DNA Hypermethylation at Loci Associated with Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiac Abnormalities in CD3+ Lymphocytes of Intrauterine Growth Restricted Newbors

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with increased susceptibility to obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Although the mechanisms underlying the fetal origin of metabolic disease are poorly understood, evidence suggests epigenomic alterations play a critical role. We sought to identify changes in DNA methylation patterns that define IUGR in CD3+ T-cells purified from umbilical cord blood obtained from appropriate for gestational age (Control) and IUGR male newborns using a genome-wide assay. We identified a global shift towards hypermethylation in IUGR compared to Control newborns targeted to regulatory regions of the genome. Overall design: DNA methylation was assessed globally at specific CpG sites in CD3+ T cell from human cord blood obtained from 7 IUGR and 8 Control male newborns.