Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Tetanus vaccination is associated with differential DNA-methylation: Reduces the risk of asthma in adolescence
Vimala Devi Janjanam1, Nandini Mukherjee1, Gabrielle A Lockett2
1Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, 236A Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA.
Background:
Vaccinations have been suggested to be associated with increased risk of allergic diseases. Tetanus vaccination is one of the most frequently administered vaccines as a part of wound management and was also found to be associated with increased serum IgE levels. We hypothesized that the vaccination modifies the risk of allergic diseases through epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation.
Method:
Data on tetanus vaccination between 10 and 18years of age was collected from a birth cohort established on the Isle of Wight UK in 1989. DNA methylation data were collected from individuals at different ages (at birth [n=30], age 10 [n=34], age 18 [n=245] and during pregnancy [n=121]) using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450K array. Firstly, we performed an epigenome-wide screening to identify cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites (CpGs) associated with tetanus vaccination in 18-year-olds. Secondly, we tested their association with asthma, allergic sensitization, eczema, serum IgE and pulmonary lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75%). We then described changes in the methylation of the selected CpG sites over age, and by vaccination status.
Results:
Tetanus vaccination was found to be associated with decreased methylation of cg14472551 (p value 0.5×10-5, FDR-adjusted p value 2.1×10-4) and increased methylation of cg01669161 (p value 0.0007, FDR-adjusted p value 0.014). Both CpGs, in turn, were associated with decreased risk of asthma at 18years of age. Cg14472551 is located in an intron of KIAA1549L, whose protein binds to a B-cell commitment transcription factor; cg01669161 is located between an antisense regulator of the proteasome assembly chaperone PSMG3, and TFAMP1, a pseudogene. Increased methylation of cg01669161 was also associated with decreased serum IgE levels.
Conclusion:
DNA methylation changes following tetanus vaccination may offer a novel prospect to explain a differential occurrence of asthma in adolescence.
More Related Videos
11:31Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
11:19Correlating Gene-specific DNA Methylation Changes with Expression and Transcriptional Activity of Astrocytic KCNJ10 Kir4.1
Published on: September 26, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include: