Decrease of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder

Abstract Background: Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-Cell lymphoproliferative disorder (PC-SMTLD) has been considered as a controversial dermatological disease that has been included in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma group, presenting most commonly as a solitary nodule and/or plaque with a specific and characteristic head and neck predilection. Due to the considerable overlap between PC-SMTLD and pseudolymphoma (PL), the differential diagnosis is often challenging. Methylation of DNA at position 5 of cytosine, and the subsequent reduction in intracellular 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) levels, is a key epigenetic event in several cancers, including systemic lymphomas. However, it has rarely been studied in cutaneous lymphomas. Objectives: The authors aimed to explore the role of differential 5-hmC immunostaining as a useful marker to distinguish PC-SMTLD from PL. Methods: Retrospective case series study with immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analysis of 5-hmC was performed in PL and PC-SMTLD. Results: Significant decrease of 5-hmC nuclear staining was observed in PC-SMTLD when compared with PL (p<0.0001). By semi-quantitative grade integration, there were statistical differences in the final 5-hmC scores in the two study groups. The IF co-staining of 5-hmC with CD4 revealed a decrease of 5-hmC in CD4+ lymphocytes of PC-SMTLD. Study limitations: The small clinical sample size of the study. Conclusions: The immunorreactivity of 5-hmC in CD4+ lymphocytes was highly suggestive of a benign process as PL. Furthermore, the decrease of 5-hmC nuclear staining in PC-SMTLD indicated its lymphoproliferative status and helped to make the differential diagnosis with PL. © 2023 Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Impact of Folic Acid on the Resistance of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells to Osimertinib by Regulating Methylation of DUSP1 / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#Drug resistance is the main cause of high mortality of lung cancer. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of folic acid (FA) on the resistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells to Osimertinib (OSM) by regulating the methylation of dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1).@*METHODS@#The OSM resistant NSCLC cell line PC9R was establishd by gradually escalation of OSM concentration in PC9 cells. PC9R cells were randomly grouped into Control group, OSM group (5 μmol/L OSM), FA group (600 nmol/L FA), methylation inhibitor decitabine (DAC) group (10 μmol/L DAC), FA+OSM group (600 nmol/L FA+5 μmol/L OSM), and FA+OSM+DAC group (600 nmol/L FA+5 μmol/L OSM+10 μmol/L DAC). CCK-8 method was applied to detect cell proliferation ability. Scratch test was applied to test the ability of cell migration. Transwell assay was applied to detect cell invasion ability. Flow cytometry was applied to measure and analyze the apoptosis rate of cells in each group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method was applied to detect the expression level of DUSP1 mRNA in cells. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was applied to detect the methylation status of the DUSP1 promoter region in each group. Western blot was applied to analyze the expression levels of DUSP1 protein and key proteins in the DUSP1 downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in each group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the Control group, the cell OD450 values (48 h, 72 h), scratch healing rate, number of cell invasions, and expression of DUSP1 in the OSM group were obviously decreased (P<0.05); the apoptosis rate, the methylation level of DUSP1, the expression of p38 MAPK protein, and the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) were obviously increased (P<0.05); the cell OD450 values (48, 72 h), scratch healing rate, number of cell invasions, and expression of DUSP1 in the DAC group were obviously increased (P<0.05); the apoptosis rate, the expression of p38 MAPK protein, the phosphorylation level of ERK, and the methylation level of DUSP1 were obviously reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the OSM group, the cell OD450 values (48, 72 h), scratch healing rate, number of cell invasions, and expression of DUSP1 in the FA+OSM group were obviously decreased (P<0.05); the apoptosis rate, the methylation level of DUSP1, the expression of p38 MAPK protein, and the phosphorylation level of ERK were obviously increased (P<0.05). Compared with the FA+OSM group, the cell OD450 values (48, 72 h), scratch healing rate, number of cell invasions, and expression of DUSP1 in the FA+OSM+DAC group were obviously increased; the apoptosis rate, the methylation level of DUSP1, the expression of p38 MAPK protein, and the phosphorylation level of ERK were obviously reduced (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#FA may inhibit DUSP1 expression by enhancing DUSP1 methylation, regulate downstream MAPK signal pathway, then promote apoptosis, inhibit cell invasion and metastasis, and ultimately reduce OSM resistance in NSCLC cells.

