Publications
193 results found
Evangelou E, Gao H, Chu C, et al., 2018, Genome-wide association and functional studies identify 46 novel loci for alcohol consumption and suggest common genetic mechanisms with neuropsychiatric disorders, bioRxiv The preprint server for biology
Abstract Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Alcohol consumption is a heritable complex trait. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of alcohol use in ~480,000 people of European descent to decipher the genetic architecture of alcohol intake. We identified 46 novel, common loci, and investigated their potential functional significance using magnetic resonance imaging data, gene expression and behavioral studies in Drosophila . Our results identify new genetic pathways associated with alcohol consumption and suggest common genetic mechanisms with several neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia.
Macare C, Ducci F, Zhang Y, et al., 2018, A neurobiological pathway to smoking in adolescence: TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 variants and reward response, European Neuropsychopharmacology, Vol: 28, Pages: 1103-1114, ISSN: 0924-977X
The TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 gene-cluster has been implicated in adult smoking. Here, we investigated the contribution of individual genes in the TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 cluster in smoking and their association with smoking-associated reward processing in adolescence. A meta-analysis of TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 variants and self-reported smoking behaviours was performed in four European adolescent cohorts (N = 14,084). The minor G-allele of rs2236709, mapping TTC12, was associated with self-reported smoking (p = 5.0 × 10−4) and higher plasma cotinine levels (p = 7.0 × 10−5). This risk allele was linked to an increased ventral-striatal blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response during reward anticipation (n = 1,263) and with higher DRD2 gene expression in the striatum (p = 0.013), but not with TTC12 or ANKK gene expression. These data suggest a role for the TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 gene-cluster in adolescent smoking behaviours, provide evidence for the involvement of DRD2 in the early stages of addiction and support the notion that genetically-driven inter-individual differences in dopaminergic transmission mediate reward sensitivity and risk to smoking.
De Silva M, Sebert S, Alves AC, et al., 2018, Genetic architecture of early growth phenotypes gives insights into their link with later obesity, Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Ramzi NH, Yiorkas AM, Sebert S, et al., 2018, Relationship between BMI and emotion-handling capacity in an adult Finnish population: the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, PLoS ONE, Vol: 13, ISSN: 1932-6203
BackgroundAlexithymia, a difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions, has been associated with obesity and eating disorders in small-scale cross-sectional studies. Here, we assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and alexithymia in a large cohort of free-living Finnish adults over a 15-year period.MethodsParticipants were drawn from the Northern Finnish Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966). The 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used as a measure of alexithymia and was completed at the age of 31 years (31y: n = 4841), and 46 years (46y: n = 5404). BMI was recorded at both time points. Where data at both time points were available (n = 3274), the relationship between changes in BMI and TAS-20 over this time period was also investigated.ResultsBMI was significantly and positively associated with TAS-20 score (p<0.0001, both at 31 years and at 46 years of ages). The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounders (sex, marital status and several socio-economic indicators). In individuals who experienced the greatest change in BMI (in either direction) over the 15-year period, there was a modest mean increase in TAS-20 score.ConclusionsOur data revealed that TAS-20 score was correlated with and co-varied with body mass status. We suggest that future clinical research should consider the role of alexithymia in obesity. Further investigation of this relationship is warranted to ensure that the needs of obese subjects with undiagnosed alexithymia are considered in the design of weight management programmes.
