Changes In Liver Cell Dna Methylation Status In Diabetic Mice Affect Its Ft-ir Characteristics.

Lower levels of cytosine methylation have been found in the liver cell DNA from non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice under hyperglycemic conditions. Because the Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) profiles of dry DNA samples are differently affected by DNA base composition, single-stranded form and histone binding, it is expected that the methylation status in the DNA could also affect its FT-IR profile. The DNA FT-IR signatures obtained from the liver cell nuclei of hyperglycemic and normoglycemic NOD mice of the same age were compared. Dried DNA samples were examined in an IR microspectroscope equipped with an all-reflecting objective (ARO) and adequate software. Changes in DNA cytosine methylation levels induced by hyperglycemia in mouse liver cells produced changes in the respective DNA FT-IR profiles, revealing modifications to the vibrational intensities and frequencies of several chemical markers, including νas -CH3 stretching vibrations in the 5-methylcytosine methyl group. A smaller band area reflecting lower energy absorbed in the DNA was found in the hyperglycemic mice and assumed to be related to the lower levels of -CH3 groups. Other spectral differences were found at 1700-1500 cm(-1) and in the fingerprint region, and a slight change in the DNA conformation at the lower DNA methylation levels was suggested for the hyperglycemic mice. The changes that affect cytosine methylation levels certainly affect the DNA-protein interactions and, consequently, gene expression in liver cells from the hyperglycemic NOD mice.9e10229

