Effect of obesity and dyslipidemia on DNA hydroxymethylation in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells [Homo sapiens]

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) were harvested from subcutaneous adipose tissue of patients with obesity or healthy controls and expanded for 3-4 passages, and 5hmC profiles were examined through hydroxymethylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (hMeDIP-seq). We hypothesized that obesity and cardiovascular risk factors induce functionally-relevant, locus-specific changes in overall exonic coverage of 5hmC in human adipose-derived MSCs. In human subjects, subcutaneous abdominal fat (0.5-2g) was collected during bariatric (Obese, n=5) or kidney donation (Lean, n=5) surgeries. Inclusion criteria for the Obese patients were age of 18-80 years and body mass index (BMI)>30kg/m2. For age- and sex-matched Lean controls, inclusion criteria were age>18 years, BMI<30kg/m2, and healthy overall state. For both groups, exclusion criteria were recent stroke or myocardial infarction, solid organ transplant recipients, chronic inflammatory disease, immunosuppressive treatment, pregnancy, active malignancy, or blood thinners/chronic anticoagulant therapy.