Szepietowski O, Alsters SI, Mahir G, et al., 2018, PREDICTING REMISSION OF NON-INSULIN TREATED TYPE 2 DIABETES AFTER RYGB, 23rd World Congress of the International-Federation-for-the-Surgery-of-Obesity-and-Metabolic-Disorders (IFSO), Publisher: SPRINGER, Pages: 191-191, ISSN: 0960-8923
Yaghootkar H, Ji Y, Yiorkas AM, et al., 2018, Carrying more 'favourable adiposity' genetic factors is associated with higher adiposity but lower ectopic fat and lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, Publisher: WILEY, Pages: 27-27, ISSN: 0742-3071
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 1
Kraja AT, Evangelou E, Tzoulaki I, et al., 2017, New blood pressure associated loci identified in meta-analyses of 475,000 individuals, Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics, Vol: 10, ISSN: 1942-325X
Background—Genome-wide association studies have recently identified >400 loci that harbor DNA sequence variants that influence blood pressure (BP). Our earlier studies identified and validated 56 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with BP from meta-analyses of exome chip genotype data. An additional 100 variants yielded suggestive evidence of association.Methods and Results—Here, we augment the sample with 140 886 European individuals from the UK Biobank, in whom 77 of the 100 suggestive SNVs were available for association analysis with systolic BP or diastolic BP or pulse pressure. We performed 2 meta-analyses, one in individuals of European, South Asian, African, and Hispanic descent (pan-ancestry, ≈475 000), and the other in the subset of individuals of European descent (≈423 000). Twenty-one SNVs were genome-wide significant (P<5×10−8) for BP, of which 4 are new BP loci: rs9678851 (missense, SLC4A1AP), rs7437940 (AFAP1), rs13303 (missense, STAB1), and rs1055144 (7p15.2). In addition, we identified a potentially independent novel BP-associated SNV, rs3416322 (missense, SYNPO2L) at a known locus, uncorrelated with the previously reported SNVs. Two SNVs are associated with expression levels of nearby genes, and SNVs at 3 loci are associated with other traits. One SNV with a minor allele frequency <0.01, (rs3025380 at DBH) was genome-wide significant.Conclusions—We report 4 novel loci associated with BP regulation, and 1 independent variant at an established BP locus. This analysis highlights several candidate genes with variation that alter protein function or gene expression for potential follow-up.
Schierding W, Antony J, Karhunen V, et al., 2017, GWAS on prolonged gestation (post-term birth): analysis of successive Finnish birth cohorts., Journal of Medical Genetics, Vol: 55, Pages: 55-63, ISSN: 1468-6244
Background Gestation is a crucial timepoint in human development. Deviation from a term gestational age correlates with both acute and long-term adverse health effects for the child. Both being born preterm and post-term, that is, having short and long gestational ages, are heritable and influenced by the prenatal and perinatal environment. Despite the obvious heritable component, specific genetic influences underlying differences in gestational age are poorly understood.Methods We investigated the genetic architecture of gestational age in 9141 individuals, including 1167 born post-term, across two Northern Finland cohorts born in 1966 or 1986.Results Here we identify one globally significant intronic genetic variant within the ADAMTS13 gene that is associated with prolonged gestation (p=4.85×10−8). Additional variants that reached suggestive levels of significance were identified within introns at the ARGHAP42 and TKT genes, and in the upstream (5’) intergenic regions of the B3GALT5 and SSBP2 genes. The variants near the ADAMTS13, B3GALT5, SSBP2 and TKT loci are linked to alterations in gene expression levels (cis-eQTLs). Luciferase assays confirmed the allele specific enhancer activity for the BGALT5 and TKT loci.Conclusions Our findings provide the first evidence of a specific genetic influence associated with prolonged gestation. This study forms a foundation for a better understanding of the genetic and long-term health risks faced by induced and post-term individuals. The long-term risks for induced individuals who have a previously overlooked post-term potential may be a major issue for current health providers.
Fiamoncini J, Yiorkas AM, Gedrich K, et al., 2017, Determinants of postprandial plasma bile acid kinetics in human volunteers, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY, Vol: 313, Pages: G300-G312, ISSN: 0193-1857
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 34
Loviglio MN, Leleu M, Maennik K, et al., 2017, Chromosomal contacts connect loci associated with autism, BMI and head circumference phenotypes, MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY, Vol: 22, Pages: 836-849, ISSN: 1359-4184
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 50
Williams DM, Buxton JL, Kantomaa MT, et al., 2017, Associations of Leukocyte Telomere Length With Aerobic and Muscular Fitness in Young Adults, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, Vol: 185, Pages: 529-537, ISSN: 0002-9262
Decline in both telomere length and physical fitness over the life course may contribute to increased risk of several chronic diseases. The relationship between telomere length and aerobic and muscular fitness is not well characterized. We examined whether there are cross-sectional associations of mean relative leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with objective measures of aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and muscle endurance, using data on 31-year-old participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 4,952–5,205, varying by exposure-outcome analysis). Aerobic fitness was assessed by means of heart rate measurement following a standardized submaximal step test; muscular fitness was assessed by means of a maximal isometric handgrip strength test and a test of lower-back trunk muscle endurance. Longer LTL was associated with higher aerobic fitness and better trunk muscle endurance in models including adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, socioeconomic position, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and C-reactive protein. In a sex-stratified analysis, LTL was not associated with handgrip strength in either men or women. LTL may relate to aspects of physical fitness in young adulthood, but replication of these findings is required, along with further studies to help assess directions and causality in these associations.
Surendran P, Drenos F, Young R, et al., 2016, Trans-ancestry meta-analyses identify rare and common variants associated with blood pressure and hypertension, Nature Genetics, Vol: 48, Pages: 1151-1161, ISSN: 1546-1718
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. However, there is limited knowledge on specific causal genes and pathways. To better understand the genetics of blood pressure, we genotyped 242,296 rare, low-frequency and common genetic variants in up to ~192,000 individuals, and used ~155,063 samples for independent replication. We identified 31 novel blood pressure or hypertension associated genetic regions in the general population, including three rare missense variants in RBM47, COL21A1 and RRAS with larger effects (>1.5mmHg/allele) than common variants. Multiple rare, nonsense and missense variant associations were found in A2ML1 and a low-frequency nonsense variant in ENPEP was identified. Our data extend the spectrum of allelic variation underlying blood pressure traits and hypertension, provide new insights into the pathophysiology of hypertension and indicate new targets for clinical intervention.
Tharakan G, Scott R, Szepietowski O, et al., 2016, Limitations of the DiaRem Score in Predicting Remission of Diabetes Following Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) in an ethnically Diverse Population from a Single Institution in the UK, Obesity Surgery, Vol: 27, Pages: 782-786, ISSN: 1708-0428
PurposeThis study aimed to determine the predictive power of the DiaRem score following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to identify patients who would have diabetes remission at 1 year in an ethnically diverse population.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 262 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent RYGB at the Imperial Weight Centre, UK, from 2007 to 2014. Data was collected on the parameters required to calculate the DiaRem score as well as pre- and post-surgical weight and the ethnicity of the subjects.ResultsThe studied cohort was ethnically diverse (61.3 % Caucasian, 10.3 % Asian, 5.3 % black, 2.6 % mixed and 20.6 % other). At 1-year post-surgery, there were significant reductions in mean weight (133.4 to 94.3 kg) and BMI (46.7 to 33.3 kg/m2). The mean HbA1c decreased from 8.2 to 6.1 %, and 32.5 % of the cohort underwent either partial or complete remission. 67.8 % of the patients that were classified in group 1 of the DiaRem score (most likely to have remission) had complete remission. However, 22.9 % of the patients predicted to have the least chance of remission had either partial or complete remission.ConclusionsIn this ethnically diverse cohort, the DiaRem score remains a useful tool to predict diabetes remission in those that have a low DiaRem score (high chance for remission) but was more limited in its predictive power in those with a high DiaRem score (least likely to have remission). Caution must be used in the application of this model in populations other than the US white Caucasian population used to derive the score.
