Epigenetic regulation of anterior segment diseases and potential therapeutics

Abstract

In recent years, technological advances in sequencing have accelerated our understanding of epigenetics in ocular development and ophthalmic diseases. We now know that epigenetic modifications are necessary for normal ocular development and biological processes such as corneal wound healing and ocular surface repair, while aberrant epigenetic regulation underlies the pathogenesis of a wide range of ocular diseases, including cataracts and various diseases of the ocular surface. As the epigenetics of the eye is a constantly changing field of medicine, this comprehensive review focuses on innovations and scientific discoveries related to epigenetic control of anterior segment diseases that were published in the English literature in the past five years. These recent studies attempt to elucidate therapeutic targets for the anterior segment pathological processes. Already, recent studies have shown therapeutic potential in targeting epigenetic mechanisms of ocular disease, and new epigenetic therapies are on the verge of being introduced to clinical practice. New drug targets can potentially emerge as we make further discoveries within this field.

Biomechanical Modulation Therapy—A Stem Cell Therapy Without Stem Cells for the Treatment of Severe Ocular Burns

“…For example, hypermethylation of lysine 4 and hypomethylation of lysine 27 on the histone H3 protein at the TGFBIp locus are putative pathogenic mechanisms involved in corneal dystrophies, including ocular surface fibrosis and impaired wound healing. 46,47 DNA methyltransferates (DNMTs) have also been shown to play a role during corneal epithelial wound healing, with increased expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3B contributing to the control of epithelial cell migration, differentiation, and proliferation. 48 Increasing evidence thus suggests that epigenetic regulators represent promising targets for controlling corneal stem cell behavior and promoting corneal epithelial healing post-injury through the use of highly selective and easily deliverable molecular biology tools (Fig.…”

Extracellular vesicle‐carried microRNA‐27b derived from mesenchymal stem cells accelerates cutaneous wound healing via E3 ubiquitin ligase ITCH

“…1 Unfavourable wound healing, particularly in exposed body regions, is not only unappealing visually, but also renders an individual more susceptible to tissue infection, necrosis, poor skin barrier protection and other severe consequences. 2 Despite advances made in therapeutic wound healing, the complexity of this process remains a notable clinical obstacle worldwide, [3][4][5] with the mechanism of wound healing yet to be fully understood. 6 Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent crucial elements in tissue homeostasis and regeneration owing to their immunomodulatory potential and release of trophic factors that promote healing.…”

Atypical U3 snoRNA Suppresses the Process of Pterygium Through Modulating 18S Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

“…Epigenetics is relevant to ocular diseases, 38 , 39 and noncoding RNA regulation, including microRNAs, 40 lncRNAs, 41 and circRNAs, 42 have been extensively studied in pterygium; however, studies on the mechanism of action of snoRNAs in pterygium development have not been reported. The snoRNAs, as a member of noncoding RNAs, are primarily involved in directing post-transcriptional modifications of rRNA and snRNA, 43 and U3 snoRNA is a specific C/D box snoRNA 17 , 44 that involved in rRNA processing.…”