Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) sauch as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases are rising rapidly in all countries world-wide. Environmental maternal factors (e.g., diet, oxidative stress, drugs and many others), maternal illnesses and other stressors can predispose the newborn to develop diseases during different stages of life. The connection between environmental factors and NCDs was formulated by David Barker and colleagues as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. In this review, we describe the DOHaD concept and the effects of several environmental stressors on the health of the progeny, providing both animal and human evidence. We focus on cardiovascular diseases which represent the leading cause of death worldwide. The purpose of this review is to discuss how in vitro studies with pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), such as embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (ESC, iPSC), can underpin the research on non-genetic heart conditions. The PSCs could provide a tool to recapitulate aspects of embryonic development “in a dish”, studying the effects of environmental exposure during cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation and maturation, establishing a link to molecular mechanism and epigenetics.
Highlights
The significant increase of chronic diseases is attributed more frequently to the influence of environmental factors, which have a pivotal role in disease aetiology
We summarised the main features of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concept, highlighting that several stress factors during foetal and perinatal life can influence the future health of the individual and increase susceptibility to adult diseases, such as CVD
The epigenetic state can be modified by maternal environmental influences, such as high glucose, oxidative stress, hypoxia, which in turn alter DNA methylation and modify histones [7]
Summary
The significant increase of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, obesity, some cancers, cardiovascular diseases, neuronal disorders) is attributed more frequently to the influence of environmental factors, which have a pivotal role in disease aetiology. This PC sensitivity may reflect how the number of totipotent and pluripotent cells in the embryo are modified by the extensive epigenetic restructuring that characterises this period These changes in environmental conditions cause the embryo to optimise its future development program, resulting in a form of plasticity related to the concept of predictive adaptive responses in DOHaD [9]. Previous studies have suggested that environment changes during the pre-implantation period affect the offspring, but it is the case with changes before and after the preimplantation period; for example, mothers who are exposed to a diet with an excess of fatty acids before conception and during pregnancy present structural changes in the thickness and surface of the placenta [15] These changes may lead to a reduction in blood flow in the placenta, which may contribute to the development of diseases in the offspring (for example, in the immune system or cardiovascular system) [16].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
