1. |
- Hibar, Derrek P., et al.
(author)
-
Novel genetic loci associated with hippocampal volume
- 2017
-
In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The hippocampal formation is a brain structure integrally involved in episodic memory, spatial navigation, cognition and stress responsiveness. Structural abnormalities in hippocampal volume and shape are found in several common neuropsychiatric disorders. To identify the genetic underpinnings of hippocampal structure here we perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 33,536 individuals and discover six independent loci significantly associated with hippocampal volume, four of them novel. Of the novel loci, three lie within genes (ASTN2, DPP4 and MAST4) and one is found 200 kb upstream of SHH. A hippocampal subfield analysis shows that a locus within the MSRB3 gene shows evidence of a localized effect along the dentate gyrus, subiculum, CA1 and fissure. Further, we show that genetic variants associated with decreased hippocampal volume are also associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (r(g) = -0.155). Our findings suggest novel biological pathways through which human genetic variation influences hippocampal volume and risk for neuropsychiatric illness.
|
|
2. |
- Satizabal, Claudia L., et al.
(author)
-
Genetic architecture of subcortical brain structures in 38,851 individuals
- 2019
-
In: Nature Genetics. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 51:11, s. 1624-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Subcortical brain structures are integral to motion, consciousness, emotions and learning. We identified common genetic variation related to the volumes of the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen and thalamus, using genome-wide association analyses in almost 40,000 individuals from CHARGE, ENIGMA and UK Biobank. We show that variability in subcortical volumes is heritable, and identify 48 significantly associated loci (40 novel at the time of analysis). Annotation of these loci by utilizing gene expression, methylation and neuropathological data identified 199 genes putatively implicated in neurodevelopment, synaptic signaling, axonal transport, apoptosis, inflammation/infection and susceptibility to neurological disorders. This set of genes is significantly enriched for Drosophila orthologs associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes, suggesting evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. Our findings uncover novel biology and potential drug targets underlying brain development and disease.
|
|
3. |
- Beverborg, Niels Grote, et al.
(author)
-
Phospholamban antisense oligonucleotides improve cardiac function in murine cardiomyopathy
- 2021
-
In: Nature Communications. - Stockholm : Karolinska Institutet, Dept of Cell and Molecular Biology. - 2041-1723.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, highlighting an urgent need for novel treatment options, despite recent improvements. Aberrant Ca2+ handling is a key feature of HF pathophysiology. Restoring the Ca2+ regulating machinery is an attractive therapeutic strategy supported by genetic and pharmacological proof of concept studies. Here, we study antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) as a therapeutic modality, interfering with the PLN/SERCA2a interaction by targeting Pln mRNA for downregulation in the heart of murine HF models. Mice harboring the PLN R14del pathogenic variant recapitulate the human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) phenotype; subcutaneous administration of PLN-ASO prevents PLN protein aggregation, cardiac dysfunction, and leads to a 3-fold increase in survival rate. In another genetic DCM mouse model, unrelated to PLN (Cspr3/Mlp−/−), PLN-ASO also reverses the HF phenotype. Finally, in rats with myocardial infarction, PLN-ASO treatment prevents progression of left ventricular dilatation and improves left ventricular contractility. Thus, our data establish that antisense inhibition of PLN is an effective strategy in preclinical models of genetic cardiomyopathy as well as ischemia driven HF.
|
|
4. |
- Ronkainen, Justiina, et al.
(author)
-
LongITools: Dynamic longitudinal exposome trajectories in cardiovascular and metabolic noncommunicable diseases
- 2022
-
In: Environmental Epidemiology. - 2474-7882. ; 6:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The current epidemics of cardiovascular and metabolic noncommunicable diseases have emerged alongside dramatic modifications in lifestyle and living environments. These correspond to changes in our "modern" postwar societies globally characterized by rural-to-urban migration, modernization of agricultural practices, and transportation, climate change, and aging. Evidence suggests that these changes are related to each other, although the social and biological mechanisms as well as their interactions have yet to be uncovered. LongITools, as one of the 9 projects included in the European Human Exposome Network, will tackle this environmental health equation linking multidimensional environmental exposures to the occurrence of cardiovascular and metabolic noncommunicable diseases.
|
|
5. |
- de Rooij, Susanne R., et al.