Research progress on m5C methylation and its prospects in tumor immunotherapy / 口腔疾病防治

@#Epigenetic modification plays an important role in the biological regulatory process of eukaryotic cells. Tumor immunotherapy is an important means and clinical strategy for the treatment of some cancers. 5-Methylcytosine (m5C) is an important component of the epigenetic regulatory network discovered after m6A and has become a new topic for life science research in recent years. The m5C methylation of RNA can affect the fate of the modified RNA molecules and play an important role in various biological processes, including RNA stability, protein synthesis and transcriptional regulation. Recent studies have shown that m5C writers, erasers and readers are related to a variety of cellular biological processes and systemic diseases, including the occurrence, metastasis and tumor immune microenvironment. m5C methylation can widely affect gene expression and the biological process of tumorigenesis and development at multiple levels, but its specific mechanism and potential interaction with other epigenetic modifications in tumor immunotherapy are still unclear, and its regulatory mechanism, risk assessment and role in targeted therapy for malignant tumors need to be further studied. This article will review the dynamic regulatory network of m5C, the biological role of m5C modification in solid tumors and potential targets in tumor immunotherapy.

Down-regulation of METTL5 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of triple-negative breast cancer cells through Wnt/6-catenin signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role and potential mechanism of methyltransferase-like 5 (METTL5) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) . Methods The expression of METTL5 in TNBC tumor tissues and cell lines was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. After shRNA targeting METTL5 (shRNAMETTL5) was transfected into TNBC cells, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Wnt/p-catenin signaling-related key proteins. A xenograft tumor model was constructed to verify the effect of METTL5 knockdown on the growth of TNBC cells and Wnt/p-catenin signaling activity in vivo. Results The expression of METTL5 was up-regulated in TNBC tumor tissues and cell lines (P < 0. 01) . Knockdown of METTL5 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells and reduced the expression of Wnt/p-catenin signaling molecules (3-catenin, cyclin Dl, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and MMP-7 (all P < 0. 01) . Knockdown of METTL5 reduced tumor growth and Wnt/pcatenin signaling activity in vivo. Conclusions Knockdown of METTL5 can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells, which may be related to the inhibition of Wnt/p-catenin signaling pathway.

Research progress of m6A methylation modification in ocular diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

N6-methyladenosine(m6A), the most common, abundant, and conserved RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, regulates RNA splicing, stability, output, degradation and translation through m6A methyltransferase, m6A demethylase, and m6A methylated binding proteins. Recent studies have found that abnormal m6A methylation may mediate a variety of pathological processes in eyes and participate in the occurrence and development of metabolic, inflammatory, degenerative ocular diseases and ocular tumors, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataract, age-related macular degeneration and uveal melanoma. This review aims to summarize the roles of m6A methylation modification in ocular cells and ocular diseases, elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of m6A methylation in ocular diseases, so as to encourage innovative approaches in the treatment of these ocular diseases.

The lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 facilitates neointimal hyperplasia by regulating the HDAC3-SRF axis

Coronary restenosis is an important cause of poor long-term prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease. Here, we show that lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 expression in the nucleus is significantly elevated in serum- and PDGF-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and in tissues of carotid artery injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia. Smyd2 overexpression in VSMCs (Smyd2-vTg) facilitates, but treatment with its specific inhibitor LLY-507 or SMYD2 knockdown significantly inhibits VSMC phenotypic switching and carotid artery injury-induced neointima formation in mice. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that SMYD2 knockdown represses the expression of serum response factor (SRF) target genes and that SRF overexpression largely reverses the inhibitory effect of SMYD2 knockdown on VSMC proliferation. HDAC3 directly interacts with and deacetylates SRF, which enhances SRF transcriptional activity in VSMCs. Moreover, SMYD2 promotes HDAC3 expression via tri-methylation of H3K36 at its promoter. RGFP966, a specific inhibitor of HDAC3, not only counteracts the pro-proliferation effect of SMYD2 overexpression on VSMCs, but also inhibits carotid artery injury-induced neointima formation in mice. HDAC3 partially abolishes the inhibitory effect of SMYD2 knockdown on VSMC proliferation in a deacetylase activity-dependent manner. Our results reveal that the SMYD2-HDAC3-SRF axis constitutes a novel and critical epigenetic mechanism that regulates VSMC phenotypic switching and neointimal hyperplasia.

