Programmed epigenetic risk: Can stress exposures in utero predispose infants to obesity and metabolic diseases?

Abstract

Dr. Kristen Boyle is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics Nutrition Section studying the regulation of human stem cell metabolism and phenotype in the context of obesity and diabetes. During her early independent career Dr. Boyle began using primary infant mesenchymal stem cells, derived from umbilical cord tissue, to investigate stem cell phenotype and epigenetic signatures as a model for developmental programming in humans. She discovered that cells from infants born to mothers with obesity have epigenetic and metabolic perturbations similar to adults with established obesity and associated with greater child adiposity. Thus, infant stem cell metabolism may elucidate how some children are at increased risk for developing obesity and diabetes later in life, independent of postnatal lifestyle exposures. Dr. Boyle’s current research program focuses on using these infant cells to understand how various maternal stress exposures, from metabolic disease to environmental toxins, may impact offspring metabolic phenotypes through epigenetic mechanisms. Her work is supported by the American Diabetes Association and the NIDDK. The goal of this research is to help identify which maternal factors may most influence metabolic differences in the cells and children, and to determine which children may be most at risk for developing obesity or diabetes in the future so that we may develop better tools for obesity or diabetes prevention strategies.