Journal article

Epigenetic mechanisms involved in intrauterine growth restriction and aberrant kidney development and function

TNA Doan, JF Briffa, AL Phillips, SY Leemaqz, RA Burton, T Romano, ME Wlodek, T Bianco-Miotto

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease | CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS | Published : 2021

Abstract

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to uteroplacental insufficiency results in a placenta that is unable to provide adequate nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. These growth-restricted babies have an increased risk of hypertension and chronic kidney disease later in life. In rats, both male and female growth-restricted offspring have nephron deficits but only males develop kidney dysfunction and high blood pressure. In addition, there is transgenerational transmission of nephron deficits and hypertension risk. Therefore, epigenetic mechanisms may explain the sex-specific programming and multigenerational transmission of IUGR-related phenotypes. Expression of DNA methyltransferases (Dnm..

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University of Melbourne Researchers