Seasonal changes in gene expression represent cell-type composition in whole blood
Simone De Jong1, Marjolein Neeleman, Jurjen J Luykx
1Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Human Molecular Genetics
|January 9, 2014
Summary
Seasonal variations significantly impact whole blood gene expression and blood cell counts, particularly red blood cells and platelets. These findings reveal important biological phenomena and potential confounders in gene expression studies.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Hematology
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Seasonal variations influence biological processes and behavior.
- Understanding these annual patterns is crucial for interpreting biological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate seasonal changes in whole blood gene expression profiles.
- To identify specific blood cell types and biological pathways affected by seasonality.
Main Methods:
- Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on gene expression data from 233 healthy individuals.
- Enrichment analysis to identify cellular origins of seasonal patterns.
- Analysis of a large clinical database (51,142 observations) for blood cell counts.
Main Results:
- Identified three gene co-expression modules with significant circannual patterns.
- Seasonal patterns were primarily linked to red blood cells and platelets.
- Confirmed seasonal variations in red blood cell, reticulocyte, and platelet counts in a large cohort.
- No direct link found to immune function or circadian rhythm genes.
Conclusions:
- Seasonal changes in whole blood gene expression and cell counts are biologically relevant phenomena.
- These findings highlight potential confounding factors in gene expression studies across different geographical locations and seasons.
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