Maximilian B Franz1, Mariella Poterauer1, Marie Elhenicky1, Susanne Stary2, Peter Birner2, Ursula Vinatzer3, Peter Husslein1, Berthold Streubel4, Heinrich Husslein1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. 2. Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. 3. Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: berthold.streubel@meduniwien.ac.at.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate global and single gene methylation patterns as a sign for epigenetic modulation of the immune system in infants born by elective cesarean section (CS) and vaginal delivery (VD). STUDY DESIGN: For this prospective pilot study a two step approach was chosen. Initially 41 newborn infants comprising 23 delivered by VD and 18 delivered by elective CS were included. Global DNA methylation of umbilical cord blood was determined. In a second step, methylation status of 96 single genes linked to T cell activation, cytokine production, inflammatory response, and stem cell transcription was evaluated in 48 newborn infants, 20 delivered by VD and 28 delivered by CS. RESULTS: Global methylation did not differ significantly between CS and VD (p=0.732). The methylation status was low (threshold: ≤3%) for the majority of single genes (n=92) in both groups. FOXP3, CD7, ELA2, and IRF1 showed hypermethylation in both groups. In the CS group, ELA2 (p<0.001) and IRF1(p =0.017) showed significantly higher methylation compared to the VD group. CONCLUSION: We found no difference in global methylation between newborn infants in the VD group compared to the elective CS group. Methylation of single genes was significantly higher in newborn infants delivered by elective CS. Further research is needed to determine the significance of theses findings.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate global and single gene methylation patterns as a sign for epigenetic modulation of the immune system in infants born by elective cesarean section (CS) and vaginal delivery (VD). STUDY DESIGN: For this prospective pilot study a two step approach was chosen. Initially 41 newborn infants comprising 23 delivered by VD and 18 delivered by elective CS were included. Global DNA methylation of umbilical cord blood was determined. In a second step, methylation status of 96 single genes linked to T cell activation, cytokine production, inflammatory response, and stem cell transcription was evaluated in 48 newborn infants, 20 delivered by VD and 28 delivered by CS. RESULTS: Global methylation did not differ significantly between CS and VD (p=0.732). The methylation status was low (threshold: ≤3%) for the majority of single genes (n=92) in both groups. FOXP3, CD7, ELA2, and IRF1 showed hypermethylation in both groups. In the CS group, ELA2 (p<0.001) and IRF1(p =0.017) showed significantly higher methylation compared to the VD group. CONCLUSION: We found no difference in global methylation between newborn infants in the VD group compared to the elective CS group. Methylation of single genes was significantly higher in newborn infants delivered by elective CS. Further research is needed to determine the significance of theses findings.
Authors: Rong Wang; Joseph L Wiemels; Catherine Metayer; Libby Morimoto; Stephen S Francis; Nina Kadan-Lottick; Andrew T DeWan; Yawei Zhang; Xiaomei Ma Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2016-12-16 Impact factor: 5.363
Authors: Z Nemoda; R Massart; M Suderman; M Hallett; T Li; M Coote; N Cody; Z S Sun; C N Soares; G Turecki; M Steiner; M Szyf Journal: Transl Psychiatry Date: 2015-04-07 Impact factor: 6.222
Authors: Jorge E Chavarro; Nerea Martín-Calvo; Changzheng Yuan; Mariel Arvizu; Janet W Rich-Edwards; Karin B Michels; Qi Sun Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2020-04-01
Authors: Aneta Słabuszewska-Jóźwiak; Jacek Krzysztof Szymański; Michał Ciebiera; Beata Sarecka-Hujar; Grzegorz Jakiel Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-31 Impact factor: 3.390