Highlights
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Epigenetics, hypersensibility and asthma: what do we know so far?
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Asthma can be triggered from epigenetic changes.
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Early life exposures can contribute to the development and exacerbation of asthma.
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DNA methylation profile of certain genes is related to asthma and allergy.
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Nasal epithelium samples have shown promise as a tissue for studying DNA methylation changes related to asthma.
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To find biomarkers and standardized assays to advance the field of epigenetics in respiratory disorders are still a challenge.
Abstract
In this review, we describe recent advances in understanding the relationship between epigenetic changes, especially DNA methylation (DNAm), with hypersensitivity and respiratory disorders such as asthma in childhood. It is clearly described that epigenetic mechanisms can induce short to long-term changes in cells, tissues, and organs. Through the growing number of studies on the Origins of Health Development and Diseases, more and more data exist on how environmental and genomic aspects in early life can induce allergies and asthma. The lack of biomarkers, standardized assays, and access to more accessible tools for data collection and analysis are still a challenge for future studies. Through this review, the authors draw a panorama with the available information that can assist in the establishment of an epigenetic approach for the risk analysis of these pathologies.
Keywords
Asthma; Children; DNA methylation; Epigenetics
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