Epigenome-wide DNA methylation profiling in cord blood CD4+ T cells from children treated prenatally with Lactobacillus reuteri and/or omega-3 fatty acids

In this study, we have examined the effect of combined prenatal Lactobacillus reuteri and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on DNA methylation patterns in neonatal immune cells from children with a high propensity of developing allergies. We addressed this matter by assessing epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns in CD4+ T helper cells obtained at birth, using the Illumina MethylationEPIC 850K array. Samples were retrieved from all four arms of the on-going PRObiotics and OMega-3 (PROOM-3, ClinicalTrials.gov-ID: NCT01542970) allergy prevention trial, and treatment-induced differential methylation as well as network modules were assessed.