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Epigenetic factors involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 145:1049-1060. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2019.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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The epigenetic face of lupus: Focus on antigen-presenting cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 81:106262. [PMID: 32045873 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, epigenetic mechanisms became widely known due to their ability to regulate and maintain physiological processes such as cell growth, development, differentiation and genomic stability. When dysregulated, epigenetic mechanisms, may introduce gene expression changes and disturbance in immune homeostasis leading to autoimmune diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most extensively studied autoimmune disorder, has already been correlated with epigenetic modifications, especially in T cells. Since these cell rely on antigen presentation, it may be assumed that erroneous activity of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), culminates in T cell abnormalities. In this review we summarize and discuss the epigenetic modifications in SLE affected APCs, with the focus on dendritic cells (DCs), B cells and monocytes. Unravelling this aspect of SLE pathogenesis, might result in identification of new disease biomarkers and putative therapeutic approaches.
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Olisova OY, Kochergin NG, Kayumova LN, Zavarykina TM, Dmitriev AA, Asanov AY. Skin DNA methylation profile in atopic dermatitis patients: A case–control study. Exp Dermatol 2019; 29:184-189. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Yu. Olisova
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University) Moscow Russia
| | - Nikolay G. Kochergin
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University) Moscow Russia
| | - Lyailya N. Kayumova
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University) Moscow Russia
| | - Tatiana M. Zavarykina
- N.M. Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
| | - Alexey A. Dmitriev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
| | - Aliy Yu. Asanov
- Department of Medical Genetics I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University) Moscow Russia
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Effect of Jieduquyuziyin prescription-treated rat serum on MeCP2 gene expression in Jurkat T cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2018; 54:692-704. [PMID: 30367366 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-018-0295-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
How genomic DNA methylation and methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene expression affect the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains poorly understood. Traditional Chinese medicine has a unique effect in the treatment of SLE patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JP)-treated rat serum on the gene expression of MeCP2 in Jurkat T cells and its role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Jurkat T cells were harvested, and drug-containing serum was prepared. The ferulic acid and paeoniflorin content in the drug-containing serum were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assays were used to screen the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum. The DNA methylation level in Jurkat T cells was detected with a Methylamp™ Total DNA Methylation Kit. The methylation status of the MeCP2 promoter region was detected using bisulfite modification and methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Real-time PCR was used to measure MeCP2 mRNA expression. Western blotting and flow cytometry were done to detect MeCP2 protein expression in Jurkat cell nuclei. Paeoniflorin and ferulic acid were detected in the drug-containing serum of JP-treated rats. The results showed that cell growth was affected in the high serum-containing drug group. The experimental results showed that JP and prednisone acetate increased the level of genomic DNA methylation and MeCP2 gene promoter region methylation in Jurkat cells. MeCP2 mRNA and protein levels were also increased in the JP and prednisone acetate groups. Furthermore, flow cytometry revealed that the expression of MeCP2 protein in Jurkat T cell nuclei was higher in the drug group than the blank control group, and these results were consistent with the western blot analysis results. Our study found that there is a negative correlation between drug-containing serum and cell survival rate. JP upregulated the levels of DNA methylation, MeCP2 mRNA and protein as effectively as prednisone acetate and thus may activate the MeCP2 gene by increasing the methylation level, thereby inhibiting the pathogenesis of SLE. Therefore, JP may potentially be used to treat SLE patients. The Jurkat T lymphocyte in vitro experiments provided a foundation to study the effects of JP on the lupus mouse CD4+ T cell methylation mechanism and to further explore the pathogenesis of SLE.
