Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor DNA Methylation Research Articles

Association of hair cortisol concentration with brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene methylation: The role of sex as a moderator.

Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) reflects the long-term activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor DNA methylation (BDNF DNAM) may affect HCC, and sex and Val66Met may contribute to this association. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between HCC and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) DNAM, and the moderating effects of Val66Met and sex. We recruited 191 healthy young participants (96 women, mean age 23.0±2.6years) and collected body samples to evaluate HCC, and to determine BDNF DNAM and Val66Met genotypes. We analyzed the effects of BDNF DNAM, sex, and Val66Met on HCC. We also evaluated the associations between BDNF DNAM and HCC in groups separated by sex and genotypes. We found a marked association of BDNF DNAM with HCC across men and women. After dividing the data by sex, a positive correlation of HCC with BDNF DNAM was found only in women. There was no substantial moderation effect of Val66Met genotypes on the association between BDNF DNAM and HCC. Therefore, BDNF DNAM was found to have positive association with HCC only in healthy young women, indicating that sex moderates the association of BDNF DNAM with long-term HPA axis activity.

Exposure to non-persistent pesticides, BDNF, and behavioral function in adolescent males: Exploring a novel effect biomarker approach

BackgroundNumerous contemporary non-persistent pesticides may elicit neurodevelopmental impairments. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a novel effect biomarker of neurological function that could help to understand the biological responses of some environmental exposures. ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between exposure to various non-persistent pesticides, BDNF, and behavioral functioning among adolescents. MethodsThe concentrations of organophosphate (OP) insecticide metabolites 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPy), malathion diacid (MDA), and diethyl thiophosphate (DETP); metabolites of pyrethroids 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (DCCA), the metabolite of insecticide carbaryl 1-naphthol (1-N), and the metabolite of ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate fungicides ethylene thiourea (ETU) were measured in spot urine samples, as well as serum BDNF protein levels and blood DNA methylation of Exon IV of BDNF gene in 15–17-year-old boys from the INMA-Granada cohort in Spain. Adolescents’ behavior was reported by parents using the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL/6–18). This study included 140 adolescents of whom 118 had data on BDNF gene DNA methylation. Multivariable linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) for mixture effects, and mediation models were fit. ResultsIMPy, MDA, DCCA, and ETU were detected in more than 70% of urine samples, DETP in 53%, and TCPy, 3-PBA, and 1-N in less than 50% of samples. Higher levels of IMPy, TCPy, and ETU were significantly associated with more behavioral problems as social, thought problems, and rule-breaking symptoms. IMPy, MDA, DETP, and 1-N were significantly associated with decreased serum BDNF levels, while MDA, 3-PBA, and ETU were associated with higher DNA methylation percentages at several CpGs. WQS models suggest a mixture effect on more behavioral problems and BDNF DNA methylation at several CpGs. A mediated effect of serum BDNF within IMPy-thought and IMPy-rule breaking associations was suggested. ConclusionBDNF biomarkers measured at different levels of biological complexity provided novel information regarding the potential disruption of behavioral function due to contemporary pesticides, highlighting exposure to diazinon (IMPy) and the combined effect of IMPy, MDA, DCCA, and ETU. However, further research is warranted.

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Gene in Peripheral Blood Cells of Stable Schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION: Epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene functions without causing a change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity and has an essential role in neurodevelopment. Collected evidence suggests that epigenetic changes in the BDNF gene are related to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association of BDNF DNA methylation with schizophrenia. In addition, the relationship between BDNF DNA methylation and antipsychotics was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 118 (88 male and 30 female) schizophrenia patients and 122 (92 male and 30 female) healthy controls were included in the study and methylation status was investigated using the Methylight Taqman® assay. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the DNA methylation status between schizophrenia patients and controls in this study despite its increased level (p=0.073). However, DNA methylation level was associated with sex and the difference was more significantly prominent in the male subjects (p=0.016). In addition, BDNF DNA methylation showed a positive significant correlation with the positive symptoms (p=0.032) of schizophrenia and antipsychotics use (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: The BDNF DNA methylation could be affected by gender and has a clinical association.

