Genome-wide methylation profiling demonstrates hypermethylation in maternal leukocyte DNA in preeclamptic compared to normotensive pregnancies. (August 2013) - White, Wendy M.
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.