Epigenetic Patterns of TBI: DNA Methylation in Serum of OIF/OEF Servicemembers

In a case-control study of OEF/OIF service members with both pre- and post-deployment/injury serum samples, we investigated DNA methylation patterns and serum cytokine expression for mild, moderate, and severe TBI. We found differential methylation (%5-mC) of IL 1beta for mild cases, TNFbeta for moderate cases, and IL8 for severe cases, as well as differential serum cytokine expression of IL6 in mild and moderate cases, IL8 in mild, moderate, and severe cases, and MMP3 in severe cases. This is the first study, to our knowledge, of chronic epigenetic and protein-based alterations in TBI. These patterns are based on a small sample size, should be interpreted with caution, and should be examined in larger studies.
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