Longitudinal study on the relationship between the DNA methylation status of metabolism-related genes and the development of lifestyle-related diseases

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K09139
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Epidemiology and preventive medicine
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University
• Principal Investigator: SUZUKI Koji 藤田医科大学, 保健学研究科, 教授 (60288470)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山田 宏哉 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (80610352) ; 橋本 修二 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (50148334)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 分子疫学 / エピジェネティクス / DNAメチル化 / ABCA1 / TXNIP / LPL / HIF / LINE-1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

DNA methylation level of various genes was measured for the residents who received medical examination. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the relationship between lifestyle habits and test items, and a longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate the effect on lifestyle-related disease onset. As a result, hypermethylation of LINE-1 was associated with an increased cardiovascular death risk. Hypomethylation of TXNIP gene was suggested to affect the elevation of blood glucose. Furthermore, ABCA1 DNA methylation mediates the protective effect of vitamin C on HDL cholesterol, which could offer a novel biological mechanism in CVD prevention. We found that DNA methylation of various genes was associated with lifestyle and the onset of various diseases.

Free Research Field

疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

後天的な修飾による遺伝子発現制御の仕組みであるエピジェネティクス機構の１つであるDNAのメチル化は疾病発生に重要な役割を果たすこと示唆されているが、疫学的エビデンスは乏しい。横断・縦断研究を行うことにより、各種遺伝子のDNAメチル化レベルと生活習慣との関連や疾患発症に及ぼす影響について評価を行った。本研究から得られた結果は、疾患発症のメカニズム解明に寄与するとともに、新たな視点での疾病予防対策・治療方法の樹立に貢献する事が期待できる。