DNA methylation risk score for type 2 diabetes is associated with gestational diabetes

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2024 Feb 13;23(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s12933-024-02151-z.

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) share many pathophysiological factors including genetics, but whether epigenetic marks are shared is unknown. We aimed to test whether a DNA methylation risk score (MRS) for T2DM was associated with GDM across ancestry and GDM criteria.

Methods: In two independent pregnancy cohorts, EPIPREG (n = 480) and EPIDG (n = 32), DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes was measured at a gestational age of 28 ± 2. We constructed an MRS in EPIPREG and EPIDG based on CpG hits from a published epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of T2DM.

Results: With mixed models logistic regression of EPIPREG and EPIDG, MRS for T2DM was associated with GDM: odd ratio (OR)[95% CI]: 1.3 [1.1-1.8], P = 0.002 for the unadjusted model, and 1.4 [1.1-1.7], P = 0.00014 for a model adjusted by age, pre-pregnant BMI, family history of diabetes and smoking status. Also, we found 6 CpGs through a meta-analysis (cg14020176, cg22650271, cg14870271, cg27243685, cg06378491, cg25130381) associated with GDM, and some of their methylation quantitative loci (mQTLs) were related to T2DM and GDM.

Conclusion: For the first time, we show that DNA methylation marks for T2DM are also associated with GDM, suggesting shared epigenetic mechanisms between GDM and T2DM.

Keywords: DNA epigenetics; Epigenetics; Gestational diabetes; Methylation risk score; Type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Methylation
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / genetics
  • Diabetes, Gestational* / diagnosis
  • Diabetes, Gestational* / epidemiology
  • Diabetes, Gestational* / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors