The promoter region of interferon-gamma is hypermethylated in neonatal foals and its demethylation is associated with increased gene expression

Lingshuang Sun; Zhangbin Gong; Eric J. Oberst; Alejandra Betancourt; Amanda A. Adams; David W. Horohov

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2012.09.006

The promoter region of interferon-gamma is hypermethylated in neonatal foals and its demethylation is associated with increased gene expression

Lingshuang Sun, Zhangbin Gong, Eric J. Oberst, Alejandra Betancourt, Amanda A. Adams, David W. Horohov

Veterinary Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

While born with a limited production, foals' interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) expression increases after birth. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. DNA methylation is considered to be involved. Therefore, the DNA methylation status of the Ifng promoter in CD4⁺ cells from neonatal foal was determined using a methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and its relevance to IFN-γ mRNA expression was estimated. The effect of environment on the DNA methylation was also evaluated by comparing ponies that were kept in a barn versus those on pasture. The DNA in the Ifng promoter was hypermethylated and its demethylation was correlated with an increase in IFN-γ mRNA expression and age. This age-associated demethylation was accelerated by barn-air exposure. In conclusion, IFN-γ expression in foals appears to be controlled by DNA methylation in the promoter region of Ifng. The age-associated demethylation of the DNA in foals may be induced by exposure to environmental antigens and their effect on lymphoproliferation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	273-278
Number of pages	6
Journal	Developmental and Comparative Immunology
Volume	39
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2012.09.006
State	Published - Mar 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The technical assistance of Daisy Ramos was appreciated. Appreciation is also extended to Lynn Ennis and the Veterinary Science Farm staff for their care of the foals. This work was supported by a grant from the USDA (2010-65119-20600).

Keywords

DNA methylation
Environment
Foal
Interferon-gamma
Proliferation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Immunology
Developmental Biology

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10.1016/j.dci.2012.09.006

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title = "The promoter region of interferon-gamma is hypermethylated in neonatal foals and its demethylation is associated with increased gene expression",

abstract = "While born with a limited production, foals' interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) expression increases after birth. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. DNA methylation is considered to be involved. Therefore, the DNA methylation status of the Ifng promoter in CD4+ cells from neonatal foal was determined using a methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and its relevance to IFN-γ mRNA expression was estimated. The effect of environment on the DNA methylation was also evaluated by comparing ponies that were kept in a barn versus those on pasture. The DNA in the Ifng promoter was hypermethylated and its demethylation was correlated with an increase in IFN-γ mRNA expression and age. This age-associated demethylation was accelerated by barn-air exposure. In conclusion, IFN-γ expression in foals appears to be controlled by DNA methylation in the promoter region of Ifng. The age-associated demethylation of the DNA in foals may be induced by exposure to environmental antigens and their effect on lymphoproliferation.",

keywords = "DNA methylation, Environment, Foal, Interferon-gamma, Proliferation",

author = "Lingshuang Sun and Zhangbin Gong and Oberst, {Eric J.} and Alejandra Betancourt and Adams, {Amanda A.} and Horohov, {David W.}",

note = "Funding Information: The technical assistance of Daisy Ramos was appreciated. Appreciation is also extended to Lynn Ennis and the Veterinary Science Farm staff for their care of the foals. This work was supported by a grant from the USDA (2010-65119-20600). ",

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doi = "10.1016/j.dci.2012.09.006",

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AU - Sun, Lingshuang

AU - Gong, Zhangbin

AU - Oberst, Eric J.

AU - Betancourt, Alejandra

AU - Adams, Amanda A.

AU - Horohov, David W.

N1 - Funding Information: The technical assistance of Daisy Ramos was appreciated. Appreciation is also extended to Lynn Ennis and the Veterinary Science Farm staff for their care of the foals. This work was supported by a grant from the USDA (2010-65119-20600).

PY - 2013/3

Y1 - 2013/3

N2 - While born with a limited production, foals' interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) expression increases after birth. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. DNA methylation is considered to be involved. Therefore, the DNA methylation status of the Ifng promoter in CD4+ cells from neonatal foal was determined using a methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and its relevance to IFN-γ mRNA expression was estimated. The effect of environment on the DNA methylation was also evaluated by comparing ponies that were kept in a barn versus those on pasture. The DNA in the Ifng promoter was hypermethylated and its demethylation was correlated with an increase in IFN-γ mRNA expression and age. This age-associated demethylation was accelerated by barn-air exposure. In conclusion, IFN-γ expression in foals appears to be controlled by DNA methylation in the promoter region of Ifng. The age-associated demethylation of the DNA in foals may be induced by exposure to environmental antigens and their effect on lymphoproliferation.

AB - While born with a limited production, foals' interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) expression increases after birth. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. DNA methylation is considered to be involved. Therefore, the DNA methylation status of the Ifng promoter in CD4+ cells from neonatal foal was determined using a methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and its relevance to IFN-γ mRNA expression was estimated. The effect of environment on the DNA methylation was also evaluated by comparing ponies that were kept in a barn versus those on pasture. The DNA in the Ifng promoter was hypermethylated and its demethylation was correlated with an increase in IFN-γ mRNA expression and age. This age-associated demethylation was accelerated by barn-air exposure. In conclusion, IFN-γ expression in foals appears to be controlled by DNA methylation in the promoter region of Ifng. The age-associated demethylation of the DNA in foals may be induced by exposure to environmental antigens and their effect on lymphoproliferation.

KW - DNA methylation

KW - Environment

KW - Foal

KW - Interferon-gamma

KW - Proliferation

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The promoter region of interferon-gamma is hypermethylated in neonatal foals and its demethylation is associated with increased gene expression

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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