Epigenetics and DOHaD: from basics to birth and beyond

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Epigenetics
• Public Health

Background:

• Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) examines how early-life environments affect chronic disease risk.
• Epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs mediate these effects.
• Animal models are crucial for understanding DOHaD and its associated epigenetic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the Epigenetics and DOHaD workshop findings.
• To review animal model evidence linking early-life exposures to epigenetic changes and chronic disease risk.
• To discuss the role of epigenetics, the microbiome, and developmental programming in later health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review summarizing findings from the Epigenetics and DOHaD workshop.
• Highlighting animal model studies demonstrating epigenetic and gene expression alterations due to early-life exposures.
• Discussing human studies on DNA methylation and metabolic health, and the emerging role of the microbiome.

Main Results:

• Adverse early-life exposures in animal models induce epigenetic and gene expression changes linked to chronic disease risk.
• DNA methylation is associated with metabolic health and may mediate the impact of early-life exposures on obesity and related diseases.
• The microbiome is identified as a novel factor in developmental programming and mediating early-life environmental influences on chronic disease risk.

Conclusions:

• Epigenetic modifications are key mediators in the DOHaD paradigm.
• Animal models provide valuable insights into the mechanisms linking early-life environment to later chronic disease.
• The microbiome represents a new frontier in understanding developmental programming and its long-term health consequences.