Maternal educational attainment in pregnancy and epigenome-wide DNA methylation changes in the offspring from birth until adolescence
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Published:2023-12-05
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ISSN:1359-4184
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Container-title:Molecular Psychiatry
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Mol Psychiatry
Author:
Choudhary PriyankaORCID, Monasso Giulietta S., Karhunen VilleORCID, Ronkainen Justiina, Mancano Giulia, Howe Caitlin G.ORCID, Niu Zhongzheng, Zeng Xuehuo, Guan Weihua, Dou John, Feinberg Jason I.ORCID, Mordaunt Charles, Pesce GiancarloORCID, Baïz Nour, Alfano Rossella, Martens Dries S., Wang Congrong, Isaevska Elena, Keikkala Elina, Mustaniemi Sanna, Thio Chris H. L., Fraszczyk Eliza, Tobi Elmar W., Starling Anne P., Cosin-Tomas MartaORCID, Urquiza Jose, Röder StefanORCID, Hoang Thanh T.ORCID, Page Christian, Jima Dereje D.ORCID, House John S.ORCID, Maguire Rachel L., Ott Raffael, Pawlow Xenia, Sirignano LeaORCID, Zillich LeaORCID, Malmberg Anni, Rauschert Sebastian, Melton PhillipORCID, Gong Tong, Karlsson RobertORCID, Fore Ruby, Perng Wei, Laubach Zachary M., Czamara DarinaORCID, Sharp Gemma, Breton Carrie V., Schisterman Enrique, Yeung Edwina, Mumford Sunni L., Fallin M. Daniele, LaSalle Janine M.ORCID, Schmidt Rebecca J.ORCID, Bakulski Kelly M.ORCID, Annesi-Maesano IsabellaORCID, Heude BarbaraORCID, Nawrot Tim S., Plusquin Michelle, Ghantous Akram, Herceg Zdenko, Nisticò Lorenza, Vafeiadi MarinaORCID, Kogevinas Manolis, Vääräsmäki Marja, Kajantie Eero, Snieder HaroldORCID, Corpeleijn Eva, Steegers-Theunissen Regine P. M., Yang Ivana V., Dabelea Dana, Fossati Serena, Zenclussen Ana C., Herberth GundaORCID, Magnus Maria, Håberg Siri E., London Stephanie J.ORCID, Munthe-Kaas Monica Cheng, Murphy Susan K.ORCID, Hoyo Cathrine, Ziegler Anette-G, Hummel Sandra, Witt Stephanie H.ORCID, Streit FabianORCID, Frank JosefORCID, Räikkönen Katri, Lahti JariORCID, Huang Rae-chi, Almqvist Catarina, Hivert Marie-FranceORCID, Jaddoe Vincent W. V.ORCID, Järvelin Marjo-RiittaORCID, Kantomaa Marko, Felix Janine F.ORCID, Sebert SylvainORCID
Abstract
AbstractMaternal educational attainment (MEA) shapes offspring health through multiple potential pathways. Differential DNA methylation may provide a mechanistic understanding of these long-term associations. We aimed to quantify the associations of MEA with offspring DNA methylation levels at birth, in childhood and in adolescence. Using 37 studies from high-income countries, we performed meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) to quantify the associations of completed years of MEA at the time of pregnancy with offspring DNA methylation levels at birth (n = 9 881), in childhood (n = 2 017), and adolescence (n = 2 740), adjusting for relevant covariates. MEA was found to be associated with DNA methylation at 473 cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites at birth, one in childhood, and four in adolescence. We observed enrichment for findings from previous EWAS on maternal folate, vitamin-B12 concentrations, maternal smoking, and pre-pregnancy BMI. The associations were directionally consistent with MEA being inversely associated with behaviours including smoking and BMI. Our findings form a bridge between socio-economic factors and biology and highlight potential pathways underlying effects of maternal education. The results broaden our understanding of bio-social associations linked to differential DNA methylation in multiple early stages of life. The data generated also offers an important resource to help a more precise understanding of the social determinants of health.
Funder
EC | Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience,Psychiatry and Mental health,Molecular Biology
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