DNA methylation in inflammatory bowel disease and beyond

Figure 3 Life-stages with an impact on epigenetic changes that increase inflammatory bowel disease risk. Alterations in DNA methylome in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis begin right from the fertilized egg. The risk alleles are inherited, and its expression is dependent on the parent-of-origin (imprinting). Maternal diet during pregnancy may also potentially alter the fetal IBD-associated-methylome. Exposures to certain microbes during infancy can also have lasting effects on DNA methylation alteration towards IBD susceptibility. Environment-, lifestyle- and diet- associated DNA methylation changes are important aspects during young adulthood where the majority of IBD onset occurs.