Epigenetic programming of chronic inflammation: role of nutrition and microbiome

Abstract

The origins of major non-communicable diseases are programmed early in development, in the first 1,000 days, from conception to the end of the 2nd year of life. The mechanisms of this programming are associated with epigenetic modifications of genes that determine human metabolism and phenotype, disease predisposition, resistance to stress and adverse environmental factors. Such mechanisms include DNA methylation, non-coding RNA activity, and modifications of histone tails. All three mechanisms affect genome organization, gene expression, and nuclear functions. This review reveals the main known mechanisms of epigenetic programming. Eating disorders in pregnant women (under- or overnutrition), the presence of chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes, etc.) are risk factors for disease development in offspring. The perinatal period includes the formation of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal integrity, microbiome, and intestinal immune system. Epigenetic processes play an important role in the development of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, which implement the effect of environmental factors, influence gene expression, and change the inflammatory phenotype in the presence of genetic predisposition. Key words: epigenetics, mechanisms, nutrition, microbiome, inflammation, inflammatory bowel diseases