Alternative splicing Hltf: intron retention-dependent activation of immune tolerance at the feto-maternal interface (Bisulfite-Seq)

Purpose: Genome-wide methylation analysis was performed to determine whether deleting Hltf altered DNA methylation patterns, and whether differentially methylated regions (DMRs) coincided with changes in transcriptional regulation of Hltf target genes. Methods: Individual samples [1 term placenta/sample x 3 biological replicates for null and control mice = 6 total samples] were flash frozen prior to DNA isolation and purity assessment. Genomic DNA was sent to Zymo Research (Irvine, CA) for Methyl-MiniSeq Epiquest analysis. Results: There was no measureable evidence of uteroplacental dysfunction or fetal compromise. Conclusion: Our study is the first to show Hltf-gene deletion alters the epigenetic landscape of the placenta. Placental DNA methylation profiles of E18.5 term placenta from three wild type control and three Hltf null mouse samples were generated by Methyl-MiniSeq by IluminaHiSeq2000.