Epigenetics and Pregnancy: Conditional Snapshot or Rolling Event

Abstract

Epigenetics modification such as DNA methylation can affect maternal health during the gestation period. Furthermore, pregnancy can drive a range of physiological and molecular changes that have the potential to contribute to pathological conditions. Pregnancy-related risk factors include multiple environmental, behavioral, and hereditary factors that can impact maternal DNA methylation with long-lasting consequences. Identification of the epigenetic patterns linked to poor pregnancy outcomes is crucial since changes in DNA methylation patterns can have long-term effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the epigenetic changes that influence pregnancy-related molecular programming such as gestational diabetes, immune response, and pre-eclampsia, in an effort to close the gap in current understanding regarding interactions between the environment, the genetics of the fetus, and the pregnant woman.

Current perspectives on perinatal mental health and neurobehavioral development: focus on regulation, coregulation and self-regulation

“…We refer to [73 ▪▪ ,123] for recent overviews. We cite recent reviews addressing these complex, multifacted processes involving: mother-fetus-placenta unit [78]; HPA axis and cortisol [120,124 ▪ ,125]; autonomic nervous system [125]; iron deficiency [126]; maternal inflammation and offspring microglial activity [127]; mitochondria [128]; microbiome [10,129–131]; maternal metabolic risk factors including diabetes, obesity, undernutrition, specific macro- and micronutrient intake (e.g., long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) [132–135]; epigenetic changes, epigenome wide associations studies, relevant for e.g., the HPA axis or oxytocin system [136] including DNA methylation, histone modification, microRNA and other-non coding RNA [73 ▪▪ ,135,137–139] or multiomics data (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics [140]); telomere length [57]; paternal mediated effects [141,142]; oxidative stress [143], breast milk composition [78]; oxytocin system [73 ▪▪ ]; serotonin functions (e.g., SCL6A4) [73 ▪▪ ]; brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) [73 ▪▪ ]; structural and functional brain alterations beyond regions previously identified as relevant (i.e., prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala (limbic system)) additionally including basal ganglia, anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, middle and superior frontal gyri, occipital gyrus and precentral gyrus [9,31,108].…”

Dysregulation of Histone Deacetylases Inhibits Trophoblast Growth during Early Placental Development Partially through TFEB-Dependent Autophagy-Lysosomal Pathway

“…Epigenetic-related research has recently become a leading-edge field in life science. The accumulated evidence has established a strong link between epigenetic modification and early embryogenesis based on the long-term metabolic epigenome reprogramming induced by reproduction [40,41]. Protein acetylation modification is one of the major epigenetic mechanisms that widely exist during early pregnancy.…”

Exploring the role of exosomal MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers in preeclampsia

“…This definition has evolved to “molecular factors and processes around DNA that regulate genome activity, independent of DNA sequence, and are mitotically stable” ( 20 ). Epigenetic modifications result from environmental changes that affect biological processes within an organism, affecting heritable variations in gene expression ( 21 ). The epigenetic disruption of gene expression patterns can lead to autoimmune disorders, cancers, and other diseases ( 22 ).…”

“…Gene expression regulation in developing and differentiated tissues is facilitated by several epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and miRNA activity ( 21 ). These mechanisms influence gene expression during placental development and function ( 54 ) and may play critical roles in various pregnancy complications such as PE, gestational diabetes mellitus, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth ( 55 ).…”