Meta-Analysis of DNA methylation and gut microbiome data in preterm birth reveals epigenetic and microbial biomarkers for early diagnosis and probiotic-based intervention
Abstract
Background: Globally, preterm birth continues to be a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Developing early diagnostics and focused interventions requires an understanding of the molecular and microbiome factors causing preterm birth and also the identification of biomarkers. Methods: We integrated gut microbiome and DNA methylation data to identify biomarkers of preterm birth. Analysis of GSE120458 revealed 1,609 differentially methylated regions involved in immune, hormonal, and neurodevelopmental pathways. Microbiome profiling identified five altered genera: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Streptococcus, Blautia faecis, Gemella, and Agathobacter. Taxon Set Enrichment Analysis revealed that these genera were found to be associated with systemic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Results: We identified 1,649 genes targeted by 33 microbial metabolites, with 17 overlapping methylated genes indicating microbiome-epigenome interactions. These genes were linked to neuroimmune and synaptic pathways. Conclusion: Hub genes may serve as biomarkers for early intervention. Overall, the results connect microbial metabolism with epigenetic regulation in preterm birth.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Bile Acid 7α-Dehydroxylating Gut Bacteria Secrete Antibiotics that Inhibit Clostridium difficile: Role of Secondary Bile Acids
- Ketogenic diet alleviates colitis by reduction of colonic group 3 innate lymphoid cells through altering gut microbiome
- Altered gut microbiome composition and function are associated with gut barrier dysfunction in healthy relatives of patients with Crohn's disease
- Diet, obesity, and the gut microbiome as determinants modulating metabolic outcomes in a non-human primate model
- Immune Impairment Associated with Vitamin A Deficiency: Insights from Clinical Studies and Animal Model Research
- Glyphosate-based herbicides influence antioxidants, reproductive hormones and gut microbiome but not reproduction: A long-term experiment in an avian model
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.