scholarly journals The Role of Epigenomics in Osteoporosis and Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9455
Author(s):  
Kyoung-Tae Kim ◽  
Young-Seok Lee ◽  
Inbo Han

Osteoporosis is a complex multifactorial condition of the musculoskeletal system. Osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) are associated with high medical costs and can lead to poor quality of life. Genetic factors are important in determining bone mass and structure, as well as any predisposition for bone degradation and OVF. However, genetic factors are not enough to explain osteoporosis development and OVF occurrence. Epigenetics describes a mechanism for controlling gene expression and cellular processes without altering DNA sequences. The main mechanisms in epigenetics are DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Recently, alterations in epigenetic mechanisms and their activity have been associated with osteoporosis and OVF. Here, we review emerging evidence that epigenetics contributes to the machinery that can alter DNA structure, gene expression, and cellular differentiation during physiological and pathological bone remodeling. A progressive understanding of normal bone metabolism and the role of epigenetic mechanisms in multifactorial osteopathy can help us better understand the etiology of the disease and convert this information into clinical practice. A deep understanding of these mechanisms will help in properly coordinating future individual treatments of osteoporosis and OVF.

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1688) ◽  
pp. 20150114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy G. Forger

Circumstantial evidence alone argues that the establishment and maintenance of sex differences in the brain depend on epigenetic modifications of chromatin structure. More direct evidence has recently been obtained from two types of studies: those manipulating a particular epigenetic mechanism, and those examining the genome-wide distribution of specific epigenetic marks. The manipulation of histone acetylation or DNA methylation disrupts the development of several neural sex differences in rodents. Taken together, however, the evidence suggests there is unlikely to be a simple formula for masculine or feminine development of the brain and behaviour; instead, underlying epigenetic mechanisms may vary by brain region or even by dependent variable within a region. Whole-genome studies related to sex differences in the brain have only very recently been reported, but suggest that males and females may use different combinations of epigenetic modifications to control gene expression, even in cases where gene expression does not differ between the sexes. Finally, recent findings are discussed that are likely to direct future studies on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in sexual differentiation of the brain and behaviour.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
N. G. KOSTOMITSOPOULOS (Ν.Γ. ΚΩΣΤΟΜΗΤΣΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ)

The oestrogen receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor that modulates specific gene expression by binding to short DNA sequences. The study of the role of oestrogen receptor on the expression of the mitogenic actionof oestrogens and oncogenesis lead biomedical research in new approaches of the treatment of oestrogen-dependent tumors by using antioestrogens. Main mechanism of action of antioestrogens is the prevention of oestrogen action by blocking the binding of oestradiol to the oestrogen receptor. Tamoxifen, the most wellknown antioestrogen, is widely used as adjuvant therapy in all stages of human breast cancer. Recently interest is focused on the potential use of "pure" antioestrogens. The use of antioestrogens in veterinary oncology is also under discussion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. González-Becerra ◽  
O. Ramos-Lopez ◽  
E. Barrón-Cabrera ◽  
J. I. Riezu-Boj ◽  
F. I. Milagro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chronic illnesses like obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases, are worldwide major causes of morbidity and mortality. These pathological conditions involve interactions between environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Recent advances in nutriepigenomics are contributing to clarify the role of some nutritional factors, including dietary fatty acids in gene expression regulation. This systematic review assesses currently available information concerning the role of the different fatty acids on epigenetic mechanisms that affect the development of chronic diseases or induce protective effects on metabolic alterations. Methods A targeted search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline databases using the keywords “fatty acids and epigenetic”. The data were analyzed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. Results Consumption fatty acids like n-3 PUFA: EPA and DHA, and MUFA: oleic and palmitoleic acid was associated with an improvement of metabolic alterations. On the other hand, fatty acids that have been associated with the presence or development of obesity, T2D, pro-inflammatory profile, atherosclerosis and IR were n-6 PUFA, saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic), and trans fatty acids (elaidic), have been also linked with epigenetic changes. Conclusions Fatty acids can regulate gene expression by modifying epigenetic mechanisms and consequently result in positive or negative impacts on metabolic outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Ghorbaninejad ◽  
Maliheh Khademi-Shirvan ◽  
Samaneh Hosseini ◽  
Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad

