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Understanding the Exposome

The Internal Domain of the Exposome​

 

Internal exposome is a consequence of external exposome filtered by personal vulnerabilities and lifestyle. It is measured in the person and can include biomarkers (i.e., indicators of exposure, susceptibility or outcome) but can also include processes that happen in the body and that can be analysed as a whole (e.g. metabolism, hormones, gut microflora, inflammation). Biomarkers are biological indicators measurable in saliva, hair, blood or urine. A well-known example is the hormone cortisol as a marker of stress. 

What is a biomarker?​

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Biomarkers are widely defined as any substance, structure, or process that can be measured in the body or its products and influence or predict the incidence of outcome or disease (World Health Organization, 2001). A biomarker is a molecule or other factors inside the body that indicates a normal or abnormal process, condition or disease. A known biomarker for depression, for instance, are cytokines, which are inflammatory markers that are associated to react stronger to stress-related exposures in depression (… ). The term “biomarker” is neutral in the sense that it can be an indicator for both beneficial and harmful effects.


So, biomarkers are specific components of internal exposome that target a specific trait, condition, or disease. Biomarkers can be used for:

  • early warning and detection, identifying individuals with high risk before the onset of the disease. This also increases the odds for cost-effective intervention at an early stage.
     

  • monitoring progression, tackling the longitudinal trajectory of the markers;
     

  • personalized medicine, promoting detailed stratification of the individual with risk, implementing the most appropriate treatment, and adjusting dosage in time;
     

  • revealing the mechanism to strengthen the assessment of a causal relationship

How are the biomarkers determined in Equal-Life?

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Currently, we have assayed the proteome, the primary part of the internal exposome, in the FinnTwin12 and WALNUTs cohorts. Through several studies, we've pinpointed 111 proteins significantly linked to symptoms of both internalized (like anxiety) and externalized (like aggression). This means that [translation for stakeholders of what that means].
 Our subsequent analysis using bioinformatics tools revealed that these proteins are involved in immune responses and brain cell development processes.  [meaning that: …. Explain].  We utilized a European-wide database covering Finland, the UK, and Estonia to further validate what we found. This validation confirmed that the genes responsible for these 111 proteins are strongly associated with neurological, psychotic, or psychological traits. Thus, we found reliable biomarkers in blood plasma for mental health conditions during adolescence.

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