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Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy share common cfDNA methylation profiles

Marialuigia Spinelli1, Jarmila A Zdanowicz1, Irene Keller2

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical Research, University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Friedbuehlstrasse 19, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.

Scientific Reports
|November 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Early pregnancy epigenetic changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) reveal a shared maternal cardiovascular predisposition in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and chronic hypertension. This suggests the maternal cardiovascular system

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Genetics and Epigenetics
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a major cause of perinatal complications.
  • Epigenetic alterations are implicated in the cardio-metabolic dysregulation underlying HDP.
  • Early pregnancy epigenetic changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for HDP remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cfDNA methylation profiles in early pregnancy (11-14 weeks gestation) in women who develop preeclampsia (PE) or have chronic hypertension (HT).
  • To identify epigenetic signatures associated with HDP and explore their maternal origin.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cfDNA methylation profiles using whole genome bisulfite sequencing.
  • Comparison of methylation patterns in three matched groups: PE development, chronic HT, and controls.
  • Optimization of cfDNA isolation for accurate sequencing.

Main Results:

  • cfDNA methylation analysis revealed a common predisposition in both PE and HT groups, primarily of maternal origin.
  • Significant differentially methylated regions and annotated genes indicated a shared cardiovascular predisposition in the first trimester for PE and HT.
  • These findings were evident as early as 11-14 weeks of gestation.

Conclusions:

  • The maternal cardiovascular system plays a pivotal role in the development of HDP.
  • Epigenetic changes in cfDNA during the first trimester can indicate an increased risk for HDP.
  • Early detection of cardiovascular predisposition through cfDNA methylation may inform future preventative strategies for HDP.

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