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Molecular Insights into the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 3967

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paramjit S. Tappia

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Guest Editor

Asper Clinical Research Institute, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
Interests: cardiovascular disease; diabetes; nutrition; early-stage lung cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Bram Ramjiawan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Asper Clinical Research Institute, St. Boniface Hospital, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
Interests: oncology; research; pharmacology; ethics; cancer; cardiology; diabetes; innovation; regulatory
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many lines of epidemiological, clinical, and experimental evidence have concluded that the risk of developing chronic, noncommunicable diseases in adulthood may be influenced by molecular and genetic aspects as well as lifestyle and environmental experiences during early life. Fetal development and infancy are characterized by the rapid growth, development, and maturation of organ systems. It has now become increasingly evident that several pathophysiological conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, that occur in adolescence and adulthood may have their origins during fetal or postnatal development. While maternal nutrition (poor quality and quantity) is the most examined aspect in terms of influencing the development of fetal organ systems, paternal stressors have also recently emerged as critical developmental and molecular elements that can increase offspring’s predisposition to adverse health outcomes in later life.

This Special Issue will bring together global experts in the field of developmental and molecular programming to provide an overview of as well as recent advances in the understanding of the long-term consequences of the programming of gene expression and the modification of the molecular biology of organ systems during fetal and postnatal development. Since nutritional exposure during fetal development can also be transmitted to further generations, the impact of heritable epigenetic modifications on nutritional programming and increased risk for disease in postnatal life will be described. Furthermore, the potential importance and molecular aspects of normal fetal nutrition, growth, and development through efficient maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy will be highlighted as a novel strategy for the primary prevention of disease in later life.

Dr. Paramjit S. Tappia
Dr. Bram Ramjiawan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)
fetal development
maternal nutrition
molecular programming
epigenetic modifications
environmental exposures
genetic factors

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2548 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perinatal Use of Citrulline Rescues Hypertension in Adult Male Offspring Born to Pregnant Uremic Rats

by You-Lin Tain, Chih-Yao Hou, Guo-Ping Chang-Chien, Sufan Lin and Chien-Ning Hsu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(3), 1612; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031612 - 28 Jan 2024

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Abstract

The growing recognition of the association between maternal chronic kidney disease (CKD) and fetal programming highlights the increased vulnerability of hypertension in offspring. Potential mechanisms involve oxidative stress, dysbiosis in gut microbiota, and activation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). Our prior investigation showed that the administration of adenine to pregnant rats resulted in the development of CKD, ultimately causing hypertension in their adult offspring. Citrulline, known for enhancing nitric oxide (NO) production and possessing antioxidant and antihypertensive properties, was explored for its potential to reverse high blood pressure (BP) in offspring born to CKD dams. Male rat offspring, both from normal and adenine-induced CKD models, were randomly assigned to four groups (8 animals each): (1) control, (2) CKD, (3) citrulline-treated control rats, and (4) citrulline-treated CKD rats. Citrulline supplementation successfully reversed elevated BP in male progeny born to uremic mothers. The protective effects of perinatal citrulline supplementation were linked to an enhanced NO pathway, decreased expression of renal (pro)renin receptor, and changes in gut microbiota composition. Citrulline supplementation led to a reduction in the abundance of Monoglobus and Streptococcus genera and an increase in Agothobacterium Butyriciproducens. Citrulline’s ability to influence taxa associated with hypertension may be linked to its protective effects against maternal CKD-induced offspring hypertension. In conclusion, perinatal citrulline treatment increased NO availability and mitigated elevated BP in rat offspring from uremic mother rats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease)

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Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 1363 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor on Antenatal Chemical Exposure-Induced Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Programming

by You-Lin Tain and Chien-Ning Hsu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4599; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094599 - 23 Apr 2024

Viewed by 247

Abstract

Early life exposure lays the groundwork for the risk of developing cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome in adulthood. Various environmental chemicals to which pregnant mothers are commonly exposed can disrupt fetal programming, leading to a wide range of CKM phenotypes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has a key role as a ligand-activated transcription factor in sensing these environmental chemicals. Activating AHR through exposure to environmental chemicals has been documented for its adverse impacts on cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as evidenced by both epidemiological and animal studies. In this review, we compile current human evidence and findings from animal models that support the connection between antenatal chemical exposures and CKM programming, focusing particularly on AHR signaling. Additionally, we explore potential AHR modulators aimed at preventing CKM syndrome. As the pioneering review to present evidence advocating for the avoidance of toxic chemical exposure during pregnancy and deepening our understanding of AHR signaling, this has the potential to mitigate the global burden of CKM syndrome in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease)

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64 pages, 5766 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of Eukaryote Cellular Membrane Lipid Composition, with Special Attention to the Fatty Acids

by Omeralfaroug Ali and András Szabó

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(21), 15693; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115693 - 28 Oct 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2181

Abstract

Biological membranes, primarily composed of lipids, envelop each living cell. The intricate composition and organization of membrane lipids, including the variety of fatty acids they encompass, serve a dynamic role in sustaining cellular structural integrity and functionality. Typically, modifications in lipid composition coincide with consequential alterations in universally significant signaling pathways. Exploring the various fatty acids, which serve as the foundational building blocks of membrane lipids, provides crucial insights into the underlying mechanisms governing a myriad of cellular processes, such as membrane fluidity, protein trafficking, signal transduction, intercellular communication, and the etiology of certain metabolic disorders. Furthermore, comprehending how alterations in the lipid composition, especially concerning the fatty acid profile, either contribute to or prevent the onset of pathological conditions stands as a compelling area of research. Hence, this review aims to meticulously introduce the intricacies of membrane lipids and their constituent fatty acids in a healthy organism, thereby illuminating their remarkable diversity and profound influence on cellular function. Furthermore, this review aspires to highlight some potential therapeutic targets for various pathological conditions that may be ameliorated through dietary fatty acid supplements. The initial section of this review expounds on the eukaryotic biomembranes and their complex lipids. Subsequent sections provide insights into the synthesis, membrane incorporation, and distribution of fatty acids across various fractions of membrane lipids. The last section highlights the functional significance of membrane-associated fatty acids and their innate capacity to shape the various cellular physiological responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease)

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