Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Alexander, Eileen Steinle, M.S.
Language:English
Published: University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406900643
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record_format oai_dc
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Environmental Health
eosinophilia
medical genetics
twin and family-based
environment
gastrointestinal diseases
epigenetic methylation
spellingShingle Environmental Health
eosinophilia
medical genetics
twin and family-based
environment
gastrointestinal diseases
epigenetic methylation
Alexander, Eileen Steinle, M.S.
Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
author Alexander, Eileen Steinle, M.S.
author_facet Alexander, Eileen Steinle, M.S.
author_sort Alexander, Eileen Steinle, M.S.
title Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
title_short Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
title_full Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
title_fullStr Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
title_full_unstemmed Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
title_sort twin and family risk from environment and epigenetics (free) studies reveal strong environmental and weaker genetic cues that explain high heritability of eosinophilic esophagitis
publisher University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
publishDate 2014
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406900643
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin14069006432021-08-03T06:26:42Z Twin and Family Risk from Environment and Epigenetics (FREE) Studies Reveal Strong Environmental and Weaker Genetic Cues That Explain High Heritability of Eosinophilic Esophagitis Alexander, Eileen Steinle, M.S. Environmental Health eosinophilia medical genetics twin and family-based environment gastrointestinal diseases epigenetic methylation Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic antigen-driven allergic inflammatory disease, likely involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, yet their respective contributions to heritability are unknown. This work was developed to meet the needs of families affected by eosinophilic esophagitis, who asked, “Will my next child have EoE?” Objectives: 1) recruit two study groups: a nuclear family group and twin registry and their first degree relations, collect data and samples, create database, design, analyze and fund family-based studies, 2) quantify risk associated with genes and environment on familial clustering of EoE, and 3) explore and direct new lines of EoE and family-based research, including epigenetic mechanisms and environmental factors, for EoE and related immunologic conditions. The long-term objective is to mitigate risk for families with underlying genetic susceptibility by reducing exposure effects. Methods: Family history was obtained from a hospital-based cohort of 914 EoE probands, (n=2192 first-degree “Nuclear-Family” relatives) and the new international registry of monozygotic and dizygotic twins/triplets (n=63 EoE “Twins” probands). Frequencies, recurrence risk ratios (RRRs), heritability and twin concordance were estimated. Environmental exposures were preliminarily examined. DNA collected from twins was analyzed using the Illumina 450Human Methylation array.Results: Analysis of the Nuclear-Family–based cohort revealed the rate of EoE, in first-degree relatives of a proband, was 1.8% (unadjusted), 2.3% (sex-adjusted), RRRs ranged from 10-64, depending on family relationship, and were higher in brothers (64.0; p=0.04), fathers (42.9; p=0.004) and males (50.7; p<0.001) compared to sisters, mothers and females, respectively. EoE risk for other siblings was 2.4%. In the Nuclear-Families, combined gene and common environment heritability (hgc2) was 72.0±2.7% (p<0.001). In the Twins, genetic heritability was 14.5±4.0% (p<0.001); common family environment contributed 81.0±4% (p<0.001) to phenotypic variance. Proband-wise concordance in MZ co-twins was 57.9±9.5% compared to 36.4±9.3% in DZ (p=0.11). Greater differences in birth-weight were associated with disease discordance in twin pairs (p=0.01;n=35). Birth season was significantly different in concordant and discordant twin pairs (p=0.03;n=63); specifically, birth in Fall was associated with EoE discordance (p=0.02;n=63). Food allergies (p<0.001;n=97) and penicillin allergies (p=0.17; n=66) were associated with EoE. Breastfeeding (p=0.15;n=59) may reduce risk for EoE. Epigenetic methylation screen of effect size =5% difference between affected and unaffected monozygotic twins revealed 349 sites of interest, including candidate and novel genes.Conclusions: EoE recurrence risk ratios are increased 10 to 64-fold compared to population prevalence. EoE in relatives is 1.8-2.4%, depending upon relationship and sex. Nuclear-Family heritability appeared to be high (72.0%). However, Twins cohort analysis revealed a powerful role for common environment (81.0%) compared with additive genetic heritability (14.5%). The risk of having a second child with EoE is 2.4%. Common family environment (81.0%) and additive genetic heritability (14.5%) explain familial clustering. Early environmental modification may lessen EoE risks. Importantly, epigenetic methylation associated with EoE suggests novel mechanisms and genes. Familial clustering is largely attributable to common environmental exposures, suggesting that identifying modifiable common family environmental factors, in genetically susceptible individuals and families, particularly in early life, may mitigate risk. 2014-09-02 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406900643 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406900643 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.