Epigenetic Approaches to Allergy Research

Epigenetic Approaches to Allergy Research PDF Author: Marién Pascual
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461463661
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 71

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Book Description
In recent years, epigenetic approaches to existing scientific problems have offered many new and exciting perspectives. This book focuses on epigenetic approaches to study asthma and allergy research. The authors briefly review cellular factors, immune signaling, and inflammatory pathways in allergy and asthma, as well as genetic influences in the pathogenesis of atopic disorders. Diseases that have been clearly linked to an epigenetic dysregulation will be discussed, as well as the role of epigenetics in the origin of complex diseases. The authors will examine the impact of environment factors in the predisposition to atopic disorders, and they will also describe the major unanswered questions and future perspectives of an exciting new field that studies allergic diseases from the epigenetic point of view.

Epigenetic Approaches to Allergy Research

Epigenetic Approaches to Allergy Research PDF Author: Marién Pascual
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461463661
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 71

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Book Description
In recent years, epigenetic approaches to existing scientific problems have offered many new and exciting perspectives. This book focuses on epigenetic approaches to study asthma and allergy research. The authors briefly review cellular factors, immune signaling, and inflammatory pathways in allergy and asthma, as well as genetic influences in the pathogenesis of atopic disorders. Diseases that have been clearly linked to an epigenetic dysregulation will be discussed, as well as the role of epigenetics in the origin of complex diseases. The authors will examine the impact of environment factors in the predisposition to atopic disorders, and they will also describe the major unanswered questions and future perspectives of an exciting new field that studies allergic diseases from the epigenetic point of view.

Epigenetics in Allergy and Autoimmunity

Epigenetics in Allergy and Autoimmunity PDF Author: Christopher Chang
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811534497
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
This book will address the growing roles of epigenetics in disease pathogenesis, and review the contribution of epigenetic modifications to disease onset and progression. The roles that epigenetics plays in facilitating effects of the environment on allergy and immunologic diseases will be reviewed. The book is divided into three parts – the first is an introduction to epigenetics and the methods that have been developed to study epigenetics, the second addresses epigenetics in allergic diseases and the third part will cover epigenetics in autoimmune diseases. With the rapid expansion of knowledge of how genes are regulated and how this regulation affects disease phenotypes, this book will be attractive to experienced researchers as well as those just launching an epigenetics research program. It will also be of interest to allergist, immunologists, rheumatologists and dermatologist who are engaged in clinical practice as a resource for understanding the basis for personalized and precision medicine. For example, the role that epigenetics plays in the pathogenesis in various allergic and autoimmune disorders and how this determines disease phenotypes will be covered extensively in this book. This book will thus help fill the gap in available resources on epigenetics in allergy and autoimmune diseases.

Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy

Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309450314
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 575

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Book Description
Over the past 20 years, public concerns have grown in response to the apparent rising prevalence of food allergy and related atopic conditions, such as eczema. Although evidence on the true prevalence of food allergy is complicated by insufficient or inconsistent data and studies with variable methodologies, many health care experts who care for patients agree that a real increase in food allergy has occurred and that it is unlikely to be due simply to an increase in awareness and better tools for diagnosis. Many stakeholders are concerned about these increases, including the general public, policy makers, regulatory agencies, the food industry, scientists, clinicians, and especially families of children and young people suffering from food allergy. At the present time, however, despite a mounting body of data on the prevalence, health consequences, and associated costs of food allergy, this chronic disease has not garnered the level of societal attention that it warrants. Moreover, for patients and families at risk, recommendations and guidelines have not been clear about preventing exposure or the onset of reactions or for managing this disease. Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy examines critical issues related to food allergy, including the prevalence and severity of food allergy and its impact on affected individuals, families, and communities; and current understanding of food allergy as a disease, and in diagnostics, treatments, prevention, and public policy. This report seeks to: clarify the nature of the disease, its causes, and its current management; highlight gaps in knowledge; encourage the implementation of management tools at many levels and among many stakeholders; and delineate a roadmap to safety for those who have, or are at risk of developing, food allergy, as well as for others in society who are responsible for public health.

