Epigenome Wide Association and Stochastic Epigenetic Mutation Analysis on Cord Blood of Preterm Birth.

ABSTRACT: Preterm birth (PTB) can be defined as the endpoint of a complex process that could be influenced by maternal and environmental factors. Epigenetics recently emerged as an interesting field of investigation since it represents an important mechanism of regulation. This study evaluates epigenetic impact of preterm birth on DNA methylation. Genome-wide DNAm was measured using the Illumina 450K array in cord blood samples obtained from 72 full term and 18 preterm newborns. Lymphocyte composition was calculated based on specific epigenetic markers that are present on the 450k array. Differential methylation analysis was performed both at site and region level; moreover, stochastic epigenetic mutations (SEMs) were also evaluated. The study showed significant differences in blood cell composition

SUBMITTER: Spada E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7403978 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature