Ancestral Plastics Exposure Induces Transgenerational Disease Specific Sperm Epigenome-Wide Association Biomarkers Methylation Epimutation Biomarkers for Specific Transgenerational Disease

Plastic derived compounds are one of the most frequent daily world-wide exposures. Previously a mixture of plastic derived toxicants involving bisphenol A (BPA), Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) at lower dose exposures of a gestating female rat were found to promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease to the offspring (F1 generation), grand-offspring (F2 generation) and great-grand-offspring (F3 generation). Epigenetic analysis of the male sperm was found to result in differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs) in the transgenerational F3 generation male sperm. The current study is distinct and was designed to identify potential sperm DNA methylation biomarkers for specific transgenerational diseases. Observations show disease specific DMRs called epimutations in the transgenerational F3 generation great-grand-offspring rats ancestrally exposed to plastics. The epigenetic DMR biomarkers were identified for testis disease, kidney disease, and multiple (≥2) diseases. These disease sperm epimutation biomarkers were found to be predominantly disease specific. The genomic locations and features of these DMRs were identified. Interestingly, the disease specific DMR associated genes were previously shown to be linked with each of the specific diseases. Therefore, the germline has ancestrally derived epimutations that potentially transmit transgenerational disease susceptibilities. Epigenetic biomarkers for specific diseases could be used as diagnostics to facilitate clinical management of disease and preventative medicine.