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Lawless OJ, Bellanti JA, Brown ML, Sandberg K, Umans JG, Zhou L, Chen W, Wang J, Wang K, Zheng SG. In vitro induction of T regulatory cells by a methylated CpG DNA sequence in humans: Potential therapeutic applications in allergic and autoimmune diseases. Allergy Asthma Proc 2018; 39:143-152. [PMID: 29490770 PMCID: PMC6479479 DOI: 10.2500/aap.2018.39.4113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic and autoimmune diseases comprise a group of inflammatory disorders caused by aberrant immune responses in which CD25+ Forkhead box P3-positive (FOXP3+) T regulatory (Treg) cells that normally suppress inflammatory events are often poorly functioning. This has stimulated an intensive investigative effort to find ways of increasing Tregs as a method of therapy for these conditions. One such line of investigation includes the study of how ligation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by CpG oligonucleotides (ODN) results in an immunostimulatory cascade that leads to induction of T-helper (Th) type 1 and Treg-type immune responses. OBJECTIVE The present study investigated the mechanisms by which calf thymus mammalian double-stranded DNA (CT-DNA) and a synthetic methylated DNA CpG ODN sequence suppress in vitro lymphoproliferative responses to antigens, mitogens, and alloantigens when measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation and promote FoxP3 expression in human CD4+ T cells in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta and interleukin-2 (IL-2). METHODS Lymphoproliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from four healthy subjects or nine subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus to CT-DNA or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was measured by tritiated thymidine ([3H]-TdR) incorporation expressed as a stimulation index. Mechanisms of immunosuppressive effects of CT-DNA were evaluated by measurement of the degree of inhibition to lymphoproliferative responses to streptokinase-streptodornase, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), or alloantigens by a Con A suppressor assay. The effects of CpG methylation on induction of FoxP3 expression in human T cells were measured by comparing inhibitory responses of synthetic methylated and nonmethylated 8-mer CpG ODN sequences by using cell sorting, in vitro stimulation, and suppressor assay. RESULTS Here, we showed that CT-DNA and a synthetic methylated DNA 8-mer sequence could suppress antigen-, mitogen-, and alloantigen-induced lymphoproliferation in vitro when measured by [3H]-thymidine. The synthetic methylated DNA CpG ODN but not an unmethylated CpG ODN sequence was shown to promote FoxP3 expression in human CD4+ T cells in the presence of TGF beta and IL-2. The induction of FoxP3+ suppressor cells is dose dependent and offers a potential clinical therapeutic application in allergic and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. CONCLUSION The use of this methylated CpG ODN offers a broad clinical application as a novel therapeutic method for Treg induction and, because of its low cost and small size, should facilitate delivery via nasal, respiratory, gastrointestinal routes, and/or by injection, routes of administration important for vaccine delivery to target sites responsible for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and systemic forms of allergic and autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver J. Lawless
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C
- International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C
| | - Joseph A. Bellanti
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C
- International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C
| | - Milton L. Brown
- Inova Shar Cancer Institute, Center for Drug Discovery and Development, Fairfax, VA
| | - Kathryn Sandberg
- Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Washington, D.C
| | - Jason G. Umans
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD
- Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Washington, D.C
| | - Li Zhou
- Division of Rheumatology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University, Hershey PA
| | - Weiqian Chen
- Division of Rheumatology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University, Hershey PA
| | - Julie Wang
- Division of Rheumatology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University, Hershey PA
| | - Kan Wang
- Inova Shar Cancer Institute, Center for Drug Discovery and Development, Fairfax, VA
| | - Song Guo Zheng
- Division of Rheumatology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University, Hershey PA
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Notley CA, Jordan CK, McGovern JL, Brown MA, Ehrenstein MR. DNA methylation governs the dynamic regulation of inflammation by apoptotic cells during efferocytosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42204. [PMID: 28169339 PMCID: PMC5294421 DOI: 10.1038/srep42204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient clearance of apoptotic cells (AC) is pivotal in preventing autoimmunity and is a potent immunosuppressive stimulus. However, activation of cells prior to apoptosis abolishes their immunoregulatory properties. Here we show using the antigen-induced model of arthritis that the degree of DNA methylation within AC confers their immunomodulatory plasticity. DNA isolated from resting and activated AC mimicked their respective immune effects. Demethylation of DNA abrogated the protective effect of AC whereas remethylation of AC DNA reversed the effects of activation and restored the ability to inhibit inflammation. Disease suppression or lack thereof was associated with TGFβ and IL-6 production respectively. Apoptotic CD4+ T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus were demethylated compared to healthy controls and favoured production of IL-6 when cultured with healthy macrophages, in contrast to the TGFβ produced in response to healthy AC. Our data implicate AC DNA methylation as the molecular switch that imprints their regulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare A Notley
