Biology subjects

Heikkinen, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Heikkinen, A..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Human reproduction comes at the expense of faster aging and a shorter life

Evolutionary theories suggest a trade-off between resources allocated to reproduction and those allocated to self-maintenance, and predict that higher reproductive output entails a shorter lifespan. This study investigates the impact of childbearing on aging and lifespan using data from contemporary Finnish twin women. We model the association between reproductive trajectories and survival in 17,080 women, and assess biological aging in a subset of participants (N=1,117) using the PCGrimAge clock, an algorithm trained to predict biological aging and mortality risk from DNA methylation. Our findings suggest that early childbearing, numerous pregnancies or nulliparity all contribute to accelerated aging and increased mortality risk. These results provide strong evidence for the existence of a trade-off between reproduction, aging and lifespan in modern humans, and provide novel insights into the genetic and lifestyle determinants of healthspan.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Molecular Landscape of Modality-Specific Exercise Adaptation in Human Skeletal Muscle through Large-Scale Multi-OMICs Integration

We conducted a large-scale, statistically powered, meta-analysis of exercise adaptations in human skeletal muscles, integrating epigenetic, transcriptomic, transcription factors, and proteomic data across 12 independent cohorts comprising over 1000 participants and 2340 human muscle samples. Our study identified distinctive signatures associated with maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and identified five genes robustly intersecting multi-OMIC layers. Notably, transcription factors predominantly functioned as activators across these layers, regulating expression of target genes irrespective of whether DNA methylation levels were low or high, indicating a synergistic effect between TFs and the methylome. Analysis of distinct exercise modalities (aerobic and resistance exercise) revealed unique gene pathways, contrasting with patterns observed in inactivity (muscle disuse) studies. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of exercise and modality-specific adaptations, shedding light on muscle health and the molecular mechanisms associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, aging, and disease prevention.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

FINCA disease mouse model exhibits altered behaviour and immune response

Fibrosis, neurodegeneration and cerebral angiomatosis (FINCA) is a childhood-onset multi-organ neurodevelopmental disorder associated with multi-organ manifestations and recurrent infections. The disease is caused by variants in NHLRC2 initiating a cascade of unknown pathological events. Previously, we have demonstrated that despite the significant decrease at the molecular level, the compound heterozygosity of knock out and p.Asp148Tyr alleles in NHLRC2 does not lead to a severe phenotype in mice. Here, we analysed the behavioural and immunological phenotype of the FINCA mice and studied the molecular pathways affected by p.Asp148Tyr in NHLRC2 using mouse and human-derived cell culture models. The FINCA mice displayed a mild hyperactivity and deficient early immune response when challenged with LPS leading to altered cytokine responses, including IFN{gamma}, IL-12, and TNF. By comparing gene expression and putative interaction partners affected by p.Asp148Tyr, we identified Rho GTPase signalling as the common pathway. Altogether, these results establish a multi-dimensional impact of the p.Asp148Tyr variant in NHLRC2. Knowledge of the molecular pathways affected by NHLRC2 and the natural course of FINCA disease progression are instrumental for the development of effective therapeutics. Summary statementFINCA is a paediatric neurodevelopmental and multi-organ disorder caused by variants in NHLRC2. Here, mild hyperactivity in connection with altered early immune response is described in the FINCA mouse model.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

DNA methylation sites in early adulthood characterised by pubertal timing and development: A twin study

BackgroundPuberty is a highly heritable and variable trait, with environmental factors having a role in its eventual timing and development. Early and late pubertal onset are both associated with various diseases developing later in life, and epigenetic characterisation of pubertal timing and development could lead to important insights. Blood DNA methylation, reacting to both genotype and environment, has been associated with puberty; however, such studies are relatively scarce. We investigated peripheral blood DNA methylation profiles (using Illumina 450K and EPIC platforms) of 1539 young adult Finnish twins associated with pubertal development scale (PDS) and pubertal age (PA). ResultsFixed effect meta-analysis of the two platforms on 347521 CpGs in common identified 58 CpG sites associated (p < 1 x 10-5) with either PDS or PA. All four CpGs associated with PA and 45 CpGs associated with PDS were sex specific. Thirteen CpGs had a high heritability (h2: 0.51-0.98), while one CpG site (mapped to GET4) had a high shared environmental component accounting for 68% of the overall variance in methylation at the site. Utilising twin discordance analysis, we found 6 CpG sites (5 associated with PDS and 1 with PA) that had an environmentally driven association with puberty. Furthermore, genes with PDS- or PA-associated CpGs were linked to various developmental processes and diseases, such as breast, prostate and ovarian cancer, while methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) of associated CpG sites were enriched in immune pathways developing during puberty. ConclusionsBy identifying puberty-associated DNA methylation sites and examining the effects of sex, environment and genetics, we shed light on the intricate interplay between environment and genetics in the context of puberty. Through our comprehensive analysis, we not only deepen the understanding of the significance of both genetic and environmental factors in the complex processes of puberty and its timing but also gain insights into potential links with disease risks.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

Methylation status of VTRNA2-1/nc886 is stable across human populations, monozygotic twin pairs and in majority of somatic tissues

Aims and methodsOur aim was to characterise the methylation level of a polymorphically imprinted gene, VTRNA2-1/nc886, in human populations and somatic tissues. We utilised 48 datasets, consisting of >30 different tissues and >30 000 individuals. ResultsWe show that the nc886 methylation status is associated with twin status and ethnic background, but the variation between populations is limited. Monozygotic twin pairs present concordant methylation, while [~]30% of dizygotic twin pairs present discordant methylation in the nc886 locus. The methylation levels of nc886 are uniform across somatic tissues, except in cerebellum and skeletal muscle. ConclusionWe hypothesize that the nc886 imprint is established in the oocyte and that after implantation, the methylation status is stable, excluding a few specific tissues.

molecular biology↗