Application of vascular photobiomodulation therapy in individuals with low back pain and its relationship with global methylation / Aplicação da terapia por fotobiomodulação vascular em indivíduos com lombalgia e sua relação com a metilação global

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is among the most disabling conditions worldwide, and among the epigenetic factors, methylation in CpG islands of gene promoter regions can modulate gene expression, potentially correlating with the development of the disease and providing insights into the choice of treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of therapy using modified ILIB related to DNA methylation processes in low back pain. Secondary objectives of this study included investigating pain intensity, gender, sociodemographic data, and physical-functional profile. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in a municipality in the southern region of Brazil. The sample consisted of 30 participants of both genders, with an average age of 41.77 years. The following aspects were analyzed: anthropometric characteristics, global methylation using the ELISA method, pain level, physical activity level, functional disabilities, and hesitancy level related to work and physical activity-related activities. RESULTS: A statistically significant association was observed between methylation levels before and after treatment application for the experimental and placebo groups (p < 0.005), demonstrating a mean responsiveness between methylation and treatment (d = 0.5). However, there were no other statistically significant associations correlated with the other work variables. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study suggest the need for further research related to the identification of specific genes in methylation, as well as the standardization of dosimetry used for transcutaneous ILIB laser application in the radial artery.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A lombalgia está entre as condições mais incapacitantes no mundo e; dentre os fatores epigenéticos, a metilação em ilhas CpG de regiões promotoras de genes pode modular a expressão gênica permitindo uma possível correlação ao desenvolvimento da doença, como também pode trazer esclarecimentos a respeito do tratamento a ser escolhido. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a eficácia da terapia através do uso do ILIB modificado relacionada ao processo de metilação de DNA na lombalgia. Os objetivos secundários deste estudo foram a investigação da intensidade da dor, sexo, dados sociodemográficos e perfil físico-funcional. MÉTODOS: Este estudo, desenvolvido em um município da região sul do Brasil, caracteriza-se como prospectivo. A amostra deste estudo foi composta por 30 participantes, de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 41,77 anos. Foram analisados os seguintes aspectos: características antropométricas, metilação global através do método ELISA, nível de dor, nível de atividade física, incapacidades funcionais e nível de hesitação para realizar atividades relacionada ao trabalho e atividade física. RESULTADOS: Observou-se associação estatisticamente significativa entre os níveis de metilação antes e a após aplicação do tratamento para grupo experimental e placebo (p<0,005) demostrando uma média responsividade entre as variáveis metilação e tratamento (d=0,5). No entanto, não houve nenhuma outra associação estatística correlacionada as demais variáreis do trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos neste estudo sugerem que há necessidade mais estudos relacionados a identificação de genes específicos na metilação, além da necessidade de padronização de dosimetria utilizadas para aplicação do laser ILIB de forma transcutânea, em artéria radial.

Methylation analysis of Rb, P16, MGMT, and hMLH-1in mucoepidermoid carcinomas. A pilot study

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MC) is the most common malignant epithelial neoplasm in the salivary glands. This neoplasm has varying proportions of mucous, epidermoid, intermediate, columnar, and clear cells. MCs have been associated with CRTC1-MAML2 genes; however, their pathogenesis is uncertain. Recently, epigenetic changes have been considered a possible aetiologic factor. To identify the methylation state of RB, P16, MGMT, and hMLH genes in the three severity grades of MC were used five MCs and one healthy minor salivary gland as a control group (CG) obtained from the Pathology and Oral Medicine Laboratory and analyzed using MS-PCR to compare the presence or absence of methylation in promotor regions. The Kruskal- Wallis test was performed, with p≤0.05 considered significant. CG was employed as the normalizer of methylation levels. All assays were performed in triplicate. The mean age of our population was 52.6±18.6 years old; the total population was female and included 2 low grade, 2 intermediate grade, and 1 high grade levels of severity. When comparing the methylation status of the three histopathological grades of MC against the control, statistically significant differences were observed in Rb-M, MGMT-M, and hMLH-1-NM for high-grade severity, with p values of 0.03, 0.05, and 0.04, respectively. Methylation is a possible mechanism for pathogenesis processing of high-grade MC. However, a larger sample population is necessary to validate this finding.

