Epigenetic signatures of cigarette smoke exposure in a murine model

Authors

• FO Nwagugo
• V Magidson
• SW Feng
• KE Delas Pe√±as
• L Ridnour
• D Wink
• RJ Kinders
• J Rittscher
• SJ Lockett
• DA Scheiblin

Abstract

The epigenetic signatures of cigarette smoke exposure have been studied in human populations. These population-based studies are limited by confounding factors and can be difficult to establish causality and their downstream biological effects. Animal models provide an opportunity to causally study the epigenetic signatures of cigarette smoke and their downstream impacts on the transcriptome, metabolome and proteome. Furthermore, they allow investigations within tissues difficult to study in human studies such as lung and bone marrow. Here, female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (n=32) or room air (n=32) using two 50 minute exposure session per day, 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Blood, lung, and bone marrow samples were collected after the last day of exposure. Efforts are currently underway to study the DNA methylation signatures of cigarette smoke exposure in lung, whole blood and bone marrow, RNAseq analysis will be done in lung and whole blood. Metabolomics analysis is being conducted in lung and plasma samples. Lastly, proteomics will be used to evaluate lungs.

Scientific Focus Area: Genetics and Genomics

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