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Review
. 2018 May 23:14:39.
doi: 10.1186/s13223-018-0259-4. eCollection 2018.

Histone modifications and their role in epigenetics of atopy and allergic diseases

Bilal Alaskhar Alhamwe #  1   2 , Razi Khalaila #  1 , Johanna Wolf #  1 , Verena von Bülow  1 , Hani Harb  1   2   3   4 , Fahd Alhamdan  1 , Charles S Hii  5   6 , Susan L Prescott  2   7 , Antonio Ferrante  2   5   6 , Harald Renz #  1   2   3 , Holger Garn #  1   3 , Daniel P Potaczek #  1   2   3   8
Affiliations
Review

Histone modifications and their role in epigenetics of atopy and allergic diseases

Bilal Alaskhar Alhamwe et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. .

Abstract

This review covers basic aspects of histone modification and the role of posttranslational histone modifications in the development of allergic diseases, including the immune mechanisms underlying this development. Together with DNA methylation, histone modifications (including histone acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, etc.) represent the classical epigenetic mechanisms. However, much less attention has been given to histone modifications than to DNA methylation in the context of allergy. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to provide an unbiased and comprehensive update on the involvement of histone modifications in allergy and the mechanisms underlying this development. In addition to covering the growing interest in the contribution of histone modifications in regulating the development of allergic diseases, this review summarizes some of the evidence supporting this contribution. There are at least two levels at which the role of histone modifications is manifested. One is the regulation of cells that contribute to the allergic inflammation (T cells and macrophages) and those that participate in airway remodeling [(myo-) fibroblasts]. The other is the direct association between histone modifications and allergic phenotypes. Inhibitors of histone-modifying enzymes may potentially be used as anti-allergic drugs. Furthermore, epigenetic patterns may provide novel tools in the diagnosis of allergic disorders.

Keywords: Allergy; Asthma; Atopy; Epigenetic (-s); Histone acetylation; Histone methylation; Histone modification (-s); Histone phosphorylation; Immunity; Inflammation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Strategy of systematic literature search and its results
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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