Published in
Future Medicine, Epigenomics, 1(4), p. 91-100, 2012
DOI: 10.2217/epi.11.106
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- [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] | PDF
- [europepmc.org] | PDF
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- [www.researchgate.net] | PDF
- [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] | PDF
- [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] | PDF
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Nasal cell DNA methylation, inflammation, lung function and wheezing in children with asthma
,
Valentina Bollati ,
Dolores Catelan ,
Gabriele Accetta,
Lifang Hou,
Fabio Barbone,
Pier Alberto Bertazzi,
Annibale Biggeri
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Abstract
Aims: DNA methylation is increasingly proposed as a mechanism for underlying asthma-related inflammation. However, epigenetic studies are constrained by uncertainties on whether samples that can be easily collected in human individuals can provide informative results. Methods: Two nasal cell DNA samples were collected on different days by nasal brushings from 35 asthmatic children aged between 8 and 11 years old. We correlated DNA methylation of IL-6, iNOS, Alu and LINE-1 with fractional exhaled nitric oxide, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and wheezing. Results: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide increased in association with lower promoter methylation of both IL-6 (+29.0%; p = 0.004) and iNOS (+41.0%; p = 0.002). Lower IL-6 methylation was nonsignificantly associated with wheezing during the week of the study (odds ratio = 2.3; p = 0.063). Conclusion: Our findings support the use of nasal cell DNA for human epigenetic studies of asthma.