurately predicted from maternal blood samples obtained between 24-32 weeks gestation by assessing DNA methylation patterns of SLC9B1. The identification of pregnant women at elevated risk for fetal intolerance of labor may allow for the development of targeted treatments or management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Knight
- a Genetics and Molecular Biology Program , Emory University , 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta , GA , 30322
| | - Karen N Conneely
- a Genetics and Molecular Biology Program , Emory University , 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta , GA , 30322.,b Department of Human Genetics , Emory University , 615 Michael St NE, Atlanta , GA , 30322
| | - Varun Kilaru
- c Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Emory University , 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Atlanta , GA
| | - Dawayland Cobb
- c Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Emory University , 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Atlanta , GA
| | - Jennifer L Payne
- d Women's Mood Disorders Center , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , 550 N. Broadway, Suite 305, Baltimore , MD 21205
| | - Samantha Meilman
- d Women's Mood Disorders Center , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , 550 N. Broadway, Suite 305, Baltimore , MD 21205
| | - Elizabeth J Corwin
- e Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing , Emory University , 1520 Clifton Road, Atlanta , GA , 30322
| | - Zachary A Kaminsky
- f Department of Psychiatry , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore , MD , 21205 ; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore , MD , 21205
| | - Anne L Dunlop
- e Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing , Emory University , 1520 Clifton Road, Atlanta , GA , 30322
| | - Alicia K Smith
- a Genetics and Molecular Biology Program , Emory University , 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta , GA , 30322.,c Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Emory University , 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Atlanta , GA.,g Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , Emory University , 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Atlanta , GA
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22
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Maddox SA, Kilaru V, Shin J, Jovanovic T, Almli LM, Dias BG, Norrholm SD, Fani N, Michopoulos V, Ding Z, Conneely KN, Binder EB, Ressler KJ, Smith AK. Estrogen-dependent association of HDAC4 with fear in female mice and women with PTSD. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:658-665. [PMID: 28093566 PMCID: PMC5513798 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [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: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Women are at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event. Recent studies suggest that this may be mediated, in part, by circulating estrogen levels. This study evaluated the hypothesis that individual variation in response to estrogen levels contributes to fear regulation and PTSD risk in women. We evaluated DNA methylation from blood of female participants in the Grady Trauma Project and found that serum estradiol levels associates with DNA methylation across the genome. For genes expressed in blood, we examined the association between each CpG site and PTSD diagnosis using linear models that adjusted for cell proportions and age. After multiple test correction, PTSD associated with methylation of CpG sites in the HDAC4 gene, which encodes histone deacetylase 4, and is involved in long-term memory formation and behavior. DNA methylation of HDAC4 CpG sites were tagged by a nearby single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs7570903), which also associated with HDAC4 expression, fear-potentiated startle and resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala in traumatized humans. Using auditory Pavlovian fear conditioning in a rodent model, we examined the regulation of Hdac4 in the amygdala of ovariectomized (OVX) female mice. Hdac4 messenger RNA levels were higher in the amygdala 2 h after tone-shock presentations, compared with OVX-homecage control females. In naturally cycling females, tone-shock presentations increased Hdac4 expression relative to homecage controls for metestrous (low estrogen) but not the proestrous (high estrogen) group. Together, these results support an estrogenic influence of HDAC4 regulation and expression that may contribute to PTSD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Maddox
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - V Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J Shin
- Center for Advanced Brain Imaging (CABI), Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - T Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - L M Almli
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - B G Dias
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - S D Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - N Fani
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - V Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Z Ding
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - K N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - E B Binder
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - K J Ressler
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - A K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle NE, Suite 4217, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. E-mail:
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23
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Ratanatharathorn A, Boks MP, Maihofer AX, Aiello AE, Amstadter AB, Ashley-Koch AE, Baker DG, Beckham JC, Bromet E, Dennis M, Garrett ME, Geuze E, Guffanti G, Hauser MA, Kilaru V, Kimbrel NA, Koenen KC, Kuan PF, Logue MW, Luft BJ, Miller MW, Mitchell C, Nugent NR, Ressler KJ, Rutten BPF, Stein MB, Vermetten E, Vinkers CH, Youssef NA, Nievergelt CM, Smith AK, Smith AK. Epigenome-wide association of PTSD from heterogeneous cohorts with a common multi-site analysis pipeline. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:619-630. [PMID: 28691784 PMCID: PMC5592721 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [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: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Compelling evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation play a role in stress regulation and in the etiologic basis of stress related disorders such as Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Here we describe the purpose and methods of an international consortium that was developed to study the role of epigenetics in PTSD. Inspired by the approach used in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, we brought together investigators representing seven cohorts with a collective sample size of N = 1147 that included detailed information on trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and genome-wide DNA methylation data. The objective of this consortium is to increase the analytical sample size by pooling data and combining expertise so that DNA methylation patterns associated with PTSD can be identified. Several quality control and analytical pipelines were evaluated for their control of genomic inflation and technical artifacts with a joint analysis procedure established to derive comparable data over the cohorts for meta-analysis. We propose methods to deal with ancestry population stratification and type I error inflation and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of applying robust error estimates. To evaluate our pipeline, we report results from an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of age, which is a well-characterized phenotype with known epigenetic associations. Overall, while EWAS are highly complex and subject to similar challenges as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we demonstrate that an epigenetic meta-analysis with a relatively modest sample size can be well-powered to identify epigenetic associations. Our pipeline can be used as a framework for consortium efforts for EWAS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco P Boks