Kanoni S, Masca NG, Stirrups KE, et al., 2016, Analysis with the exome array identifies multiple new independent variants in lipid loci., Human Molecular Genetics, Vol: 25, Pages: 4094-4106, ISSN: 1460-2083
It has been hypothesized that low frequency (1-5% minor allele frequency (MAF)) and rare (<1% MAF) variants with large effect sizes may contribute to the missing heritability in complex traits. Here, we report an association analysis of lipid traits (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol triglycerides) in up to 27 312 individuals with a comprehensive set of low frequency coding variants (ExomeChip), combined with conditional analysis in the known lipid loci. No new locus reached genome-wide significance. However, we found a new lead variant in 26 known lipid association regions of which 16 were >1000-fold more significant than the previous sentinel variant and not in close LD (six had MAF <5%). Furthermore, conditional analysis revealed multiple independent signals (ranging from 1 to 5) in a third of the 98 lipid loci tested, including rare variants. Addition of our novel associations resulted in between 1.5- and 2.5-fold increase in the proportion of heritability explained for the different lipid traits. Our findings suggest that rare coding variants contribute to the genetic architecture of lipid traits.
O'Kane M, Parretti HM, Hughes CA, et al., 2016, Guidelines for the follow-up of patients undergoing bariatric surgery, CLINICAL OBESITY, Vol: 6, Pages: 210-224, ISSN: 1758-8103
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 61
Taylor D, Murphy J, Ahmad M, et al., 2016, Quantified-self for obesity: physical activity behaviour sensing to improve health outcomes, Publisher: IOS Press, Pages: 414-416, ISSN: 1879-8365
Physical activity levels in bariatric patients have not been well documented, despite their importance in maintaining weight loss following surgery. This study investigated the feasibility of tracking physical activity using a smartphone app with minimal user interaction. Thus far, we have obtained good quality data from 255 patients at various points in their weight loss journey. Preliminary analyses indicate little change in physical activity levels following surgery with pre-surgery patients reaching an average of 16 minutes per day and post-surgery patients achieving a daily average of 21 minutes. Further analyses using machine-learning techniques will be conducted to determine whether physical activity is a critical factor in distinguishing between successful and unsuccessful weight loss outcomes and in the resolution of comorbid conditions in patients with similar clinical profiles.
Malietzis G, Lee GH, Al-Hassi HO, et al., 2016, Body composition of the host influences dendritic cell phenotype in patients treated for colorectal cancer, Tumor Biology, Vol: 37, Pages: 11359-11364, ISSN: 1423-0380
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that can acquire tumour antigens and initiate cytotoxic T cell reactions. Obesity has been proposed as a cause for tumours escaping immune surveillance, but few studies investigate the impact of other body composition parameters. We examined the relationship of DC phenotype with computer tomography (CT)-defined parameters in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). DCs were identified within peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry as HLA-DR positive and negative for markers of other cell lineages in 21 patients. Analysis of CT scans was used to calculate lumbar skeletal muscle index (LSMI) and mean muscle attenuation (MA). Positive correlation between the LSMI and expression of CD40 in all DCs (r = 0.45; p = 0.04) was demonstrated. The MA was positively correlated with scavenger receptor CD36 [all DCs (r = 0.60; p = 0.01) and myeloid DCs (r = 0.63; p < 0.01)]. However, the MA was negatively correlated with CCR7 expression in all DCs (r = −0.46, p = 0.03.) and with CD83 [all DCs (r = −0.63; p = 0.01) and myeloid DCs (r = −0.75; p < 0.01)]. There were no relationships between the fat indexes and the DC phenotype. These results highlight a direct relationship between muscle depletion and changes in stimulatory, migratory and fatty acid-processing potential of DC in patients with CRC.
