Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Trends Mol Med. 2011 Dec;17(12):714-24. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.07.005. Epub 2011 Aug 30.
The pathogenic origin of autoimmune diseases can be traced to both genetic susceptibility and epigenetic modifications arising from exposure to the environment. Epigenetic modifications influence gene expression and alter cellular functions without modifying the genomic sequence. CpG-DNA methylation, histone tail modifications and microRNAs (miRNAs) are the main epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases is essential for the introduction of effective, target-directed and tolerated therapies. In this review, we summarize recent findings that signify the importance of epigenetic modifications in autoimmune disorders while focusing on systemic lupus erythematosus. We also discuss future directions in basic research, autoimmune diagnostics and applied therapy.
自身免疫性疾病的发病根源可追溯至遗传易感性和环境暴露引起的表观遗传修饰。表观遗传修饰影响基因表达并改变细胞功能,而不会改变基因组序列。CpG-DNA 甲基化、组蛋白尾部修饰和 microRNAs(miRNAs)是基因调控的主要表观遗传机制。了解参与自身免疫性疾病病理生理学的分子机制对于引入有效、靶向和耐受的治疗方法至关重要。在这篇综述中,我们总结了最近的发现,这些发现表明了表观遗传修饰在自身免疫性疾病中的重要性,重点是系统性红斑狼疮。我们还讨论了基础研究、自身免疫性诊断和应用治疗的未来方向。