DNA methylation profiling highlights the unique nature of the human placental epigenome

Abstract

As the ‘gateway’ to the fetus, the placenta is subject to a myriad of environmental factors, each with the potential to alter placental epigenetic and gene expression profile. This can have direct consequences for the developing fetus and potentially even long-term health implications. As a result, interest in placental epigenetics generally, and changes occurring in placenta-associated disease, has intensified over recent years. This article will discuss the general features of placental DNA methylation and will describe current technologies for profiling genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in this tissue, the approaches to data analysis and some of the major findings from recent studies.