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus
| | - Adam X Maihofer
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry
| | | | | | | | - Dewleen G Baker
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System,Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health
| | - Jean C Beckham
- VA Mid-Atlantic, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center,Durham VA Medical Center,Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Evelyn Bromet
- State University of New York, Epidemiology Research Group
| | - Michelle Dennis
- VA Mid-Atlantic, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center,Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | | - Elbert Geuze
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus,Military Mental Healthcare- Research Centre, Ministry of Defence
| | - Guia Guffanti
- McLean Hospital, Neurobiology of Fear Laboratory,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry
| | | | - Varun Kilaru
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
| | - Nathan A Kimbrel
- VA Mid-Atlantic, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center,Durham VA Medical Center,Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology,Massachusetts General Hospital, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, and Department of Psychiatry,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research
| | - Pei-Fen Kuan
- Stony Brook University, Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics
| | - Mark W Logue
- Boston University, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics),VA Boston Healthcare System
| | | | - Mark W Miller
- VA Boston Healthcare System,Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | | | - Nicole R Nugent
- Brown University, Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Department of Pediatric Research
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- McLean Hospital, Neurobiology of Fear Laboratory,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry,Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Maastricht University Medical Centre, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology
| | - Murray B Stein
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System,University of California San Diego, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health
| | - Eric Vermetten
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus,Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry,Ministry of Defence, Military Mental Healthcare,Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group
| | | | - Nagy A Youssef
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and Office of Academic Affairs
| | | | | | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System,Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics,Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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24
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Berg CJ, Haardörfer R, McBride CM, Kilaru V, Ressler KJ, Wingo AP, Saba NF, Payne JB, Smith A. Resilience and biomarkers of health risk in Black smokers and nonsmokers. Health Psychol 2017; 36:1047-1058. [PMID: 28825494 DOI: 10.1037/hea0000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Blacks are disproportionately affected by tobacco-related illnesses as well as traumatic events associated with psychiatric conditions and smoking. We examined the potential protective nature of resilience within this context, hypothesizing resilience differentially moderates the associations of traumatic experiences to depressive symptoms and to biomarkers of health risk among Black ever versus never smokers. METHOD Measures of resilience, traumatic experiences, depressive symptoms, and biomarkers (interleukin-6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], allostatic load) were obtained among 852 Blacks recruited from Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. RESULTS Ever smokers experienced more trauma (p < .001) and depressive symptoms (p = .01). Structural equation modeling indicated that, in ever smokers, childhood trauma was positively associated with depressive symptoms (p < .001); resilience was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (p = .01). Depressive symptoms were positively associated with IL-6 (p = .03), which was positively associated with allostatic load (p = .01). Adulthood trauma was associated with higher CRP levels (p = .03). In never smokers, childhood (p < .001) and adulthood trauma (p = .01) were associated with more depressive symptoms. Adulthood trauma was also associated with higher CRP levels (p < .001), which was positively associated with allostatic load (p < .001). Never smokers with higher resilience had a negative association between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms whereas those with lower resilience had a positive association between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms. Resilience was negatively associated with CRP levels (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Interventions targeting resilience may prevent smoking and adverse health outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla J Berg
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Regine Haardörfer
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Colleen M McBride
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University
| | - Aliza P Wingo
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University
| | - Jackelyn B Payne
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Alicia Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University
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25
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Smith AK, Jovanovic T, Kilaru V, Lori A, Gensler L, Lee SS, Norrholm SD, Massa N, Cuthbert B, Bradley B, Ressler KJ, Duncan E. A Gene-Based Analysis of Acoustic Startle Latency. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:117. [PMID: 28729842 PMCID: PMC5498475 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Latency of the acoustic startle response is the time required from the presentation of startling auditory stimulus until the startle response is elicited and provides an index of neural processing speed. Latency is prolonged in subjects with schizophrenia compared to controls in some but not all studies and is 68-90% heritable in baseline startle trials. In order to determine the genetic association with latency as a potential inroad into genetically based vulnerability to psychosis, we conducted a gene-based study of latency followed by an independent replication study of significant gene findings with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based analysis of schizophrenia and control subjects. 313 subjects from an urban population of low socioeconomic status with mixed psychiatric diagnoses were included in the gene-based study. Startle testing was conducted using a Biopac M150 system according to our published methods. Genotyping was performed with the Omni-Quad 1M or the Omni Express BeadChip. The replication study was conducted on 154 schizophrenia subjects and 123 psychiatric controls. Genetic analyses were conducted with Illumina Human Omni1-Quad and OmniExpress BeadChips. Twenty-nine SNPs were selected from four genes that were significant in the gene-based analysis and also associated with startle and/or schizophrenia in the literature. Linear regressions on latency were conducted, controlling for age, race, and diagnosis as a dichotomous variable. In the gene-based study, 2,870 genes demonstrated the evidence of association after correction for multiple comparisons (false discovery rate < 0.05). Pathway analysis of these genes revealed enrichment for relevant biological processes including neural transmission (p = 0.0029), synaptic transmission (p = 0.0032), and neuronal development (p = 0.024). The subsequent SNP-based replication analysis revealed a strong association of onset latency with the SNP rs901561 on the neuregulin gene (NRG1) in an additive model (beta = 0.21, p = 0.001), indicating that subjects with the AA and AG genotypes had slower mean latency than subjects with GG genotype. In conclusion, startle latency, a highly heritable measure that is slowed in schizophrenia, may be a useful biological probe for genetic contributions to psychotic disorders. Our analyses in two independent populations point to a significant prediction of startle latency by genetic variation in NRG1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lauren Gensler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Samuel S. Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Seth Davin Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Nicholas Massa
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Bruce Cuthbert
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Erica Duncan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
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26
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Knight AK, Conneely KN, Kilaru V, Cobb D, Payne JL, Meilman S, Corwin EJ, Kaminsky ZA, Dunlop AL, Smith AK. 237: Methylation of slc9b1 predicts fetal intolerance of labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.11.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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27
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Knight AK, Craig JM, Theda C, Bækvad-Hansen M, Bybjerg-Grauholm J, Hansen CS, Hollegaard MV, Hougaard DM, Mortensen PB, Weinsheimer SM, Werge TM, Brennan PA, Cubells JF, Newport DJ, Stowe ZN, Cheong JLY, Dalach P, Doyle LW, Loke YJ, Baccarelli AA, Just AC, Wright RO, Téllez-Rojo MM, Svensson K, Trevisi L, Kennedy EM, Binder EB, Iurato S, Czamara D, Räikkönen K, Lahti JMT, Pesonen AK, Kajantie E, Villa PM, Laivuori H, Hämäläinen E, Park HJ, Bailey LB, Parets SE, Kilaru V, Menon R, Horvath S, Bush NR, LeWinn KZ, Tylavsky FA, Conneely KN, Smith AK. An epigenetic clock for gestational age at birth based on blood methylation data. Genome Biol 2016; 17:206. [PMID: 27717399 PMCID: PMC5054584 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-016-1068-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [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: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gestational age is often used as a proxy for developmental maturity by clinicians and researchers alike. DNA methylation has previously been shown to be associated with age and has been used to accurately estimate chronological age in children and adults. In the current study, we examine whether DNA methylation in cord blood can be used to estimate gestational age at birth. Results We find that gestational age can be accurately estimated from DNA methylation of neonatal cord blood and blood spot samples. We calculate a DNA methylation gestational age using 148 CpG sites selected through elastic net regression in six training datasets. We evaluate predictive accuracy in nine testing datasets and find that the accuracy of the DNA methylation gestational age is consistent with that of gestational age estimates based on established methods, such as ultrasound. We also find that an increased DNA methylation gestational age relative to clinical gestational age is associated with birthweight independent of gestational age, sex, and ancestry. Conclusions DNA methylation can be used to accurately estimate gestational age at or near birth and may provide additional information relevant to developmental stage. Further studies of this predictor are warranted to determine its utility in clinical settings and for research purposes. When clinical estimates are available this measure may increase accuracy in the testing of hypotheses related to developmental age and other early life circumstances. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-016-1068-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Knight
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Christiane Theda
- The Royal Women's Hospital, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Marie Bækvad-Hansen
- Section of Neonatal Genetics, Danish Centre for Neonatal Screening, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Jonas Bybjerg-Grauholm
- Section of Neonatal Genetics, Danish Centre for Neonatal Screening, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Christine S Hansen
- Section of Neonatal Genetics, Danish Centre for Neonatal Screening, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Mads V Hollegaard
- Section of Neonatal Genetics, Danish Centre for Neonatal Screening, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark.,The Danish Neonatal Screening Biobank, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - David M Hougaard
- Section of Neonatal Genetics, Danish Centre for Neonatal Screening, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark.,The Danish Neonatal Screening Biobank, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Preben B Mortensen
- National Centre for Register-based Research, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Fuglesangs Allé 4, 8210, Aarhus V, Denmark
| | - Shantel M Weinsheimer
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Sct. Hans Mental Health Center, Copenhagen Mental Health Services, iPSYCH - The Lundbeck Foundation's Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Boserupvej, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Thomas M Werge
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Sct. Hans Mental Health Center, Copenhagen Mental Health Services, iPSYCH - The Lundbeck Foundation's Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Boserupvej, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Joseph F Cubells
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - D Jeffrey Newport
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zachary N Stowe
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jeanie L Y Cheong
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,The Royal Women's Hospital, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Philippa Dalach
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Lex W Doyle
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,The Royal Women's Hospital, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Yuk J Loke
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Laboratory of Environmental Precision Biosciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allan C Just
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mara M Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Katherine Svensson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Letizia Trevisi
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Stella Iurato
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Katri Räikkönen
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari M T Lahti
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu-Katriina Pesonen
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Kajantie
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, 00271, Helsinki, Finland.,University of Helsinki, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Pia M Villa
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannele Laivuori
- Medical and Clinical Genetics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esa Hämäläinen
- HUSLAB and Department of Clinical Chemistry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hea Jin Park
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, US
| | - Lynn B Bailey
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, US
| | - Sasha E Parets
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, US
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, US
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, US.,Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, US
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US
| | - Kaja Z LeWinn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, US
| | - Frances A Tylavsky
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, US
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, US.
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Kaminsky Z, Wilcox HC, Eaton WW, Van Eck K, Kilaru V, Jovanovic T, Klengel T, Bradley B, Binder EB, Ressler KJ, Smith AK. Epigenetic and genetic variation at SKA2 predict suicidal behavior and post-traumatic stress disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e627. [PMID: 26305478 PMCID: PMC4564560 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic stress results in hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis abnormalities and an increased risk to both suicidal behaviors and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous work out of our laboratory identified SKA2 DNA methylation associations with suicidal behavior in the blood and brain of multiple cohorts. Interaction of SKA2 with stress predicted suicidal behavior with ~80% accuracy. SKA2 is hypothesized to reduce the ability to suppress cortisol following stress, which is of potentially high relevance in traumatized populations. Our objective was to investigate the interaction of SKA2 and trauma exposure on HPA axis function, suicide attempt and PTSD. SKA2 DNA methylation at Illumina HM450 probe cg13989295 was assessed for association with suicidal behavior and PTSD metrics in the context of Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) scores in 421 blood and 61 saliva samples from the Grady Trauma Project (GTP) cohort. Dexamethasone suppression test (DST) data were evaluated for a subset of 209 GTP subjects. SKA2 methylation interacted with CTQ scores to predict lifetime suicide attempt in saliva and blood with areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUCs) of 0.76 and 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6-0.92, P = 0.003, and CI: 0.65-0.78, P < 0.0001) and to mediate the suppression of cortisol following DST (β = 0.5 ± 0.19, F = 1.51, degrees of freedom (df) = 12/167, P = 0.0096). Cumulatively, the data suggest that epigenetic variation at SKA2 mediates vulnerability to suicidal behaviors and PTSD through dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Kaminsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H C Wilcox
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - W W Eaton
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - K Van Eck
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - V Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - T Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - T Klengel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - B Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Mental Health Service Line, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - E B Binder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - K J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - A K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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29
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Almli LM, Stevens JS, Smith AK, Kilaru V, Meng Q, Flory J, Abu-Amara D, Hammamieh R, Yang R, Mercer KB, Binder EB, Bradley B, Hamilton S, Jett M, Yehuda R, Marmar CR, Ressler KJ. A genome-wide identified risk variant for PTSD is a methylation quantitative trait locus and confers decreased cortical activation to fearful faces. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2015; 168B:327-36. [PMID: 25988933 PMCID: PMC4844461 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic factors appear to be highly relevant to predicting differential risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a discovery sample, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for PTSD using a small military cohort (Systems Biology PTSD Biomarkers Consortium; SBPBC, N = 147) that was designed as a case-controlled sample of highly exposed, recently returning veterans with and without combat-related PTSD. A genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs717947, at chromosome 4p15 (N = 147, β = 31.34, P = 1.28 × 10(-8) ) was found to associate with the gold-standard diagnostic measure for PTSD (the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale). We conducted replication and follow-up studies in an external sample, a larger urban community cohort (Grady Trauma Project, GTP, N = 2006), to determine the robustness and putative functionality of this risk variant. In the GTP replication sample, SNP rs717947 associated with PTSD diagnosis in females (N = 2006, P = 0.005), but not males. SNP rs717947 was also found to be a methylation quantitative trait locus (meQTL) in the GTP replication sample (N = 157, P = 0.002). Further, the risk allele of rs717947 was associated with decreased medial and dorsolateral cortical activation to fearful faces (N = 53, P < 0.05) in the GTP replication sample. These data identify a genome-wide significant polymorphism conferring risk for PTSD, which was associated with differential epigenetic regulation and with differential cortical responses to fear in a replication sample. These results may provide new insight into understanding genetic and epigenetic regulation of PTSD and intermediate phenotypes that contribute to this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M. Almli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer S. Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Qian Meng
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Janine Flory
- Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York/Traumatic Stress Studies Division, New York, New York
| | - Duna Abu-Amara
