Genome-wide methylation profiling demonstrates hypermethylation in maternal leukocyte DNA in preeclamptic compared to normotensive pregnancies

Wendy M. White, Brian Brost, Zhifu Sun, Carl Rose, Iasmina Craici, Steven J. Wagner, Stephen T. Turner, Vesna D. Garovic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To compare genome-wide methylation profiles in maternal leukocyte DNA between normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women at delivery. Methods: Age, body mass index matched case-control comparison of methylation at 27,578 cytosine- guanine sites in 14,495 genes in maternal leukocyte DNA in women with preeclampsia (PE; n=14) and normotensive controls (n=14). Results: PE was associated with widespread differential methylation favoring hypermethylation. Pathway analysis identified the best matched process as a neuropeptide signaling pathway (p<10-5); best matched disease as eclampsia (p<9.97×10-20). Significantly differentially methylated genes (GRIN2b. GABRA1. PCDHB7, and BEX1) are associated with seizures. Conclusion: Altered maternal leukocyte DNA methylation is associated with PE at delivery, and differential methylation of certain neuronal genes may explain the risk for eclampsia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)257-269
Number of pages13
JournalHypertension in Pregnancy
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2013

Keywords

  • DNA methylation
  • Epigenetics
  • Leukocyte
  • Maternal
  • Preeclampsia
  • Pregnancy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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