DNA Methylation of IL-27ɑ: A Target for Neonatal Sepsis Treatment

Matthew Kays*, Cory Robinson, and Jordan Vance
MICB Department, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation No.: 81

Assigned Category (Presentation Format): Health Sciences (Poster Presentations)

Student’s Major: Immunology and Medical Microbiology

Neonatal sepsis continues to be a clinical burden due to its high mortality rate observed in the United States and abroad. Neonates have a unique immunological profile compared to adults that includes elevated expression of the immune suppressive cytokine IL-27. The work described here seeks to explore DNA methylation as a mechanism that regulates differential expression of IL-27 in early life compared with adulthood. We hypothesize that neonatal macrophages are deficient in methyl group donors available to methylate DNA and inhibit IL-27 expression. Macrophages were derived from monocytes harvested from peripheral adult blood and cord blood. These cells were then cultured with methionine or choline as methyl group donors, as well as a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. The results demonstrated that, while methionine had only limited effect on IL-27 expression in neonates compared to adults, choline and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor treatments increased IL-27 expression. While this work is ongoing with additional experimental replicates planned, the results reveal interesting observations for how DNA methylation may be an important regulator of age-related IL-27 expression.

Funding: MICB Department

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: the WVU IMMB Undergraduate Research Internship Program (Jennifer Franko)