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Veterans Center for Posttraumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, New York, New York
| | - Rasha Hammamieh
- Integrative Systems Biology, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Fort Detrick, Maryland
| | - Ruoting Yang
- Advanced Biomedical Computing Center, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research/SAIC-Frederick Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Kristina B. Mercer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth B. Binder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Steven Hamilton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Marti Jett
- Integrative Systems Biology, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Fort Detrick, Maryland
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York/Traumatic Stress Studies Division, New York, New York
| | - Charles R. Marmar
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Veterans Center for Posttraumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, New York, New York
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland,Correspondence to: Kerry J. Ressler, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Parets SE, Conneely KN, Kilaru V, Menon R, Smith AK. DNA methylation provides insight into intergenerational risk for preterm birth in African Americans. Epigenetics 2015; 10:784-92. [PMID: 26090903 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1062964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
African Americans are at increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). Though PTB is heritable, genetic studies have not identified variants that account for its intergenerational risk, prompting the hypothesis that epigenetic factors may also contribute. The objective of this study was to evaluate DNA methylation from maternal leukocytes to identify patterns specific to PTB and its intergenerational risk. DNA from peripheral leukocytes from African American women that delivered preterm (24-34 weeks; N = 16) or at term (39-41 weeks; N = 24) was assessed for DNA methylation using the HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. In maternal samples, 17,829 CpG sites associated with PTB, but no CpG site remained associated after correction for multiple comparisons. Examination of paired maternal-fetal samples identified 5,171 CpG sites in which methylation of maternal samples correlated with methylation of her respective fetus (FDR < 0.05). These correlated sites were enriched for association with PTB in maternal leukocytes. The majority of correlated CpG sites could be attributed to one or more genetic variants. They were also significantly more likely to be in genes involved in metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune pathways, suggesting a role for genetic and environmental contributions to PTB risk and chronic disease. The results of this study may provide insight into the factors underlying intergenerational risk for PTB and its consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha E Parets
- a Genetics and Molecular Biology Program; Emory University ; Atlanta , GA USA
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Smith AK, Kilaru V, Klengel T, Mercer KB, Bradley B, Conneely KN, Ressler KJ, Binder EB. DNA extracted from saliva for methylation studies of psychiatric traits: evidence tissue specificity and relatedness to brain. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2015; 168B:36-44. [PMID: 25355443 PMCID: PMC4610814 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [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: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation has become increasingly recognized in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. Because brain tissue is not accessible in living humans, epigenetic studies are most often conducted in blood. Saliva is often collected for genotyping studies but is rarely used to examine DNA methylation because the proportion of epithelial cells and leukocytes varies extensively between individuals. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether saliva DNA is informative for studies of psychiatric disorders. DNA methylation (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) was assessed in saliva and blood samples from 64 adult African Americans. Analyses were conducted using linear regression adjusted for appropriate covariates, including estimated cellular proportions. DNA methylation from brain tissues (cerebellum, frontal cortex, entorhinal cortex, and superior temporal gyrus) was obtained from a publically available dataset. Saliva and blood methylation was clearly distinguishable though there was positive correlation overall. There was little correlation in CpG sites within relevant candidate genes. Correlated CpG sites were more likely to occur in areas of low CpG density (i.e., CpG shores and open seas). There was more variability in CpG sites from saliva than blood, which may reflect its heterogeneity. Finally, DNA methylation in saliva appeared more similar to patterns from each of the brain regions examined overall than methylation in blood. Thus, this study provides a framework for using DNA methylation from saliva and suggests that DNA methylation of saliva may offer distinct opportunities for epidemiological and longitudinal studies of psychiatric traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Correspondence to: Alicia K. Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University SOM, 101 Woodruff Circle NE; Ste 4113, Atlanta, GA 30322.
