Fetal programming of cellular aging

Background The research field of "fetal programming of health and disease risk" investigates how intrauterine factors can shape individual vulnerability for disease risk in later life. The search for molecular mechanisms that mediate biological embedding of fetal environmental exposures and thereby disease susceptibility is an area of active interest and investigation. Objectives The present article introduces the concept of fetal programming of disease vulnerability and advances the hypothesis that telomere biology may represent a common mechanism underlying the observed effects of a disparate set of suboptimal intrauterine exposures on various health and disease risk phenotypes of interest. Findings from animal and human studies are presented regarding the effects of prenatal conditions (e.g., unfavorable maternal [mal]nutrition, maternal stress and obstetric risk conditions during pregnancy) on the offspring telomere biology system, as well as on the association between alterations in the telomere system and increased risk for aging-related disorders. Some studies suggest that "mind-body" interventions may have a positive impact on telomere biology. Conclusion The studies and findings summarized here provide insights into potential molecular mechanisms underlying the association between intrauterine exposures and disease risk in later life. However, there is currently a lack of translation of research findings related to fetal programming to clinical applications. Early risk identification (during pregnancy) could contribute to the development of strategies to improve the precision of current clinical diagnostic tools and the success of interventions to prevent or reverse fetal programming of disease risk and thereby contribute to the health and well-being of the next generation.