Exploring the relationship between metal exposure, BDNF, and behavior in adolescent males.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in brain development by regulating multiple pathways within the central nervous system. In the Human Biomonitoring for Europe Project (HBM4EU), this neurotrophin is being implemented as a novel effect biomarker to evaluate the potential threats of environmental chemicals on neurodevelopment. To explore the relationships among exposure to environmental metals, BDNF biomarkers at two levels of biological complexity, and behavioral function in adolescent males. Data were gathered from 125 adolescents on: spot urine sample total concentrations of the neurotoxic metal(oid)s arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb); serum BDNF protein concentrations; and concurrent behavioral functioning according to the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL/6-18). In 113 of the participants, information was also collected on blood BDNF DNA methylation at six CpGs. Associations were evaluated by multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for confounders. As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were detected in 100%, 98.5%, 97.0%, and 89.5% of urine samples, respectively. Median serum BDNF concentration was 32.6ng/mL, and total percentage of BDNF gene methylation was 3.8%. In the adjusted models, urinary As was non-linearly associated with more internalizing problems and Cd with more externalizing behaviors. The percentage BDNF DNA methylation at CPGs #5 and the mean percentage CpG methylation increased across As tertiles (p-trend=0.04 and 0.03, respectively), while 2nd tertile and 3rd tertile of Cd concentrations were associated with lower serum BDNF and higher CpG3 methylation percentage. Additionally, when BDNF was categorized in tertiles, serum BDNF at the 3rd tertile was associated with fewer behavioral problems, particularly withdrawn (p-trend=0.04), social problems (p-trend=0.12), and thought problems (p-trend=0.04). Exposure to As and Cd was associated with BDNF gene DNA methylation BDNF gene and serum BDNF, respectively. Associations with DNA methylation may be attributable to a higher variability over time in circulating BDNF concentrations than in the methylation status of this gene. Caution should be taken when interpreting the results relating postnatal Pb and Hg to behavioral functioning. Further studies are needed to verify these findings.

BDNF as a potential mediator between childhood BPA exposure and behavioral function in adolescent boys from the INMA-Granada cohort

BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been linked to altered behavior in children. Within the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network was constructed supporting the mechanistic link between BPA exposure and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). ObjectiveTo test this toxicologically-based hypothesis in the prospective INMA-Granada birth cohort (Spain). MethodsBPA concentrations were quantified by LC-MS/MS in spot urine samples from boys aged 9–11 years, normalized by creatinine and log-2 transformed. At adolescence (15–17 years), blood and urine specimens were collected, and serum and urinary BDNF protein levels were measured using immunoassays. DNA methylation levels at 6 CpGs in Exon IV of the BDNF gene were also assessed in peripheral blood using bisulfite-pyrosequencing. Adolescent's behavior was parent-rated using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18) in 148 boys. Adjusted linear regression and mediation models were fit. ResultsChildhood urinary BPA concentrations were longitudinally and positively associated with thought problems (β = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.02, 1.49) and somatic complaints (β = 0.80; 95% CI: −0.16, 1.75) at adolescence. BPA concentrations were positively associated with BDNF DNA methylation at CpG6 (β = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.36) and mean CpG methylation (β = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.18), but not with total serum or urinary BDNF protein levels. When independent variables were categorized in tertiles, positive dose-response associations were observed between BPA-thought problems (p-trend = 0.08), BPA-CpG6 (p-trend ≤ 0.01), and CpG6-thought problems (p-trend ≤ 0.01). A significant mediated effect by CpG6 DNA methylation was observed (β = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.57), accounting for up to 34% of the BPA-thought problems association. ConclusionsIn line with toxicological studies, BPA exposure was longitudinally associated with increased BDNF DNA methylation, supporting the biological plausibility of BPA-behavior relationships previously described in the epidemiological literature. Given its novelty and preliminary nature, this effect biomarker approach should be replicated in larger birth cohorts.

