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Review
. 2019 Feb 26;11(1):34.
doi: 10.1186/s13148-019-0632-2.

The emerging role of epigenetics in human autoimmune disorders

Roberta Mazzone  1   2 , Clemens Zwergel  1 , Marco Artico  3 , Samanta Taurone  4 , Massimo Ralli  3 , Antonio Greco  3 , Antonello Mai  5   6
Affiliations
Review

The emerging role of epigenetics in human autoimmune disorders

Roberta Mazzone et al. Clin Epigenetics. .

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.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Epigenetic pathways; Epigenetics; Gene expression.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic representation of key epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and RNA-based mechanism) involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including SLE, RA, SSc, SS, AITD, and T1D
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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