Environmental epigenomics and disease susceptibility

Nat Rev Genet. 2007 Apr;8(4):253-62. doi: 10.1038/nrg2045.

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence increasingly suggests that environmental exposures early in development have a role in susceptibility to disease in later life. In addition, some of these environmental effects seem to be passed on through subsequent generations. Epigenetic modifications provide a plausible link between the environment and alterations in gene expression that might lead to disease phenotypes. An increasing body of evidence from animal studies supports the role of environmental epigenetics in disease susceptibility. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated for the first time that heritable environmentally induced epigenetic modifications underlie reversible transgenerational alterations in phenotype. Methods are now becoming available to investigate the relevance of these phenomena to human disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • DNA Methylation
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genomic Imprinting
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Models, Genetic
  • Phenotype
  • Pregnancy