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Torsten Klengel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Kristina B. Mercer
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Clinical psychologist, Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Elisabeth B. Binder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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Smith AK, Conneely KN, Pace TW, Mister D, Felger JC, Kilaru V, Akel MJ, Vertino PM, Miller AH, Torres MA. Epigenetic changes associated with inflammation in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 38:227-36. [PMID: 24583204 PMCID: PMC4312666 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has been associated with fatigue during and after various types of breast cancer treatments. We examined whether prior chemotherapy was associated with DNA methylation patterns that could explain persisting inflammation and/or fatigue in women treated for breast cancer. Prior to breast radiation therapy, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 61 Stage 0-IIIA breast cancer patients who had received partial mastectomy with or without chemotherapy. DNA methylation was assessed at >485,000 CpG sites across the genome along with fatigue and plasma inflammatory markers previously associated with fatigue. Compared to non-chemotherapy-treated, women who had received chemotherapy exhibited significantly decreased methylation at eight CpG sites (p<1.03×10(-7)) including four in exon 11 of transmembrane protein 49 (TMEM49), which demonstrated the largest decreases in methylation. Lower methylation at each identified CpG site was associated with increased plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2) and interleukin (IL)-6 and mediated the relationship between chemotherapy and increases in these inflammatory biomarkers adjusting for multiple clinical and treatment characteristics. sTNFR2, but not CpG methylation status, was correlated with fatigue. Six months after breast radiation therapy, DNA methylation, inflammatory biomarkers and fatigue assessments were repeated in a subset of subjects (N=39). Reduced methylation in 4 of the 8 identified CpG sites was still observed in chemotherapy versus non-chemotherapy-treated patients, albeit with some decay indicating the dynamic and potentially reversible nature of the changes. Reduced methylation in these 4 CpG sites also continued to correlate with either increased sTNFR2 or IL-6, but not fatigue. In conclusion, prior chemotherapy treatment was associated with decreased methylation of CpG sites in DNA from PBMCs of breast cancer patients, which correlated with increased inflammatory markers prior to and 6months after radiation therapy. Persisting epigenetic changes secondary to chemotherapy may be one factor that contributes to inflammation and its consequences including cancer-related fatigue in vulnerable breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Whitehead Biomedical Research Building, 615 Michael Street, Suite 301, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Thaddeus W.W. Pace
- College of Nursing & College of Medicine (Department of Psychiatry), University of Arizona, 1305 N. Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721, Untied States
| | - Donna Mister
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Jennifer C. Felger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Mary J. Akel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Paula M. Vertino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Andrew H. Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Mylin A. Torres
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States,Corresponding author at: Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Building A, Rm 1307A, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States. Tel.: +1 404 778 3473 (O); fax: +1 404 778 3643
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Smith AK, Kilaru V, Kocak M, Almli LM, Mercer KB, Ressler KJ, Tylavsky FA, Conneely KN. Methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) are consistently detected across ancestry, developmental stage, and tissue type. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:145. [PMID: 24555763 PMCID: PMC4028873 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [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: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individual genotypes at specific loci can result in different patterns of DNA methylation. These methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) influence methylation across extended genomic regions and may underlie direct SNP associations or gene-environment interactions. We hypothesized that the detection of meQTLs varies with ancestral population, developmental stage, and tissue type. We explored this by analyzing seven datasets that varied by ancestry (African American vs. Caucasian), developmental stage (neonate vs. adult), and tissue type (blood vs. four regions of postmortem brain) with genome-wide DNA methylation and SNP data. We tested for meQTLs by constructing linear regression models of methylation levels at each CpG site on SNP genotypes within 50 kb under an additive model controlling for multiple tests. Results Most meQTLs mapped to intronic regions, although a limited number appeared to occur in synonymous or nonsynonymous coding SNPs. We saw significant overlap of meQTLs between ancestral groups, developmental stages, and tissue types, with the highest rates of overlap within the four brain regions. Compared with a random group of SNPs with comparable frequencies, meQTLs were more likely to be 1) represented among the most associated SNPs in the WTCCC bipolar disorder results and 2) located in microRNA binding sites. Conclusions These data give us insight into how SNPs impact gene regulation and support the notion that peripheral blood may be a reliable correlate of physiological processes in other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle NE; Ste 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Barfield RT, Almli LM, Kilaru V, Smith AK, Mercer KB, Duncan R, Klengel T, Mehta D, Binder EB, Epstein MP, Ressler KJ, Conneely KN. Accounting for population stratification in DNA methylation studies. Genet Epidemiol 2014; 38:231-41. [PMID: 24478250 DOI: 10.1002/gepi.21789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [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: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 11/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism that has been linked to complex diseases and is of great interest to researchers as a potential link between genome, environment, and disease. As the scale of DNA methylation association studies approaches that of genome-wide association studies, issues such as population stratification will need to be addressed. It is well-documented that failure to adjust for population stratification can lead to false positives in genetic association studies, but population stratification is often unaccounted for in DNA methylation studies. Here, we propose several approaches to correct for population stratification using principal components (PCs) from different subsets of genome-wide methylation data. We first illustrate the potential for confounding due to population stratification by demonstrating widespread associations between DNA methylation and race in 388 individuals (365 African American and 23 Caucasian). We subsequently evaluate the performance of our PC-based approaches and other methods in adjusting for confounding due to population stratification. Our simulations show that (1) all of the methods considered are effective at removing inflation due to population stratification, and (2) maximum power can be obtained with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based PCs, followed by methylation-based PCs, which outperform both surrogate variable analysis and genomic control. Among our different approaches to computing methylation-based PCs, we find that PCs based on CpG sites chosen for their potential to proxy nearby SNPs can provide a powerful and computationally efficient approach to adjust for population stratification in DNA methylation studies when genome-wide SNP data are unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T Barfield
