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Birthweight, maternal weight trajectories and global DNA methylation of LINE-1 repetitive elements

Karin B Michels1, Holly R Harris, Ludovic Barault

  • 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. kmichels@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

Plos One
|October 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Birth weight and prematurity impact long-term health risks. Lower LINE-1 DNA methylation in newborns with low/high birth weight and premature infants suggests potential links to chronic disease susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Perinatal Epidemiology
  • Chronic Disease Risk

Background:

  • Birth weight and prematurity are associated with increased risks of chronic diseases later in life.
  • Global DNA methylation, particularly LINE-1 methylation, is an indicator of chronic disease susceptibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fetal and maternal weight trajectories and LINE-1 methylation in a mother-child cohort.
  • To explore potential epigenetic markers related to birth outcomes and future health risks.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of LINE-1 methylation in cord blood from 319 mother-child dyads.
  • Statistical adjustments for gestational age, infant sex, maternal age, and smoking.
  • Exploration of associations with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain.

Main Results:

  • Significantly lower LINE-1 methylation in cord blood of low and high birthweight infants compared to normal weight infants.
  • Significantly lower LINE-1 methylation in cord blood of prematurely born infants compared to term infants.
  • No significant associations found between maternal BMI/weight gain and global methylation levels.

Conclusions:

  • Cord blood LINE-1 methylation differs significantly between newborns with abnormal birth weights (low/high) and premature infants.
  • These methylation differences may contribute to the increased chronic disease risk observed in these populations.
  • Further research is needed to understand the functional implications of these epigenetic changes.

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