Meeting Abstract

S1.2-2  Saturday, Jan. 4 10:30  Epigenetics in Cardiovascular Development HO, D.H.; Georgia Regents University, Augusta dho@gru.edu

The field of epigenetics has gained much attention in the past few decades due to the fact that, in many instances, epigenetic processes outweigh direct genetic processes in the manifestation of aberrant phenotypes. Maternal effects, or the influences of maternal environment, phenotype and/or genotype on offspring phenotype that are independent of offspring genotype, are a subcategory of transgenerational epigenetic effects. Due to the intimate role of the mother during early development in animals, there is much interest in investigating the means by which maternal effects can shape the individual. Maternal effects are responsible for cellular organization, body axis determination, initiation and maturation of organ systems, and physiological performance of a wide variety of species and biological systems. The cardiovascular system is the first to become functional and can significantly influence the development of other organ systems. Thus, it is important to elucidate the role of maternal effects in cardiovascular development, and understand its impact on adult cardiovascular health. Topics to be addressed include: (1) how and when do maternal effects change the developmental trajectory of the cardiovascular system to permanently alter the adult cardiovascular phenotype, (2) what molecular mechanisms have been associated with maternally-induced cardiovascular phenotypes, and (3) what animal models (i.e. the chicken and the rodent) can help to better understand the role of maternal effects in the transgenerational transfer of cardiovascular phenotype.