BACKGROUND: Following wider acceptance of 'the thrifty phenotype' hypothesis and the convincing evidence that early-life exposures can influence adult health even decades after the exposure, much interest has been placed on the mechanisms through which early-life exposures become biologically embedded. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding biological embedding of early-life experiences. To this end, we conducted a literature search to identify studies investigating early-life exposures in relation to DNA methylation changes. In addition, we summarize the challenges faced in investigations of epigenetic effects, stemming from the peculiarities of this emergent and complex field. A proper systematic review and meta-analyses were not feasible given the nature of the evidence. RESULTS: We identified seven studies on early-life socio-economic circumstances, 10 studies on childhood obesity and six studies on early-life nutrition all relating to DNA methylation changes that met the stipulated inclusion criteria. The pool of evidence gathered, albeit small, favours a role of epigenetics and DNA methylation in biological embedding, but replication of findings, multiple comparison corrections, publication bias and causality are concerns remaining to be addressed in future investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we hypothesize that epigenetics, in particular DNA methylation, is a plausible mechanism through which early-life exposures are biologically embedded. This review describes the current status of the field and acts as a stepping stone for future, better designed investigations on how early-life exposures might become biologically embedded through epigenetic effects.
BACKGROUND: Following wider acceptance of 'the thrifty phenotype' hypothesis and the convincing evidence that early-life exposures can influence adult health even decades after the exposure, much interest has been placed on the mechanisms through which early-life exposures become biologically embedded. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding biological embedding of early-life experiences. To this end, we conducted a literature search to identify studies investigating early-life exposures in relation to DNA methylation changes. In addition, we summarize the challenges faced in investigations of epigenetic effects, stemming from the peculiarities of this emergent and complex field. A proper systematic review and meta-analyses were not feasible given the nature of the evidence. RESULTS: We identified seven studies on early-life socio-economic circumstances, 10 studies on childhood obesity and six studies on early-life nutrition all relating to DNA methylation changes that met the stipulated inclusion criteria. The pool of evidence gathered, albeit small, favours a role of epigenetics and DNA methylation in biological embedding, but replication of findings, multiple comparison corrections, publication bias and causality are concerns remaining to be addressed in future investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we hypothesize that epigenetics, in particular DNA methylation, is a plausible mechanism through which early-life exposures are biologically embedded. This review describes the current status of the field and acts as a stepping stone for future, better designed investigations on how early-life exposures might become biologically embedded through epigenetic effects.
Authors: Shakira F Suglia; Karestan C Koenen; Renée Boynton-Jarrett; Paul S Chan; Cari J Clark; Andrea Danese; Myles S Faith; Benjamin I Goldstein; Laura L Hayman; Carmen R Isasi; Charlotte A Pratt; Natalie Slopen; Jennifer A Sumner; Aslan Turer; Christy B Turer; Justin P Zachariah Journal: Circulation Date: 2017-12-18 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Ian M Traniello; Adam R Hamilton; Tim Gernat; Amy C Cash-Ahmed; Gyan P Harwood; Allyson M Ray; Abigail Glavin; Jacob Torres; Nigel Goldenfeld; Gene E Robinson Journal: J Exp Biol Date: 2022-03-28 Impact factor: 3.312
Authors: Caren E Smith; Stephanie M Fullerton; Keith A Dookeran; Heather Hampel; Adrienne Tin; Nisa M Maruthur; Jonathan C Schisler; Jeffrey A Henderson; Katherine L Tucker; José M Ordovás Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2016-08-01 Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Richelle Vlenterie; Judith B Prins; Nel Roeleveld; Marleen M H J van Gelder Journal: Arch Gynecol Obstet Date: 2022-03-23 Impact factor: 2.344