Epigenetics: the fine-tuner in inflammatory bowel disease?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Epigenetic studies are transforming our understanding of a variety of complex pathological conditions including cancer, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. A selection of the major recent advances in this area will be reviewed, focusing on the important emerging themes that are relevant to these diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

RECENT FINDINGS

The main current themes that will be addressed on the role of epigenetics in disease pathogenesis include current understanding of the nature and function of histone modifications and DNA methylation; the connection between epigenetics and metabolic pathways; new studies on the mechanism of heritability of epigenetic changes; the role of stochastic noise and the expanding research on chromatin readers and their potential as selective therapeutic targets. The recent contribution of epigenetic modifications in defining the molecular basis of IBD and how such changes may act as fine-tuners of gene expression in these intestinal disorders are also discussed.

SUMMARY

Published evidence over the last 12-18 months indicates that targeting epigenetic factors can be efficacious in cancer and inflammatory disease. All the indications are that future research will continue to reveal new epigenetic targets and mechanisms that will advance the prospects for selective epigenetic therapy for IBD and other complex diseases.