scholarly journals Symposium summary: Epigenetic inheritance—impact for biology and society 26–28 August 2019, Zurich, Switzerland

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Lazar-Contes ◽  
Martin Roszkowski ◽  
Deepak K Tanwar ◽  
Isabelle M Mansuy
Keyword(s):  
Functional Genomics ◽  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Epigenetic Factors ◽  
Nature Versus Nurture ◽  
Poster Sessions ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract The concept of epigenetic inheritance proposes a new and unconventional way to think about heredity in health and disease, at the interface between genetics and the environment. Epigenetic inheritance is a form of biological inheritance not encoded in the DNA sequence itself but mediated by epigenetic factors. Because epigenetic factors can be modulated by the environment, they can relay this information to the genome and modify its activity consequentially. If epigenetic changes induced by environmental exposure are present in the germline and persist in germ cells during development until conception, they have the potential to transfer the traces of ancestral exposure to the progeny. This form of heredity relates to the extremely important question of nature versus nurture and how much of our own make-up is genetically or epigenetically determined, a question that remains largely unresolved. Because it questions the dominant dogma of genetics and brings a paradigm shift in sciences, it has to creating strong bridges between disciplines and provide solid causal evidence to be firmly established. The second edition of a conference fully dedicated to epigenetic inheritance was held in August 2019 in Zurich, Switzerland. This symposium titled ‘Epigenetic inheritance: impact for biology and society’ (http://www.epigenetic-inheritance-zurich.ethz.ch), gathered experts in the field of epigenetic inheritance to discuss the concept and pertinent findings, exchange views and expertise about models and methods, and address challenges raised by this new discipline. The symposium offered a mix of invited lectures and short talks selected from abstracts, poster sessions and a workshop ‘Meet the experts: Q&A’. A tour of a local omics facility the Functional Genomics Center Zurich was also offered to interested participants. Additional comments and impressions were shared by attendees on Twitter #eisz19 during and after the symposium. This summary provides an overview of the different sessions and talks and describes the main findings presented.

scholarly journals Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) and paternal origins of health and disease (POHaD). Multigenerational inheritance

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 326-336
Author(s):  
O. V. Sergeyev ◽  
A. I. Nikitin
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Environmental Epigenetics ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Windows Of Susceptibility

This review addresses the concept of ontogenetic origin of health and disease (DOHaD) and the new concept of paternal origin of health and disease (POHaD). These concepts are based on scientific evidence that environmental factors impacting mother or father can play a role in reprogramming the health of their off springs throughout their life span. Moreover, the changes that have arisen can be transmitted through generations via diverse epigenetic mechanisms. Terms, such as epigenetics (a kind of “driver” for these concepts), epigenetic inheritance (including Intergenerational Inheritance – from generation to the next generation and Transgenerational Inheritance – through generations), epigenetic changes caused by the environment (Environmental Epigenetics) are discussed. Vulnerable periods towards epigenetic changes (Windows of Susceptibility) that occur in male germ cells responsible for epigenetic inheritance are considered. Epigenetic epidemiological studies in the field of reproductology are described; their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. These studies can serve as the basis for obtaining new knowledge about the causes of epigenetic variations in germ cells that occur in health and upon exposure to environmental factors as well as the inherited phenotypic outcomes.

Environmental impacts on sperm and oocyte epigenetics affect embryo cell epigenetics and transcription to promote the epigenetic inheritance of pathology and phenotypic variation

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Eric Nilsson ◽  
Millissia Ben Maamar ◽  
Michael K. Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Embryo Cell ◽  
Phenotypic Change ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Non Coding Rna

Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to environmental factors can cause epigenetic modifications to germ cells, particularly sperm, to promote epigenetic and transcriptome changes in the embryo. These germ cell and embryo cell epigenetic alterations are associated with phenotypic changes in offspring. Epigenetic inheritance requires epigenetic changes (i.e. epimutations) in germ cells that promote epigenetic and gene expression changes in embryos. The objective of this perspective is to examine the evidence that germ cell epigenome modifications are associated with embryo cell epigenetic and transcriptome changes that affect the subsequent development of all developing somatic cells to promote phenotype change. Various epigenetic changes in sperm, including changes to histone methylation, histone retention, non-coding RNA expression and DNA methylation, have been associated with alterations in embryo cell epigenetics and gene expression. Few studies have investigated this link for oocytes. The studies reviewed herein support the idea that environmentally induced epigenetic changes in germ cells affect alterations in embryo cell epigenetics and transcriptomes that have an important role in the epigenetic inheritance of pathology and phenotypic change.

scholarly journals Alterations in sperm long RNA contribute to the epigenetic inheritance of the effects of postnatal trauma

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Gapp ◽  
G. van Steenwyk ◽  
P.L. Germain ◽  
W. Matsushima ◽  
K.L.M. Rudolph ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Small Rna ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Psychiatric Diseases ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Epigenetic Factors ◽  
Glucose Response

AbstractPsychiatric diseases have a strong heritable component known to not be restricted to DNA sequence-based genetic inheritance alone but to also involve epigenetic factors in germ cells 1,2. Initial evidence suggested that sperm RNA is causally linked 2,3 to the transmission of symptoms induced by traumatic experiences. Here we show that alterations in long RNA in sperm contribute to the inheritance of specific trauma symptoms. Injection of long RNA fraction from sperm of males exposed to postnatal trauma recapitulates the effects on food intake, glucose response to insulin and risk-taking in adulthood whereas the small RNA fraction alters body weight and behavioral despair. Alterations in long RNA are maintained after fertilization, suggesting a direct link between sperm and embryo RNA.

Epigenetics, Nutrition, Disease and Drug Development

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Lundstrom
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Rna Interference ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Disease Development ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Novel Drug

Epigenetic mechanisms comprising of DNA methylation, histone modifications and gene silencing by RNA interference have been strongly linked to the development and progression of various diseases. These findings have triggered research on epigenetic functions and signal pathways as targets for novel drug discovery. Dietary intake has also presented significant influence on human health and disease development and nutritional modifications have proven important in prevention, but also the treatment of disease. Moreover, a strong link between nutrition and epigenetic changes has been established. Therefore, in attempts to develop novel safer and more efficacious drugs, both nutritional requirements and epigenetic mechanisms need to be addressed.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Interplay Mechanism between Epigenetics and Gut Microbiota: Health Maintenance and Disease Prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6933
Author(s):  
Yuqi Wu ◽  
Chong-Zhi Wang ◽  
Jin-Yi Wan ◽  
Haiqiang Yao ◽  
Chun-Su Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Epigenetic Factors ◽  
Metabolic Disturbances ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Full Life Cycle ◽  
Research Profile ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
New Perspective

The gut microbiota exists throughout the full life cycle of the human body, and it has been proven to have extensive impacts on health and disease. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that the interplay between gut microbiota and host epigenetics plays a multifaceted role in health maintenance and disease prevention. Intestinal microflora, along with their metabolites, could regulate multiple epigenetic pathways; e.g., DNA methylation, miRNA, or histone modification. Moreover, epigenetic factors can serve as mediators to coordinate gut microbiota within the host. Aiming to dissect this interplay mechanism, the present review summarizes the research profile of gut microbiota and epigenetics in detail, and further interprets the biofunctions of this interplay, especially the regulation of intestinal inflammation, the improvement of metabolic disturbances, and the inhibition of colitis events. This review provides new insights into the interplay of epigenetics and gut microbiota, and attempts to reveal the mysteries of health maintenance and disease prevention from this new perspective.

scholarly journals Exploring the Role of Endothelial Cell Resilience in Cardiovascular Health and Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunling Gao ◽  
Zorina S. Galis
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Disease Understanding

Traditionally, much research effort has been invested into focusing on disease, understanding pathogenic mechanisms, identifying risk factors, and developing effective treatments. A few recent studies unraveling the basis for absence of disease, including cardiovascular disease, despite existing risk factors, a phenomenon commonly known as resilience, are adding new knowledge and suggesting novel therapeutic approaches. Given the central role of endothelial function in cardiovascular health, we herein provide a number of considerations that warrant future research and considering a paradigm shift toward identifying the molecular underpinnings of endothelial resilience.

Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Bošković ◽  
Oliver J. Rando
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Epigenetic Information ◽  
Environmental Perturbations ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

Inheritance of genomic DNA underlies the vast majority of biological inheritance, yet it has been clear for decades that additional epigenetic information can be passed on to future generations. Here, we review major model systems for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance via the germline in multicellular organisms. In addition to surveying examples of epivariation that may arise stochastically or in response to unknown stimuli, we also discuss the induction of heritable epigenetic changes by genetic or environmental perturbations. Mechanistically, we discuss the increasingly well-understood molecular pathways responsible for epigenetic inheritance, with a focus on the unusual features of the germline epigenome.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Regulation of the Hippocampus, with Special Reference to Radiation Exposure

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9514
Author(s):  
Genevieve Saw ◽  
Feng Ru Tang
Keyword(s):  
Epigenetic Regulation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Epigenetic Factors ◽  
Hippocampal Function ◽  
Neuropsychological Disorders ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
And Function

The hippocampus is crucial in learning, memory and emotion processing, and is involved in the development of different neurological and neuropsychological disorders. Several epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, have been shown to regulate the development and function of the hippocampus, and the alteration of epigenetic regulation may play important roles in the development of neurocognitive and neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the epigenetic modifications of various cell types and processes within the hippocampus and their resulting effects on cognition, memory and overall hippocampal function. In addition, the effects of exposure to radiation that may induce a myriad of epigenetic changes in the hippocampus are reviewed. By assessing and evaluating the current literature, we hope to prompt a more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie radiation-induced epigenetic changes, an area which can be further explored.

scholarly journals What Is Lost in the Weismann Barrier?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Abigail P. Bline ◽  
Anne Le Goff ◽  
Patrick Allard
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Biology ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Environmental Context ◽  
Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Basic Tenet ◽  
Weismann Barrier ◽  
Historical Origins

The Weismann barrier has long been regarded as a basic tenet of biology. However, upon close examination of its historical origins and August Weismann’s own writings, questions arise as to whether such a status is warranted. As scientific research has advanced, the persistence of the concept of the barrier has left us with the same dichotomies Weismann contended with over 100 years ago: germ or soma, gene or environment, hard or soft inheritance. These dichotomies distract from the more important questions we need to address going forward. In this review, we will examine the theories that have shaped Weismann’s thinking, how the concept of the Weismann barrier emerged, and the limitations that it carries. We will contrast the principles underlying the barrier with recent and less recent findings in developmental biology and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance that have profoundly eroded the oppositional view of germline vs. soma. Discarding the barrier allows us to examine the interactive processes and their response to environmental context that generate germ cells in the first place, determine the entirety of what is inherited through them, and set the trajectory for the health status of the progeny they bear.

scholarly journals How Epigenetic Modifications Drive the Expression and Mediate the Action of PGC-1α in the Regulation of Metabolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 5449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne I. Krämer ◽  
Christoph Handschin
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Transcriptional Networks ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Regulation Of Metabolism ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Short And Long Term

Epigenetic changes are a hallmark of short- and long-term transcriptional regulation, and hence instrumental in the control of cellular identity and plasticity. Epigenetic mechanisms leading to changes in chromatin structure, accessibility for recruitment of transcriptional complexes, and interaction of enhancers and promoters all contribute to acute and chronic adaptations of cells, tissues and organs to internal and external perturbations. Similarly, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is activated by stimuli that alter the cellular energetic demand, and subsequently controls complex transcriptional networks responsible for cellular plasticity. It thus is of no surprise that PGC-1α is under the control of epigenetic mechanisms, and constitutes a mediator of epigenetic changes in various tissues and contexts. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the link between epigenetics and PGC-1α in health and disease.

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