Acute Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor DNA Methylation Trajectories in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Associations With Outcomes Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults

Background. Epigenetic biomarkers have the potential to explain outcome heterogeneity following traumatic brain injury (TBI) but are largely unexplored. Objective. This exploratory pilot study characterized brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) DNA methylation trajectories following severe TBI. Methods. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor DNA methylation trajectories in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) over the first 5 days following severe TBI in 112 adults were examined in association with 3- and 12-month outcomes. Results. Group-based trajectory analysis revealed low and high DNA methylation groups at two BDNF cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) targets that showed suggestive associations (P < .05) with outcomes. Membership in the high DNA methylation groups was associated with better outcomes after controlling for age, sex, and injury severity. Associations of age × trajectory group interactions with outcomes at a third CpG site revealed a pattern of the same or better outcomes with higher ages in the high DNA methylation group and worse outcomes with higher ages in the low DNA methylation group. Conclusions. Although no observed associations met the empirical significance threshold after correcting for multiple comparisons, suggestive associations of the main effect models were consistent in their direction of effect and were observed across two CpG sites and two outcome time points. Results suggest that higher acute CSF BDNF DNA methylation may promote recovery following severe TBI in adults, and this effect may be more robust with higher age. While the results require replication in larger and racially diverse independent samples, BDNF DNA methylation may serve as an early postinjury biomarker helping to explain outcome heterogeneity following TBI.

Folic acid ameliorates neonatal isolation-induced autistic like behaviors in rats: epigenetic modifications of BDNF and GFAP promotors.

The current study investigated the role of epigenetic dysregulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) genes and oxidative stress as possible mechanisms of autistic-like behaviors in neonatal isolation model in rats and the impact of folic acid administration on these parameters. Forty Wistar albino pups were used as follows: control, folic acid administered, isolated, and isolated folic acid treated groups. Isolated pups were separated from their mothers for 90 min daily from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 11. Pups (isolated or control) received either the vehicle or folic acid (4 mg/kg/day) orally from PND 1 to 29. Behavioral tests were done from PND 30 to 35. Oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defense in the frontal cortex homogenate were determined. DNA methylation of BDNF and GFAP genes was determined by qPCR. Histopathological examination was carried out. Neonatal isolation produced autistic-like behaviors that were associated with BDNF and GFAP hypomethylation, increased oxidative stress, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, and structural changes in the frontal cortex. Folic acid administration concurrently with isolation reduced neonatal isolation-induced autistic-like behaviors, decreased oxidative stress, regained BDNF and GFAP gene methylation, and ameliorated structural changes in the frontal cortices of isolated folic acid treated rats. Novelty: Neonatal isolation induces "autistic-like" behavior and these behaviors are reversed by folic acid supplementation. Neonatal isolation induces DNA hypomethylation of BDNF and GFAP, increased oxidative stress markers, and neuroinflammation. All of these changes were reversed by daily folic acid supplementation.

Early-life stress effects on BDNF DNA methylation in first-episode psychosis and in rats reared in isolation

Stressful events during early-life are risk factors for psychiatric disorders. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in psychosis pathophysiology and deficits in BDNF mRNA in animal models of psychiatric disease are reported. DNA methylation can control gene expression and may be influenced by environmental factors such as early-life stress. We investigated BDNF methylation in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients (n = 58), their unaffected siblings (n = 29) and community-based controls (n = 59), each of whom completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ); BDNF methylation was also tested in male Wistar rats housed isolated or grouped from weaning. DNA was extracted from human blood and rat brain (prefrontal cortex and hippocampus), bisulphite-converted and the methylation of equivalent sequences within BDNF exon IV determined by pyrosequencing. BDNF methylation did not differ significantly between diagnostic groups; however, individuals who had experienced trauma presented higher levels of methylation. We found association between the mean BDNF methylation and total CTQ score in FEP, as well as between individual CpG sites and subtypes of trauma. No significant correlations were found for controls or siblings with child trauma. These results were independent of age, gender, body mass index, BDNF genotype or LINE-1, a measure of global methylation, which showed no significant association with trauma. Isolation rearing resulted in increased BDNF methylation in both brain regions compared to group-housed animals, a correlate of previously reported changes in gene expression. Our results suggest that childhood maltreatment may result in increased BDNF methylation, providing a mechanism underlying the association between early-life stress and psychosis.