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, WC1E 6JF London, UK
| | - Christine K Jordan
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, WC1E 6JF London, UK
| | - Jenny L McGovern
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, WC1E 6JF London, UK
| | - Mark A Brown
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, WC1E 6JF London, UK
| | - Michael R Ehrenstein
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, WC1E 6JF London, UK
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Yeung KS, Chung BHY, Choufani S, Mok MY, Wong WL, Mak CCY, Yang W, Lee PPW, Wong WHS, Chen YA, Grafodatskaya D, Wong RWS, Lau CS, Chan DTM, Weksberg R, Lau YL. Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis of Chinese Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Identified Hypomethylation in Genes Related to the Type I Interferon Pathway. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169553. [PMID: 28085900 PMCID: PMC5234836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic variants have been shown in recent studies to be important contributors to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we report a 2-step study of discovery followed by replication to identify DNA methylation alterations associated with SLE in a Chinese population. Using a genome-wide DNA methylation microarray, the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip, we compared the methylation levels of CpG sites in DNA extracted from white blood cells from 12 female Chinese SLE patients and 10 healthy female controls. Results We identified 36 CpG sites with differential loss of DNA methylation and 8 CpG sites with differential gain of DNA methylation, representing 25 genes and 7 genes, respectively. Surprisingly, 42% of the hypomethylated CpG sites were located in CpG shores, which indicated the functional importance of the loss of DNA methylation. Microarray results were replicated in another cohort of 100 SLE patients and 100 healthy controls by performing bisulfite pyrosequencing of four hypomethylated genes, MX1, IFI44L, NLRC5 and PLSCR1. In addition, loss of DNA methylation in these genes was associated with an increase in mRNA expression. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the hypomethylated genes identified in the microarray study were overrepresented in the type I interferon pathway, which has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. Conclusion Our epigenetic findings further support the importance of the type I interferon pathway in SLE pathogenesis. Moreover, we showed that the DNA methylation signatures of SLE can be defined in unfractionated white blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit San Yeung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Brian Hon-Yin Chung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Sanaa Choufani
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mo Yin Mok
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Lap Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher Chun Yu Mak
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wanling Yang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pamela Pui Wah Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wilfred Hing Sang Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi-an Chen
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Daria Grafodatskaya
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Raymond Woon Sing Wong
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chak Sing Lau
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Daniel Tak Mao Chan
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rosanna Weksberg
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science and Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yu-Lung Lau
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Wu Z, Li X, Qin H, Zhu X, Xu J, Shi W. Ultraviolet B enhances DNA hypomethylation of CD4+ T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus via inhibiting DNMT1 catalytic activity. J Dermatol Sci 2013; 71:167-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2013.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Liu K, Zhang L, Chen J, Hu Z, Cai G, Hong Q. Association of MeCP2 (rs2075596, rs2239464) genetic polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis. Lupus 2013; 22:908-18. [DOI: 10.1177/0961203313496340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective Limited studies have shown an association between the methyl-CpG-binding protein2 ( MeCp2) genetic polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in different populations, but the results are inconclusive. In order to get a precise and systematic estimation, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods A systematic literature search using English and Chinese databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Knowledge, Wanfang Data (Chinese), etc.) for the eligible studies was performed. Based on heterogeneity among studies, random- or fixed-effects models were selected to analyze the risk of SLE associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MeCP2 genetic polymorphisms. Results A significant increased risk of both SNPs of MeCP2 genetic variances associated with SLE was found. Analysis using a fixed-effects model found an increased risk of SLE with the A allele of rs2075596 (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.34 to 1.49, p < 0.001), and the random-effects model also identified a risk factor of A allele of rs2239464 (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.49, p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis suggested that the major source of between-study heterogeneity stemmed from the difference between diverse ethnic groups. After omitting the smallest study, no publication bias was found, which further confirmed the reliability and stability of the meta-analysis. Conclusions Mutations of SNPs ( rs2075596, rs2239464) of MeCP2 showed increased risk of developing SLE. Large-scale multicenter epidemiological studies in selected populations with other risk factors are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Liu