El carcinoma mucoepidermoide (CM) es la neoplasia epitelial maligna más frecuente de glándulas salivales. Esta neoplasia tiene proporciones variables de células mucosas, epidermoides, intermedias, cilíndricas y claras. Los CM se han asociado con los genes CRTC1-MAML2; sin embargo, su patogenia es incierta. Recientemente, los cambios epigenéticos se han considerado un posible factor etiológico. Para identificar el estado de metilación de los genes RB, P16, MGMT y hMLH en los tres grados de severidad de CM se utilizaron cinco CM y una glándula salival menor sana como grupo control (GC) obtenidos del Laboratorio de Patología y Medicina Oral y analizados mediante MS-PCR para comparar la presencia o ausencia de metilación en regiones promotoras. Se realizó la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis, considerándose significativa una p≤0,05. Se empleó GC como normalizador de los niveles de metilación. Todos los ensayos se realizaron por triplicado. La edad media de nuestra población fue de 52,6 ± 18,6 años; la población total era femenina e incluía 2 niveles de severidad de grado bajo, 2 de grado intermedio y 1 de alto grado. Al comparar el estado de metilación de los tres grados histopatológicos de CM contra el GC, se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en Rb-M, MGMT-M y hMLH-1-NM para severidad de alto grado, con valores de p de 0.03, 0.05, y 0,04, respectivamente. La metilación es un posible mecanismo para el procesamiento de patogénesis de CM de alto grado. Sin embargo, se necesita una población de muestra más grande para validar este hallazgo.

Analysis of low back pain through the methylation process in specific genes. Systematic review / Análise da dor lombar através do processo de metilação em genes específicos. Revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is one of the most common complaints. Epigenetics represents a mechanism where the environment can modify gene expression without alterations in the primary DNA sequence. This can be seen in the process of DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin reorganization. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review on DNA methylation processes related to low back pain. CONTENTS: Data were collected up to March 2023. The search was conducted on the following article search platforms: Scielo, Pubmed, Regional Portal of BVS, and LILACS. Pre-defined keywords were used in Portuguese or English: low back pain, DNA methylation, epigenomics, and epigenetics. All chosen words were verified through Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS), and English words were verified in MesHterms. Bias risk analysis was identified. 61 genes were highlighted in the 8 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Only 2 studies presented genes in common, but one of them was in animal samples. Each analyzed gene has its particularity in performing processes, thus presenting differences in how it could generate low back pain. All studies included in this review were assessed for risk of bias. CONCLUSION: The identified genes contribute significantly to the development of treatments and scientific knowledge. However, as the topic addressed is relatively new, further studies should be developed.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Os sintomas da dor lombar são algumas das queixas mais comuns. A epigenética representa um mecanismo pelo qual o meio pode modificar a expressão gênica sem que ocorra alterações da sequência primária de DNA. Isso pode ser visto em processos de metilação de DNA, modificação de histonas e reorganização de cromatina. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre o processo de metilação de DNA relacionado à dor lombar. CONTEÚDO: A revisão sistemática foi realizada com os dados coletados até março de 2023. A pesquisa foi realizada nas plataformas de busca de artigos: Scielo, Pubmed, Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde e LILACS. Foram utilizadas palavras-chaves pré-definidas na língua portuguesa ou inglesa: - dor lombar ou low back pain, metilação de DNA ou DNA methylation, epigenômica ou epigenetic; sendo que todas as palavras escolhidas foram verificadas através dos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) e as palavras na língua inglesa foram verificadas no MeSH terms. A análise do risco de viés foi identificada. Nos oito artigos que preencheram os critérios de inclusão foram destacados 61 genes, sendo que apenas dois trabalhos apresentaram genes em comum, porém um deles em amostras animais. Cada gene analisado possui sua particularidade na realização de processos; portanto, apresentando diferenças na forma como poderá gerar a lombalgia. Todos os estudos incluídos nesta revisão tiveram o risco de viés avaliado. CONCLUSÃO: Os genes identificados podem contribuir para a evolução de tratamentos e conhecimento científico. Porém, como o tema abordado é relativamente novo, mais estudos devem ser desenvolvidos.

Efecto de la epigenética en la artritis reumatoide / Effect of epigenetics on rheumatoid arthritis

