Longitudinal study on the fluctuation factors of DNA methylation of metabolic and inflammatory genes in leukocytes

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K10515
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58030:Hygiene and public health-related: excluding laboratory approach
• 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): 藤井 亮輔 藤田医科大学, 医療科学部, 助教 (60823846) ; 山田 宏哉 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (80610352)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 分子疫学 / エピジェネティクス / DNAメチル化 / ABCA1 / SOCS3 / TXNIP / 縦断的研究

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This longitudinal study using the health examination participants was conducted to clarify the relationship between DNA methylation levels in leukocyte and the onset of disease, and factors that affect changes in DNA methylation levels. DNA hypomethylation rates of the SOCS3 gene were associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension. DNA hypermethylation of the TXNIP gene was associated with a lower risk of developing fatty liver. Furthermore, food intake frequency at baseline and the change of those over 6 years were associated with changes in DNA methylation levels.

Free Research Field

分子疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

各種遺伝子のDNAメチル化が生活習慣などの要因により変動すると考えられているが、そのエビデンスは主に横断研究の成果から得られたものである。各種遺伝子のDNAメチル化に影響を与える要因については、国内外において縦断的解析による検討は十分ではない。本研究で得られた知見は、生活習慣などと疾病発生の新たなメカニズム解明の一助となるとともに、新たな視点での疾病予防対策に貢献することが期待できる。