Epigenetic perspective on the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in burnout

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a potential role in the neurobiology of burnout, but there are no studies investigating the underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Our aim is to further explore the role of BDNF in burnout, by focusing on the Val66Met polymorphism and methylation patterns of the BDNF gene and serum BDNF (sBDNF) protein expression. We conducted a cross-sectional study by recruiting 129 individuals (59 with burnout and 70 healthy controls). Participants underwent a clinical interview, psychological assessment and blood sample collection. Polymorphism and DNA methylation were measured on DNA from whole blood, using pyrosequencing and sBDNF levels were measured using ELISA. We found significantly increased methylation of promoter I and IV in the burnout group, which also correlated with burnout symptoms. In addition, DNA methylation of promoter I had a significant negative effect on sBDNF. For DNA methylation of exon IX, we did not find a significant difference between the groups, nor associations with sBDNF. The Val66Met polymorphism neither differed between groups, nor was it associated with sBDNF levels. Finally, we did not observe differences in sBDNF level between the groups. Interestingly, we observed a significant negative association between depressive symptoms and sBDNF levels. The current study is the first to show that BDNF DNA methylation changes might play an important role in downregulation of the BDNF protein levels in burnout. The presence of depressive symptoms might have an additional impact on these changes.

The Influence of the BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on the Association of Regular Physical Activity With Cognition Among Individuals With Diabetes.

Diabetes is associated with cognitive dysfunction that comes with substantial lifetime consequences, such as interference with diabetes self-management and reduced quality of life. Although regular physical activity has been consistently shown to enhance cognitive function among healthy subjects, significant interpersonal differences in exercise-induced cognitive outcomes have been reported among brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val/Val vs. Met carriers. However, the evidence on how the BDNF Val66Met variant influences the relationship between regular physical activity and cognition among individuals with diabetes is currently lacking. A total of 3,040 individuals with diabetes were included in this analysis using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Associations among moderate and vigorous physical activities (MVPA) and measures of cognitive function were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models within each stratum of the Val66Met genotypes. MVPA was more strongly associated with total cognitive score, mental status, and words recall among Met/Met carriers, compared to Val/Val and Val/Met carriers. This study provided preliminary findings on how BDNF variants may modulate the exercise-induced cognitive benefits among mid-aged and older adults with diabetes. Given the limitations of the current study, it is necessary for randomized controlled trials to stratify by BDNF genotypes to more conclusively determine whether Met carriers benefit more from increased physical activity. In addition, future research is needed to examine how the interplay of BDNF Val66Met variants, DNA methylation, and physical activity may have an impact on cognitive function among adults with diabetes.

DNA Methylation and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Account for Symptoms and Widespread Hyperalgesia in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

The epigenetics of neurotrophic factors holds the potential to unravel the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of complex conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This study was undertaken to explore the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genetics, epigenetics, and protein expression in patients with both CFS and comorbid fibromyalgia (CFS/FM). A repeated-measures study was conducted in 54 participants (28 patients with CFS/FM and 26 matched healthy controls). Participants underwent a comprehensive assessment, including questionnaires, sensory testing, and blood withdrawal. Serum BDNF (sBDNF) protein levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while polymorphism and DNA methylation were measured in blood using pyrosequencing technology. To assess the temporal stability of the measures, participants underwent the same assessment twice within 4 days. Repeated-measures mixed linear models were used for between-group analysis, with mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) shown. Compared to controls, serum BNDF was higher in patients with CFS/FM (F = 15.703; mean difference 3.31 ng/ml [95% CI 1.65, 4.96]; P = 0.001), whereas BDNF DNA methylation in exon 9 was lower (F = 7.543; mean difference -2.16% [95% CI -3.93, -0.83]; P = 0.007). BDNF DNA methylation was mediated by the Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism. Lower methylation in the same region predicted higher sBDNF levels (F = 7.137, β = -0.408 [95% CI -0.711, -0.105]; P = 0.009), which in turn predicted participants' symptoms (F = 14.410, β = 3.747 [95% CI 1.79, 5.71]; P = 0.001) and widespread hyperalgesia (F = 4.147, β = 0.04 [95% CI 0.01, 0.08]; P = 0.044). Our findings indicate that sBDNF levels are elevated in patients with CFS/FM and that BDNF methylation in exon 9 accounts for the regulation of protein expression. Altered BDNF levels might represent a key mechanism explaining CFS/FM pathophysiology.