Aging and diabetes mellitus type I effect over mouse hepatocytes chromatin

Orientador: Maria Luiza Silveira MelloTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: O diabetes mellitus do tipo I (DM1) caracteriza-se pela ocorrência de insulite com consequente hiperglicemia e poliuria. Alterações celulares estruturais e metabólicas decorrentes do aumento da glicemia podem provocar fenótipos de envelhecimento precoce. O envelhecimento celular e resultado de fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos, que alteram a estrutura e a organização da cromatina e que, consequentemente, afetam a expressão gênica. As sirtuinas, deacetilases NAD+-dependentes, estão envolvidas na transcrição gênica, reparo de DNA, transcrição do rDNA, regulação metabólica e remodelação cromatinica. As sirtuinas nucleares, especialmente Sirt1 e Sirt6 estão envolvidas com o envelhecimento precoce, no metabolismo de glicose e na resposta a inflamação. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral comparar os processos de remodelação cromatinica em hepatocitos sob o efeito da hiperglicemia e do envelhecimento, usando-se modelo animal (camundongos). Um modelo de cultura celular (HepG2) foi também utilizado para estudo de efeitos da hiperglicemia, utilizando-se como metodologias analisem morfológicas e moleculares. Foi observado um aumento em conteúdo de DNA e em acessibilidade da cromatina a MNase mais acentuado em hepatocitos de animais DM1 do que de idosos. O aumento na abundancia de Sirt1 em animais hiperglicêmicos não refletiu em sua maior atividade, enquanto em idosos houve um decréscimo generalizado nesses parâmetros e aumento da aceptilação de sítios histónicos. Em animais DM1, Sirt6 apresentou abundancia semelhante à de Sirt1, possivelmente devido à alta fragmentação de DNA observada nesses animais, diferente do ocorrido em idosos. Ambos os animais DM1 e idosos apresentaram baixa relação área AgNOR+/área nuclear. Em animais diabéticos isto foi devido ao aumento na área nuclear, enquanto nos idosos, foi devido à diminuição na área AgNOR+ e aumento na área nuclear. O aumento na metilação de rDNA na porção 18S e a baixa abundancia de Sirt7 confirmam diminuição no metabolismo celular no envelhecimento. Em hepatocitos de camundongos DM1 e idosos foi observado genes diferencialmente expressos relacionados à inflamação. Admite-se que no primeiro caso este achado seja devido à natureza auto-imune da doença, enquanto no segundo possa ser um indício de inflamação naturalmente encontrada em processos de envelhecimento. Em animais DM1, a expressão diferenciada de genes envolvidos com metabolismo de lipídios poderia contribuir para com a peroxidação lipídica e produção de ROS levando a esteatose hepática. Nas células HepG2, alterações na expressão dos genes Apoe, Igfbp1 e Foxo1, ocorridas em meio de cultura hiperglicêmicas, tornaram-se revertidas quando as células foram retornadas a normoglicemia. Contudo, as abundancias das marcações epigenéticas nos promotores desses genes decresceram progressivamente, indicação de uma memória hiperglicêmica, dado não observado em modelo animal. A análise do fenótipo nuclear dessas células indicou possível indução da proliferação celular quando retornadas a normoglicemia. A inibição de sirtuinas aumentou o conteúdo Feulgen-DNA e o contraste entre cromatina condensada e não-condensada, indicativo de atuação na proliferação celular e na remodelação cromatinica. DM1 e envelhecimento, portanto, não podem ser considerados fenômenos idênticos, pois enquanto no primeiro ha um mecanismo compensatório que promove alterações genéticas, epigenéticas e remodelação cromatinica, no segundo ha um decréscimo generalizado no metabolismo celular levando a modificações diferentes nos mesmos parâmetrosAbstract: Diabetes mellitus type I (DM1) is characterized by insulitis and consequent hyperglycemia and polyuria. Structural and metabolic changes in the cell caused by hyperglycemia might induce an early-ageing phenotype. Both intrinsic and extrinsic agents might contribute to cellular ageing thus leading to chromatin structural changes and differential gene expression. Sirtuins, NAD+-dependent deacetilases, play a role in cell metabolism, transcription, DNA repair and chromatin remodeling. Sirt1 and Sirt6, especially, are nuclear proteins related to early-ageing, glucose metabolism and inflammatory response. The general purpose of the present work was to compare processes of chromatin remodeling in hepatocytes under the effects of hyperglycemia and aging, using mouse models. A model using cells in culture (HepG2) was also used to study the effects caused by hyperglycemia. The methodology used involved morphological and molecular analysis. An increase in DNA content and chromatin accessibility to MNAse was found more pronounced in hepatocytes from DM1 than from aged mice. Despite the high abundance of Sirt1 in DM1 animals, its activity was not proportionally high, whereas in old animals there was a reduction in these parameters, increasing the acetylation of Sirt1-histonic sites. In DM1 mice, Sirt6 presented similar abundance as Sirt1, possibly due to the high DNA fragmentation, different to what was found in aged animals. Both DM1 and normoglycemic old mice presented a decrease in AgNOR+ area/nuclear area ratio. While in DM1 animals it was a result from the increase in nuclear area, in old animals it was a combination of increased nuclear areas and decreased AgNOR+ areas. The DNA methylation increase in the 18S rDNA region and the decrease in Sirt7 abundance in the hepatocytes from old mice support the hypothesis of diminished cellular metabolism. Differential expression analysis for DM1 and old mouse hepatocytes presented a high number of genes involved in the inflammatory response. While in the former it could be an autoimmune characteristic of the disease, in the latter it might be an evidence of inflammatory state naturally associated with aging. Moreover, DM1 mice also presented differential gene expression related to lipid metabolism, which could contribute to increase lipid peroxidation and ROS production leading to hepatic steatosis. HepG2 cells showed changes in Apoe, Igfbp1 and Foxo1 expression in hyperglycemic medium and they were reverted when the cells returned to normoglycemic medium. The epigenetic marks, however, presented a progressive decrease in abundance, indicative of a hyperglycemic memory, which was not observed in DM1 animals. The nuclear phenotype in HepG2 cells under these same experimental conditions indicated a possible induction in cellular proliferation when the cells were returned to the normoglycemic medium. Inhibition of sirtuins increased the contrast between condensed and non-condensed chromatin and the Feulgen-DNA content, indicating a role in cell division and chromatin remodeling. Therefore, DM1 and ageing cannot be considered as identical processes, because while in DM1 there is a compensatory mechanism that induces changes in epigenetic marks, chromatin remodeling and differential gene expression, there is a general decrease in cell metabolism under aging that leads to different changes in the same parametersDoutoradoBiologia CelularDoutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutura

Effects of hyperglycemia and aging on nuclear sirtuins and DNA damage of mouse hepatocytes

