Epigenetic Modifications Following Noxious Stimuli in Infants
To recruit healthy full- and preterm infants into genetic research and determine the effectiveness of a noninvasive DNA sampling technique for comparing epigenetic modifications. Noxious stimuli during a vulnerable period of infant neuronal plasticity may trigger long-term epigenetic changes affecti...
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Published in | Biological research for nursing Vol. 20; no. 2; p. 137 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
01.03.2018
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get more information |
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Summary: | To recruit healthy full- and preterm infants into genetic research and determine the effectiveness of a noninvasive DNA sampling technique for comparing epigenetic modifications.
Noxious stimuli during a vulnerable period of infant neuronal plasticity may trigger long-term epigenetic changes affecting neurodevelopment, pain modulation, and reactivity. Recognizing epigenetic pain findings is problematic because parents are reluctant to enroll newborns into genetic research.
Design: Within-subject change over time candidate-gene DNA methylation association study. Setting/ sample: Urban teaching hospital's neonatal intensive care unit and newborn nursery. Convenience sample of healthy full- (>37 weeks, n = 6) and preterm (<37 weeks, n = 6) infants.
Parents participated in a genetic presentation prior to informed consent. Infant buccal saliva was collected after admission to the unit and prior to discharge.
The methylation pattern at the 5' end of µ-opioid receptor gene ( OPRM1) was examined. DNA was treated with bisulfite to convert all cytosines to uracil residues, leaving methylated cytosines unchanged. Sequencing of untreated and bisulfite-converted DNA was carried out. The sequences of unconverted and bisulfite-converted DNA were aligned with ClustalW, fidelity of the polymerase chain reaction and the sequencing reaction evaluated, and the methylation pattern identified.
Recruitment and assessment of a noninvasive DNA sampling technique for comparing epigenetic modifications were successful; however, infant stress did not produce a change in OPRM1 methylation expression.
This study established the feasibility of recruiting healthy full-term infants into genetic research and the effectiveness of noninvasive DNA sampling for comparing epigenetic modification in infants. |
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ISSN: | 1552-4175 |
DOI: | 10.1177/1099800417754141 |