Waterpipe and cigarette epigenome analysis reveals markers implicated in addiction and smoking type inference

• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108260
• Publication Date: 2023-10-18T07:46:26Z
• Authors: Zainab Awada; Vincent Cahais; Cyrille Cuenin; Reem Akika; Anna Luiza Silva ...; Maha Makki; Hani Tamim; Zdenko Herceg; Nathalie Khoueiry...; Akram Ghantous
• Keywords: Epigenome; Epigenomics

Waterpipe smoking is frequent in the Middle East and Africa with emerging prevalence worldwide. The epigenome acts as a molecular sensor to exposures crucial driver several diseases. With widespread use of waterpipe smoking, it timely investigate its epigenomic markers their role addiction, central player disease prevention therapeutic strategies. DNA methylome-wide profiling was performed on an exposure-rich population from East, constituting 216 blood samples split equally between never, cigarette-only waterpipe-only smokers. smokers showed predominantly distinct epigenetic cigarette smokers, even though both forms are tobacco-based. Moreover, each form could be accurately (∼ 90%) inferred methylome using machine learning. Top dose-response relationship extent were validated independent technologies additional (total N = 284). Smoking enriched regulatory regions biological pathways, primarily addiction. epigenetically altered genes not associated genetic etiology tobacco use, methylation levels addiction genes, particular, more likely reverse after cessation. In contrast, other continued feature exposure cessation, which may explain long-term health effects observed former This study reports, for first time, epigenome-wide reveals new implications mechanisms capacity discriminate different types. These offer actionable targets memory can guide future strategies most preventable cause illnesses