Epigenetic Signatures Reveal Biological Embedding of the Early-Life Environment Two Decades after Exposure to Adversity

Abstract Introduction Early-life adversity (ELA) encompasses a range of environmental stressors, including physical, emotional, and social challenges that can affect health during the critical early developmental period. Extensive research has linked ELA to negative long-term health outcomes, yet the underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. The current study investigates how early institutional care changes the epigenetic landscape in young adults. The study also provides insights into role of DNA methylation as a potential mediator for disease susceptibility and altered health trajectories. Materials and Methods DNA was extracted from blood samples obtained from 111 individuals (71 Controls; 40 ELA) who were part of the EpiPath cohort. DNA methylation was measured using the Infinium Methylation EPIC v2.0 BeadChip. Results 3,785 differentially methylated CpG loci were identified in the ELA group in comparison with the control group (FDR