Familial resemblances in human whole blood transcriptome

The objective is to quantify the contribution of genetic and common environmental effects in the familial resemblances of whole blood genome-wide gene expression levels. We also make comparisons with familial resemblances in blood leukocytes genome-wide DNA methylation levels in the same cohort in order to further investigate biological mechanims. A total of 48 subjects from 16 families were recruited in the Greater Quebec City area, in Canada, as part of the GENERATION Study. Parents had to be in good general health, non-smokers, with BMI ranging between 18 and 35 kg/m2, and free of any metabolic conditionds requiring treatment. Children also had to be non-smokers and in good general health. Families living under the same roof comprised at least the mother and one child aged between 8 and 18. Blood samples were collected from an antecubital vein into PAXgeneTM tubes after 12-h overnight fast and 48-h alcohol abstinence. Total RNA was isolated and purified from whole blood using PAXgene Blood RNA Kit (QIAGEN) for all 48 subjects.