The emerging role of epigenetics in human autoimmune disorders

Roberta Mazzone,Antonello Mai,Samanta Taurone,Antonio Greco,Massimo Ralli,Marco Artico,Clemens Zwergel

doi:10.1186/s13148-019-0632-2

Abstract

Epigenetic pathways play a pivotal role in the development and function of the immune system. Over the last decade, a growing body of studies has been published out seeking to explain a correlation between epigenetic modifications and the development of autoimmune disorders. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs, are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases mainly by regulating gene expression. This paper reviews the importance of epigenetic alterations during the development of the most prevalent human autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), Sjogren’s syndrome (SS), autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), and type 1 diabetes (T1D), aiming to provide new insights in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and the possibility to develop novel therapeutic approaches targeting the epigenome.

Highlights

Epigenetic mechanisms, known for their ability to regulate gene transcription and genomic stability, are key players for maintaining normal cell growth, development, and differentiation [1]
This work has been focused on epigenetic mechanisms regulating several autoimmune disorders with the aim to provide new therapeutic ideas in this area of interest (Fig. 1)
The link between epigenetics and autoimmunity has been widely documented in the literature; more and more extensive studies are required to better understand the influence of these modifications in the different autoimmune disorders

Summary

Introduction

Epigenetic mechanisms, known for their ability to regulate gene transcription and genomic stability, are key players for maintaining normal cell growth, development, and differentiation [1]. Epigenetic dysregulation directly influences the development of autoimmunity by regulating immune cell functions [2]. Recent findings underlined the critical role of DNA methylation in numerous autoimmune diseases by altering gene expression profiles [12–15].

Results

Conclusion