Epigenetic dysregulation and the etiology of spina bifida

Spina bifida is a complex and multifactorial congenital defect driven by both genetic and environmental factors. As such, epigenetic studies of spina bifida present an opportunity to study the joint contribution of both genes and the environment in the development of this disorder. This review focuses specifically on epigenetic research that may help us to understand the ways in which dysregulation of the epigenome and downstream cellular processes can confer increased risk of spina bifida. To do so, we discuss the epigenetic regulation of genes linked to spina bifida risk among children born with the disorder and their parents as well as evidence from experimental studies. We also discuss pathways necessary for normal neural tube development and specific documented dysregulation of these pathways in individuals with spina bifida. We conclude that the epigenome plays an important role in spina bifida etiology and should be further studied in additional populations, and tissue types, as well as cellular and animal models.