Review Article

Epigenetics and Inflammatory Markers: A Systematic Review of the Current Evidence

Table 1

Global DNA methylation and inflammatory markers.

Author, YearStudy designOutcomeTissue typePopulation
Sex/Age/Sample size/Country
AdjustmentMain findings

LINE-1 methylation

Baccarelli et al., 2010 [16]CSVCAM-1, ICAM-1 and CRPWBM /73.8 ± 6.7/n=593/USAAge, BMI, smoking, pack years of smoking, IHD or stroke.Inverse association for VCAM-1. No association for ICAM-1 and CRP.

Perng et al., 2012 [17]CSCRPWBCM and W/ 8.8 ± 1.7/n=568/ ColombiaSex, vitamin A, maternal BMI and household socioeconomic stratum.Higher CRP was related to lower LINE-1 methylation.

Zhang et al., 2012 [14]CSCRPWBCM and W/ 18-78/n=165/USANo association (β coefficient=-0.02, p=0.81).

Narayan & Dangi, 2017 [18]CSCRPWBM and W/7.9 ± 1.5/n=600/IndiaSex, plasma Vitamin A, socioeconomic statusGlobal DNA methylation was inversely related to CRP concentrations and the association was stronger in male children.

5mdC

Murphy et al., 2015 [19]CSIL-6 (protein and serum levels)WBM and W/mean=33.04/ n=47/IrelandNo association (r = -0.125, p=0.46).

CS: cross-sectional; VCAM-1: vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; ICAM-1: intercellular adhesion molecule 1; CRP: C-Reactive protein; WB: whole blood; M: men; BMI: body mass index; WBC: white blood cells; IL: interleukin; W: women.