Individual variation and longitudinal pattern of genome-wide DNA methylation from birth to the first two years of life

Abstract

(2012) Individual variation and longitudinal pattern of genome-wide DNA methylation from birth to the first two years of life, Epigenetics, 7:6, 594-605,

Genome-wide DNA methylation variability in adolescent monozygotic twins followed since birth

“…If the methylome is indeed dynamic throughout life, then differences in DNA methylation profiles in identical twins should increase through life. As expected, studies demonstrate that although within-pair discordances are present from birth, 36 they increase with age, [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] particularly when twins experience divergent medical histories/ environments. [46][47][48][49] In fact, Novakovic and colleagues 50 found differences during gestation, which increased with gestational age.…”

Epigenetics and human obesity

“…CpGs substantially changed from birth to two years of age 105 and in another study ~8% of the sites on the Illumina arrays showed age-associated methylation in childhood 106 . Multiple studies have demonstrated that some methylation marks show considerable variation over time while others are highly stable 64 96 107 108 .…”

Early Life Origins of Metabolic Syndrome: The Role of Environmental Toxicants

“…67,68 Our work in the Boston Birth Cohort demonstrated considerable individual variation in DNA methylation, which is detectable at birth and dynamic in the first 2 years, and offered an epigenetic insight into this trans-generational effect. 69 We also found that maternal obesity can alter offspring DNA methylation in multiple genes that may have important implications for future chronic diseases. 70 These findings highlight the presence of in utero mechanisms that are available to respond to nutritional, hormonal, or other metabolic cues by possibly altering the timing and direction of methylation events during fetal development.…”

“…Developmental programming and the establishment of the epigenome (regulation of gene expression) is most sensitive during the prenatal period. 69 Advances in a wide range of biological, behavioral, and social sciences are expanding our understanding of how early environmental influences and genetic predispositions affect adult diseases. The new science suggests that epigenetic mechanisms could be an important interface that links genetic factors, environmental factors, and phenotypic expression.…”