Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.

<h4>Introduction</h4>Placental DNA methylation differences have been associated with timing in gestation and pregnancy complications. Maternal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) partly originates from the placenta and could enable the minimally invasive study of placental DNA methylation dynamics. We...

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Main Authors: Marjolein M van Vliet, Sam Schoenmakers, Ruben G Boers, Lotte E van der Meeren, Joost Gribnau, Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310019
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author Marjolein M van Vliet
Sam Schoenmakers
Ruben G Boers
Lotte E van der Meeren
Joost Gribnau
Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen
author_facet Marjolein M van Vliet
Sam Schoenmakers
Ruben G Boers
Lotte E van der Meeren
Joost Gribnau
Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen
author_sort Marjolein M van Vliet
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Introduction</h4>Placental DNA methylation differences have been associated with timing in gestation and pregnancy complications. Maternal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) partly originates from the placenta and could enable the minimally invasive study of placental DNA methylation dynamics. We will for the first time longitudinally investigate cfDNA methylation during pregnancy by using Methylated DNA Sequencing (MeD-seq), which is compatible with low cfDNA levels and has an extensive genome-wide coverage. We aim to investigate DNA methylation in placental tissues and cfDNA during different trimesters in uncomplicated pregnancies, and in pregnancies with placental-related complications, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Identified gestational-age and disease-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) could lead to numerous applications including biomarker development.<h4>Methods and analysis</h4>Our study design involves three sub-studies. Sub-study 1 is a single-centre prospective, observational subcohort embedded within the Rotterdam Periconception cohort (Predict study). We will longitudinally collect maternal plasma in each trimester and during delivery, and sample postpartum placentas (n = 300). In sub-study 2, we will prospectively collect first and second trimester placental tissues (n = 10 per trimester). In sub-study 3 we will retrospectively collect plasma after non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in an independent validation case-control cohort (n = 30-60). A methylation-dependent restriction enzyme (LpnPI) will be used to generate DNA fragments followed by sequencing on the Illumina NextSeq2000 platform. DMRs will be identified in placental tissues and cell types, and in cfDNA related to gestational-age or placental-related complications. (Paired) placental methylation profiles will be correlated to DMRs in cfDNA to aid tissue-of-origin analysis. We will establish a methylation score to predict associated diseases.<h4>Discussion</h4>This study will provide insights in placental DNA methylation dynamics in health and disease, and could lead to clinical relevant biomarkers.
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spelling doaj-art-a97010a4268b4b959588bd13f848cc512025-01-17T05:31:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031001910.1371/journal.pone.0310019Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.Marjolein M van VlietSam SchoenmakersRuben G BoersLotte E van der MeerenJoost GribnauRégine P M Steegers-Theunissen<h4>Introduction</h4>Placental DNA methylation differences have been associated with timing in gestation and pregnancy complications. Maternal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) partly originates from the placenta and could enable the minimally invasive study of placental DNA methylation dynamics. We will for the first time longitudinally investigate cfDNA methylation during pregnancy by using Methylated DNA Sequencing (MeD-seq), which is compatible with low cfDNA levels and has an extensive genome-wide coverage. We aim to investigate DNA methylation in placental tissues and cfDNA during different trimesters in uncomplicated pregnancies, and in pregnancies with placental-related complications, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Identified gestational-age and disease-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) could lead to numerous applications including biomarker development.<h4>Methods and analysis</h4>Our study design involves three sub-studies. Sub-study 1 is a single-centre prospective, observational subcohort embedded within the Rotterdam Periconception cohort (Predict study). We will longitudinally collect maternal plasma in each trimester and during delivery, and sample postpartum placentas (n = 300). In sub-study 2, we will prospectively collect first and second trimester placental tissues (n = 10 per trimester). In sub-study 3 we will retrospectively collect plasma after non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in an independent validation case-control cohort (n = 30-60). A methylation-dependent restriction enzyme (LpnPI) will be used to generate DNA fragments followed by sequencing on the Illumina NextSeq2000 platform. DMRs will be identified in placental tissues and cell types, and in cfDNA related to gestational-age or placental-related complications. (Paired) placental methylation profiles will be correlated to DMRs in cfDNA to aid tissue-of-origin analysis. We will establish a methylation score to predict associated diseases.<h4>Discussion</h4>This study will provide insights in placental DNA methylation dynamics in health and disease, and could lead to clinical relevant biomarkers.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310019
spellingShingle Marjolein M van Vliet
Sam Schoenmakers
Ruben G Boers
Lotte E van der Meeren
Joost Gribnau
Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen
Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.
PLoS ONE
title Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.
title_full Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.
title_fullStr Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.
title_full_unstemmed Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.
title_short Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.
title_sort methylome profiling of cell free dna during the early life course in un complicated pregnancies using med seq protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective rotterdam periconception cohort
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310019
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