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Epigenetic Programming of Adipose Tissue in the Progeny of Obese Dams

Simon Lecoutre1,2, Kelvin H M Kwok3, Paul Petrus2

  • 1University of Lille, EA4489, Equipe Malnutrition Maternelle et Programmation des Maladies Métaboliques, F-59000 Lille, France.

Current Genomics
|June 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity can epigenetically alter offspring adipose tissue, potentially leading to inherited metabolic diseases across generations. This review explores these developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) effects.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Metabolic health
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Maternal obesity is linked to offspring obesity and metabolic diseases via the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concept.
  • Adipose tissue plays a crucial role in metabolic health and adapts to environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of maternal obesity in adipose tissue development and remodeling in offspring.
  • To explore the inter- and transgenerational transmission of these adipose tissue modifications.
  • To highlight the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in this programming.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating maternal obesity and offspring adipose tissue.
  • Focus on epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications.
  • Analysis of inter- and transgenerational studies.

Main Results:

  • Maternal obesity induces lasting changes in offspring adipose tissue development and function.
  • Epigenetic modifications in adipose tissue are implicated in mediating these effects.
  • Evidence suggests transmission of these altered adipose phenotypes across generations.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal obesity epigenetically programs offspring adipose tissue, contributing to metabolic disease risk.
  • These programming effects can be transmitted across generations, impacting long-term health.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for preventing inherited metabolic disorders.

Keywords:
Perinatal perioddevelopmental origin of health and diseaseepigenomefat expansiongene expressionmaternal obesity

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