Ginkgo biloba modulates hippocampal BDNF expression in a rat model of chronic restraint stress-induced depression

Introduction: Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders have been affecting a relatively high proportion of the world's population. Neuroplasticity hypothesis of depression proposes that lack of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can cause structural changes in the brain. The extract of Ginkgo biloba (Gb) leaves can restore much of the damage in the nervous system. We examined the antidepressant role of Gb extract (EGb 761) on BDNF expression modulation in the hippocampus of rats subjected to repeated restraint stress (RRS). Methods: Adult male rats were randomly divided into 10 groups: control, control-vehicle treated, stress, stress-vehicle treated, as well as three control and three experimental groups pretreated with EGb (15, 30, 60mg/kg, IP daily) for 21 days. They underwent restraint stress on a daily basis, 6 hours for 21 consecutive days. Weight changes, locomotor activity and forced swim test (FST) were employed to assess depressive-like symptoms. The serum corticosterone level was also measured by ELISA. Hippocampal BDNF DNA methylation and protein expression were assayed by methylation sensitive restriction enzymes (Real Time PCR) and Western-blotting respectively in all groups. Results: Pre-treatment with 30 and 60 mg/kg/day of Gb extract significantly attenuated depressive-like effects in the body weight, FST and serum corticosterone level in RSS rats compared to control groups. Further, it inhibited chronic stress-induced alterations in the hippocampal BDNF DNA methylation and protein expression. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Gb can induce an antidepressant role through its modulation effect on the hippocampal BDNF expression.

Epigenetic Effects on Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery (EETR): An Observational, Prospective, Longitudinal Concurrent Cohort Study Protocol.

Introduction: Unexplained heterogeneity in outcomes following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most critical barriers to the development of effective prognostic tools and therapeutics. The addition of personal biological factors to our prediction models may account for a significant portion of unexplained variance and advance the field toward precision rehabilitation medicine. The overarching goal of the Epigenetic Effects on Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery (EETR) study is to investigate an epigenetic biomarker involved in both childhood adversity and postinjury neuroplasticity to better understand heterogeneity in neurobehavioral outcomes following pediatric TBI. Our primary hypothesis is that childhood adversity will be associated with worse neurobehavioral recovery in part through an epigenetically mediated reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in response to TBI.Methods and analysis: EETR is an observational, prospective, longitudinal concurrent cohort study of children aged 3–18 years with either TBI (n = 200) or orthopedic injury (n = 100), recruited from the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Participants complete study visits acutely and at 6 and 12 months postinjury. Blood and saliva biosamples are collected at all time points—and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) when available acutely—for epigenetic and proteomic analysis of BDNF. Additional measures assess injury characteristics, pre- and postinjury child neurobehavioral functioning, childhood adversity, and potential covariates/confounders. Recruitment began in July 2017 and will occur for ~6 years, with data collection complete by mid-2023. Analyses will characterize BDNF DNA methylation and protein levels over the recovery period and investigate this novel biomarker as a potential biological mechanism underlying the known association between childhood adversity and worse neurobehavioral outcomes following pediatric TBI.Ethics and dissemination: The study received ethics approval from the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board. Participants and their parents provide informed consent/assent. Research findings will be disseminated via local and international conference presentations and manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals.Trial Registration: The study is registered with clinicaltrials.org (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04186429).

Is Peripheral BDNF Promoter Methylation a Preclinical Biomarker of Dementia?