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Bhavnani S, Dang B, Kilaru V, Caro M, Saade G, Smith A, Menon R. 14: Methylation differences reveal heterogeneity in spontaneous preterm birth pathophysiology: a visual analytical approach. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kilaru V, Barfield RT, Schroeder JW, Smith AK, Conneely KN. MethLAB: a graphical user interface package for the analysis of array-based DNA methylation data. Epigenetics 2012; 7:225-9. [PMID: 22430798 DOI: 10.4161/epi.7.3.19284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that DNA methylation changes may underlie numerous complex traits and diseases. The advent of commercial, array-based methods to interrogate DNA methylation has led to a profusion of epigenetic studies in the literature. Array-based methods, such as the popular Illumina GoldenGate and Infinium platforms, estimate the proportion of DNA methylated at single-base resolution for thousands of CpG sites across the genome. These arrays generate enormous amounts of data, but few software resources exist for efficient and flexible analysis of these data. We developed a software package called MethLAB (http://genetics.emory.edu/conneely/MethLAB) using R, an open source statistical language that can be edited to suit the needs of the user. MethLAB features a graphical user interface (GUI) with a menu-driven format designed to efficiently read in and manipulate array-based methylation data in a user-friendly manner. MethLAB tests for association between methylation and relevant phenotypes by fitting a separate linear model for each CpG site. These models can incorporate both continuous and categorical phenotypes and covariates, as well as fixed or random batch or chip effects. MethLAB accounts for multiple testing by controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) at a user-specified level. Standard output includes a spreadsheet-ready text file and an array of publication-quality figures. Considering the growing interest in and availability of DNA methylation data, there is a great need for user-friendly open source analytical tools. With MethLAB, we present a timely resource that will allow users with no programming experience to implement flexible and powerful analyses of DNA methylation data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Kilaru
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Smith AK, Conneely KN, Newport DJ, Kilaru V, Schroeder JW, Pennell PB, Knight BT, Cubells JC, Stowe ZN, Brennan PA. Prenatal antiepileptic exposure associates with neonatal DNA methylation differences. Epigenetics 2012; 7:458-63. [PMID: 22419127 DOI: 10.4161/epi.19617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to treat a variety of neuropsychiatric illnesses commonly encountered in women during their reproductive years, including epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Despite their widespread use, the impact of prenatal exposure on fetal development remains obscure. To evaluate whether AEDs taken by pregnant mothers influence DNA methylation patterns in their neonates, DNA was extracted from the umbilical cord blood of 201 neonates whose mothers were treated for neuropsychiatric illness during pregnancy and interrogated across 27,578 CpG sites using the Illumina HumanMethylation27 BeadChip. The association of each methylation value with the cumulative duration of prenatal AED exposure was examined using a linear mixed model. The average methylation level across all CpG sites was calculated for each subject, and this global methylation measure was evaluated similarly. Neonates with a longer duration of AED exposure in pregnancy showed a decrease in average global methylation (p = 0.0045). Further, DNA methylation of CpG sites in 14 genes significantly decreased with the duration of prenatal AED exposure even after adjusting for multiple comparisons (FDR < 0.05). For a small subset (n = 19) of these neonates, a second tissue, placenta, was available in addition to cord blood. Methylation of 3 of these 14 CpG sites was also significantly decreased in placental tissue. These novel data suggest decreased DNA methylation in neonates of mothers who took AEDs during pregnancy. The long-term stability and potential impact of these changes warrant further attention, and caution may be warranted before prescribing AEDs to pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Schroeder JW, Conneely KN, Cubells JC, Kilaru V, Newport DJ, Knight BT, Stowe ZN, Brennan PA, Krushkal J, Tylavsky FA, Taylor RN, Adkins RM, Smith AK. Neonatal DNA methylation patterns associate with gestational age. Epigenetics 2012; 6:1498-504. [PMID: 22139580 DOI: 10.4161/epi.6.12.18296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Risk for adverse neonatal outcome increases with declining gestational age (GA), and changes in DNA methylation may contribute to the relationship between GA and adverse health outcomes in offspring. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the association between GA and more than 27,000 CpG sites in neonatal DNA extracted from umbilical cord blood from two prospectively-characterized cohorts: (1) a discovery cohort consisting of 259 neonates from women with a history of neuropsychiatric disorders and (2) a replication cohort consisting of 194 neonates of uncomplicated mothers. GA was determined by obstetrician report and maternal last menstrual period. The associations between proportion of DNA methylated and GA were evaluated by fitting a separate linear mixed effects model for each CpG site, adjusting for relevant covariates including neonatal sex, race, parity, birth weight percentile and chip effects. CpG sites in 39 genes were associated with GA (false discovery rate < 0.05) in the discovery cohort. The same CpG sites in 25 of these genes replicated in the replication cohort, with each association replicating in the same direction. Notably, these CpG sites were located in genes previously implicated in labor and delivery (e.g., AVP, OXT, CRHBP and ESR1) or that may influence the risk for adverse health outcomes later in life (e.g., DUOX2, TMEM176A and CASP8). All associations were independent of method of delivery or induction of labor. These results suggest neonatal DNA methylation varies with GA even in term deliveries. The potential contribution of these changes to clinically significant postnatal outcomes warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Schroeder
