ABSTRACT: The KEP was launched in 2012 to produce 50 epigenomic sets on Korean chronic diseases related target cells with the participation on Internationsl Human Epigenome Consortium(IHEC) of which focus is constructing 1000 reference epigenome map on 250 human cell type. The objective of the KEP was to provide a comprehensive epigenomic map of Korean chronic disease-related target tissues.
Single cells were isolated from the pancreas, fat and kidney. Islet, ductal, acinar, and beta cells from the pancreas were purified into a single homogenous cell type using flow-assisted cell sorting technique. Adipocytes and pre-adipocytes were purified from fat, using Percoll gradient centrifugation technique. Mesangial, distal tubule, proximal tubule, podocytes, and collecting duct cells from the kidney were collected using mechanical sieving and immunostaining methods. Each cell type was derived from normal tissue or those with diabetes, obesity, or chronic kidney disease.
Sixty reference epigenome datasets of pancreatic, fat, kidney cells were produced. Cell types such as the islets, and beta from the pancreas, adipocytes, pre-adipocytes from fat tissue, podocyte, mesangial, tubules from kidney were used for primary target to produce a Korean metabolic reference epigenome. And the bisulfite converted-whole genome sequencing, Infinium 450k DNA methylation bead array, mRNA, miRNA-Sequencing were performed to produce a comprehensive epigenomic map.
The aim of roadmap reports is preparation of Long-term and Mid-term Technology Roadmaps for Korean Human Epigenome Project towards a competitive execution of International Epigenome Project and successful expansion of the research outcomes. Roadmap reports reviewed on recent technological development of DNA methylation and histone modification analysis, emerging new trends in epigenome medicine, plans for hardware and software analysis systems aimed to epigenome analysis, medical expert opinion on target cells and isolation scheme, bioinformatics expert opinion on analytical tools, new ideas for a putative epigenome studies, trends in single cell epigenome analysis. In conclusion, roadmap report suggested several projects for the future KNIH epigenome research in collaboration with epigenome research group. These are including refocusing the goals of KNIH-driven research in identification of disease mechanism, development of new studies on GWAS-EWA, higher priority on the epigenomic studies of human primary cells, establishment of collaborative relationship with tissue banking centers, establishment of mapping centers and data analysis portals, establishment of Korean Epigenome Research Consortium, establishment of steering committee governing both research and funding, launching of additional funding for epigenomic researches.
