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Published on: May 6, 2022
Differential DNA Methylation and Cardiometabolic Risk in African American Mother-Adolescent Dyads
Amanda Elswick Gentry1, Jo Robins2, Mat Makowski3
1Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Insights
Epigenetic changes in DNA methylation are linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors like obesity and hypertension in African American mothers and adolescents. This pilot study explores these early-life epigenetic associations.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Epigenetics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and illness in African Americans, often starting earlier due to higher rates of obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.
- Heritable epigenetic processes are implicated in CVD risk, but research in adolescents and across generations is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between DNA methylation and cardiometabolic risk factors in low-income African American mother-adolescent dyads.
- To explore potential intergenerational epigenetic influences on CVD risk.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional descriptive pilot study was conducted.
- DNA methylation patterns were examined in relation to body mass index, waist circumference, and insulin resistance.
- Analyses were performed on mother-adolescent dyads.
Main Results:
- Four CpG sites showed significant differential methylation associated with C-reactive protein (CRP).
- Sixty-two CpG sites were associated with waist circumference in both mothers and adolescents.
- No significant associations were found between DNA methylation and insulin resistance.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to examine DNA methylation and cardiometabolic risk in mother-adolescent dyads.
- Further research on stressors, CVD indicators, and epigenetic factors is needed for early and effective prevention.
- Understanding these epigenetic links can inform targeted interventions for at-risk populations.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects African Americans as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Among African Americans, compared to other racial groups, cardiovascular disease onset occurs at an earlier age due to a higher prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests that heritable epigenetic processes are related to increased cardiovascular disease risk, but this is largely unexplored in adolescents or across generations.
Materials And Methods:
In a cross-sectional descriptive pilot study in low-income African American mother-adolescent dyads, we examined associations between DNA methylation and the cardiometabolic indicators of body mass index, waist circumference, and insulin resistance.
Results:
Four adjacent cytosine and guanine nucleotides (CpG) sites were significantly differentially methylated and associated with C-reactive protein (CRP), 62 with waist circumference, and none to insulin resistance in models for both mothers and adolescents.
Conclusion:
Further study of the relations among psychological and environmental stressors, indicators of cardiovascular disease, risk, and epigenetic factors will improve understanding of cardiovascular disease risk so that preventive measures can be instituted earlier and more effectively. To our knowledge this work is the first to examine DNA methylation and cardiometabolic risk outcomes in mother-adolescent dyads.
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