Open AccessMolecular mechanisms underlying the fetal programming of adult disease
Author(s) -
Vo Thin,
Hardy Daniel B.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of cell communication and signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1873-961X
pISSN - 1873-9601
DOI - 10.1007/s12079-012-0165-3
Subject(s) - fetus , fetal programming , epigenetics , disease , in utero , endoplasmic reticulum , medicine , bioinformatics , pregnancy , physiology , reactive oxygen species , epigenesis , biology , pathology , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , dna methylation , genetics , gene
Adverse events in utero can be critical in determining quality of life and overall health. It is estimated that up to 50 % of metabolic syndrome diseases can be linked to an adverse fetal environment. However, the mechanisms linking impaired fetal development to these adult diseases remain elusive. This review uncovers some of the molecular mechanisms underlying how normal physiology may be impaired in fetal and postnatal life due to maternal insults in pregnancy. By understanding the mechanisms, which include epigenetic, transcriptional, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), we also highlight how intervention in fetal and neonatal life may be able to prevent these diseases long‐term.