Generation of Sequencing Libraries for Building Immune Cell Methylomes

The comparison of methylomes from immune cells enables the identification of differentially methylated regions and thereby region-associated gene loci. Those regions can be used to discriminate one immune cell population from the other, as well as help to identify key molecules and major pathways determining the unique phenotypes of immune cell lineages. The combination of bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA and next-generation sequencing provides the basis for studying epigenetic changes in different immune cell populations. Further development of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing resulted in a protocol for sequencing libraries that accept both single- or double-stranded DNA from fixed or nonfixed cells, respectively. Therefore, researchers can include immune cell populations in their methylation studies whose isolation depends on the staining of intracellular molecules.