O'Kane M, Parretti H, Hughes C, et al., 2016, Improving UK long term follow up of bariatric surgery patients, 7th BOMSS Annual Scientific Meeting, Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL, Pages: 23-24, ISSN: 0007-1323
Williams DM, Palaniswamy S, Sebert S, et al., 2016, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration and Leukocyte Telomere Length in Young Adults: Findings From the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol: 183, Pages: 191-198, ISSN: 1476-6256
Higher vitamin D status, lower adiposity, and longer telomere length are each reportedly associated with lower risk of several chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. However, direct relationships between vitamin D status (measured by circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration), adiposity, and telomere length are not well established. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of associations of 25(OH)D and body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)2) with mean relative leukocyte telomere length (LTL) using data gathered on 5,096 participants from Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 at age 31 years (1997). 25(OH)D was not associated with LTL in either basic or confounder/mediator-adjusted models. BMI was inversely associated with LTL after adjustment for potential confounding by age, sex, socioeconomic position, physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol intake, and use of oral contraceptives (per 1-unit increase in BMI, mean difference in LTL = −0.4%, 95% confidence interval: −0.6, −0.2). The BMI-LTL association was also independent of 25(OH)D and was attenuated slightly, but remained, after adjustment for C-reactive protein, a marker of low-grade inflammation (mean difference in LTL = −0.3%, 95% confidence interval −0.6, −0.1). These findings suggest that vitamin D status is unlikely to be an important determinant of LTL, at least by young adulthood. Inflammation may partly mediate associations of adiposity with LTL.
Walsh KM, Codd V, Rice T, et al., 2015, Longer genotypically-estimated leukocyte telomere length is associated with increased adult glioma risk, ONCOTARGET, Vol: 6, Pages: 42468-42477
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 75
Felix JF, Bradfield JP, Monnereau C, et al., 2015, Genome-wide association analysis identifies three new susceptibility loci for childhood body mass index., Human Molecular Genetics, Vol: 25, Pages: 389-403, ISSN: 1460-2083
A large number of genetic loci are associated with adult body mass index. However, the genetics of childhood body mass index are largely unknown. We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of childhood body mass index, using sex- and age-adjusted standard deviation scores. We included 35 668 children from 20 studies in the discovery phase and 11 873 children from 13 studies in the replication phase. In total, 15 loci reached genome-wide significance (P-value < 5 × 10(-8)) in the joint discovery and replication analysis, of which 12 are previously identified loci in or close to ADCY3, GNPDA2, TMEM18, SEC16B, FAIM2, FTO, TFAP2B, TNNI3K, MC4R, GPR61, LMX1B and OLFM4 associated with adult body mass index or childhood obesity. We identified three novel loci: rs13253111 near ELP3, rs8092503 near RAB27B and rs13387838 near ADAM23. Per additional risk allele, body mass index increased 0.04 Standard Deviation Score (SDS) [Standard Error (SE) 0.007], 0.05 SDS (SE 0.008) and 0.14 SDS (SE 0.025), for rs13253111, rs8092503 and rs13387838, respectively. A genetic risk score combining all 15 SNPs showed that each additional average risk allele was associated with a 0.073 SDS (SE 0.011, P-value = 3.12 × 10(-10)) increase in childhood body mass index in a population of 1955 children. This risk score explained 2% of the variance in childhood body mass index. This study highlights the shared genetic background between childhood and adult body mass index and adds three novel loci. These loci likely represent age-related differences in strength of the associations with body mass index.
