Nutritional influences on epigenetic programming: asthma, allergy, and obesity

Debra J Palmer; Rae-Chi Huang; Jeffrey M Craig; Susan L Prescott

doi:10.1016/j.iac.2014.07.003

Nutritional influences on epigenetic programming: asthma, allergy, and obesity

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2014 Nov;34(4):825-37. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2014.07.003. Epub 2014 Aug 21.

Authors

Debra J Palmer¹, Rae-Chi Huang², Jeffrey M Craig³, Susan L Prescott⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia (M561), Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Members of 'In-FLAME' the International Inflammation Network, World Universities Network (WUN). Electronic address: debbie.palmer@uwa.edu.au.
² Members of 'In-FLAME' the International Inflammation Network, World Universities Network (WUN); Telethon KIDS Institute, University of Western Australia, Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia.
³ Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne and Early Life Epigenetics Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
⁴ School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia (M561), Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Members of 'In-FLAME' the International Inflammation Network, World Universities Network (WUN); Telethon KIDS Institute, University of Western Australia, Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia.

PMID: 25282294
DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2014.07.003

Abstract

Observational studies show consistent links between early-life nutritional exposures as important risk factors for the development of asthma, allergy, and obesity. Reliance on increasing use of dietary supplementation and fortification (eg, with folate) to compensate for increased consumption of processed foods is also influencing immune and metabolic outcomes. Epigenetics is providing substantial advances in understanding how early-life nutritional exposures can effect disease development. This article summarizes current evidence linking the influence of early-life nutritional exposures on epigenetic regulation with a focus on the disease outcomes of asthma, allergy, and obesity.

Keywords: Allergy; Asthma; Early life; Epigenetic regulation; Nutrition; Obesity.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Asthma / genetics*
Asthma / immunology
Cellular Reprogramming
Disease Susceptibility
Epigenesis, Genetic*
Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism
Female
Humans
Hypersensitivity / genetics*
Hypersensitivity / immunology
Nutritive Value*
Obesity / genetics*
Obesity / immunology
Prebiotics
Pregnancy
Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

Substances

Fatty Acids, Omega-3
Prebiotics