Lik Hang Wu, Jielin Yang, Leroy Sivappiragasam Pakkiri, Lara J. Monteiro, Reyna Peñailillo, Poh Leong Lim, Mahesh Choolani, Matthew W. Kemp, Ling-Jun Li, Claudette Cantin, Ignacio Valenzuela, Andrea Leiva, Chester Lee Drum, Sebastian Illanes
This study identifies a coexpression network module connecting birth weight with cord blood indole metabolites, highlighting an integrated neonatal growth-metabolism signature. Maternal lipid status tracks with this signature, adding molecular resolution to the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm by implicating growth-linked biochemical perturbations in gut-derived indole metabolites. Given the established relevance of indole metabolites to cardiovascular health, our preliminary results motivate future studies aimed at targeting neonatal metabolism as an early window for cardiovascular health intervention.