Ruffmann C, Calboli FC, Bravi I, et al., 2015, Cortical Lewy bodies and Aβ burden are associated with prevalence and timing of dementia in Lewy body diseases., Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, Vol: 42, Pages: 436-450, ISSN: 1365-2990
AIMS: Our main objective was to determine the neuropathological correlates of dementia in patients with Lewy body disease (LBD). Furthermore, we used data derived from clinical, neuropathological and genetic studies to investigate boundary issues between Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease with (PDD) and without (PDND) dementia. METHODS: 121 cases with a neuropathological diagnosis of LBD and clinical information on dementia status were included in the analysis (55 PDD, 17 DLB and 49 PDND). We carried out topographical and semi-quantitative assessment of Lewy bodies (LB), Aβ plaques and tau-positive neuropil threads (NT). The APOE genotype and MAPT haplotype status were also determined. RESULTS: The cortical LB (CLB) burden was the only independent predictor of dementia (OR: 4.12, p<0.001). The total cortical Aβ plaque burden was an independent predictor of a shorter latency to dementia from onset of motor signs (p=0.001). DLB cases had a higher LB burden in the parietal and temporal cortex, compared to PDD. Carrying at least one APOE ϵ4 allele was associated with a higher cortical LB burden (p=0.02), particularly in the neocortical frontal, parietal, and temporal regions. CONCLUSIONS: High CLB burden is a key neuropathological substrate of dementia in LBD. Elevated cortical LB pathology and Aβ plaque deposition are both correlated with a faster progression to dementia. The higher CLB load in the temporal and parietal regions, which seems to be a distinguishing feature of DLB, may account for the shorter latency to dementia and could be mediated by the APOE ϵ4 allele. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Malietzis G, Lee GH, Bernardo D, et al., 2015, The prognostic significance and relationship with body composition of CCR7-positive cells in colorectal cancer, Journal of Surgical Oncology, Vol: 112, Pages: 86-92, ISSN: 1096-9098
Background and ObjectivesThe host local immune response (LIR) to cancer is a determinant of cancer outcome. Regulation of this local response is largely achieved through chemokine synthesis from the tumor microenvironment such as C-Chemokine-Receptor-7 (CCR7). We examined the LIR measured as CCR7 expression, in colorectal cancers (CRC) and explored relationships with body composition (BC) and survival.MethodsA study of paraffin-embedded tissue specimens was carried out in 116 patients with non-metastatic CRC. CCR7 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Analysis of computer tomography scans was used to calculate BC parameters. Survival analyses and multivariate regression models were used.ResultsHigh CCR7+ cell density within the tumor stroma and at the margin was significantly associated with increased age, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, higher tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, high Klintrup-Makinen immune score, and myosteatosis. High CCR7+ cell density in the tumor margin was significantly associated with shorter disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (P < 0.001). This was also significantly associated with shorter survival in multivariate analysis (HR = 8.87; 95%CI [2.51–31.3]; P < 0.01 for OS and HR = 4.72; 95%CI (1.24–12.9); P = 0.02 for DFS).ConclusionsOur results suggest that a specific immune microenvironment may be associated with altered host's BC and tumor behavior, and that CCR7 may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker.
Alsters SIM, Goldstone AP, Buxton JL, et al., 2015, Truncating homozygous mutation of carboxypeptidase E (CPE) in a morbidly obese female with type 2 diabetes mellitus, intellectual disability and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, PLOS One, Vol: 10, ISSN: 1932-6203
Carboxypeptidase E is a peptide processing enzyme, involved in cleaving numerous peptide precursors, including neuropeptides and hormones involved in appetite control and glucose metabolism. Exome sequencing of a morbidly obese female from a consanguineous family revealed homozygosity for a truncating mutation of the CPE gene (c.76_98del; p.E26RfsX68). Analysis detected no CPE expression in whole blood-derived RNA from the proband, consistent with nonsense-mediated decay. The morbid obesity, intellectual disability, abnormal glucose homeostasis and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism seen in this individual recapitulates phenotypes in the previously described fat/fat and Cpe knockout mouse models, evidencing the importance of this peptide/hormone-processing enzyme in regulating body weight, metabolism, and brain and reproductive function in humans.
