Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2015; 123(05): 282-288
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1398666
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

DNA Methylation Profiles in Placenta and Its Association with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

C. Rong*
1   Division of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
2   Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing, China
,
X. Cui*
2   Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing, China
,
J. Chen
2   Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing, China
,
Y. Qian
3   Department of Obstetrics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing, China
,
R. Jia
3   Department of Obstetrics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing, China
,
Y. Hu
1   Division of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 15 October 2014
first decision 20 January 2015

accepted 20 January 2015

Publication Date:
21 April 2015 (online)

Abstract

Emerging evidences indicate that placenta plays a critical role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). DNA methylation could be associated with altered placental development and functions. This study is to uncover the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in this disorder. DNA methylation was measured at >385 000 CpG sites using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and a huamn CpG island plus promoter microarray. We totally identified 6 641 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) targeting 3 320 genes, of which 2 729 DMRs targeting 1 399 genes, showed significant hypermethylation in GDM relative to the controls, whereas 3 912 DMRs targeting 1 970 genes showed significant hypomethylation. Functional analysis divided these genes into different functional networks, which mainly involved in the pathways of cell growth and death regulation, immune and inflammatory response and nervous system development. In addition, the methylation profiles and expressions of 4 loci (RBP4, GLUT3, Resistin and PPARα) were validated by BSP for their higher log2 ratio and potential functions with energy metabolism. This study demonstrates aberrant patterns of DNA methylation in GDM which may be involved in the pathophysiology of GDM and reflect the fetal development. Future work will assess the potential prognostic and therapeutic value for these findings in GDM.

* These authors contributed equally to this work.


Supplementary Material

 
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