Present and future challenges for the investigation of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

Manon Fallet; Mélanie Blanc; Michela Di Criscio; Philipp Antczak; Magnus Engwall; Carlos Guerrero Bosagna; Joëlle Rüegg; Steffen H. Keiter

Environment International (Feb 2023)

Present and future challenges for the investigation of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

Manon Fallet,
Mélanie Blanc,
Michela Di Criscio,
Philipp Antczak,
Magnus Engwall,
Carlos Guerrero Bosagna,
Joëlle Rüegg,
Steffen H. Keiter

Affiliations

Manon Fallet: Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, 70182 Örebro, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom; Corresponding author at: Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, 70182 Örebro, Sweden.
Mélanie Blanc: MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, Palavas, France
Michela Di Criscio: Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18A, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
Philipp Antczak: University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and Cologne University Hospital, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Germany; Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Magnus Engwall: Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
Carlos Guerrero Bosagna: Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18A, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
Joëlle Rüegg: Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18A, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
Steffen H. Keiter: Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, 70182 Örebro, Sweden

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 172
p. 107776

Abstract

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Epigenetic pathways are essential in different biological processes and in phenotype-environment interactions in response to different stressors and they can induce phenotypic plasticity. They encompass several processes that are mitotically and, in some cases, meiotically heritable, so they can be transferred to subsequent generations via the germline. Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance (TEI) describes the phenomenon that phenotypic traits, such as changes in fertility, metabolic function, or behavior, induced by environmental factors (e.g., parental care, pathogens, pollutants, climate change), can be transferred to offspring generations via epigenetic mechanisms. Investigations on TEI contribute to deciphering the role of epigenetic mechanisms in adaptation, adversity, and evolution. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the transmission of epigenetic changes between generations, and the downstream chain of events leading to persistent phenotypic changes, remain unclear. Therefore, inter-, (transmission of information between parental and offspring generation via direct exposure) and transgenerational (transmission of information through several generations with disappearance of the triggering factor) consequences of epigenetic modifications remain major issues in the field of modern biology.In this article, we review and describe the major gaps and issues still encountered in the TEI field: the general challenges faced in epigenetic research; deciphering the key epigenetic mechanisms in inheritance processes; identifying the relevant drivers for TEI and implement a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach to study TEI. Finally, we provide suggestions on how to overcome these challenges and ultimately be able to identify the specific contribution of epigenetics in transgenerational inheritance and use the correct tools for environmental science investigation and biomarkers identification.

Published in Environment International

ISSN: 0160-4120 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international

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