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Variable Methylation Potential in Preterm Placenta: Implication for Epigenetic Programming of the Offspring

Vinita V Khot1, Preeti Chavan-Gautam1, Savita Mehendale2

  • 11 Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
|September 29, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth is linked to later noncommunicable diseases. This study found lower methylation potential in preterm placentas, potentially impacting fetal epigenetic programming and future health.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Children born preterm face higher risks for adult noncommunicable diseases.
  • Placental DNA methylation patterns are crucial for fetal programming of adult diseases.
  • Micronutrients and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) influence methylation via the 1-carbon cycle.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of preterm birth on placental methylation potential.
  • To examine mRNA and protein levels of key enzymes (MAT2A, AHCY) in the S-adenosylmethionine pathway.
  • To assess S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) levels, and global DNA methylation in preterm and term placentae.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for mRNA analysis.
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for protein quantification.
  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for SAM and SAH level determination.

Main Results:

  • Higher mRNA levels of MAT2A and AHCY were observed in preterm placentae.
  • The SAM:SAH ratio was lower in the preterm group.
  • Increased global DNA methylation was found in placentae of small for gestational age infants.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm placentae exhibit altered enzyme expression and a reduced methylation potential.
  • These epigenetic changes may contribute to the increased risk of noncommunicable diseases in individuals born preterm.
  • Findings highlight the role of placental epigenetics in fetal programming and long-term health outcomes.

Keywords:
HPLCepigenetic programmingmethylation potentialone carbon cycleplacenta

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