La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad autoinmune e inflamatoria que afecta de manera predominante a las articulaciones diartrodiales. En esta patología los factores ambientales o conductuales pueden actuar en sinergia con la predisposición genética, acelerando el inicio y la gravedad de la enfermedad. Este vínculo entre el medio ambiente y el genoma está mediado por marcas epigenéticas en el ácido desoxirribonucleico, incluyendo su metilación, la modificación de histonas y la regulación mediada por ácido ribonucleico no codificante. La epigenética puede generar cambios fenotípicos hereditarios, que no están determinados por modificaciones en la secuencia del ácido desoxirribonucleico y, en consecuencia, son reversibles. Por lo tanto la dieta, los medicamentos y otros factores ambientales, tendrían la capacidad de modularlos. La identificación de una desregulación epigenética específica, puede ofrecer una mayor comprensión de la fisiopatología de la enfermedad e influenciar positivamente en la prevención, diagnóstico y desarrollo de nuevas dianas terapéuticas.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the diarthrodial joints. In this pathology, environmental or behavioral factors can act in synergy with genetic predisposition, accelerating the onset and severity of the disease. This link between the environment and the genome is mediated by epigenetic marks on deoxyribonucleic acid, including its methylation, histone modification, and noncoding ribonucleic acid-mediated regulation. Epigenetics can generate heritable phenotypic changes, which are not determined by modifications in the deoxyribonucleic acid sequence and are therefore reversible. Therefore, diet, medications and other environmental factors would have the ability to modulate them. The identification of a specific epigenetic dysregulation can offer a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and positively influence the prevention, diagnosis and development of new therapeutic targets.

Psychotropic drug use and suggestive depression symptoms associated with NR3C1 DNA methylation / Uso de drogas psicotrópicas e sintomas sugestivos de depressão associados à metilação do DNA do NR3C1

Introduction: Psychiatric disorders have become a global problem that leads millions of people to use psychotropic medications, especially benzodiazepines. The effects of these substances are widely known regarding tolerance and chemical dependence, however, from epigenetics perspective, there are still little known.Objective: To evaluate the association between psychotropic drug use, NR3C1 gene methylation and its relation with symptoms suggestive of depression in adult individuals assisted in the public health system.Methods: 385 adult volunteers (20-59 years) users of the Brazilian Unified Health System were recruited to evaluate socioeconomic, health, lifestyle conditions in a cross sectional study. BDI-II evaluated symptoms suggestive of depression and pyrosequencing evaluated NR3C1 DNA methylation. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression model with robust variance (p < 0.05) evaluated the association between psychotropic drug use and NR3C1 gene methylation.Results: Specific depressive symptoms such as irritability, insomnia and fatigability were associated with psychotropic drug use. Symptoms of past failure, indecision and loss of appetite were associated with hypermethylation patterns in CpGs 40 to 47 of NR3C1 gene. Moreover, psychotropic drug use is associated with 50% reduction in NR3C1 gene methylation, through model adjusted with socioeconomic, health and lifestyle confounding variables.Conclusions: Psychotropic drug use and depressive symptoms was associated with changes in NR3C1 DNA methylation. In this context, epigenetic modification resulting from psychotropic drug use and depressive symptoms could be considered, mainly in population studies with epigenetic evaluation, where these factors may be influencing the findings of future studies.

Introdução: os distúrbios psiquiátricos tornaram-se um problema global que leva milhões de pessoas ao uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos. Os efeitos dessas substâncias são amplamente conhecidos quanto à tolerância e dependência química, porém, do ponto de vista epigenético, ainda são pouco conhecidos.Objetivos: avaliar a associação entre o uso de drogas psicotrópicas, metilação do gene NR3C1 e sua relação com sintomas sugestivos de depressão em indivíduos entre 20 a 59 anos usuários da rede pública de saúde.Método: 385 voluntários de 20-59 anos, usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro foram recrutados para avaliação das condições socioeconômicas, de saúde e de estilo de vida em estudo transversal. O BDI-II avaliou sintomas sugestivos de depressão e o pirosequenciamento avaliou a metilação do DNA de NR3C1. Modelo de regressão de Poisson bivariado e multivariado com variância robusta (p < 0,05) avaliou a associação entre o uso de drogas psicotrópicas e metilação do gene NR3C1.Resultados: sintomas depressivos específicos como irritabilidade, insônia e fadiga foram associados ao uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos. Sintomas de fracasso passado, indecisão e perda de apetite foram associados a padrões de hipermetilação nos CpGs 40 a 47 do gene NR3C1. Além disso, o uso de psicofármacos está associado à redução de 50% na metilação do gene NR3C1, por meio de modelo ajustado com variáveis de confusão socioeconômicas, de saúde e estilo de vida.Conclusão: o uso de drogas psicotrópicas e sintomas específicos depressivos foram associados a alterações na metilação do DNA de NR3C1.

