DNA methylation at imprint regulatory regions in preterm birth and infection.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

OBJECTIVE: To aid in understanding long-term health consequences of intrauterine infections in preterm birth, we evaluated DNA methylation at 9 differentially methylated regions that regulate imprinted genes by type of preterm birth (spontaneous preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, or medically indicated [fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia]) and infection status (chorioamnionitis or funisitis). STUDY DESIGN: Data on type of preterm birth and infection status were abstracted from medical records and standardized pathology reports in 73 preterm infants enrolled in the Newborn Epigenetics STudy, a prospective cohort study of mother-infant dyads in Durham, NC. Cord blood was collected at birth, and infant DNA methylation levels at the H19, IGF2, MEG3, MEST, SGCE/PEG10, PEG3, NNAT, and PLAGL1 differentially methylated regions were measured using bisulfite pyrosequencing. One-way analyses of variance and logistic regression models were used to compare DNA methylation levels by type of preterm birth and infection status. RESULTS: DNA methylation levels did not differ at any of the regions (P > .20) between infants born via spontaneous preterm labor (average n = 29), preterm premature rupture of membranes (average n = 17), or medically indicated preterm birth (average n = 40). Levels were significantly increased at PLAGL1 in infants with chorioamnionitis (n = 10, 64.4%) compared with infants without chorioamnionitis (n = 63, 57.9%), P < .01. DNA methylation levels were also increased at PLAGL1 for infants with funisitis (n = 7, 63.3%) compared with infants without funisitis (n = 66, 58.3%), P < .05. CONCLUSION: Dysregulation of PLAGL1 has been associated with abnormal development and cancer. Early-life exposures, including infection/inflammation, may affect epigenetic changes that increase susceptibility to later chronic disease.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Liu, Y; Hoyo, C; Murphy, S; Huang, Z; Overcash, F; Thompson, J; Brown, H; Murtha, AP

Published Date

  • May 2013

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 208 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 395.e1 - 395.e7

PubMed ID

  • 23477525

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3838789

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1097-6868

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.006

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States