Epigenetic Inheritance of Disease and Disease Risk

Abstract

Epigenetic marks in an organism can be altered by environmental factors throughout life. Although changes in the epigenetic code can be positive, some are associated with severe diseases, in particular, cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent evidence has indicated that certain epigenetic marks can be inherited, and reshape developmental and cellular features over generations. This review examines the challenging possibility that epigenetic changes induced by environmental factors can contribute to some of the inheritance of disease and disease risk. This concept has immense implications for the understanding of biological functions and disease etiology, and provides potential novel strategies for diagnosis and treatment. Examples of epigenetic inheritance relevant to human disease, such as the detrimental effects of traumatic stress or drug/toxic exposure on brain functions, are reviewed. Different possible routes of transmission of epigenetic information involving the germline or germline-independent transfer are discussed, and different mechanisms for the maintenance and transmission of epigenetic information like chromatin remodeling and small noncoding RNAs are considered. Future research directions and remaining major challenges in this field are also outlined. Finally, the adaptive value of epigenetic inheritance, and the cost and benefit of allowing acquired epigenetic marks to persist across generations is critically evaluated.

Early life stress in fathers improves behavioural flexibility in their offspring

“…Further, they often not only affect the individuals directly exposed to these conditions but also their progeny 3,4 . In human, traumatic stress during childhood increases the risk for psychiatric conditions such as borderline personality disorder, bipolar depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anti-social behaviours across families 5,6 .…”

Neurobiological disease etiology and inheritance: an epigenetic perspective

“…Epigenetic inheritance likely involves several pathways that may operate in parallel or in synergy depending on the conditions. Similar molecular pathways and shared components might be recruited to regulate epigenetic profiles in different tissues and during different temporal windows, and when affected in germ cells they can lead to disease across generations (Bohacek and Mansuy, 2013). A better understanding of epigenetic inheritance also holds great promise for diagnostics and drug development.…”

Micro- and nanofluidic technologies for epigenetic profiling

“…1 As these changes are transmitted from parent to child, the existence of epigenetic mechanisms suggest that lifestyle choices may impact future generations. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Conversely, epigenetic mechanisms may enable us to manipulate or avoid the conditions that drive phenotypic expression of a genetic disorder. Hence, with implications in cancer, [8][9][10] autism, 11,12 and Alzheimer's disease, 13,14 the epigenetic paradigm provides a powerful set of tools with which to understand the transmission and etiology of diseases, and ultimately design treatments for genetic disorders that need not rely on potentially hazardous genetic modification.…”