Immune maturation and modulation in childhood allergies

Immune maturation and modulation in childhood allergies PDF Author: Johanna Huoman
Publisher: Linköping University Electronic Press
ISBN: 9179297870
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 107

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Book Description
The prevalence of allergic diseases has in the past century increased among children in affluent societies. Underlying causes are incompletely disentangled, but decreased diversity in environmental and microbial exposures could drive allergy development. Allergic individuals possess imbalanced immune responses, skewed in favour of Th2 cells along with lesser Th1 and Treg responses. As allergy development early in life increases the risk of developing further allergic manifestations later, early prevention is key. Thus, interventions in pregnancy, early life and childhood may modulate immunity towards tolerance, although underpinnings of immune maturation and modulation in allergy prevention throughout childhood are not entirely understood. In this thesis, these questions are addressed in children with a high propensity of developing allergic disease or who already have manifested allergies. Chemokines are crucial for immune cell recruitment to the allergic reaction site, and associate with allergy development in childhood. In Paper I, circulating levels of the allergy-related chemokines CCL17, CCL18, CCL22, CXCL10 and CXCL11 were studied in the natural course of allergic disease. Elevated levels of the Th2/Treg-regulated chemokine CCL18 in infancy and childhood associated with development of asthma and/or sensitisation. Moreover, this finding conferred higher odds of developing asthma and sensitisation from early school age until adolescence. Additionally, increased levels of the Th1-associated chemokines CXCL10 after birth, and decreased levels of CXCL11 at birth, preceded asthma development later in life. Hence, Paper I showed that circulating chemokine levels in different ways precede allergy development. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, comprise a link between the genetic setup and environmental exposures, and regulate processes such as Th cell differentiation. Perinatal treatment with Lactobacillus reuteri and ?-3 fatty acids prevent development of some IgE-mediated manifestations. However, the drivers of the immunostimulating and pro-resolving effects of these treatments are sparsely examined. In Papers II and III, epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns in CD4+ cells upon pre-and postnatal L. reuteri supplementation alone or in combination with ?-3 fatty acids were studied. In Paper II, the greatest epigenome wide differential methylation was evident at birth, mainly directed towards hypomethylation, indicating transcriptional availability of affected genes. Network analyses revealed several immune related pathways, and a relationship of differentially methylated genes to allergy development. Thus, prenatal L. reuteri treatment seemingly poises Th cells towards immune activation at birth, possibly influencing immune maturation as well as allergy development in the child. In Paper III, epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns were surveyed at birth. In this on-going trial, mothers are treated during the latter half of pregnancy with a combination of L. reuteri and ?-3 fatty acids. Four different treatment groups were studied, and the largest differential methylation was seen in the double active treatment group. In contrast to Paper II, most CpGs and genes were hypermethylated, indicating repressed gene transcription. In line with Paper II, network analyses showed that T cell and immune mediated pathways were affected by treatment, and synergistic effects of the double treatment were indicated. Taken together, prenatal treatment with L. reuteri and/or ?