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in dementia. Preliminary evidence suggests that BDNF DNA methylation may be a diagnostic biomarker of dementia, but the potential pre-clinical utility remains unclear. Participants in the ESPRIT study were assessed for cognitive function and dementia (DSM-IV criteria) over 14 years. BDNF exon 1 promoter methylation was measured in blood at baseline (n = 769) and buccal samples during follow-up (n = 1062). Genotyping was carried out for several common BDNF SNPs, including Val66Met (rs6265) and APOE ɛ4. Multivariable logistic regression analyses determined the association between BDNF methylation and both prevalent and incident dementia. Adjustment for gender, age, education, APOEɛ4 genotype, body mass index, depression, and type 2 diabetes, as well as possible effect modification by gender and genetic variation were also investigated. Weak evidence of an association between lower blood methylation and dementia was observed at one of 11 sites investigated (Δ-0.5%, 95% CI:-0.9,-0.04, p = 0.03, p = 0.22 adjusted for multiple comparisons). Buccal methylation at two other sites was associated with 14-year incident dementia cases prior to adjustment for multiple comparisons only, and the effect sizes were small (Δ+0.3%, OR:1.57, SE:0.30, p = 0.02, p = 0.14 adjusted and Δ-1.5%, OR:0.85, SE:0.06, p = 0.03, p = 0.14 adjusted). Genetic variation in the BDNF gene did not modify these associations, and no gender-specific effects were observed. There was only a weak correlation between blood and buccal BDNF log-methylation at two sites (both r=-0.11). There was no strong evidence that blood or buccal BDNF exon 1 promoter DNA methylation is associated with prevalent or incident dementia, and reported associations would not remain after adjustment for multiple testing.

Perinatal biomarkers implying 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' consequences in intrauterine growth restriction.

The intrauterine-growth-restricted (IUGR) state, particularly the asymmetric one, has been associated with 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' (DOHaD) consequences later in life. Several environmental factors, acting during the phase of foetal developmental plasticity interact with genotypic variation, 'programme' tissue function and change the capacity of the organism to cope with its environment. They may be responsible for chronic illness risk in adulthood. Detection of possible future DOHaD consequences at a very early age, by applying relevant biomarkers, is of utmost importance. This review focuses on biomarkers possibly predicting consequences from bone, psychoneural system and lung. Although no concrete biomarker has been identified for bone disorders in adulthood, reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations in cord blood and BDNF DNA methylation might predict schizophrenia and possibly depression, bipolar disorder and autism. High surfactant protein D (SP-D) concentrations in cord blood of IUGR foetuses/neonates could point to structural lung immaturity, resulting to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adult life.

Experiencing community and domestic violence is associated with epigenetic changes in DNA methylation of BDNF and CLPX in adolescents.

Experiencing violence changes behavior, shapes personalities, and poses a risk factor for mental disorders. This association might be mediated through epigenetic modifications that affect gene expression, such as DNA methylation. The present study investigated the impact of community and domestic violence on DNA methylation measured in saliva collected from 375 individuals including three generations: grandmothers (n = 126), mothers (n = 125), and adolescents (n = 124, 53% female). Using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array, in adolescents, we detected two CpG sites that showed an association of DNA methylation and lifetime exposure to community and domestic violence even after FDR correction: BDNF_cg06260077 (logFC −0.454, p = 3.71E‐07), and CLPX_cg01908660 (logFC = −0.372, p = 1.38E‐07). Differential DNA methylation of the CpG BDNF_cg06260077 associated with exposure to violence was also observed in the maternal but not the grandmaternal generation. BDNF (brain‐derived neurotrophic factor) and CLPX (caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase chaperone subunit) genes are involved in neural development. Our results thus reveal altered molecular mechanisms of developmental and intergenerational trajectories in survivors of repeated violent experiences.

