Examining a Developmental Approach to Childhood Obesity The Fetal and Early Childhood Years: Workshop Summary (2015) / Chapter Skim
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6 Data Gaps and Future Directions
6 Data Gaps and Future Directions
Pages 121-132
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From page 121... ...
Then Judith Hall of the University of British Columbia led a discussion on opportunities and challenges in epigenetics research that was open to all workshop participants. FACILITATED DISCUSSION ON DATA GAPS AND FUTURE RESEARCH Davis started the first discussion by listing what she observed as some consistent themes of the workshop discussion: the idea of permanency versus reversibility (i.e., with respect to epigenetic markers and their persistence over time)
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From page 122... ...
Finally, he said, because most studies to date have limited information on fathers, new cohorts that provide repeated biological and behavioral data on fathers would also be very helpful. Repeated sampling or not, Kevin Grove observed that, often, when he asks an investigator why he or she collected a particular sample, the investigator will reply that it was available or cost-effective.
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From page 123... ...
Relton also suggested that intensive sampling in early life, during critical windows of epigenomic plasticity, would be beneficial, as would synthesizing the information from differently aged cohorts as a way to examine epigenetic variation over time. She agreed with Gillman that there is huge potential for those carrying out family-based study designs to improve their collection of data on fathers and siblings in already existing cohorts.
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From page 124... ...
Referring to Baccarelli's statement that DNA methylation is only one of multiple layers of phenomena controlling gene expression, Marie-France Hivert of the Harvard Medical School remarked that, in her opinion, the next challenge is to interpret epigenetic data across those multiple layers. Additionally, she noted, not only are epigenetic markers tissue-specific, but they are also context-specific, with she and her research team having
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From page 125... ...
He suggested that some of the new system science approaches may be helpful for identifying key mechanisms. FACILITATED DISCUSSION ON OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN EPIGENETICS RESEARCH As a prelude to the second discussion, Judith Hall remarked that a principle of clinical genetics is that the "really unusual case" is important.
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From page 126... ...
In Hall's opinion, a better understanding will come from examining which genes are turned on and off in every tissue at different stages of development. She suggested that in unfortunate situations where children in cohorts die, researchers could use tissues saved from autopsies to examine epigenetic markers.
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From page 127... ...
While it is very important to consider maternal diet, both during and before pregnancy, he encouraged a broader view and greater consideration of growth and health of the fetus. Hall appreciated mention of the original thinking being the developmental origins of health and disease paradigm and the way David Barker's focus on low birth weight infants triggered an "aha moment" for many researchers -- that there was something very important about those infants.
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From page 128... ...
She expressed curiosity about what researchers have learned from animal studies about the effects of sleep on metabolic dysfunction. The Persistence of Epigenetic Markers While there was no extensive discussion during this final session on the temporary versus permanent nature of epigenetic patterning, as there had been at earlier times during the workshop, Friedman mentioned that based on human tissue cultures sampled from obese individuals, some epigenetic patterns are reproducible.
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From page 129... ...
Maternal diet during pregnancy affects the patterning of the infant microbiome, which, in turn, affects infant metabolism; placental functioning affects infant inflammation; and leptin dysregulation affects appetite regulation and, later, adiposity. As Hivert discussed, just as genes are affected by context, so too are hormones, with either a negative or positive leptin regulation feedback loop operating, depending on maternal obesity.
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From page 130... ...
. Closing Remarks In her closing remarks to the workshop, Barkin reiterated that epigenetics is just one approach to understanding the dynamic interaction between genetics, environment, and childhood development that affects childhood obesity and one that potentially offers insights into periods of potential reversibility and prevention.
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From page 131... ...
The possibilities include developing systematic data elements, perhaps standard protocols, and ways to incorporate those elements or protocols across cohorts and longitudinal trials. She suggested starting not with what she called "the impossible things," but rather with data that are simple and compelling, such as maternal and paternal birth weight.
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