{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,24]],"date-time":"2026-02-24T09:21:08Z","timestamp":1771924868633,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,26]],"date-time":"2026-01-26T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769385600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Immunol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Neonatal sepsis is a major health issue, particularly in resource-poor areas. This study aimed to assess the role of DNA methylation in regulating the inflammatory cytokine expression in late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methodology<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing neonates with LOS (n=42) before and after 72 hours of antibiotic treatment (n=25) to healthy controls (HC) (n=42). We analysed DNA methylation patterns and inflammatory cytokine expression levels in both groups.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>DNA methylation analysis revealed hypomethylation in pro-inflammatory genes and hypermethylation in anti-inflammatory genes in LOS neonates. These patterns were shifted in follow-up group, with significant changes in inflammatory marker levels, including TNF-\u03b1, IFN-\u03b3, IL-10, and TGF-\u03b2. The gene expression results aligned with the DNA methylation findings, indicating that changes in the expression of inflammatory genes in late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) are influenced by DNA methylation. The results were further validated through an analysis of plasma cytokine levels. LOS cases showed elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced anti-inflammatory cytokines, except IL-10. In the follow-up group, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels decreased, while anti-inflammatory cytokines increased.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>DNA methylation regulates the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes in late-onset neonatal sepsis. Understanding these molecular changes could lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for managing neonatal sepsis.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2025.1613333","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,26]],"date-time":"2026-01-26T07:10:02Z","timestamp":1769411402000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Role of DNA methylation in regulating inflammatory cytokine expression in neonates with late-onset sepsis"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Saranya","family":"Sankar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)","place":["Puducherry, India"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Kathirvel","family":"Maruthai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Paediatrics, Jawaharlal 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