基于文献计量学的 2012 至 2022 年自身免疫性疾病表观遗传修饰的全球研究热点与前沿趋势分析

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown substantial progress in understanding the association between epigenetics and autoimmune diseases. However, there is a lack of comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this research area. This article aims to present the current status and hot topics of epigenetic research in autoimmune diseases (ADs) from a bibliometric perspective, as well as explore the frontier hotspots and trends in epigenetic studies related to ADs. METHODS: This study collected 1870 epigenetic records related to autoimmune diseases from the web of science core collection database, spanning from 2012 to 2022. Analysis of regions, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords was conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the R package "bibliometrix" to predict the latest trends in epigenetic research relevant to autoimmune diseases. RESULTS: The number of epigenetic publications related to autoimmune diseases has been increasing annually. The United States has played a major role in this field, contributing over 45.9% of publications and leading in terms of publication volume and citation counts. Central South University emerged as the most active institution, contributing the highest number of publications. Frontiers in Immunology is the most popular journal in this field, publishing the most articles, while the Journal of Autoimmunity is the most co-cited journal. Lu QJ is the most prolific author, and Zhao M is the most frequently co-cited author. "Immunology" serves as a broad representative of epigenetic research in ADs. Hot topics in the field of epigenetic modifications associated with autoimmune diseases include "regulatory T cells (Treg)," "rheumatoid arthritis," "epigenetic regulation," "cAMPresponsive element modulator alpha," "cell-specific enhancer," "genetic susceptibility," and "systemic lupus erythematosus." Furthermore, the study discusses the frontiers and existing issues of epigenetic modifications in the development of autoimmune diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledge structure and developmental trends in epigenetic research related to autoimmune diseases over the past 11 years.

背景：最近的研究表明，在理解表观遗传学与自身免疫性疾病之间的关联方面取得了实质性进展。然而，在这个研究领域缺乏全面的文献计量分析。本文旨在从文献计量学的角度展示自身免疫性疾病（AD）中表观遗传学研究的现状和热点，并探讨与 AD 相关的表观遗传学研究的前沿热点和趋势。

方法：本研究从 web of science 核心合集数据库中收集了 1870 篇与自身免疫性疾病相关的表观遗传记录，时间跨度为 2012 年至 2022 年。使用 CiteSpace、VOSviewer 和 R 包“bibliometrix”对地区、机构、期刊、作者和关键词进行分析，以预测与自身免疫性疾病相关的表观遗传学研究的最新趋势。

结果：与自身免疫性疾病相关的表观遗传文献数量呈逐年增加趋势。美国在该领域发挥了主要作用，发表的文献占比超过 45.9%，在发表数量和被引频次方面均处于领先地位。中南大学是最活跃的机构，发表的文献数量最多。《Frontiers in Immunology》是该领域最受欢迎的期刊，发表的文章最多，而《Journal of Autoimmunity》是被引频次最高的期刊。Lu QJ 是最有影响力的作者，Zhao M 是被引频次最高的作者。“免疫学”是 AD 中表观遗传学研究的广泛代表。与自身免疫性疾病相关的表观遗传修饰的热点话题包括“调节性 T 细胞（Treg）”、“类风湿关节炎”、“表观遗传调控”、“cAMP 反应元件调节剂 alpha”、“细胞特异性增强子”、“遗传易感性”和“系统性红斑狼疮”。此外，该研究还讨论了自身免疫性疾病中表观遗传修饰的前沿问题和存在的问题。

结论：本研究全面概述了过去 11 年自身免疫性疾病相关表观遗传学研究的知识结构和发展趋势。