- Department of Public Health (Epidemiology and Health Statistics), School of Medicine, Ningbo University, People’s Republic of China
| | - L Zhang
- School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, People’s Republic of China
| | - J Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Anhui Medical University, People’s Republic of China
| | - Z Hu
- School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, People’s Republic of China
| | - G Cai
- School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, People’s Republic of China
| | - Q Hong
- School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, People’s Republic of China
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Abu-Rish EY, Amrani Y, Browning MJ. Toll-like receptor 9 activation induces expression of membrane-bound B-cell activating factor (BAFF) on human B cells and leads to increased proliferation in response to both soluble and membrane-bound BAFF. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013; 52:1190-201. [PMID: 23436580 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/ket006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Activation of TLR7 and TLR9 and high serum levels of BAFF have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. However, little is known about the effects of TLR9 activation on BAFF expression by human B cells. We investigated the effect of the TLR9 agonist, CpG-ODN 2006, on the expression of BAFF and its receptors BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA, in isolated B cells from healthy donors. METHODS We used RT-PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA to investigate the expression of BAFF, and flow cytometry for BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA. Functional assays assessed the responses of resting and CpG-ODN-activated B cells to exogenous soluble and membrane-bound BAFF. RESULTS CpG-ODN did not induce BAFF secretion, but increased expression of membrane-bound BAFF on B cells. CpG-ODN also induced the expression of TACI and BCMA, but did not up-regulate BAFF-R expression. In functional studies, CpG-ODN sensitized human B cells to proliferate in response to exogenous BAFF. This effect was inhibited by a blocking antibody against BAFF-R, but was not inhibited by anti-TACI or anti-BCMA antibodies. Membrane-bound BAFF, induced by CpG-ODN, co-stimulated the proliferation of B cells stimulated with anti-IgM in a manner that was dependent on the expression of surface BAFF on the CpG-ODN-treated B cells. CONCLUSION TLR9 activation induces expression of membrane-bound BAFF on human B cells and leads to increased proliferation in response to both soluble and membrane-bound BAFF. These data extend our understanding of the role of TLR9 activation on human B cells and provide insights into the mechanisms by which TLR9 may participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Y Abu-Rish
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
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Wiley KL, Treadwell E, Manigaba K, Word B, Lyn-Cook BD. Ethnic differences in DNA methyltransferases expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Clin Immunol 2013; 33:342-8. [PMID: 23054340 PMCID: PMC3573322 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-012-9803-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease with both genetic and epigenetic etiologies. Evidence suggests that deregulation of specific genes through epigenetic mechanisms may be a contributing factor to SLE pathology. There is increasing evidence that DNA methyltransferase activity may be involved. This study demonstrated modulation in expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) according to ethnicity in patients diagnosed with SLE. Furthermore, differential expression in one of the DNMTs was found in a subset of lupus patients on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) therapy. METHODS Real-time PCR analyses of DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a cohort of African American and European American lupus and non-lupus women were conducted. Also, global DNA methylation was assessed using the MethylFlash(TM) methylated quantification colorimetric assay. RESULTS Significant increase in DNMT3A (p < 0.001) was shown in lupus patients when compared to age-matched healthy controls. This increase was associated with a higher SLEDI index. More striking was that expression levels for African American (AA) women were higher than European American women in the lupus populations. A subset of AA women on DHEA therapy showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in DNMT3A expression in comparison to lupus patients not on the therapy. DHEA is an androgenic steroid found in low levels in the serum of lupus patients. Supplementation of this hormone has been shown to be beneficial to some lupus patients. DHEA was not shown to effect DNMT1 or DNMT3B expression. Increased expression was also noted in DNMT3B (p < 0.05) in lupus patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. However, no significant difference was noted in DNMT1 (p = 0.2148) expression between lupus patients and healthy controls. Although increases were detected in de novo methyltransferases, a global decrease (p < 0.001) in 5-methycytosine was observed in lupus patients when compared to age-matched healthy controls. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that epigenetic changes may play a critical role in the manifestations of the disease observed among ethnic groups, particularly African American women who often have a higher incidence of lupus. DHEA therapy effects on DNMT3A expression in AA women warrant further investigation in a larger population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth L. Wiley