-3 fatty acids altered the epigenome to different extents at birth, mainly towards hypermethylation, and often affected immune related pathways. Immunomodulatory effects of sublingual immunotherapy in children and adolescents are scarcely investigated. In Paper IV, circulating and salivary immune mediators were investigated in timothy grass-pollen allergic children treated with sublingual immunotherapy. Actively treated children had elevated levels of timothy grass pollen-specific IgA antibodies in saliva, along with increased circulating levels of the Th1-associated chemokines CXCL10 and CXCL11, both after treatment ending and two years later. Taken together, sublingual immunotherapy modulates local and peripheral immune responses in children with timothy grass pollen-induced allergy, by augmenting Th1-responses, lessening Th2-responses and inducing immunomodulatory responses, suggesting induction of tolerance, also partly in the long-term. Altogether, the studies in this thesis have shown altered immune regulation in children developing allergies. Moreover, immunomodulatory effects of prenatal treatment with probiotics and ?-3 fatty acids, and sublingual immunotherapy in children with grass pollen-induced allergic disease, were revealed. DNA methylation patterns and immunologic mediators in blood and saliva could potentially serve as appropriate biomarkers for allergic disease. Long term health benefits can be reached by intervening early in life, and further knowledge about the mechanisms behind this could promote the prevention of allergic diseases and hence improve the quality of life for children and adolescents. Förekomsten av allergiska sjukdomar, som böjveckseksem, hösnuva och astma, har under det senaste århundradet ökat markant bland barn i industrialiserade samhällen. De bakomliggande orsakerna är inte helt klarlagda, men samhälleliga förändringar har minskat vår mångfaldiga exponering för bakterier, virus och parasiter. Detta skulle kunna ligga till grund för immunförsvarets felaktiga reaktion mot egentligen ofarliga ämnen som ses vid allergier. Hos allergiska individer är immunförsvaret obalanserat, med en relativ övervikt av det så kallade Thjälpar- 2 (Th2)-svaret gentemot Th1- och det regulatoriska T-cells (Treg)-svaret. Allergiska sjukdomar utvecklas ofta tidigt i livet, vilket ökar risken för att utveckla vidare allergier senare i livet. Därför är det viktigt att motverka den allergiska marschens framfart tidigt genom förebyggande behandlingar. Ett tillvägagångsätt är att påbörja behandling under graviditeten och tidiga barndomen hos barn med hög risk för att bli allergiska, då grunden för immunsystemet läggs redan under fosterlivet. För redan utvecklade allergier är det tänkbart att omforma dessa immunsvar med immunterapi, som kan minska symptom av befintliga allergier samtidigt som det är möjligt att motverka utvecklingen av senare allergier. Det är dock inte helt klarlagt hur immunutmognaden under barndomen är reglerad, eller hur dessa typer av behandlingar skulle kunna påverka allergiutveckling under den perioden. I denna avhandling undersöks immunutmognad vid allergiutveckling hos barn, och möjliga immunmodulerande förebyggande behandlingar hos barn med genetisk benägenhet att bli allergiska eller som redan utvecklat allergisk sjukdom. För att celler ska rekryteras till platsen för en allergisk reaktion krävs bland annat s.k. kemokiner. I det första arbetet undersöktes dessa lockelseämnen, då våra tidigare studier visat att nivåerna av vissa kemokiner vid födseln förutspår utvecklingen av allergi hos barn. De allergirelaterade kemokinerna CCL17, CCL18, CCL22, CXCL10 och CXCL11 analyserades i blodprover vid födseln, 1 och 8 års ålder hos barn från en populationsbaserad observationsstudie. Förhöjda nivåer av CCL18, ett kemokin under reglering av både Th2- och Treg-svar, uppmättes vid 1 och/eller 8 års ålder hos barn som hade astma (särskilt svår astma) och/eller var sensibiliserade. De ökade nivåerna associerade också till högre odds för utveckling av astma från tidig skolålder upp till övre tonåren, med liknande resultat för sensibilisering. Även ökade nivåer av de Th1-associerade kemokinerna CXCL10 efter födseln och minskade nivåer av CXCL11 vid födseln föregick utvecklingen av astma senare i livet. Det första arbetet visade alltså på att cirkulerande kemokiner på olika vis föregår utvecklingen av allergier hos barn och ungdomar. Som länk mellan arv och miljö står s.k. epigenetiska modifieringar, vilka reglerar genaktiviteten utan att förändra den genetiska koden i arvsmassan. Till dessa modifieringar räknas DNAmetylering, en process som bl.a. styr utmognad av de allergirelaterade T-hjälparcellerna. Vi har i tidigare separata studier med den probiotiska stammen Lactobacillus reuteri och omega-3- behandling visat förebyggande av vissa IgE-medierade allergier. Vad som föranleder de immunstimulerande och immunmodulerande effekterna av behandlingarna är dock otillräckligt undersökt. I det andra och tredje arbetet undersöktes hur L. reuteri separat eller i kombination med omega-3-fettsyror påverkar DNA-metyleringsmönster i CD4+ Th-celler hos barn som behandlats före och efter födseln. I det andra arbetet undersöktes DNA-metyleringsmönster både lokalt och i hela genomet vid födseln, ett och två års ålder. Behandling med L. reuteri förändrade DNA-metyleringsmönster i allergirelaterade T-hjälparceller mest vid födseln mot s.k. hypometylering, vilket pekar på ökad tillgänglighet av generna för proteinuttryck. Vidare nätverksanalyser visade att flera immunrelaterade processer påverkades av behandlingen. Därtill var generna från nätverket till stor del associerade med allergiutveckling. Maternell behandling med L. reuteri under den sista graviditetsmånaden tycks alltså förändra DNA-metyleringsmönster i T-hjälparceller hos fostret mot ökad immunaktivering vid födseln, vilket i sin tur skulle kunna påverka både immunutmognad och allergiutveckling hos barnet. I likhet med det andra arbetet undersöktes i det tredje arbetet DNA-metyleringsmönster i hela epigenomet, fast endast vid födseln. I denna pågående studie behandlas mödrarna under den andra halvan av graviditeten med en kombination av L. reuteri och omega-3-fettsyror. Fyra olika behandlingsgrupper undersöktes och den största förändringen i DNA-metylering återfanns i den kombinerade aktiva behandlingsgruppen. I motsats till det andra arbetet var dock de flesta CpG positionerna och generna hypermetylerade, vilket tyder på att genernas tillgänglighet för proteinuttryck hämmas. I linje med det andra arbetet framkom T-cells- och immunrelaterade signalvägar i nätverksanalyser på dessa gener, och det fanns indikationer på synergistiska effekter mellan behandlingarna. Det tredje arbetet visade att behandling med L. reuteri och/eller omega- 3-fettsyror under senare delen av graviditeten förändrar T-hjälparcellernas epigenom i olika grad främst mot hypermetylering, och ofta påverkar immunrelaterade signalvägar. Relevansen av dessa fynd kommer i framtida studier att undersökas på proteinnivå och i relation till allergiutveckling. Med allergenspecifik immunterapi är det möjligt att modulera immunsvaret hos allergiska individer mot ett tolerant immunsvar, men effekter av sublingual immunterapi på immunförsvaret hos barn och ungdomar är knapphändigt undersökta. I det fjärde arbetet undersöktes olika immunologiska mediatorer i blod och saliv hos barn med gräspollenallergi, som deltagit i en studie med sublingual immunterapi. Nivåerna av allergirelaterade cytokiner och kemokiner undersöktes i blodprover från inklusionstillfället, efter tre år med behandling samt två år efter avslutad behandling i plasmaprov och allergenstimulerade blodceller. Dessutom mättes total-IgA, sekretoriskt IgA och gräspollenspecifikt IgA i saliv vid samma tillfällen. Barn som fått aktiv behandling hade högre nivåer av gräspollenspecifika IgA-antikroppar i saliv både när behandlingen avslutades och två år efter. Därtill ökade nivåerna av de Th1-associerade kemokinerna CXCL10 och CXCL11 i blodet vid samma tidpunkter. Sammantaget visade resultaten från det fjärde arbetet att behandlingen med sublingual immunterapi hos barn med gräspollenallergi modulerar immunsvaret både lokalt och i cirkulationen genom att öka Th1- svar, minska Th2-svar och inducera immunreglerande svar, vilket indikerar att tolerans har utvecklats hos dessa barn, delvis även på lång sikt. Sammanfattningsvis har studierna i denna avhandling visat på förändrad immunreglering hos barn som utvecklar allergi. Dessutom påvisades immunmodulerande effekter av prenatal behandling med probiotika och omega-3-fettsyror samt av sublingual immunterapi hos barn med gräspollenallergi. DNA-metyleringsmönster och immunologiska mediatorer i blod och saliv skulle kunna fungera som lämpliga biomarkörer för allergisk sjukdom, vilket är ett viktig led i att kunna förutsäga allergiutveckling och förbättra den kliniska behandlingen av allergier bland barn och ungdomar. Långsiktiga hälsofördelar kan uppnås genom att ingripa tidigt i livet, och vidare kunskap om mekanismerna bakom detta skulle kunna främja förebyggandet av allergiska sjukdomar och således kunna förbättra livskvaliteten för barn och ungdomar.

