Epigenome-wide association study reveals duration of breastfeeding is associated with epigenetic differences in children
Epigenome-wide association study reveals duration of breastfeeding is associated with epigenetic differences in children
Several small studies have shown associations between breastfeeding and genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm). We performed a comprehensive Epigenome-Wide Association Study (EWAS) to identify associations between breastfeeding and DNAm patterns in childhood. We analysed DNAm data from the Isle of Wight Birth Cohort at birth, 10, 18 and 26 years. The feeding method was categorized as breastfeeding duration >3 months and >6 months, and exclusive breastfeeding duration >3 months. EWASs using robust linear regression were performed to identify differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in breastfed and non-breastfed children at age 10 (false discovery rate of 5%). Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified using comb-p. The persistence of significant associations was evaluated in neonates and individuals at 18 and 26 years. Two DMPs, in genes SNX25 and LINC00840, were significantly associated with breastfeeding duration >6 months at 10 years and was replicated for >3 months of exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, a significant DMR spanning the gene FDFT1 was identified in 10-year-old children who were exposed to a breastfeeding duration >3 months. None of these signals persisted to 18 or 26 years. This study lends further support for a suggestive role of DNAm in the known benefits of breastfeeding on a child’s future health.
Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding duration, DNA methylation, EWAS, Epigenetics, Epigenome-wide association study
Sherwood, William B.
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Kothalawala, Dilini, Mahesha
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Perunthadambil Kadalayil, Latha
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Ewart, Susan
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Zhang, Hongmei
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Karmaus, Wilfried
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Arshad, Syed
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Holloway, John
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Rezwan, Faisal I
203f8f38-1f5d-485b-ab11-c546b4276338
20 May 2020
Sherwood, William B.
49cd2f0d-ef0c-4b2a-88e3-02915058f28f
Kothalawala, Dilini, Mahesha
c22b9e92-e60a-44b6-a34b-2eb37a3a1212
Perunthadambil Kadalayil, Latha
e620b801-844a-45d9-acaf-e0a58acd7cf2
Ewart, Susan
28667421-3cf7-43d7-b1c3-ca27564938f7
Zhang, Hongmei
9f774048-54d6-4321-a252-3887b2c76db0
Karmaus, Wilfried
281d0e53-6b5d-4d38-9732-3981b07cd853
Arshad, Syed
917e246d-2e60-472f-8d30-94b01ef28958
Holloway, John
4bbd77e6-c095-445d-a36b-a50a72f6fe1a
Rezwan, Faisal I
203f8f38-1f5d-485b-ab11-c546b4276338
Sherwood, William B., Kothalawala, Dilini, Mahesha, Perunthadambil Kadalayil, Latha, Ewart, Susan, Zhang, Hongmei, Karmaus, Wilfried, Arshad, Syed, Holloway, John and Rezwan, Faisal I
(2020)
Epigenome-wide association study reveals duration of breastfeeding is associated with epigenetic differences in children.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (10), [3569].
(doi:10.3390/ijerph17103569).
Abstract
Several small studies have shown associations between breastfeeding and genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm). We performed a comprehensive Epigenome-Wide Association Study (EWAS) to identify associations between breastfeeding and DNAm patterns in childhood. We analysed DNAm data from the Isle of Wight Birth Cohort at birth, 10, 18 and 26 years. The feeding method was categorized as breastfeeding duration >3 months and >6 months, and exclusive breastfeeding duration >3 months. EWASs using robust linear regression were performed to identify differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in breastfed and non-breastfed children at age 10 (false discovery rate of 5%). Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified using comb-p. The persistence of significant associations was evaluated in neonates and individuals at 18 and 26 years. Two DMPs, in genes SNX25 and LINC00840, were significantly associated with breastfeeding duration >6 months at 10 years and was replicated for >3 months of exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, a significant DMR spanning the gene FDFT1 was identified in 10-year-old children who were exposed to a breastfeeding duration >3 months. None of these signals persisted to 18 or 26 years. This study lends further support for a suggestive role of DNAm in the known benefits of breastfeeding on a child’s future health.
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ijerph-764884_accepted_manuscript
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ijerph-764884_accepted_supplementary_material
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Epigenome-Wide Association Study Reveals Duration
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Accepted/In Press date: 17 May 2020
Published date: 20 May 2020
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
Funding: This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health USA (Grant No. R01 HL082925, R01 AI091905, R01 AI121226, and R01 HL132321) and Asthma UK (Grant No. 364), which supported the assessment and methylation analysis of the Isle of Wight Birth Cohort. DMK was supported by the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and a University of Southampton Presidential Research Studentship.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Keywords:
Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding duration, DNA methylation, EWAS, Epigenetics, Epigenome-wide association study
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 440951
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/440951
ISSN: 1660-4601
PURE UUID: c791493c-c496-4911-85be-8c5ace5b9e8b
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Date deposited: 26 May 2020 16:30
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:31
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Contributors
Author:
William B. Sherwood
Author:
Dilini, Mahesha Kothalawala
Author:
Susan Ewart
Author:
Hongmei Zhang
Author:
Wilfried Karmaus
Author:
Faisal I Rezwan
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