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Rajaprakash M, Palmore M, Bakulski KM, Howerton E, Lyall K, Schmidt RJ, Newschaffer C, Croen LA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Volk H, Ladd-Acosta C, Fallin MD. DNA methylation signatures of prenatal socioeconomic position associated with 36-month language outcomes. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2024; 154:104846. [PMID: 39357175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic position (SEP), which reflects one's position in society and access to resources, is strongly tied to neurodevelopment and is associated with epigenetic changes. AIM This study examined whether DNA methylation signatures of prenatal SEP, measured in birth samples, are associated with child neurodevelopmental outcomes at 36 months of age. METHODS Prenatal SEP DNA methylation scores were derived using 97 placenta and 127 cord blood biospecimens in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation cohort. Participants completed the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) at 36 months of age. Generalized regression analyses, adjusting for maternal age and race, were performed to test the association between SEP methylation score, for each birth biospecimen type, and MSEL and VABS scores. RESULTS Significant associations were observed between placenta SEP methylation score and MSEL Expressive Language outcomes (beta = -2.7, p = 0.046, 95 % CI [- 5.43, -0.05]) and Receptive Language outcomes (beta = -2.5, p = 0.037, 95 % CI [-4.82, -0.16]). In cord blood, methylation-SEP scores were significantly associated with Receptive Language outcomes (beta = -2.0, p = 0.037, 95 % CI [-3.85, -0.12]). No significant associations were observed with VABS scores. CONCLUSION Our results confirm associations between prenatal SEP and early childhood language development using a novel empiric DNA methylation measure of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Rajaprakash
- Department of Neurology & Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Meredith Palmore
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ellen Howerton
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Public Health Sciences and the MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Public Health Sciences and the MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Heather Volk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Eichenauer H, Fischer S, Gardini E, Onsongo S, Ehlert U. Effects of improved on-farm crop storage on DNA methylation of mothers and their infants: evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Kenya. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:90. [PMID: 38978139 PMCID: PMC11232227 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01693-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes through epigenetic changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Among farmers in low-income countries, one important stressor is food insecurity, which can be reduced using hermetic storage bags. This study aimed to determine, for the first time, whether a hermetic storage bag intervention during pregnancy positively affects maternal and infant DNA methylation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-related genes FKBP5 and NR3C1. We further analyzed whether anthropometrics, stress, and mental health were associated with DNA methylation. METHODS This study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial focusing on the impact of improved on-farm storage on food security, poverty, and net income of smallholder farming households. A total of N = 149 mothers were recruited by telephone and invited to attend a study appointment at health facilities in Kakamega County, Western Kenya, with their infants in April or May 2021. During the appointment, anthropometric measurements were taken, questionnaires on stress and mental health were administered, and saliva samples were collected. Logistic and multiple linear regression were used to examine the effect of the intervention and related measures on DNA methylation. RESULTS Mothers in the intervention group showed higher mean NR3C1 methylation levels than those in the control group, corrected for multiple testing. Maternal postpartum body mass index was positively associated with infant NR3C1 CpG3 DNA methylation. The more stressful life events a mother had experienced in the previous 12 months (including during pregnancy), the lower her FKBP5 CpG3 methylation levels. CONCLUSIONS Food insecurity and stressful life events during pregnancy seem to exert significant effects on maternal DNA methylation. While these stressors did not appear to impact infant DNA methylation in the present study, maternal postpartum body mass index was significantly related to infant methylation. These findings suggest that while infants may be protected from excessive maternal glucocorticoids by placental barrier activity, maternal metabolic status is still reflected in their epigenetic make-up. Trial registration This study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial on the impact of improved on-farm crop storage on welfare, nutrition, and human health. Registration can be found in the American Economic Association (AEA) RCT Registry, RCT ID: AEARCTR-0005845.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Eichenauer
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Fischer
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Gardini
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Shorey-Kendrick LE, Davis B, Gao L, Park B, Vu A, Morris CD, Breton CV, Fry R, Garcia E, Schmidt RJ, O’Shea TM, Tepper RS, McEvoy CT, Spindel ER. Development and Validation of a Novel Placental DNA Methylation Biomarker of Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy in the ECHO Program. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:67005. [PMID: 38885141 PMCID: PMC11218700 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes in infants and children with potential lifelong consequences. Negative effects of MSDP on placental DNA methylation (DNAm), placental structure, and function are well established. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to develop biomarkers of MSDP using DNAm measured in placentas (N = 96 ), collected as part of the Vitamin C to Decrease the Effects of Smoking in Pregnancy on Infant Lung Function double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted between 2012 and 2016. We also aimed to develop a digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the top ranking cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) so that large numbers of samples can be screened for exposure at low cost. METHODS We compared the ability of four machine learning methods [logistic least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, logistic elastic net regression, random forest, and gradient boosting machine] to classify MSDP based on placental DNAm signatures. We developed separate models using the complete EPIC array dataset and on the subset of probes also found on the 450K array so that models exist for both platforms. For comparison, we developed a model using CpGs previously associated with MSDP in placenta. For each final model, we used model coefficients and normalized beta values to calculate placental smoking index (PSI) scores for each sample. Final models were validated in two external datasets: the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn observational study, N = 426 ; and the Rhode Island Children's Health Study, N = 237 . RESULTS Logistic LASSO regression demonstrated the highest performance in cross-validation testing with the lowest number of input CpGs. Accuracy was greatest in external datasets when using models developed for the same platform. PSI scores in smokers only (n = 72 ) were moderately correlated with maternal plasma cotinine levels. One CpG (cg27402634), with the largest coefficient in two models, was measured accurately by digital PCR compared with measurement by EPIC array (R 2 = 0.98 ). DISCUSSION To our knowledge, we have developed the first placental DNAm-based biomarkers of MSDP with broad utility to studies of prenatal disease origins. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13838.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey E. Shorey-Kendrick
