DNA Methylation Biomarkers Predict Offspring Metabolic Risk From Mothers With Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy.

Johnny Assaf; Ishant Khurana; Ram Abou Zaki; Claudia H T Tam; Ilana Correa; Scott Maxwell; Julie Kinnberg; Malou Christiansen; Caroline Frørup; Heung Man Lee; Harikrishnan Kaipananickal; Jun Okabe; Safiya Naina Marikar; Kwun Kiu Wong; Cadmon K P Lim; Lai Yuk Yuen; Xilin Yang; Chi Chiu Wang; Juliana C N Chan; Kevin Y L Yip; William L Lowe; Wing Hung Tam; Ronald C W Ma; Assam El-Osta
Abstract
Maternal hyperglycemia is linked to 19 cord blood DNA methylation biomarkers that predict offspring metabolic dysfunction. These methylation changes, associated with maternal glycemic status, improved the prediction of β-cell dysfunction at 7, 11, and 18 years of age compared with clinical factors alone. Validation in human β-cells and pancreatic ductal epithelial cells confirmed that hyperglycemia influences methylation-dependent gene expression. These findings highlight the role of epigenetic modifications at birth as early indicators of diabetes risk, suggesting that in utero hyperglycemic exposure may mediate long-term metabolic outcomes in offspring.
Journal DIABETES
ISSN 1939-327X
Published 01 Sep 2025
Volume 74
Issue 9
Pages 1695-1707
DOI 10.2337/db25-0105
Type Journal Article
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