Fetal Membrane Epigenetics

Abstract

The characteristics of fetal membrane cells and their phenotypic adaptations to support pregnancy or promote parturition are defined by global patterns of gene expression controlled by chromatin structure. Heritable epigenetic chromatin modifications that include DNA methylation and covalent histone modifications establish chromatin regions permissive or exclusive of regulatory interactions defining the cell-specific scope and potential of gene activity. Non-coding RNAs acting at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels complement the system by robustly stabilizing gene expression patterns and contributing to ordered phenotype transitions. Here we review currently available information about epigenetic gene regulation in the amnion and the chorion laeve. In addition, we provide an overview of epigenetic phenomena in the decidua, which is the maternal tissue fused to the chorion membrane forming the anatomical and functional unit called choriodecidua. The relationship of gene expression with DNA (CpG) methylation, histone acetylation and methylation, micro RNAs, long non-coding RNAs and chromatin accessibility is discussed in the context of normal pregnancy, parturition and pregnancy complications. Data generated using clinical samples and cell culture models strongly suggests that epigenetic events are associated with the phenotypic transitions of fetal membrane cells during the establishment, maintenance and termination of pregnancy potentially driving and consolidating the changes as pregnancy progresses. Disease conditions and environmental factors may produce epigenetic footprints that indicate exposures and mediate adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although knowledge is expanding rapidly, fetal membrane epigenetics is still in an early stage of development necessitating further research to realize its remarkable basic and translational potential.

Association between Maternal Periodontitis and Development of Systematic Diseases in Offspring

“…Concerning pregnancy adverse outcomes and epigenetics, studies mainly describe the role of DNA methylation and miRNAs in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Due to worse stability and the poor characterization of HM in this disease having not been well researched [ 81 ]. Interesting results were provided by studies describing drug interaction with protein acetylation.…”

Epigenetics of pregnancy: looking beyond the DNA code

“…Several studies and evidences report that precise chromatin modification patterns occur in the fetal membrane and decidua cells, changing dynamically during normal and pathological pregnancies [31].…”

“…A pivotal role in the fetal stage of pregnancy is played by the amniochorionic membranes, which act as the fetomaternal interface, as they exhibit characteristic chromatin modification patterns, DNA (CpG) methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA transcriptomes, whose dynamic changes during normal and pathological pregnancies are an important contributor to gene regulation throughout pregnancy [31]. Alterations in DNA methylation patterns and ncRNAs in amniochorionic membranes have also been detected in association with preterm birth and pathological conditions such as acute chorioamnionitis [109].…”

The Influence of Nrf2 gene promoter methylation on gene expression and oxidative stress parameters in preeclampsia

“…These factors create, maintain, and regulate chromatin structure via DNA methylation, post-translational histone modi cations, and regulatory non-coding RNAs. This suggests that the mechanisms that cause phenotypic changes during pregnancy and at birth are, at least in part, epigenetic [10]. In this context, studies have done on labor-related in ammatory genes (PTGS2, BMP2, NAMPT/PBEF, CXCL2), steroid receptor genes (ESR1, PGR, NR3C1/GR) and components of the reninangiotensin system (ACE, ATP6AP2/PRR, AGTR1, CTSD, KLK1) with promoter methylation density technique in amnion samples from early pregnancy (11 to 17 weeks) and after delivery [10].…”