Using epigenomics to understand cellular responses to environmental influences in diseases

• Published in: PLoS genetics Vol. 19; no. 1; p. e1010567
• Main Authors: Wattacheril, Julia J, Raj, Srilakshmi, Knowles, David A, Greally, John M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 19.01.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Analysis; Biology and life sciences; Cell division; Cellular control mechanisms; Development and progression; DNA methylation; Environmental aspects; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetic inheritance; Epigenetics; Epigenomics; Fatty liver; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Genetic transcription; Genomes; Genotype & phenotype; Health aspects; Humans; Influence; Liver diseases; Mediation; Mediators; Medical research; Medicine and Health Sciences; Medicine, Experimental; Mutation; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - genetics; Obesity; Phenotype; Phenotypes; Reptiles & amphibians; Review; Transcription; United States
• ISSN: 1553-7404; 1553-7390; 1553-7404
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010567

It is a generally accepted model that environmental influences can exert their effects, at least in part, by changing the molecular regulators of transcription that are described as epigenetic. As there is biochemical evidence that some epigenetic regulators of transcription can maintain their states long term and through cell division, an epigenetic model encompasses the idea of maintenance of the effect of an exposure long after it is no longer present. The evidence supporting this model is mostly from the observation of alterations of molecular regulators of transcription following exposures. With the understanding that the interpretation of these associations is more complex than originally recognised, this model may be oversimplistic; therefore, adopting novel perspectives and experimental approaches when examining how environmental exposures are linked to phenotypes may prove worthwhile. In this review, we have chosen to use the example of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common, complex human disease with strong environmental and genetic influences. We describe how epigenomic approaches combined with emerging functional genetic and single-cell genomic techniques are poised to generate new insights into the pathogenesis of environmentally influenced human disease phenotypes exemplified by NAFLD.