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Updated: Mar 9, 2026
14:56
Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies
Published on: May 6, 2022
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Persistent organic pollutants alter DNA methylation during human adipocyte differentiation
Myrthe W van den Dungen1, Albertinka J Murk2, Dieuwertje E Kok3
1Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, The Netherlands; Marine Animal Ecology group, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
Summary
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can alter DNA methylation during human adipocyte differentiation. These epigenetic changes occur even at environmentally relevant POPs levels, impacting fat cell development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental epigenetics
- Toxicology
- Cellular differentiation
Background:
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are widespread environmental contaminants.
- POPs can accumulate in humans and potentially affect adipocyte differentiation.
- The role of DNA methylation in POPs-induced adipogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate DNA methylation as a mechanism underlying POPs' effects on adipocyte differentiation.
- To explore the relationship between POPs-induced DNA methylation and gene transcription.
- To assess POPs' impact on adipogenesis and epigenetic patterns in human cells.
Main Methods:
- Induction of adipocyte differentiation in two human cell models with continuous POPs exposure.
- Assessment of lipid accumulation and gene expression profiles.
- Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis.
Main Results:
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) reduced lipid accumulation; tributyltin (TBT) increased it.
- TCDD and TBT induced distinct gene expression changes in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), while PFOS had minimal impact.
- PFOS, TCDD, and TBT altered DNA methylation patterns in adipogenic and other genes, irrespective of gene expression changes.
- Differential methylation was primarily observed in intergenic regions.
Conclusions:
- POPs can induce differential DNA methylation in differentiating human adipocytes at environmentally relevant concentrations.
- DNA methylation changes induced by POPs may contribute to altered adipogenesis.
- The functional significance of methylation alterations in intergenic regions requires further investigation.
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