Epigenetics in the Developmental Origin of Cardiovascular Disorders

The “developmental origins of health and disease” (DOHaD) hypothesis derives from robust clinical and experimental observations indicating long-term health consequences for persons of low birth weight and compromised fetal development. Several themes have emerged, such as the presence of critical periods of vulnerability (in utero and ex utero), the presence of sex differences, and the emerging importance of epigenetic phenomena in the progression and development of cardiovascular disease. Despite compelling findings in recent studies, much remains unclear regarding the exact mechanisms and the specific roles of various epigenetic pathways in the developmental origins of cardiovascular disease. Recognizing the impact of epigenetic modifications at different critical periods of programming uniquely situates research in this area to provide significant insights into the development and progression of many cardiovascular abnormalities and diseases.