Project description:The presence of an extra whole or part of chromosome 21 in people with Down syndrome (DS) is associated with multiple neurological changes, including pathological aging that often meets the criteria for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). While the mechanism underlying these changes is unknown, it has been hypothesized that the presence of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) on chromosome 21 may contribute to the phenotype. Genome-wide DNA methylation abnormalities have been shown in neural tissue of patients with AD, and cells may respond to changes in gene dosage with altered DNA methylation. We therefore examined whole-genome DNA methylation in buccal epithelial cells of adults with DS to determine whether patterns of DNA methylation correlated with DS and/or cognitive impairment. In addition we examined DNA methylation at the APP gene itself, to see whether there were changes in DNA methylation in this population. Using the Illumina 450K Human Methylation Array, we examined more than 485,000 CpG sites distributed across the genome in buccal epithelial cells. We found 297 CpGs to be differentially methylated between the groups, including 26 genes that were represented by more than one CpG. In addition, we found 331 probes that were correlated with cognitive function including 23 genes represented by more than one probe. We found no enrichment on chromosome 21 and targeted analysis of the APP gene revealed weak evidence for epigenetic impacts related to the AD phenotype. Overall, our results indicate that both Trisomy 21 and cognitive impairment are associated with distinct patterns of DNA methylation. This cohort consist of genomic DNA extracted from 20 buccal swabs, bisulphite converted and hybridized to the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 Beadchip for genome wide DNA methylation profiling.
Project description:The presence of an extra whole or part of chromosome 21 in people with Down syndrome (DS) is associated with multiple neurological changes, including pathological aging that often meets the criteria for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). While the mechanism underlying these changes is unknown, it has been hypothesized that the presence of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) on chromosome 21 may contribute to the phenotype. Genome-wide DNA methylation abnormalities have been shown in neural tissue of patients with AD, and cells may respond to changes in gene dosage with altered DNA methylation. We therefore examined whole-genome DNA methylation in buccal epithelial cells of adults with DS to determine whether patterns of DNA methylation correlated with DS and/or cognitive impairment. In addition we examined DNA methylation at the APP gene itself, to see whether there were changes in DNA methylation in this population. Using the Illumina 450K Human Methylation Array, we examined more than 485,000 CpG sites distributed across the genome in buccal epithelial cells. We found 297 CpGs to be differentially methylated between the groups, including 26 genes that were represented by more than one CpG. In addition, we found 331 probes that were correlated with cognitive function including 23 genes represented by more than one probe. We found no enrichment on chromosome 21 and targeted analysis of the APP gene revealed weak evidence for epigenetic impacts related to the AD phenotype. Overall, our results indicate that both Trisomy 21 and cognitive impairment are associated with distinct patterns of DNA methylation.
Project description:Down syndrome is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical signs, which include cognitive and endocrine disorders and haematological abnormalities. Although it is well established that the causative defect of Down syndrome is the trisomy of chromosome 21, the molecular bases of Down syndrome phenotype are still largely unknown. We used the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to investigate DNA methylation patterns in whole blood from 29 subjects affected by Down syndrome (DS), using their healthy relatives as controls (mothers and unaffected siblings). This family-based model allowed us to monitor possible confounding effects on DNA methylation patterns deriving from genetic and environmental (lifestyle) factors. The identified epigenetic signature of Down syndrome includes differentially methylated regions that, although enriched on chromosome 21, interest most of the other chromosomes and can be functionally linked to the developmental and haematological defects characteristic of the disease.
Project description:Down syndrome is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical signs, which include cognitive and endocrine disorders and haematological abnormalities. Although it is well established that the causative defect of Down syndrome is the trisomy of chromosome 21, the molecular bases of Down syndrome phenotype are still largely unknown. We used the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to investigate DNA methylation patterns in whole blood from 29 subjects affected by Down syndrome (DS), using their healthy relatives as controls (mothers and unaffected siblings). This family-based model allowed us to monitor possible confounding effects on DNA methylation patterns deriving from genetic and environmental (lifestyle) factors. The identified epigenetic signature of Down syndrome includes differentially methylated regions that, although enriched on chromosome 21, interest most of the other chromosomes and can be functionally linked to the developmental and haematological defects characteristic of the disease. DNA was extracted from whole peripheral blood using the QIAamp 96 DNA Blood Kit (QIAGEN) and quantified by Quant-iT™ PicoGreen (Invitrogen). Sodium bisulphite conversion of 500 ng of each sample was performed using the EZDNA Methylation-Gold Kit according to the manufacturer's recommendation for Illumina Infinium Assay. 4 ul of bisulfite converted DNA were hybridized on Infinium HumanMethylation 450 BeadChip, following manufacturer’s instructions. Arrays were scanned by HiScan SQ scanner (Illumina) and the intensities of the images were extracted using GenomeStudio (2010.3) Methylation module (1.8.5) software. Methylation levels of each CpG is reported as beta value.
