Minor Changes for a Major Impact: A Review of Epigenetic Modifications in Cell-Based Therapies for Stroke

Abstract

Epigenetic changes in stroke may revolutionize cell-based therapies aimed at reducing ischemic stroke risk and damage. Epigenetic changes are a novel therapeutic target due to their specificity and potential for reversal. Possible targets for epigenetic modification include DNA methylation and demethylation, post-translational histone modification, and the actions of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs. Many of these epigenetic modifications have been reported to modulate atherosclerosis development and progression, ultimately contributing to stroke pathogenesis. Furthermore, epigenetics may play a major role in inflammatory responses following stroke. Stem cells for stroke have demonstrated safety in clinical trials for stroke and show therapeutic benefit in pre-clinical studies. The efficacy of these cell-based interventions may be amplified with adjunctive epigenetic modifications. This review advances the role of epigenetics in atherosclerosis and inflammation in the context of stroke, followed by a discussion on current stem cell studies modulating epigenetics to ameliorate stroke damage.

Long-term effects of myo-inositol on traumatic brain injury: Epigenomic and transcriptomic studies

“…All these consequences are linked to the long-term electrophysiological, morphological, biochemical, and molecular biological alterations ( Rakib et al, 2021 , Ratliff et al, 2020 , Ustaoglu et al, 2021 ). Among processes associated with TBI that can intensively influence long-lasting cellular activity are epigenetic alterations, which play a key role in regulation of gene expression at many different levels, including transcription and post-transcriptional modifications, as well as translation and post-translational modifications ( Monsour et al, 2022 , Zima et al, 2022 ). The main mechanisms of epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation and demethylation, post-translational histone modification, and the actions of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs ( Monsour et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Among processes associated with TBI that can intensively influence long-lasting cellular activity are epigenetic alterations, which play a key role in regulation of gene expression at many different levels, including transcription and post-transcriptional modifications, as well as translation and post-translational modifications ( Monsour et al, 2022 , Zima et al, 2022 ). The main mechanisms of epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation and demethylation, post-translational histone modification, and the actions of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs ( Monsour et al, 2022 ). DNA methylation is a process involving the covalent transfer of a methyl group to the C-5 position of the cytosine ring of DNA.…”