DNA methylation: its contribution to systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Recent studies on epigenetics, including the methylation of DNA and the enzymes regulating methylation, seem likely to contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In fact, the relationship between DNA methylation and SLE has long been the subject of investigation. To obtain a deeper understanding of the role of DNA methylation in the onset of SLE, we reviewed the findings reported in the literature and our own data about DNA methylation and SLE. Various studies have indicated the possible importance of DNA methylation, especially hypomethylation, in the aetiology of SLE. Epigenetic studies may provide clues for elucidating the pathogenesis of SLE and for developing new strategies to treat this disease.

Potential directions for drug development for osteoarthritis

“…In the last 20 years, the study of epigenetics has expanded greatly and there is convincing evidence that the methylation status is altered in disease and that the alteration is maintained and passed onto daughter cells. Such changes have been reported for cancer [80], for auto immune diseases [81] and for the inflammatory rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythmatosus [82][83][84][85]. Similar changes may also be involved in other complex diseases [68,86,87].…”

Heterogeneous clinical presentation in ICF syndrome: correlation with underlying gene defects

“…Interestingly, it has been suggested that these features, together with development of cerebral atrophy, are reminiscent of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 1 which is linked to DNA hypomethylation. 17 However, mRNA levels of DNMT3B in T-cells of SLE patients are comparably low as that in normal controls. 18 In mice, it has been reported that Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b function as de novo methyltransferases during hematopoietic differentiation, and therefore have a critical role in hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal.…”

Infectious Agents and Xenobiotics in the Etiology of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

“…Indeed, while geoepidemiology warrants further investigation [140][141][142][143][144][145], identified risk factors and experimental data appear to point in the same directions and support a role for infectious agents and/or xenobiotics. However, we cannot rule out that what is currently thought to be caused by an agent found in the environment is in fact a result of epigenetic changes, as suggested in other autoimmune diseases [146]. Similarly, the study of innate immunity, as supported by data in other autoimmune condi-tions [147] is expected to provide crucial evidence to complete the scenario.…”