Associative DNA methylation changes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure

Authors

Benjamin I. Laufer, Western University
Joachim Kapalanga, Western University
Christina A. Castellani, Western UniversityFollow
Eric J. Diehl, Western University
Liying Yan, EpigenDx, Inc.
Shiva M. Singh, Western University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2015

Journal

Epigenomics

Volume

7

Issue

8

First Page

1259

Last Page

1274

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.2217/epi.15.60

Abstract

Aim: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Previously, we assessed PAE in brain tissue from mouse models, however whether these changes are present in humans remains unknown. Materials & methods: In this report, we show some identical changes in DNA methylation in the buccal swabs of six children with FASD using the 450K array. Results: The changes occur in genes related to protocadherins, glutamatergic synapses, and hippo signaling. The results were found to be similar in another heterogeneous replication group of six FASD children. Conclusion: The replicated results suggest that children born with FASD have unique DNA methylation defects that can be influenced by sex and medication exposure. Ultimately, with future clinical development, assessment of DNA methylation from buccal swabs can provide a novel strategy for the diagnosis of FASD.