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A genetic signature found in the cheek cells of mothers and fathers of premature babies may help develop a test to determine whether a pregnancy can end in premature labor. The test could help prevent premature births and its impact on babies’ health.
Published in
«Scientific Reports», this study presents more than 100 epigenetic biomarkers in mothers of preterm infants that were distinct from mothers of term infants. Fathers had fewer biomarkers, but enough to indicate a likely paternal role in preterm birth.
“The signature we found was present in all the parents we analyzed,” says lead author Michael Skinner of the School of
Biological Sciences from Washington State University
. “It is likely to make it easier to design a very useful test. We use buccal cells, which are collected using a buccal smear. It’s very minimally invasive and easy to do.”
Epigenetics are molecular factors and processes around the ADN that determine how genes behave. Although they are independent of DNA sequence, epigenetic modifications, which can be caused by things like exposure to toxins, poor nutrition and alcohol consumptioncan also be inherited.
In this study, the researchers found that premature babies carried more than 100 of these biomarkers, indicating that the propensity to have a premature baby can be passed on. Such transgenerational ability is also supported by the fact that the signature is found in the cells of the cheeks, explains Skinner.
If an epigenetic modification is present in both the sperm and the egg, the resulting baby will have that modification present in every cell in its body, including the cheek cells.
For this study, the researchers obtained cheek samples from two groups of triads mother-father-baby shortly after the babies were born. In one set of 19 triads, the babies were born premature and in another set of 21 triads, the babies were born full term. Epigenetic analysis revealed the signature in mothers, fathers, and female preemies, but none in male preemies.
This is a study ofproof of concept», and the researchers point out that the next step would be to test it with a larger number of parents and children.
Premature birth before 37 weeks gestation can be fatal for babies, with many of those who survive facing a host of health problems, some of which can follow them throughout their lives, including cognitive disabilities and cardiovascular problems. There are many risk factors that can cause preterm birth, such as twin or multiple pregnancy and the high blood pressure condition known as pre-eclampsia, but some preterm births are unexpected. Having a diagnostic test early in pregnancy may allow caregivers to take steps to delay or prevent preterm labor, Skinner said.
“Although we may not be able to fix the problem, if we know it will develop because of these diagnoses, we can treat it,” Skinner said. This could help with the transition from reactionary medicine to preventive medicine».