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Increased birth weight is associated with altered gene expression in neonatal foreskin

L J Reynolds1, R I Pollack2, R J Charnigo3

  • 11Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences,University of Kentucky College of Medicine,Lexington,KY,USA.

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
|May 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Elevated birth weight in infants is associated with altered gene expression related to obesity and inflammation. These findings suggest potential early markers for fetal programming of metabolic health in newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Genetics and Genomics
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Elevated birth weight is a known risk factor for later-life glucose intolerance and obesity.
  • Previous research has not investigated the link between infant birth weight and specific gene expression markers in infant tissues.
  • Understanding fetal programming of obesity is crucial for early intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between infant birth weight and gene expression patterns in neonatal foreskin tissue.
  • To identify specific genes involved in obesity and inflammation that are differentially expressed in infants with higher birth weights.
  • To explore the role of these gene expression changes in the fetal programming of obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Foreskin samples were collected from newborns post-circumcision.
  • Gene expression analysis was performed comparing infants in the highest 15% birth weight group with the remaining cohort.
  • Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between birth weight group and gene expression levels, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

  • Ten genes, including Glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2), and leptin receptor (LEPR), showed significant differential expression between high and average birth weight groups.
  • Eight of these ten genes exhibited expression level differences exceeding one standard deviation and were explained by multivariate modeling between 25-50% of variation.
  • Upregulated genes were associated with glycemic control and appetite regulation, while downregulated genes were linked to cellular processes and antioxidant activity.

Conclusions:

  • Infant birth weight is associated with altered gene expression in neonatal tissue, indicating potential early molecular signatures of fetal programming.
  • Genes related to glycemic control, appetite, obesity, and inflammation are affected in neonates with elevated birth weight.
  • These identified gene expression markers may serve as important indicators for fetal programming in macrosomic infants, paving the way for future research and interventions.

Keywords:
circumcisionfetal macrosomiafetal programminggestational weight gain

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