(author)
-
Fasting insulin has a stronger association with an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile than insulin resistance: the RISC study
- 2009
-
In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - 1479-683X. ; 161:2, s. 223-230
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Fasting insulin concentrations are often used as a surrogate measure or insulin resistance. We investigated the relative contributions Of fasting insulin and insulin resistance to cardiometabolic risk and preclinical atherosclerosis. Design and methods: The Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular disease (RISC) cohort consists of 1326 European non-diabetic. overall healthy men and women aged 30-60 years. We performed standard oral glucose tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps. As a general measure of cardiovascular risk, we assessed the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome ill 1177 participants. Carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) was measured by ultrasound to assess preclinical atherosclerosis. Results: Fasting insulin was correlated with all elements of the metabolic syndrome. Insulin sensitivity (M/I) was correlated with most. elements. The odds ratio for the metabolic syndrome of those ill the highest quartile of fasting insulin compared with those in the lower quartiles was 5.4 (95%, confidence interval (CI) 2.8-10.3. adjusted for insulin sensitivity) in men and 5.1 (2.6-9.9) in women. The odds ratio for metabolic syndrome of those With insulin sensitivity in the lowest. quartile of the cohort compared with those in the higher quartiles was 2.4 (95% CI 1.3-4.7, adjusted for fasting insulin) ill men and 1.6 (0.8-3.1) in women. Carotid IMT was only statistically significantly associated with fasting insulin in both men and women. Conclusions: Fasting insulin, a simple and practical measure. may be a stronger and independent contributor to cardiometabolic risk and atherosclerosis in a healthy Population than hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp-derived insulin sensitivity.
|
|
6. |
- de Rooij, Susanne R., et al.
(author)
-
Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation in the Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease (RISC) Population Associations with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk profile
- 2009
-
In: Diabetes Care. - : American Diabetes Association. - 1935-5548 .- 0149-5992. ; 32:7, s. 1295-1301
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE - Low-grade chronic inflammation has been hypothesized to underlie the constellation of cardiometabolic risk factors, possibly by inducing insulin resistance. In the present study, we investigated associations between inflammation markers, insulin sensitivity (expressed as the ratio of the M value to the mean plasma insulin concentrations measured during the Final 40 min of the clamp [M/I]), and a range of cardiometabolic risk factors in a large, healthy population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - The Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease (RISC) cohort includes 1,326 nondiabetic European men and women, aged between 30 and 60 years. We measured cardiometabolic risk factors and performed a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. We determined total white blood cell count (WBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as markers of chronic inflammation. RESULTS - WBC and ESR were both Strongly associated with M/I. WBC and ESR were further associated with a range of cardiometabolic risk factors. Associations between WBC and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, heart rate, fasting C-peptide, and insulin and 2-h insulin in men and women and between WBC and 2-h glucose in women remained significant after adjustment for both M/I and waist circumference. Associations between ESR and HDL cholesterol, heart rate, fasting, and 2-h insulin in men and women and between ESR and fat mass in women remained significant after adjustment for M/I and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS - This study showed that low-grade chronic inflammation is associated with the cardiometabolic risk profile of a healthy population. Insulin resistance, although Strongly associated with inflammation, does not seem to play a large intermediary role.
|
|
7. |
- van Dammen, Lotte, et al.
(author)
-
Sex-specific associations between person and environment-related childhood adverse events and levels of cortisol and DHEA in adolescence
- 2020
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : PLOS. - 1932-6203. ; 15:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Person and environment-related childhood adverse events have been demonstrated to increase the risk of impaired mental health in later life differently for boys and girls. Altered hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis functioning has been suggested as a key mechanism underlying this association. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are both output hormones of the HPA-axis. DHEA may have a protective function against long-term exposure to increased levels of cortisol, but has been little investigated in relation to childhood adversity. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test the associations between person-, and environment-related childhood adversity and levels of cortisol, DHEA and cortisol/DHEA ratio in adolescent boys and girls. METHODS: A total of 215 Dutch adolescents participated in the study and filled out the 27-item Adverse Life Events Questionnaire for the assessment of childhood adversity, which was split up in separate scores for person-related and environment-related events. Cortisol and DHEA concentrations and cortisol/DHEA ratio were determined in proximal 3 cm long hair segments. Additionally, saliva samples were collected immediately and 30 minutes after waking up, at noon and at 8 pm. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to test associations between childhood adversity and cortisol and DHEA concentrations, for boys and girls separately, with age, BMI and pubertal development as covariates. RESULTS: Data were available for 74 boys and 116 girls with a mean age of 15.7 years (SD = 2.0). Higher levels of person-related childhood adversity were associated with higher hair DHEA levels in girls and with higher hair cortisol levels in boys. A trend towards a significant association was observed between higher levels of environment-related childhood adversity and higher DHEA levels in boys. Neither person- nor environment related childhood adversity was associated with cortisol/DHEA ratio. A trend was observed for environment-related childhood adversity and lower daily cortisol output in boys. CONCLUSION: We found differential associations between childhood adversity and cortisol and DHEA levels in girls and boys, for respectively person-related and environment-related childhood adversity. Our findings suggest that different types of childhood adversity are not only linked to levels of cortisol, but also to DHEA concentrations, in a sex-specific manner, with possible future implications for mental health.
|
|