Differential patterns of whole-genome DNA methylation in institutionalized children and children raised by their biological parents.

TitleDifferential patterns of whole-genome DNA methylation in institutionalized children and children raised by their biological parents.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsNaumova, Oksana Yu, Maria Lee, Roman Koposov, Moshe Szyf, Mary Dozier, and Elena L. Grigorenko
PubMed ID22123582
PubMed Central IDPMC3470853
Grant ListMH81756 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
MH84135 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH074374 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH084135 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States

Previous studies with nonhuman species have shown that animals exposed to early adversity show differential DNA methylation relative to comparison animals. The current study examined differential methylation among 14 children raised since birth in institutional care and 14 comparison children raised by their biological parents. Blood samples were taken from children in middle childhood. Analysis of whole-genome methylation patterns was performed using the Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip assay (Illumina), which contains 27,578 CpG sites, covering approximately 14,000 gene promoters. Group differences were registered, which were characterized primarily by greater methylation in the institutionalized group relative to the comparison group, with most of these differences in genes involved in the control of immune response and cellular signaling systems, including a number of crucial players important for neural communication and brain development and functioning. The findings suggest that patterns of differential methylation seen in nonhuman species with altered maternal care are also characteristic of children who experience early maternal separation.

Title Differential patterns of whole-genome DNA methylation in institutionalized children and children raised by their biological parents.
Publication Title Dev Psychopathol
Publication Type Journal Article
Published Year 2012
Authors O.Yu Naumova; M. Lee; R. Koposov; M. Szyf; M. Dozier; E.L. Grigorenko
ISSN Number 1469-2198
PubMed ID 22123582
PubMed Central ID PMC3470853
Grant List
MH81756 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
MH84135 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH074374 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH084135 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States

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