Methylation changes and pathways affected in preterm birth: a role for SLC6A3 in neurodevelopment

Abstract

Aim: To analyze whether preterm newborns show differences in methylation patterns in comparison to full-term newborns in white blood cells.

Patients & methods: Anthropometrical, biochemical features and methylation levels of preterm newborns (n = 24) and full-term newborns (n = 22) recruited in La Paz University Hospital (Spain) were assessed at 12 months of gestational age, whereas Bayley Scale of Infant Development was evaluated at 24/36 months.

Results: From all the statistically significant CpGs, methylation levels of cg00997378 (SLC6A3 gene) showed the highest differences (p < 0.0001), being associated with prematurity risk factors.

Conclusion: SLC6A3 methylation, previously related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, neuronal function and behavior, might be a potential epigenetic biomarker with value in the early diagnosis and management of neurodevelopmental diseases in newborns.

Keywords: Bayley scale; SLC6A3; epigenetics; full-term newborns; peripheral white blood cells; prematurity; preterm newborns.