Chest. 2011 Mar;139(3):640-647. doi: 10.1378/chest.10-1800.
Epigenetics and prenatal influences on asthma and allergic airways disease.
Martino D1, Prescott S2.
School of Paediatrics and Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
School of Paediatrics and Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. Electronic address: sprescott@meddent.uwa.edu.au.
Uterine life is arguably the most critical time in developmental programming, when environmental exposures may have the greatest potential to influence evolving fetal structure and function. There has been substantial progress in understanding the epigenetic mechanisms through which environmental exposures can permanently alter the expression of fetal genes and contribute to the increasing propensity for many complex diseases. These concepts of "developmental origins" of disease are being applied across virtually all fields of medicine, and emerging epigenetic paradigms are the likely mechanism behind the environment-driven epidemic of asthma and allergic disease. Here, we examine the epigenetic regulation of immune development and the early immune profiles that contribute to allergic risk. In particular we review new evidence that key environmental exposures, such as microbial exposure, dietary changes, tobacco smoke, and pollutants, can induce epigenetic changes in gene expression and alter disease risk. Although most of these factors have already been clearly implicated in epidemiologic studies of asthma and allergic disease, new studies investigating the mechanisms of these effects may provide new avenues for using these pathways for disease prevention.
10.1378/chest.10-1800
Asthma/epidemiology
Asthma/genetics
Asthma/immunology*
Disease Susceptibility/epidemiology
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects
Epigenomics*
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/epidemiology
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/genetics
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/immunology*
Respiratory Hypersensitivity/epidemiology
Respiratory Hypersensitivity/genetics
Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology*
Asthma - Genetic Alliance
Asthma - MedlinePlus Health Information