Abstract Efficient osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a critical step in the treatment of bone defects and skeletal disorders, which present challenges for cell-based therapy and regenerative medicine. Thus, it is necessary to understand the regulatory agents involved in osteogenesis. Epigenetic mechanisms are considered to be the primary mediators that regulate gene expression during MSC differentiation. In recent years, epigenetic enzyme inhibitors have been used as epidrugs in cancer therapy. A number of studies mentioned the role of epigenetic inhibitors in the regulation of gene expression patterns related to osteogenic differentiation. This review attempts to provide an overview of the key regulatory agents of osteogenesis: transcription factors, signaling pathways, and, especially, epigenetic mechanisms. In addition, we propose to introduce epigenetic enzyme inhibitors (epidrugs) and their applications as future therapeutic approaches for bone defect regeneration.


Author(s):  
Amit Nagal

Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. ChIP-seq, is a method used to analyze protein interactions with DNA. It is a type of epigenetic analysis technique. Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with massive parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) is gaining popularity day by day because of its clinical significance. It is a very effective tool in diagnosis of disease such as cancer. ChIP-seq is found to be very effective tool in understanding basic regulatory mechanism, cell differentiation study and studying disease processes with the decreasing cost of sequencing, ChIP-seq has become an indispensable tool for studying gene regulation and epigenetic mechanisms. The Present review explores epigenetic methods, pipeline and its role in cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 218 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerio Di Carlo ◽  
Ivano Mocavini ◽  
Luciano Di Croce

Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial for sustaining cell type–specific transcription programs. Among the distinct factors, Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are major negative regulators of gene expression in mammals. These proteins play key roles in regulating the proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation of stem cells. During hematopoietic differentiation, many PcG proteins are fundamental for proper lineage commitment, as highlighted by the fact that a lack of distinct PcG proteins results in embryonic lethality accompanied by differentiation biases. Correspondingly, proteins of these complexes are frequently dysregulated in hematological diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the role of PcG proteins in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, focusing on the compositional complexity of PcG complexes, and we briefly discuss the ongoing clinical trials for drugs targeting these factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4244
Author(s):  
Virginia Veronica Visconti ◽  
Ida Cariati ◽  
Simona Fittipaldi ◽  
Riccardo Iundusi ◽  
Elena Gasbarra ◽  
...  

DNA methylation is one of the most studied epigenetic mechanisms that play a pivotal role in regulating gene expression. The epigenetic component is strongly involved in aging-bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Both are complex multi-factorial late-onset disorders that represent a globally widespread health problem, highlighting a crucial point of investigations in many scientific studies. In recent years, new findings on the role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of aging-bone diseases have emerged. The aim of this systematic review is to update knowledge in the field of DNA methylation associated with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, focusing on the specific tissues involved in both pathological conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Alessio Metere ◽  
Claire E. Graves

Epigenetics is the interaction between the genome and environmental stimuli capable of influencing gene expression during development and aging. A large number of studies have shown that metabolic diseases are highly associated with epigenetic alterations, suggesting that epigenetic factors may play a central role in obesity. To investigate these relationships, we focus our attention on the most common epigenetic modifications that occur in obesity, including DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones. We also consider bariatric surgery as an epigenetic factor, evaluating how the anatomic and physiologic modifications induced by these surgical techniques can change gene expression. Here we discuss the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in chronic disease and cancer, and the role of epigenetic disturbances in obesity, with a focus on the role of bariatric surgery.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (45) ◽  
pp. 11427-11434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Cholewa-Waclaw ◽  
Adrian Bird ◽  
Melanie von Schimmelmann ◽  
Anne Schaefer ◽  
Huimei Yu ◽  
...  

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