Exploring the role of BDNF DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a clinically heterogeneous neuropsychiatric condition associated with profound disability, whose susceptibility, stemming from genetic and environmental factors that intersect with each other, is still under investigation. In this perspective, we sought to explore the transcriptional regulation of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a promising candidate biomarker in both development and etiology of different neuropsychiatric conditions, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from OCD patients and healthy controls. In particular, we focused on BDNF gene expression and interrogated in depth DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation at gene promoters (exons I, IV and IX) in a sample of OCD patients attending a tertiary OCD Clinic to receive guidelines-recommended treatment, and matched controls. Our preliminary data showed a significant increase in BDNF gene expression and a significant correlation with changes in the two epigenetic modifications selectively at promoter exon I, with no changes in the other promoters under study. We can conclude that transcriptional regulation of BDNF in OCD engages epigenetic mechanisms, and can suggest that this is likely evoked by the long-term pharmacotherapy. It is important to underline that many different factors need to be taken into account (i.e. age, sex, duration of illness, treatment), and thus further studies are mandatory to investigate their role in the epigenetic regulation of BDNF gene. Of note, we provide unprecedented evidence for the importance of analyzing 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels to correctly evaluate 5-methylcytosine changes.

Brain derived neurotrophic factor expression and DNA methylation in response to subchronic valproic acid and/or aldosterone treatment

AimTo test the hypothesis that valproic acid treatment positively affects brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and DNA methylation in the hippocampus and brain cortex of rats simultaneously treated with aldosterone.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 40) were treated for two weeks with valproic acid (100 mg/1 kg body weight/day) in drinking water and aldosterone (2 μg/100 g body weight/day) or placebo via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps.ResultsTreatment with valproic acid did not modify BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus but reduced BDNF mRNA levels in the brain cortex. Valproic acid treatment marginally enhanced global DNA methylation in the frontal cortex. BDNF expression negatively correlated with DNA methylation in the hippocampus of valproic acid-treated rats. An unexpected finding was that aldosterone treatment significantly decreased global DNA methylation in the hippocampus.ConclusionThe effect of valproic acid on BDNF expression in the brain may depend on the extent of pathological changes present at the time of treatment onset. The observed negative correlation between BDNF expression and DNA methylation in the hippocampus of valproic acid-treated rats encourages further studies.

Longitudinal multi-level biomarker analysis of BDNF in major depression and bipolar disorder.

Preliminary evidence suggests that BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) rs6265 genetic polymorphism, BDNF gene promotor methylation and BDNF serum levels might play an important role in the pathogenesis of affective disorders. As studies testing the BDNF system across molecular levels are sparse, this study aimed at investigating the BDNF val66met genotype, BDNF DNA methylation changes and peripheral BDNF serum levels in acute and remitted phases of MDD (major depressive disorder) and BD (bipolar disorder) and healthy controls. We found a significant difference of methylation levels at CpG site 1-1-1 and 3-1-1 between MDD and healthy controls (p < 0.003) with MDD patients showing significantly higher methylation levels. CpG 5-2-1 revealed a statistically significant difference between MDD and healthy controls and MDD and BD (p = 0.00003). Similar to the results of the methylation analysis a significant difference between MDD and healthy controls was found in BDNF serum levels (p = 0.002) with significantly lower BDNF serum levels in MDD compared to healthy controls. A difference between the samples from admission and discharge from hospital of both BDNF gene methylation and serum levels could not be detected in the present study and no influence of the BDNF val66met genotype on neither methylation nor BDNF serum level.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor DNA methylation mediates the association between neighborhood disadvantage and adolescent brain structure

Prior research indicates that socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with prefrontal cortical (PFC) development in childhood and adolescence, however the mechanisms of this link are unclear. This study investigated whether DNA methylation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF, which plays a key role in synaptic plasticity), mediated the association between neighborhood disadvantage and thickness of the PFC in adolescents. Neighborhood disadvantage was measured in 33 adolescents aged 12–13 years using the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas. Buccal swabs, collected during mid-adolescence (aged 16–18 years), enabled BDNF DNA methylation of the widely studied exon IV promoter region to be measured. Cortical thickness was assessed during late-adolescence (aged 18–20 years) via T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A significant negative association between disadvantage and BDNF DNA methylation at a specific site of the exon IV promoter was identified. Lower levels of methylation were also significantly associated with greater thickness of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC), and right medial OFC. Lower levels of DNA methylation at this site also mediated associations between higher disadvantage and thinner bilateral lOFC thickness. These novel findings give insight into a potential biological mechanism that could further our understanding as to why brain development is affected by varying environmental exposures.