Project description:Human DNA methylation Beadchip v1.2 was used to obtain DNA methylation profiles across approximately 486,000 CpGs. Dataset included 71 samples from multiple brain regions (cerebellum, temporal/occipital/frontal cortex). The goal was to evalute the effect of trisomy 21 on DNA methylation levels and epigenetic age. Explanation of characteristics variables in supplementary file Explanation_of_characteristic_variables2.docx Bisulphite converted DNA from the 71 samples were hybridised to the Illumina Infinium 450k Human Methylation Beadchip. Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome status) was related to CpGs.
Project description:Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is the most common viable chromosomal disorder with intellectual impairment and several other developmental abnormalities. Here, we report the generation and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from monozygotic twins discordant for trisomy 21 in order to eliminate the effects of the variability of genomic background. The alterations observed by genetic analysis at the iPSC level and at first approximation in early development illustrate the developmental disease transcriptional signature of Down syndrome. Moreover, we observed an abnormal neural differentiation of Down syndrome iPSCs in vivo when formed teratoma in NOD-SCID mice, and in vitro when differentiated into neuroprogenitors and neurons. These defects were associated with changes in the architecture and density of neurons, astroglial and oligodendroglial cells together with misexpression of genes involved in neurogenesis, lineage specification and differentiation. Furthermore, we provide novel evidence that dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) on chromosome 21 likely contribute to these defects. Importantly, we found that targeting DYRK1A pharmacologically or by shRNA results in a considerable correction of these defects. mRNA-seq profiling of iPS cells (4 euploid and 3 trisomy 21) derived from fibroblasts of monozygotic twins discordant for trisomy 21
Project description:Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is more frequently seen in Down syndrome patients, where it is often preceded by a transient myeloproliferative disorder (DS-TMD). The development of DS-TMD and DS-AMKL require not only the presence of the trisomy 21 but also that of GATA1 mutations. However, despite extensive studies into the genetics of DS-AMKL, not much is known about the epigenetic deregulation associated with this disease. In order to understand how epigenetic changes at the DNA methylation level contribute to DS leukemogenesis we performed DNA methylation profiling at different stages of development of this disease and analyzed the dynamics of epigenetic reprogramming. Early genome-wide epigenetic changes can be detected in trisomy 21 fetal liver mononuclear cells, even prior to the development of hematological abnormalities. These early changes are characterized by marked loss of DNA methylation at genes associated with regulation of key developmental processes. This first wave of aberrant DNA hypomethylation is followed by a second wave of epigenetic reprogramming detected in blast cells from DS-TMD and DS-AMKL, characterized by gains of methylation. This second wave of hypermethylation targets a distinct set of genes, preferentially affecting genes involved in hematopoiesis and regulation of cell growth and proliferation. DNA methylation profiles obtained at different stages of the development of Down syndrome AMKL and from CD41+ cells from partial trisomic mice
Project description:Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is the most common viable chromosomal disorder with intellectual impairment and several other developmental abnormalities. Here, we report the generation and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from monozygotic twins discordant for trisomy 21 in order to eliminate the effects of the variability of genomic background. The alterations observed by genetic analysis at the iPSC level and at first approximation in early development illustrate the developmental disease transcriptional signature of Down syndrome. Moreover, we observed an abnormal neural differentiation of Down syndrome iPSCs in vivo when formed teratoma in NOD-SCID mice, and in vitro when differentiated into neuroprogenitors and neurons. These defects were associated with changes in the architecture and density of neurons, astroglial and oligodendroglial cells together with misexpression of genes involved in neurogenesis, lineage specification and differentiation. Furthermore, we provide novel evidence that dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) on chromosome 21 likely contribute to these defects. Importantly, we found that targeting DYRK1A pharmacologically or by shRNA results in a considerable correction of these defects. aCGH profiling of iPS cells derived from fibroblasts of monozygotic twins discordant for trisomy 21
Project description:Molecular consequences of trisomy in lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with Down syndrome. This project analyses differentially expressed genes between humans with trisomy 21 and humans without trisomy 21.
Project description:Despite the prevalence and clinical importance of Down syndrome, little is known as to the specific cell pathologies that underlie this multi-system disorder. To understand which cell types and pathways are more directly impacted by trisomy 21, we used an inducible-XIST system to silence the extra chromosome 21 in a panel of patient-derived iPSCs. Transcriptomic analysis showed significant dysregulation of potentially impacting programming of multiple cell-types as well as Notch. Analysis revealed prominent dysregulation in two major cell type processes: neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is important for many systems impacted in Down syndrome but has been understudied. An in vitro assay for microvasculature formation used in a tightly controlled system reveals a novel cellular pathology that showed impairment in angiogenic response during tube formation. Results demonstrate that this is a cell-autonomous effect of trisomy 21 and transcriptomic analysis of differentiated endothelial cells shows deficits in known angiogenesis regulators. This study reveals a major unknown cell pathology caused by trisomy 21 and highlights the importance of endothelial cell function for Down syndrome pathologies, with wide reaching implications for development and disease progression.