DNA methylation differences between cord and adult white blood cells reflect postnatal immune cell maturation.

ABSTRACT: Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation are both cell type and developmental age specific. Here, we show that the immunological maturation of blood cell types influences DNA methylation changes from naive cord blood to fully functional adult blood. Lymphoid cells in adult blood showed more variability than in cord blood suggesting an antigen-dependent maturation of DNA methylation in lymphoid cells throughout the lifespan. Fewer DNA methylation changes between cord and adult blood were observed in myeloid cells, particularly in monocytes, which demonstrated the least number of DNA methylation changes between cord and adult blood. We also noted differences in epigenetic ages by immune cell types within the same individuals, specifically in cord blood where monocytes were epigenetic

SUBMITTER: Jones MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11828917 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature