Abstract
The development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a highly prevalentcomplication of diabetes mellitus, are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. DKD is an important contributor to the morbidity of patients with diabetes mellitus, indicating aclear need for an improved understanding of disease aetiology to inform the development ofmore efficacious treatments. DKD is characterized by an accumulation of extracellular matrix,hypertrophy and fibrosis in kidney glomerular and tubular cells. Increasing evidence shows thatgenes associated with these features of DKD are regulated not only by classical signalling pathways but also by epigenetic mechanisms involving chromatin histone modifications, DNAmethylation and non-coding RNAs. These mechanisms can respond tochanges in the environment and, importantly, might mediate the persistent long-term expressionof DKD-related genes and phenotypes induced by prior glycaemic exposure despitesubsequent glycaemic control, a phenomenon called metabolic memory. Detection ofepigenetic events during the early stages of DKD could be valuable for timely diagnosis andprompt treatment to prevent progression to end-stage renal disease. Identification of epigenetic signatures of DKD via epigenome-wide association studies might also inform precision medicine approaches. Here, we highlight theemerging role of epigenetics and epigenomics in DKD and the translational potential ofcandidate epigenetic factors andnon-coding RNAs as biomarkers and drug targets forDKD.
Accepted Version (
Free)
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call