Association between the organic cation transporter 3 methylation and hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers in the world and has a high death rate in the world. This research while examining the expression of OCT3 at the mRNA level has also studied gene methylation profile in patients with HCC in comparison with people without HCC. The volunteers were: patients with HCC (n=81) and a healthy control group (n=90). The expression of OCT3was studied using the qRT-PCR method. The methylation profile was evaluated by genomic DNA using methylation specific PCR (MSP) method. The expression level of OCT3 marker mRNA in patients has decreased significantly compared to healthy individuals (0.58 ± 0.311 vs 1.20 ± 0.355, P <0.001). No significant statistical relationship was found between demographic data and OCT3 expression in participants (P >0.05). The amount of methylation (UM + MM) in cancer patients has raised vs controls (P <0.001) and has increased the risk of cancer (OR=0.379, 95% CI=1.171-2.839, P <0.001, and OR=2.727, 95% CI=1.251-5.945, P <0.001, respectively).Changes in OCT3 levels appear to be associated with HCC. Also, changing the methylation pattern of this gene can reveal HCC pathology.

Telomere length, oxidative and epigenetic changes in blood DNA of patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris

Abstract Background The pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris involves changes in DNA molecules, genomic instability, telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations among them. These changes are also considered important mechanisms of aging in cells and tissues. Objective This study dealt with oxidation damage, telomere length and methylation status in DNA originating from peripheral blood of 41 psoriatic patients and 30 healthy controls. Methods Oxidative damage of serum DNA/RNA was determined immunochemically. Real-time PCR was used for the analysis of the telomere length. ELISA technique determined levels of 5-methylcytosine in blood cells' DNA. Results Oxidative damage of serum DNA/RNA was higher in patients than in controls (median, 3758 vs. 2286 pg/mL, p < 0.001). A higher length of telomeres per chromosome was found in patients whole-cell DNA than in controls (3.57 vs. 3.04 kilobases, p = 0.011). A negative correlation of the length of telomeres with an age of the control subjects was revealed (Spearman's rho = -0.420, p = 0.028). Insignificantly different levels of 5-methylcytosine in patients and controls were observed (33.20 vs. 23.35%, p = 0.234). No influences of sex, smoking, BMI, PASI score, and metabolic syndrome on the methylation status were found. Study limitations i) A relatively small number of the participants, particularly for reliable subgroup analyses, ii) the Caucasian origin of the participants possibly influencing the results of the parameters determined, and iii) Telomerase activity was not directly measured in serum or blood cells. Conclusion The study demonstrated increased levels of oxidized DNA/RNA molecules in the serum of patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris. The results were minimally influenced by sex, the presence of metabolic syndrome, or cigarette smoking. In the psoriatic blood cells' DNA, the authors observed longer telomeres compared to healthy controls, particularly in females. Insignificantly higher global DNA methylation in psoriasis cases compared to the controls indicated marginal clinical importance of this epigenetic test performed in the blood cells' DNA.

BRCA1 promoter methylation & its immunohistochemical correlation in sporadic breast cancer

Background & objectives: Studies have shown that apart from hereditary breast carcinomas, breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) mutations conferring to its loss are seen in sporadic breast carcinomas (SBC) as well. The aim of the present study was to assess BRCA1 methylation in females presenting at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, with SBC by both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and methylation PCR with respect to hormonal profile and various morphological prognostic parameters. The primary objective was to look for the association between BRCA1 protein expression and DNA promoter methylation. Methods: 81 mastectomy specimens from SBC of invasive breast carcinoma (no special type) were included in this study. After a detailed morphological assessment, formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue from a representative tumour area was selected for BRCA1 IHC by heat-mediated antigen retrieval under high pH and DNA extraction and further bisulphate treatment. BRCA1 was studied for methylation by methylated and unmethylated PCR-specific primers. Results: BRCA1 promoter methylation was present in 42/81 (51.9%) participants, with significant BRCA1 protein loss (72.7%; P=0.002). A significant association between BRCA1 loss and hormonal profile was found (P=0.001); maximum in triple negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) (72%; 18/25). Most of the TNBC also harboured methylation (68%). Although not significant grade II and III tumours, lymph vascular invasion, ductal carcinoma in situ, and nodal metastasis (?3) were seen in a higher percentage in methylated tumours. Mortality in SBC was significantly associated with BRCA1 loss (30.3%; P=0.024). Interpretation & conclusions: Study results highlight the concept of “BRCAness” in SBC as well. Hence, we can confer that identification of BRCA1 loss in SBC can make it a perfect candidate for poly ADP- ribose polymerase inhibitors or cisplatin-based therapy like hereditary ones.