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Brett Davis
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Lina Gao
- Biostatistics Shared Resources, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Byung Park
- Biostatistics Shared Resources, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University–Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Annette Vu
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Cynthia D. Morris
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Carrie V. Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rebecca Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, UNC Gillings School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erika Garcia
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- MIND Institute, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - T. Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert S. Tepper
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Cindy T. McEvoy
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Eliot R. Spindel
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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Weinstein SR, Erickson EN, Molina R, Bell AF. Maternal outcomes related to Genetic and epigenetic Variation in the oxytocin system: A scoping review. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2023; 16:100209. [PMID: 38108031 PMCID: PMC10724832 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose In this scoping review, we synthesize the literature on oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genetic and epigenetic variation in relationship to breastfeeding, maternal caregiving behavior, and maternal mental health. Methods A literature search was conducted in early 2022, and updated in 2023, utilizing the PRISMA scoping review reporting method, using the following MeSH headings and key terms: oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, genetics, epigenetics, methylation, pregnancy, postnatal, breastfeeding, lactation, mother-infant relations and perinatal outcomes. The search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria included: human literature which was peer reviewed and found in primary sources, printed in the English language. In addition, the study must have reported genetic/epigenetic data in either the oxytocin or oxytocin receptor gene (maternal or infant up to 12 months after birth) in relation to a breastfeeding, maternal caregiving behavior or a maternal mental health outcome. There was no date limitation. Four authors reviewed studies for eligibility. Data was extracted using a structured data extraction form. Results A total of 23 studies met inclusion criteria for this review (breastfeeding n = 4, maternal caregiving behavior n = 7, and maternal mental health n = 16). Seventeen papers reported on oxytocin or oxytocin receptor genotype and nine reported epigenetic associations (namely DNA methylation). These totals are greater than 23, as studies reported on multiple outcomes. One paper assessed the interaction between genotype and methylation. While a number of genotype variations were reported, the single nucleotide polymorphism rs53576 on the oxytocin receptor gene was the most studied. Overall, variation in this polymorphism was related to postnatal depression symptoms. Among numerous epigenetic markers, site -934 was the most studied methylation site, and methylation status was associated with maternal depression and maternal caregiving behavior outcomes. Results suggest that early life experiences impact adult maternal caregiving behaviors and mental health outcomes, and vary based on genetic vulnerability. Breastfeeding outcomes were minimally studied. Conclusion This scoping review found that genetic and epigenetic variation at the oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genes were associated with maternal caregiving behavior and mental health, likely through complex gene and environment interactions. The findings suggest that maternal early life experiences and stress impact later caregiving behaviors and mental health in the postnatal period. The findings highlight potential pathways by which environment, experiences, and genes interact to impact maternal caregiving behavior and maternal mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rodin Molina
- Frontier Nursing University, Hyden, KY, USA
- BabyMoon Inn Birth Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Aleeca F. Bell
- University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Yang G, Yu XR, Weisenberger DJ, Lu T, Liang G. A Multi-Omics Overview of Colorectal Cancer to Address Mechanisms of Disease, Metastasis, Patient Disparities and Outcomes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112934. [PMID: 37296894 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in men and women across the globe, albeit CRC incidence and mortality shows a substantial racial and ethnic disparity, with the highest burden in African American patients. Even with effective screening tools such as colonoscopy and diagnostic detection assays, CRC remains a substantial health burden. In addition, primary tumors located in the proximal (right) or distal (left) sides of the colorectum have been shown to be unique tumor types that require unique treatment schema. Distal metastases in the liver and other organ systems are the major causes of mortality in CRC patients. Characterizing genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic and proteomic (multi-omics) alterations has led to a better understanding of primary tumor biology, resulting in targeted therapeutic advancements. In this regard, molecular-based CRC subgroups have been developed that show correlations with patient outcomes. Molecular characterization of CRC metastases has highlighted similarities and differences between metastases and primary tumors; however, our understanding as to how to improve patient outcomes based on metastasis biology is lagging and remains a major obstacle to improving CRC patient outcomes. In this review, we will summarize the multi-omics features of primary CRC tumors and their metastases across racial and ethnic groups, the differences in proximal and distal tumor biology, molecular-based CRC subgroups, treatment strategies and challenges for improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211121, China
- China Grand Enterprises, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xi Richard Yu
- China Grand Enterprises, Beijing 100101, China
- Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310011, China
| | - Daniel J Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Institute of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Tao Lu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211121, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211121, China
| | - Gangning Liang
- USC Institute of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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