DNA methylation patterns contribute to changes of cellular differentiation pathways in leukocytes with LOY from patients with Alzheimer’s disease

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ABSTRACT Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common and increasing societal problem due to the extending human lifespan. In males, loss of chromosome Y (LOY) in leukocytes is strongly associated with AD. We studied here DNA methylation and RNA expression in sorted monocytes and granulocytes with and without LOY from male AD patients. Through multi-omic analysis, we identified new candidate genes and confirmed the involvement of numerous genes previously associated with AD. Our findings highlight LOY-related differences in DNA methylation that occur in gene regulatory regions and are predominantly accompanied by down-regulation of affected genes. Specifically, we observed alterations in key genes involved in leukocyte differentiation: FLI1 , involved in early hematopoiesis; RUNX1 , essential for blood cell development; RARA , regulating gene expression in response to retinoic acid; CANX , crucial for protein folding; CEBPB , a transcription factor important for immune responses; and MYADM , implicated in cell adhesion and migration. Moreover, protein-protein interaction analysis in granulocytes identified that products of two of these genes, CANX and CEBPB , are key hub proteins. Thus, LOY appears to dysregulate genes involved in leukocyte differentiation and induce higher-level epigenetic changes. This research underscores the potential of multi-omic approaches in pure cell populations to uncover the molecular underpinnings of AD and reinforces the significance of LOY as a pathogenic factor in this disease. Overall, results support the hypothesis that age-related immune cell dysfunction contributes to AD development. Finally, our results link previous analysis showing impact of LOY on leukocyte differentiation, LOY-associated transcriptional dysregulation and GWAS studies of LOY.

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