The ever growing complexity of placental epigenetics – Role in adverse pregnancy outcomes and fetal programming

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) Vol. 33; no. 12; pp. 959 - 970
• Main Authors: Novakovic, B., Saffery, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Birth-weight; Diet; DNA Methylation; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Environment; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetics; Female; Fetal Development; Fetal Diseases - etiology; Fetal Diseases - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Internal Medicine; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Placenta; Placenta - physiology; Placenta - physiopathology; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - etiology; Pregnancy Complications - metabolism; Birth-weight; Placenta; Diet; Preeclampsia; Epigenetics; DNA methylation; Environment; Pregnancy; Vertebrata; Fetal development; Mammalia; Prognosis; Fetal membrane; Fetus

As the primary interface between maternal and fetal circulations, the placenta is subject to a myriad of environmental exposures with the capacity to alter placental function and fetal development. Many of these effects are likely to be mediated by epigenetic (‘above DNA’) change, which is also in t...