March 11, 2025: New Publication in Epigenomes
Our lab has published new research uncovering the epigenetic mechanisms linking prenatal pollen exposure to childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis. The study, published in March 2025, reveals how DNA methylation at birth may mediate these relationships.
Using data from 236 children in the Isle of Wight birth cohort, we identified specific DNA methylation patterns in newborns associated with prenatal pollen grain exposure. Intriguingly, altered methylation at genes including ZNF99, ADM2, and HCG11 was linked to decreased incidence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in childhood.
This groundbreaking work provides new insights into how environmental exposures during pregnancy may influence immune development through epigenetic modifications, potentially opening avenues for early intervention strategies for childhood respiratory conditions.
