Dataset Information

Epigenetic signatures of internal migration in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Observational studies have suggested that the risks of non-communicable diseases in voluntary migrants become similar to those in the host population after one or more generations, supporting the hypothesis that these diseases have a predominantly environmental (rather than inherited) origin. However, no study has been conducted thus far to identify alterations at the molecular level that might mediate these changes in disease risk after migration.

Methods

Using genome-wide DNA methylation profiles from more than 1000 Italian participants, we conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to identify differences between south-to-north migrants and their origin (southern natives) and host (north-western natives) populations.

Results

We identified several differentially methylated CpG loci, in particular when comparing south-to-north migrants with north-western natives. We hypothesise that these alterations may underlie an adaptive response to exposure differentials that exist between origin and host populations.

Conclusions

Our study is the first large agnostic investigation of DNA methylation changes linked to migratory processes, and shows the potential of EWAS to investigate their biological effects.

SUBMITTER: Campanella G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4588856 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Epigenetic signatures of internal migration in Italy.

Campanella Gianluca G Polidoro Silvia S Di Gaetano Cornelia C Fiorito Giovanni G Guarrera Simonetta S Krogh Vittorio V Palli Domenico D Panico Salvatore S Sacerdote Carlotta C Tumino Rosario R Elliott Paul P Matullo Giuseppe G Chadeau-Hyam Marc M Vineis Paolo P

International journal of epidemiology 20141015 4

<h4>Background</h4>Observational studies have suggested that the risks of non-communicable diseases in voluntary migrants become similar to those in the host population after one or more generations, supporting the hypothesis that these diseases have a predominantly environmental (rather than inherited) origin. However, no study has been conducted thus far to identify alterations at the molecular level that might mediate these changes in disease risk after migration.<h4>Methods</h4>Using genome- ...[more]

PMID: 25324151

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Project description:BackgroundMultiple studies have made robust associations between differential DNA methylation and exposure to cigarette smoke. But whether a DNA methylation phenotype is established immediately upon exposure, or only after prolonged exposure is less well-established. Here, we assess DNA methylation patterns from peripheral blood samples in current smokers in response to dose and duration of exposure, along with the effects of smoking cessation on DNA methylation in former smokers.MethodsDimensionality reduction was applied to DNA methylation data at 90 previously identified smoking-associated CpG sites for over 4900 individuals in the Generation Scotland cohort. K-means clustering was performed to identify clusters associated with current and never smoker status based on these methylation patterns. Cluster assignments were assessed with respect to duration of exposure in current smokers (years as a smoker), time since smoking cessation in former smokers (years), and dose (cigarettes per day).FindingsTwo clusters were specified, corresponding to never smokers (97·5% of whom were assigned to Cluster 1) and current smokers (81·1% of whom were assigned to Cluster 2). The exposure time point from which >50% of current smokers were assigned to the smoker-enriched cluster varied between 5 and 9 years in heavier smokers and between 15 and 19 years in lighter smokers. Low-dose former smokers were more likely to be assigned to the never smoker-enriched cluster in the first year following cessation. In contrast, a period of at least two years was required before the majority of former high-dose smokers were assigned to the never smoker-enriched cluster.InterpretationOur findings suggest that smoking-associated DNA methylation changes are a result of prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke, and can be reversed following cessation. The length of time in which these signatures are established and recovered is dose dependent. Should DNA methylation-based signatures of smoking status be predictive of smoking-related health outcomes, our findings may provide an additional criterion on which to stratify risk.

Dataset Information

Epigenetic signatures of internal migration in Italy.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Epigenetic signatures of internal migration in Italy.

Similar Datasets

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