Aim
To investigate epigenomic changes in pregnancy and early postpartum in women with and without type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
Histone methylation changes are transient in pregnancy and early postpartum and may represent normal physiological responses to hormones. Different epigenomic profiles in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus may correlate with hormonal responses, leading to high risk pregnancy outcomes.
Methods
Dimethylation of histones H3K4, H3K9, H3K27, H3K36 and H3K79 was measured in white blood cells of women at 30 weeks pregnancy, at 8-10 and 20 weeks postpartum and in never-pregnant women.
Results
Dimethylation levels of all five histones were different between women in pregnancy and early postpartum compared with never-pregnant women and were different between women with and without type 2 diabetes.