Epigenetics and Autoimmune Diseases

Abstract

Epigenetics is defined as the study of all inheritable and potentially reversible changes in genome function that do not alter the nucleotide sequence within the DNA. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, nucleosome positioning, and microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential to carry out key functions in the regulation of gene expression. Therefore, the epigenetic mechanisms are a window to understanding the possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of complex diseases such as autoimmune diseases. It is noteworthy that autoimmune diseases do not have the same epidemiology, pathology, or symptoms but do have a common origin that can be explained by the sharing of immunogenetic mechanisms. Currently, epigenetic research is looking for disruption in one or more epigenetic mechanisms to provide new insights into autoimmune diseases. The identification of cell-specific targets of epigenetic deregulation will serve us as clinical markers for diagnosis, disease progression, and therapy approaches.

New IL-15 receptor-α splicing variants identified in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells

“…20 All these epigenetic modifications are related to gene expression, as well as to the presence of different variants of splicing. 21 This work is focused on the intestinal epithelium as an essential physical barrier and an immunological regulator in the intestine.…”

Epigenetics of oral infection and inflammatory diseases—DNA methylation changes in infections and inflammation diseases

“…DNMT3a and DNMT3b are de novo DNMTs that are responsible for methylation during embryonic development. DNMT2 and DNMT3L act on transfer RNA and during embryogenesis, respectively [5]. Alteration in DNMT expression is often observed in human disease including malignant and inflammatory diseases and may be of use as potential therapeutic targets [19].…”

“…Epigenetic events refer to chemical modifications of the DNA and the selective activation or inactivation of genes thereby influencing their expression. DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs, and nucleosome positioning are major mechanisms of epigenetic alterations in human cells [1,4,5]. Epigenetic changes are essential for embryogenesis and development in higher eukaryotes, and the breakdown of epigenetic changes can result in viviparous death.…”

“…Aberrant epigenetic changes may induce malignancy or other acquired diseases, and aberrant methylation is well documented in malignant and premalignant lesions [6,7]. It has recently been shown that epigenetic modifications may cause other common diseases, such as diabetes, metabolic diseases, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases [1,4,5,8]. Recently, epigenetic alterations have been implicated in the development of periodontal disease [9][10][11].…”

Genetic and epigenetic aspects of celiac disease

“…A dimetilált gének közé tartozik a lymphocytatúlélés és apoptózis szabályozásában döntő szerepet játszó sejtfelszíni receptorokat kódoló CTLA-4 (citotoxikus T-lymphocytaantigén-4) gén is, amelynek "G"-allélje 1-es típusú diabetes mellitus kialakulására hajlamosít, míg "A"-alléljének coeliakiában, Hashimoto-thyreoiditisben és Addisonkórban ismert kóroki szerepe [15,16].…”