Epigenetic Alterations in Fanconi Anaemia: Role in Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Potential

PLoS One. 2015 Oct 14;10(10):e0139740. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139740. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is an inherited disorder characterized by chromosomal instability. The phenotype is variable, which raises the possibility that it may be affected by other factors, such as epigenetic modifications. These play an important role in oncogenesis and may be pharmacologically manipulated. Our aim was to explore whether the epigenetic profiles in FA differ from non-FA individuals and whether these could be manipulated to alter the disease phenotype. We compared expression of epigenetic genes and DNA methylation profile of tumour suppressor genes between FA and normal samples. FA samples exhibited decreased expression levels of genes involved in epigenetic regulation and hypomethylation in the promoter regions of tumour suppressor genes. Treatment of FA cells with histone deacetylase inhibitor Vorinostat increased the expression of DNM3Tβ and reduced the levels of CIITA and HDAC9, PAK1, USP16, all involved in different aspects of epigenetic and immune regulation. Given the ability of Vorinostat to modulate epigenetic genes in FA patients, we investigated its functional effects on the FA phenotype. This was assessed by incubating FA cells with Vorinostat and quantifying chromosomal breaks induced by DNA cross-linking agents. Treatment of FA cells with Vorinostat resulted in a significant reduction of aberrant cells (81% on average). Our results suggest that epigenetic mechanisms may play a role in oncogenesis in FA. Epigenetic agents may be helpful in improving the phenotype of FA patients, potentially reducing tumour incidence in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromosomal Instability
  • Computational Biology
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Methylation
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Fanconi Anemia / genetics*
  • Fanconi Anemia / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids / chemistry*
  • Immune System
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Phenotype
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Vorinostat

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Vorinostat
  • DNA
  • Histone Deacetylases

Grants and funding

This project was funded by a project grant 2011-2012 from Associação Portuguesa Contra a Leucemia and from a project grant from Liga Portuguesa contra o Cancro/Fundação Terry Fox 2013-2014. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.