Epigenetic Aberrations in Human Allergic Diseases

Abstract

The epidemic rise in childhood allergic diseases is clear evidence that the developing immune system is highly vulnerable to modern environmental change. Together with observed presymptomatic differences in immune functions at birth, this suggests that environmental exposures during pregnancy are critical in determining the allergic risk of the offspring. A range of intrauterine exposures such as maternal dietary factors, exposure to microbes, pollutants, and maternal smoking are implicated in fetal immune programming and the risk of allergic diseases. Concepts of epigenetic modulation of gene expression now provide a mechanistic link for these complex early gene–environmental interactions w..