Fig. 1
From: Epigenetic impacts of maternal tobacco and e-vapour exposure on the offspring lung
Effect of IL-4 and IL-13 promoter region hypomethylation. a Methylation (Me) inhibits binding of RNA Polymerase II (RNA Pol II) to gene promoter region, thereby suppressing gene transcription. b METS exposure demethylates IL-4 and IL-13 promoter region in offspring [114, 116], allowing for RNA Pol II to commence mRNA transcription, leading to IL-4 and IL-13 protein translation; therein contributing to pathological changes in the airway wall leading to goblet cell hyperplasia, increased mucin stores, promotion of IgE production, and accumulation of eosinophils, mast cells and basophils. Mast cells and basophils further produce Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13, further perpetuating the airway inflammation