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOHyperglycemia, like aging, induces chromatin remodeling in mouse hepatocytes in comparison to normoglycemia and younger age, respectively. Changes in glucose metabolism also affect the action and expression of sirtuins, promoting changes in chromatin conformation and dynamics. Here we investigate the abundance and activity of the nuclear sirtuins Sirt1, Sirt6, and Sirt7 in mouse hepatocytes in association with specific histone acetylation, DNA damage, and the activation of nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) in hyperglycemic nonobese diabetic (NOD) and old normoglycemic BALB/c mouse strains. Higher levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1 alpha and increased expression of gluconeogenesis pathway genes are found in the hyperglycemic NOD mice. Increased Sirt6 abundance is found in the hyperglycemic NOD mice, which might increase DNA damage repair. With aging, lower Sirt1 abundance and activity, increased acetylated histone modifications and Sirt7 levels, and NOR methylation are found. Thus, whereas in normal aging cell metabolism is reduced, in the diabetic mice a compensatory mechanism may elevate Sirt1 and Sirt6 levels, increasing gluconeogenesis and DNA repair from the oxidative damage caused by hyperglycemia. Therefore understanding the regulation of epigenetic factors in diabetes and aging is crucial for the development of new therapeutic approaches that could prevent diseases and improve quality of life.Hyperglycemia, like aging, induces chromatin remodeling in mouse hepatocytes in comparison to normoglycemia and younger age, respectively. Changes in glucose metabolism also affect the action and expression of sirtuins, promoting changes in chromatin conformation and dynamics. Here we investigate the abundance and activity of the nuclear sirtuins Sirt1, Sirt6, and Sirt7 in mouse hepatocytes in association with specific histone acetylation, DNA damage, and the activation of nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) in hyperglycemic nonobese diabetic (NOD) and old normoglycemic BALB/c mouse strains. Higher levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1 alpha and increased expression of gluconeogenesis pathway genes are found in the hyperglycemic NOD mice. Increased Sirt6 abundance is found in the hyperglycemic NOD mice, which might increase DNA damage repair. With aging, lower Sirt1 abundance and activity, increased acetylated histone modifications and Sirt7 levels, and NOR methylation are found. Thus, whereas in normal aging cell metabolism is reduced, in the diabetic mice a compensatory mechanism may elevate Sirt1 and Sirt6 levels, increasing gluconeogenesis and DNA repair from the oxidative damage caused by hyperglycemia. Therefore understanding the regulation of epigenetic factors in diabetes and aging is crucial for the development of new therapeutic approaches that could prevent diseases and improve quality of life.241524672476FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP [2010/50015-6, 2008/58067-5]CNPq [471303/2009-7, 301943/2009-5]2010/50015-6; 2008/58067-5471303/2009-7; 301943/2009-

FT-IR spectral profiles after peak fitting for the liver DNA from NOD mice.

<p>Normoglycemic mice, A; hyperglycemic mice, B. Spectral range: 2990–2850 cm⁻¹. Software: Grams/AI 8.0; function: Gaussian; sensitivity: low.</p

Savitzky-Golay's second-derivative spectra for the liver DNA from NOD mice.

<p>Detail for the IR spectral window in the 3100–2800 cm⁻¹ range. Normoglycemic mice (N), red line; hyperglycemic mice (H), black line; X axis, wavenumbers in cm⁻¹; Y axis, second derivative. Software: Grams/AI 8.0; 2nd derivative degree: 2, points: 31.</p

Numerical statistics for the FT-IR –CH₃ band peak in the DNA from NOD mouse liver cell nuclei.

<p>Wavenumber edges: 2987 and 2849 cm⁻¹. Software: Grams; function: Gaussian; sensitivity: low.</p

FT-IR spectral profiles for the liver DNA from NOD mice.

<p>Normoglycemic mice (N), red line; hyperglycemic mice (H), black line; spectral range: 3600–700 cm⁻¹. X axis, wavenumbers in cm⁻¹; Y axis, absorbances (A).</p

Optical anisotropy aspects of the DNA samples extracted for FT-IR analysis.

<p>Birefringence images are shown for the liver DNA from normoglycemic (A,B) and hyperglycemic (C-E) mice. Birefringence brilliance in the outer region of DNA drops dried on slides in A and D was compensated in B and E, respectively (arrows). The bars equal 100 µm.</p