Lifestyle Epigenetics

Mutated DNA and molecules, scientific biotechnology, 3d rendering

Our body adapts dynamically to alterations in our diets and environment. At the molecular level, these changes take place at the level of epigenetics. Epigenetics is widely defined as any heritable change that does not alter the sequence of the DNA.

Since environmental influences impact epigenetic modulation, epigenetic alterations can in turn reflect behavior that is associated with lifestyle choices such as eating habits, physical activity, weight gain and weight loss. Further, epigenetic marks may not only serve as markers for a certain behavior, but they may also represent a mechanism that links obesity to related comorbid disorders. This project aims to explore epigenetic regulation under certain lifestyle conditions and in response to weight-loss therapies. Indeed, epigenetic alterations may confer an obesogenic memory even after weight loss and could underly the frequently observed weight regain.

To better understand the precise epigenetic mechanisms of this hypothesized memory effect, methylome, transcriptome and miRNA patterns, obtained from human samples, will be analyzed comparing longitudinal lifestyle conditions, effects of metabolic surgery and randomized controlled behavior intervention trials. The obtained stable and modifiable epigenetic pattern will then be used to develop markers and targets for personalized obesity therapy.

Livestyle Epigenetics Graphical Abstract, Maria Keller — Livestyle Epigenetics, Maria Keller

Yaskolka Meir A, Keller M, Hoffmann A, Rinott E, Tsaban G, Kaplan A, Zelicha H, Hagemann T, Ceglarek U, Isermann B, Shelef I, Blüher M, Stumvoll M, Li J, Haange SB, Engelmann B, Rolle-Kampczyk U, von Bergen M, Hu FB, Stampfer MJ, Kovacs P, Liang L, Shai I.

The effect of polyphenols on DNA methylation-assessed biological age attenuation: the DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial.

Aurich S, Müller L, Kovacs P, Keller M.

Implication of DNA methylation during lifestyle mediated weight loss.

Hoffmann A, Meir AY, Hagemann T, Czechowski P, Müller L, Engelmann B, Haange SB, Rolle-Kampczyk U, Tsaban G, Zelicha H, Rinott E, Kaplan A, Shelef I, Stumvoll M, Blüher M, Liang L, Ceglarek U, Isermann B, von Bergen M, Kovacs P, Keller M, Shai I.

A polyphenol-rich green Mediterranean diet enhances epigenetic regulatory potential: the DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial.

Klemp I, Hoffmann A, Müller L, Hagemann T, Horn K, Rohde-Zimmermann K, Tönjes A, Thiery J, Löffler M, Burkhardt R, Böttcher Y, Stumvoll M, Blüher M, Krohn K, Scholz M, Baber R, Franks PW, Kovacs P, Keller M.

DNA methylation patterns reflect individual's lifestyle independent of obesity.

Yaskolka Meir A, Keller M, Bernhart SH, Rinott E, Tsaban G, Zelicha H, Kaplan A, Schwarzfuchs D, Shelef I, Gepner Y, Li J, Lin Y, Blüher M, Ceglarek U, Stumvoll M, Stadler PF, Stampfer MJ, Kovacs P, Liang L, Shai I.Clin Epigenetics.

Lifestyle weight-loss intervention may attenuate methylation aging: the CENTRAL MRI randomized controlled trial.

Keller M, Yaskolka Meir A, Bernhart SH, Gepner Y, Shelef I, Schwarzfuchs D, Tsaban G, Zelicha H, Hopp L, Müller L, Rohde K, Böttcher Y, Stadler PF, Stumvoll M, Blüher M, Kovacs P, Shai I.

DNA methylation signature in blood mirrors successful weight-loss during lifestyle interventions: the CENTRAL trial.