Allergy Frontiers:Epigenetics, Allergens and Risk Factors

Allergy Frontiers:Epigenetics, Allergens and Risk Factors PDF Author: Ruby Pawankar
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 4431728023
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 445

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Book Description
When I entered the field of allergy in the early 1970s, the standard textbook was a few hundred pages, and the specialty was so compact that texts were often authored entirely by a single individual and were never larger than one volume. Compare this with Allergy Frontiers: Epigenetics, Allergens, and Risk Factors, the present s- volume text with well over 150 contributors from throughout the world. This book captures the explosive growth of our specialty since the single-author textbooks referred to above. The unprecedented format of this work lies in its meticulous attention to detail yet comprehensive scope. For example, great detail is seen in manuscripts dealing with topics such as “Exosomes, naturally occurring minimal antigen presenting units” and “Neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1), an asthma susceptibility gene.” The scope is exemplified by the unique approach to disease entities normally dealt with in a single chapter in most texts. For example, anaphylaxis, a topic usually confined to one chapter in most textbooks, is given five chapters in Allergy Frontiers. This approach allows the text to employ multiple contributors for a single topic, giving the reader the advantage of being introduced to more than one vi- point regarding a single disease.

The Allergy Epidemic

The Allergy Epidemic PDF Author: Susan Prescott
Publisher: Apollo Books
ISBN: 9781742582917
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
As an internationally renowned specialist in childhood allergy and immunology, Prof. Susan Prescott takes us on a journey into the science behind the allergy epidemic. As both an allergy specialist working in a busy children's hospital and as a cutting edge research scientist, Prescott is perfectly placed to explore how and why we are experiencing an epidemic rise in allergic diseases, as well as the practical side of dealing with these potentially serious conditions. With clear, no-nonsense explanations and a very personable style, Prescott informs, assures, and educates in this book.

Epigenetic Biomarkers and Diagnostics

Epigenetic Biomarkers and Diagnostics PDF Author: José Luis García-Giménez
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128019212
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 696

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Book Description
Epigenetic Biomarkers and Diagnostics comprises 31 chapters contributed by leading active researchers in basic and clinical epigenetics. The book begins with the basis of epigenetic mechanisms and descriptions of epigenetic biomarkers that can be used in clinical diagnostics and prognostics. It goes on to discuss classical methods and next generation sequencing-based technologies to discover and analyze epigenetic biomarkers. The book concludes with an account of DNA methylation, post-translational modifications and noncoding RNAs as the most promising biomarkers for cancer (i.e. breast, lung, colon, etc.), metabolic disorders (i.e. diabetes and obesity), autoimmune diseases, infertility, allergy, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. The book describes the challenging aspects of research in epigenetics, and current findings regarding new epigenetic elements and modifiers, providing guidance for researchers interested in the most advanced technologies and tested biomarkers to be used in the clinical diagnosis or prognosis of disease. Focuses on recent progress in several areas of epigenetics, general concepts regarding epigenetics, and the future prospects of this discipline in clinical diagnostics and prognostics Describes the importance of the quality of samples and clinical associated data, and also the ethical issues for epigenetic diagnostics Discusses the advances in epigenomics technologies, including next-generation sequencing based tools and applications Expounds on the utility of epigenetic biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of several diseases, highlighting the study of these biomarkers in cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, infertility, and infectious diseases Includes a special section that discusses the relevance of biobanks in the maintenance of high quality biosamples and clinical-associated data, and the relevance of the ethical aspects in epigenetic studies