Noseda M, Harada M, McSweeney S, et al., 2015, PDGFRα demarcates the cardiogenic clonogenic Sca1(+) stem/progenitor cell in adult murine myocardium, Nature Communications, Vol: 6, ISSN: 2041-1723
Cardiac progenitor/stem cells in adult hearts represent an attractive therapeutic target for heart regeneration, though (inter)-relationships among reported cells remain obscure. Using single-cell qRT-PCR and clonal analyses, here we define four subpopulations of cardiac progenitor/stem cells in adult mouse myocardium all sharing stem cell antigen-1 (Sca1), based on side population (SP) phenotype, PECAM-1 (CD31) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα) expression. SP status predicts clonogenicity and cardiogenic gene expression (Gata4/6, Hand2 and Tbx5/20), properties segregating more specifically to PDGFRα(+) cells. Clonal progeny of single Sca1(+) SP cells show cardiomyocyte, endothelial and smooth muscle lineage potential after cardiac grafting, augmenting cardiac function although durable engraftment is rare. PDGFRα(-) cells are characterized by Kdr/Flk1, Cdh5, CD31 and lack of clonogenicity. PDGFRα(+)/CD31(-) cells derive from cells formerly expressing Mesp1, Nkx2-5, Isl1, Gata5 and Wt1, distinct from PDGFRα(-)/CD31(+) cells (Gata5 low; Flk1 and Tie2 high). Thus, PDGFRα demarcates the clonogenic cardiogenic Sca1(+) stem/progenitor cell.
Stathopoulou MG, Petrelis AM, Buxton JL, et al., 2015, Genetic Determinants of Leucocyte Telomere Length in Children: a Neglected and Challenging Field, PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Vol: 29, Pages: 146-150, ISSN: 0269-5022
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 9
Yiorkas AM, Nor-Hashim NA, Alsters SIM, et al., 2015, Association of polygenic genetic risk score with BMI is modified by the presence of deleterious alleles in monogenic obesity genes, ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM, Vol: 67, Pages: 48-49, ISSN: 0250-6807
Stegenga H, Haines A, Jones K, et al., 2014, GUIDELINES Identification, assessment, and management of overweight and obesity: summary of updated NICE guidance, BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, Vol: 349, ISSN: 1756-1833
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 123
van der Valk RJP, Kreiner-Moller E, Kooijman MN, et al., 2014, A novel common variant in DCST2 is associated with length in early life and height in adulthood, Human Molecular Genetics, Vol: 24, Pages: 1155-1168, ISSN: 1460-2083
Common genetic variants have been identified for adult height, but not much is known about the genetics of skeletal growth in early life. To identify common genetic variants that influence fetal skeletal growth, we meta-analyzed 22 genome-wide association studies (Stage 1; N = 28 459). We identified seven independent top single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (P < 1 × 10−6) for birth length, of which three were novel and four were in or near loci known to be associated with adult height (LCORL, PTCH1, GPR126 and HMGA2). The three novel SNPs were followed-up in nine replication studies (Stage 2; N = 11 995), with rs905938 in DC-STAMP domain containing 2 (DCST2) genome-wide significantly associated with birth length in a joint analysis (Stages 1 + 2; β = 0.046, SE = 0.008, P = 2.46 × 10−8, explained variance = 0.05%). Rs905938 was also associated with infant length (N = 28 228; P = 5.54 × 10−4) and adult height (N = 127 513; P = 1.45 × 10−5). DCST2 is a DC-STAMP-like protein family member and DC-STAMP is an osteoclast cell-fusion regulator. Polygenic scores based on 180 SNPs previously associated with human adult stature explained 0.13% of variance in birth length. The same SNPs explained 2.95% of the variance of infant length. Of the 180 known adult height loci, 11 were genome-wide significantly associated with infant length (SF3B4, LCORL, SPAG17, C6orf173, PTCH1, GDF5, ZNFX1, HHIP, ACAN, HLA locus and HMGA2). This study highlights that common variation in DCST2 influences variation in early growth and adult height.
Malietzis G, Lee GH, Bernardo D, et al., 2014, Muscle mass of the host and dendritic cell phenotype in patients with colorectal cancer, EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER, Vol: 50, Pages: S218-S218, ISSN: 0959-8049
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.