Dataset Information

Placental surface area mediates the association between FGFR2 methylation in placenta and full-term low birth weight in girls.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene encodes a protein of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family. FGFR2 gene expression is associated with the regulation of implantation process of placenta which plays a vital role in fetal growth. DNA methylation is widely known as a mechanism of fetal growth. However, it is unclear whether and how DNA methylation of FGFR2 gene in the placenta is associated with full-term low birth weight. This case-control study aims to explore the links between FGFR2 methylation in placenta and full-term low birth weight and to further examine the mediation effect of placental surface area on this association.

Results

We conducted analyses for each of the five valid CpG sites at FGFR2 in 165 mother-baby pairs (86 FT-LBW vs. 79 FT-NBW) and found that per one standard deviation increase in the DNA methylation of CpG 11 at FGFR2 was associated with 1.64-fold higher risk of full-term low birth weight (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = [1.07, 2.52]) and 0.18 standard deviation decrease in placental surface area (β = - 0.18; standard error = 0.08, p = 0.02). The mediation effect of placental surface area on the association between DNA methylation and full-term low birth weight was significant in girls (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = [1.05, 1.80]) but not in boys. The estimated mediation proportion was 48.38%.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that placental surface area mediated the association between DNA methylation of FGFR2 in placenta and full-term low birth weight in a sex-specific manner. Our study supported the importance of placental epigenetic changes in placental development and fetal growth.

SUBMITTER: Tian FY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5863829 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Placental surface area mediates the association between <i>FGFR2</i> methylation in placenta and full-term low birth weight in girls.

Tian Fu-Ying FY Wang Xi-Meng XM Xie Chuanbo C Zhao Bo B Niu Zhongzheng Z Fan Lijun L Hivert Marie-France MF Chen Wei-Qing WQ

Clinical epigenetics 20180322

<h4>Background</h4>Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (<i>FGFR2</i>) gene encodes a protein of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family. <i>FGFR2</i> gene expression is associated with the regulation of implantation process of placenta which plays a vital role in fetal growth. DNA methylation is widely known as a mechanism of fetal growth. However, it is unclear whether and how DNA methylation of <i>FGFR2</i> gene in the placenta is associated with full-term low birth weight. This case-cont ...[more]

PMID: 29588807

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