Role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of ophthalmic diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

The occurrence and development of many eye diseases are closely related to genetic and environmental factors, among which epigenetic modification is an important bridge connecting genetic and environmental factors. It can affect the levels of related genes by influencing gene transcription or translation, thereby playing a role in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. DNA methylation is an important part of epigenetic modification which is usually regulated by three processes: de novo methylation, maintenance methylation, and demethylation, and plays an essential role in regulating gene expression. At present, researchers have conducted that DNA methylation plays an important role in repair of damage to corneal endothelium, mitochondrial dynamics regulation and diabetic retinopathy, oxidative stress response and cataracts and other eye diseases, providing new ideas in the treatment of related ocular diseases. This study presented a brief review of the role of DNA methylation in the development of related ocular diseases and provided new perspectives and directions for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of eye diseases.

Application value of SHOX2 and RASSF1A gene promoter region methylation detection for screening and diagnosis of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To investigate the value of SHOX2 and RASSF1A gene promoter region methylation detection for screening and diagnosis of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:The mRNA sequencing data of 471 lung adenocarcinoma patients and corresponding methylation data of 413 cases were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the methylation levels of SHOX2 and RASSF1A gene promoter regions were calculated, and the difference in methy lation level between normal lung tissues and tumor tissues was analyzed. The clinical data of 54 patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma and 31 patients with benign lung tumors who underwent surgery at Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School from January 2018 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The methylation status of SHOX2 and RASSF1A in tumor tissues and normal lung tissues (>5 cm from the edge of the tumor foci) (called clinical samples) was detect, and a positive methylation in the promoter region of either gene was considered as a combination of two genes methylation positivity. Using pathological diagnosis as the gold standard, the efficacy of gene methylation positivity in diagnosing early-stage lung adenocarcinoma was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Patients with >80% of tumor cells in paraffin samples were screened, and mRNA high-throughput sequencing was performed in their tumor tissues and normal lung tissues. The relationship between positive methylation of the two genes and clinicopathological features was analyzed, and the correlation between the promoter region methylation level of the two genes and mRNA expression levels in clinical samples and TCGA database samples was analyzed by Spearman method. Gene set variance analysis (GSVA) method was used to analyze the differences in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment pathways between two-gene methylation-positive clinical lung adenocarcinoma samples and corresponding methylation-negative lung adenocarcinoma.Results:In TCGA database, the SHOX2 promoter region methylation island contained 6 sequenced methylation sites, of which sites cg04532033 and cg01557547 methylation levels were higher in lung adenocarcinoma tissues than in normal lung tissues (both P < 0.05); the RASSF1A gene promoter region methylation island contained 11 sequenced methylation sites, and the methylation levels of 6 of these sites in lung adenocarcinoma tissues were higher than those in normal lung tissues (all P < 0.05). Compared with normal lung tissues, the methylation level of SHOX2 promoter region was higher in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ lung adenocarcinoma tissues (both P < 0.05); the methylation level of RASSF1A promoter region was higher in all stages of lung adenocarcinoma ( P < 0.001). Among 54 patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, 28 were positive for SHOX2 promoter region methylation in tumor tissues, 21 were positive for RASSF1A promoter region methylation, and 40 were positive for combined methylation of both genes; 31 benign lung nodules were negative for SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of positive SHOX2 promoter region methylation for diagnosing early-stage lung adenocarcinoma was higher than that of RASSF1A promoter region methylation positivity (51.8% vs. 38.9%), and the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosis by two-gene methylation positivity was larger than that for diagnosis by SHOX2 or RASSF1A gene methylation positivity alone (0.870 vs. 0.759 and 0.694). The circulating thresholds (Ct) of SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation tested by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ lung adenocarcinoma were lower than those in normal lung tissues (all P < 0.05); patients with two-gene methylation positivity were characterized by older age, longer tumor longest diameter and more advanced pathological stage compared with patients with two-gene methylation negativity (all P < 0.05). In clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ lung adenocarcinoma samples, the Ct of SHOX2 and RASSF1A promoter region methylation tested by qRT-PCR was negatively correlated with their mRNA relative expression levels ( r=-0.43, P = 0.003; r = -0.48, P = 0.001); in TCGA database stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ lung adenocarcinoma samples, the level of SHOX2 promoter region methylation was negatively correlated with its mRNA relative expression level ( r = -0.23, P < 0.001), and the level of RASSF1A promoter region methylation was also negatively correlated with its mRNA relative expression level, but without statistical difference ( r = -0.05, P = 0.310). In two-gene promoter methylation-positive lung adenocarcinoma samples, the pathways related to folate metabolism and DNA stability were upregulated, and the pathways related to vasoconstriction and cell growth and differentiation were downregulated. Conclusions:The combined detection of SHOX2 and RASSF1A promoter region methylation can be used as an indicator for screening and diagnosis of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. Abnormal promoter region methylation of the two genes may affect multiple tumor-related pathways and promote the occurrence and progression of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Progress of methyltransferase-like 3 in breast cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), as the most important methylase of N6-methyladenine (m6A),plays an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer by influencing various regulatory mechanisms, such as methylation level, mRNA stability of cancer-related genes, oncogene expression and cancer cell signaling pathways. This paper reviews the regulatory mechanism of METTL3 in breast cancer and summarizes the latest research progress of METTL3 in the development and progression of breast cancer.

Research update on DNA methylation in peripheral blood cells as a risk factor for coronary heart disease / 中华检验医学杂志

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a kind of cardiovascular diseases originated from atherosclerosis (AS), and chronic inflammation is one of the pathological characteristics. The peripheral blood leukocytes, especially mononuclear cells, play an important role in the AS processes. Recently, in a series of Epigenome-Wide Association Studies (EWAS), multiple DNA differential methylation sites in peripheral blood cells were found to be statistically associated with CHD, which suggested that these DNA differential methylation sites might serve as new risk factors for CHD. The recognition of the variant of DNA methylation as a common epigenetic nucleic acid modification in the occurrence and development of CHD, is ongoing. DNA methylation has the potential to become warning biomarkers, which might provide new ideas and evidences for mechanistic studies of CHD.

Application of DNA methylation in detection of endometrial carcinoma in women with abnormal uterine bleeding at childbearing age / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:This work aims to explore the application value of cervical exfoliated cell DNA (Cysteine dioxygenase type 1, CDO1 and CUGBP Elav-like family member 4, CELF4) methylation in the detection of endometrial cancer in women of childbearing age. Methods:From November 2021 to October 2022, a prospective study was conducted on a total number of 517 reproductive-age women with abnormal uterine bleeding who had surgical indications for hysteroscopy at the Xiangya Third Hospital of Central South University. The cervical exfoliated cells were collected for cytology, HPV (human papillomavirus) and gene methylation detection before operation. Clinical information of patients, level of tumor-related biomarkers, and endometrial thickness of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) were also collected. Single factor regression method was used to analyze the high-risk factors of endometrial cancer. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to obtain the area under the curve(AUC), focusing on the screening efficacy of gene methylation test for endometrial cancer in women of childbearing age.Results:The age, body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m 2, endometrial thickness≥11 mm, CDO1 m ΔCt≤8.4, CELF4 m ΔCt≤8.8, and double gene methylation were associated with endometrial cancer in women of childbearing age, 1.16(1.08-1.25), 4.33(1.89-10.31), 9.49(3.88-26.69), 69.62(25.70-224.36), 23.64(9.66-63.99), 87.39(24.83-555.05), all P<0.05. The AUC was 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.97) of CDO1 m/ CELF4 m in diagnosing endometrial carcinoma was higher than others factors, with sensitivity and specificity of 91.7% (95% CI 80.6%-100%) and 88.8% (95% CI 86.0%-91.6%). TVS combined with DNA methylation detection further improved the sensitivity to 95.8% (95% CI 87.8%-100%), but could not improve the specificity 68.0% (95% CI 63.8%-72.1%). Conclusions:For women of childbearing age with abnormal uterine bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge, the accuracy of cervical cytology DNA methyl detection of endometrial cancer is better than other non-invasive clinical programs. DNA methylation combined with TVS can improve the sensitivity of detection.

The trend and challenge of DNA methylation clinical application in cervical cancer / 中华检验医学杂志

According to the current cervical cancer screening strategy and the World Health Orgnization cervical cancer diagnosis/screening guidelines, gene methylation will be included in the new guidelines in the future. However, the value of detecting DNA methylation at specific sites in the clinical specimens during the cervical cancer treatment remains to be discussed. This article summarised the role of DNA methylation in the development of cervical cancer and discusses the potential clinical application of methylation detection in the management of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) positive female patients. It is believed that methylation test can not only be used for the preliminary classification of hrHPV positive female patients, but also for the secondary triage of female patients with slight cytological abnormalities to determine the high risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3(CIN3) or cancer. It can also be used for the withdrawal test of women in the screening program to support the management of CIN.