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Schroeder JW, Smith AK, Brennan PA, Conneely KN, Kilaru V, Knight BT, Newport DJ, Cubells JF, Stowe ZN. DNA methylation in neonates born to women receiving psychiatric care. Epigenetics 2012; 7:409-14. [PMID: 22419064 DOI: 10.4161/epi.19551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure both to maternal psychiatric illness and psychiatric medication has been linked with adverse child outcomes that affect physiological, emotional and psychiatric development. Studies suggest that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, may facilitate these effects. In this report, we explore the association between maternal psychiatric illness and treatment during pregnancy and neonatal DNA methylation patterns in a prospectively-characterized clinical cohort of 201 dyads. Associations between the percent of umbilical cord blood DNA methylated at 27,578 CpG sites and maternal psychiatric diagnosis, symptoms and antidepressant use were evaluated by fitting a separate linear mixed effects model for each CpG site. There were no significant changes in neonatal DNA methylation attributable to maternal psychiatric diagnosis or depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Exposure to an antidepressant medication was associated with differential methylation of CpG sites in TNFRSF21 and CHRNA2 (false discovery rate < 0.05), but the average difference in methylation for both CpG sites was less than 3% between each group. The results were not specific to type of antidepressant or duration of the exposure. This study suggests that there are no large effects of maternal psychiatric illness, depressive symptoms or prenatal exposure to antidepressants on neonatal DNA methylation. Delineation of the influence of maternal psychiatric illness and pharmacological exposures on the developing fetuses has critical implications for clinical care during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Schroeder
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Abstract
SUMMARY With the increasing availability of high-density methylation microarrays, there has been growing interest in analysis of DNA methylation data. We have developed CpGassoc, an R package that can efficiently perform the statistical analysis needed for increasingly large methylation datasets. CpGassoc is a modular, expandable package with functions to perform rapid analyses of DNA methylation data via fixed or mixed effects models, to perform basic quality control, to carry out permutation tests, and to display results via an array of publication-quality plots. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION CpGassoc is implemented in R and is freely available at http://genetics.emory.edu/conneely; we are in the process of submitting it to CRAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T Barfield
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Emory University at Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Smith AK, Conneely KN, Kilaru V, Mercer KB, Weiss TE, Bradley B, Tang Y, Gillespie CF, Cubells JF, Ressler KJ. Differential immune system DNA methylation and cytokine regulation in post-traumatic stress disorder. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2011; 156B:700-8. [PMID: 21714072 PMCID: PMC3292872 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.31212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [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: 03/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation may mediate persistent changes in gene function following chronic stress. To examine this hypothesis, we evaluated African American subjects matched by age and sex, and stratified into four groups by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and history of child abuse. Total Life Stress (TLS) was also assessed in all subjects. We evaluated DNA extracted from peripheral blood using the HumanMethylation27 BeadChip and analyzed both global and site-specific methylation. Methylation levels were examined for association with PTSD, child abuse history, and TLS using a linear mixed model adjusted for age, sex, and chip effects. Global methylation was increased in subjects with PTSD. CpG sites in five genes (TPR, CLEC9A, APC5, ANXA2, and TLR8) were differentially methylated in subjects with PTSD. Additionally, a CpG site in NPFFR2 was associated with TLS after adjustment for multiple testing. Notably, many of these genes have been previously associated with inflammation. Given these results and reports of immune dysregulation associated with trauma history, we compared plasma cytokine levels in these subjects and found IL4, IL2, and TNFα levels associated with PTSD, child abuse, and TLS. Together, these results suggest that psychosocial stress may alter global and gene-specific DNA methylation patterns potentially associated with peripheral immune dysregulation. Our results suggest the need for further research on the role of DNA methylation in stress-related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Tamara E. Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Yilang Tang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Charles F. Gillespie
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joseph F. Cubells
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Maryland,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia,Correspondence to: Kerry J. Ressler, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Yerkes Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Dr, Atlanta, GA 30329.
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Ressler KJ, Mercer KB, Bradley B, Jovanovic T, Mahan A, Kerley K, Norrholm SD, Kilaru V, Smith AK, Myers AJ, Ramirez M, Engel A, Hammack SE, Toufexis D, Braas KM, Binder EB, May V. Post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with PACAP and the PAC1 receptor. Nature 2011. [DOI: 10.1038/nature10396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Jara FM, Klush J, Kilaru V. Intrathecal morphine for off-pump coronary artery bypass patients. Heart Surg Forum 2001; 4:57-60. [PMID: 11510450] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Due to the fact that patients have increased mental alertness following off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB), pain management in the immediate postoperative period is a major concern. Thirty-two patients underwent OPCAB grafting, 20 received 5 mcg/kg morphine sulfate intrathecally. This group was compared with 12 patients who did not receive intrathecal morphine. All patients were verbally evaluated for pain using the Wong-Baker Visual Analog Scale at eight, 12 and 24 hours. All the scores were highly statistically significant in favor of the intrathecal group. No significant complications were seen in this group of patients. It is concluded that intrathecal morphine at 5 mcg/kg is effective and safe in maintaining comfort for OPCAB patients in the immediate postoperative period.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Jara
- McLaren Regional Medical Center, Flint, Michigan 48532, USA
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