Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic diseases that are by far the leading cause of death in the world. Many occupational hazards, together with social, economic and demographic factors, have been associated to NCDs development. Genetic susceptibility or environmental exposures alone are not usually sufficient to explain the pathogenesis of NCDs, but can be integrated in a more complex scenario that can result in pathological phenotypes. Epigenetics is a crucial component of this scenario, as its changes are related to specific exposures, therefore potentially able to display the effects of environment on the genome, filling the gap between genetic asset and environment in explaining disease development. To date, the most promising biomarkers have been assessed in occupational cohorts as well as in case/control studies and include DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNA expression, extracellular vesicles, telomere length, and mitochondrial alterations.

Molecular and epigenetic markers as promising tools to quantify the effect of occupational exposures and the risk of developing non-communicable diseases / L. Ferrari, S. Pavanello, V. Bollati. - In: LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO. - ISSN 0025-7818. - 110:3(2019 Jun), pp. 168-190. [10.23749/mdl.v110i3.8538]

Molecular and epigenetic markers as promising tools to quantify the effect of occupational exposures and the risk of developing non-communicable diseases

L. Ferrari
Primo
;
V. Bollati
Ultimo
2019

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic diseases that are by far the leading cause of death in the world. Many occupational hazards, together with social, economic and demographic factors, have been associated to NCDs development. Genetic susceptibility or environmental exposures alone are not usually sufficient to explain the pathogenesis of NCDs, but can be integrated in a more complex scenario that can result in pathological phenotypes. Epigenetics is a crucial component of this scenario, as its changes are related to specific exposures, therefore potentially able to display the effects of environment on the genome, filling the gap between genetic asset and environment in explaining disease development. To date, the most promising biomarkers have been assessed in occupational cohorts as well as in case/control studies and include DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNA expression, extracellular vesicles, telomere length, and mitochondrial alterations.
Biomarkers; DNA Methylation; Humans; Epigenesis, Genetic; Noncommunicable Diseases; Occupational Exposure
Settore MED/44 - Medicina del Lavoro
giu-2019
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/707716
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