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Placental Epigenetics in Children's Environmental Health

Carmen J Marsit1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire.

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
|December 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The placenta is key to understanding how environmental exposures impact fetal development and long-term health. Epigenetic changes in the placenta, like DNA methylation, reveal links between the intrauterine environment and disease origins.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Environmental health

Background:

  • The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) framework highlights early-life influences on adult health.
  • Epigenetic regulation is a critical mechanism mediating these influences.
  • The placenta is a crucial interface between mother and fetus, sensing environmental exposures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current research on environmental toxicant impacts on the placental epigenome.
  • To emphasize the placenta's role in mediating intrauterine environmental effects on child health.
  • To explore epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and microRNA expression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on placental epigenetics and environmental exposures.
  • Focus on studies investigating DNA methylation patterns.
  • Analysis of microRNA expression changes in response to toxicants.

Main Results:

  • Environmental toxicants can alter the placental epigenome.
  • These epigenetic changes may program long-term health outcomes.
  • The placenta serves as a biomarker for intrauterine environmental exposures.

Conclusions:

  • The placenta is a vital organ for understanding DOHaD.
  • Epigenetic modifications in the placenta are key mediators of environmental impacts.
  • Further research on placental epigenetics can inform strategies for improving child health.

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