The role of DNA methylation in the association between childhood adversity and cardiometabolic disease

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that adverse environmental stimuli, especially during sensitive periods in early life, may lead to cardiometabolic disease in later life. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain a mystery. Recent studies inferred that epigenetic modifications are likely involved. We review recent studies, primarily focused on the findings from human studies, to indicate the role of DNA methylation in the associations between childhood adversity and cardiometabolic disease in adulthood. In particular, we focused on DNA methylation modifications in genes regulating the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis as well as the immune system.