Asthma and Rhinitis

Asthma and Rhinitis PDF Author: William W. Busse
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470694815
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1021

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Book Description
The second edition of this highly acclaimed text has been extensively revised and greatly expanded to reflect the considerable advances made in our understanding of the mechanisms of asthma and rhinitis. Containing the contributions of 242 experts of international standing, presented in 133 chapters, Asthma and Rhinitis provides an up-to-date, authoritative reference for both the clinician and scientist. The global approach given in this book mirrors the universal approach to the understanding of allergic disease. The editors have carried out a thorough and radical revision of the content by adding 6 new sections and 44 new chapters. Most of this expansion is due to greatly increased coverage of the clinical aspects of asthma, with new sections on childhood asthma and on drug treatment (each drug class has its own chapter). Also, the expansion of research into the genetic basis of asthma has necessitated a whole new section on Genetics, comprising some six chapters. There are also new chapters on adult-onset asthma and the relationship of asthma to sinusitis. A new section on Asthma in Special Circumstances includes chapters on asthma in pregnancy, asthma and surgery, asthma in the elderly and asthma in the context of critical care. In bringing the Second Edition fully up to date, the book has inevitably increased in size, and is now presented in two volumes. The second edition of Asthma and Rhinitis will continue the tradition of its predecessor of providing an up-to-the-minute reference for all those involved in the management of, and research into, asthma and rhinitis.

Principles of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics

Principles of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics PDF Author: Raffaele De Caterina
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128045876
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 586

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Book Description
Principles of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: Fundamentals for Individualized Nutrition is the most comprehensive foundational text on the complex topics of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. Edited by three leaders in the field with contributions from the most well-cited researchers conducting groundbreaking research in the field, the book covers how the genetic makeup influences the response to foods and nutrients and how nutrients affect gene expression. Principles of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: Fundamentals for Individualized Nutrition is broken into four parts providing a valuable overview of genetics, nutrigenetics, and nutrigenomics, and a conclusion that helps to translate research into practice. With an overview of the background, evidence, challenges, and opportunities in the field, readers will come away with a strong understanding of how this new science is the frontier of medical nutrition. Principles of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: Fundamentals for Individualized Nutrition is a valuable reference for students and researchers studying nutrition, genetics, medicine, and related fields. Uniquely foundational, comprehensive, and systematic approach with full evidence-based coverage of established and emerging topics in nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics Includes a valuable guide to ethics for genetic testing for nutritional advice Chapters include definitions, methods, summaries, figures, and tables to help students, researchers, and faculty grasp key concepts Companion website includes slide decks, images, questions, and other teaching and learning aids designed to facilitate communication and comprehension of the content presented in the book

Epigenetic Epidemiology

Epigenetic Epidemiology PDF Author: Karin B. Michels
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400724950
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 450

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Book Description
The exploding field of epigenetics is challenging the dogma of traditional Mendelian inheritance. Epigenetics plays an important role in shaping who we are and contributes to our prospects of health and disease. While early epigenetic research focused on plant and animal models and in vitro experiments, population-based epidemiologic studies increasingly incorporate epigenetic components. The relevance of epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, genomic imprinting, and histone modification for disease causation has yet to be fully explored.This book covers the basic concepts of epigenetic epidemiology, discusses challenges in study design, analysis, and interpretation, epigenetic laboratory techniques, the influence of age and environmental factors on shaping the epigenome, the role of epigenetics in the developmental origins hypothesis, and provides the state of the art on the epigenetic epidemiology of various health conditions including childhood syndromes, cancer, infectious diseases, inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, diabetes, obesity and metabolic disorders, and atherosclerosis. With contributions from: Peter Jones, Jean-Pierre Issa, Gavin Kelsey, Robert Waterland, and many other experts in epigenetics!