- FDA-National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Rd, Jefferson, AR 72079 USA
| | | | - Kayihura Manigaba
- FDA-National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Rd, Jefferson, AR 72079 USA
| | - Beverly Word
- FDA-National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Rd, Jefferson, AR 72079 USA
| | - Beverly D. Lyn-Cook
- FDA-National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Rd, Jefferson, AR 72079 USA
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Zhang S, Barros SP, Moretti AJ, Yu N, Zhou J, Preisser JS, Niculescu MD, Offenbacher S. Epigenetic regulation of TNFA expression in periodontal disease. J Periodontol 2013; 84:1606-16. [PMID: 23368949 DOI: 10.1902/jop.2013.120294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays a central role in the molecular pathogenesis of periodontal disease. However, the epigenetic regulation attributable to microbial and inflammatory signals at the biofilm-gingival interface are poorly understood. In this study, the DNA methylation alteration within the TNFA promoter in human gingival biopsies from different stages of periodontal disease is investigated and the regulatory mechanism of TNFA transcription by DNA methylation is explored. METHODS Gingival biopsies were obtained from 17 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 18 periodontally healthy individuals. Another 11 individuals participated in an experimentally induced gingivitis study, and gingival biopsies were collected at the baseline, induction, and resolution phase. To confirm that TNFA promoter methylation modulated TNFA transcription, THP.1 cells were treated with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-2dC), and an RAW294.7 cell line transfected with a TNFA promoter-specific luciferase reporter system with or without methylation was used. RESULTS In gingival biopsies from individuals with severe CP, two individual cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpG sites) within the TNFA promoter (at -163 and -161 bp) displayed increased methylation in CP samples compared to those with gingival health (16.1% ± 5.1% versus 11.0% ± 4.6%, P = 0.02 and 19.8% ± 4.1% versus 15.4% ± 3.6%, P = 0.04, respectively). The methylation level at -163 bp was inversely associated with the transcription level of TNFA (P = 0.018). However, no significant difference in the TNFA promoter methylation pattern was observed in samples biopsied during the induction or resolution phase of experimentally induced gingivitis, which represented a reversible periodontal lesion. THP.1 cells treated with 5-Aza-2dC demonstrated a time-dependent increase in TNFA messenger level. It was also found that the luciferase activity decreased 2.6-fold in a construct containing an in vitro methylated TNFA promoter when compared to the unmethylated insert (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION Although the biopsy samples represented a mixed cell population, the change in promoter methylation status in chronic periodontal disease suggested that DNA methylation may be an important regulatory mechanism in controlling TNFA transcriptional expression in periodontal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoping Zhang
- Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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Ghaly NR, Kotb NA, Nagy HM, Rageh ESM. Toll-like receptor 9 in systemic lupus erythematosus, impact on glucocorticoid treatment. J DERMATOL TREAT 2012; 24:411-7. [PMID: 22620859 DOI: 10.3109/09546634.2012.697110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIM To assess TLR9 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, its correlation with disease activity, and impact of TLR9 expression on the response to oral glucocorticoids. METHODS Twenty-five active SLE, 15 inactive, and 15 control subjects were included. Anti-DNA, ANA, C3, C4, and TLR9 mRNA expressions were assessed. Active SLE patients only received oral steroid for 6 weeks. Post therapy, they were classified into steroid sensitive and steroid resistant. Data were reassessed after treatment. RESULTS SLEDAI, anti-DNA, ANA, and TLR9 expressions were significantly higher in active SLE patients. Based on retrograde analysis, TLR9 expression was significantly higher in steroid-resistant versus steroid-sensitive group before treatment, with no significant difference between them after treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between TLR9 expression and SLEDAI score and anti-DNA and negative correlation with C3 and C4 in all patients. CONCLUSION TLR9 may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE and correlates with the disease activity. Corticosteroids have no effect on TLR9 expression, explaining lack of corticosteroid response in some SLE patients. TLR 9 expression can be used in predicting glucocorticoid response in active SLE patients. New treatment modalities targeting TLR9 expression may be of value in steroid-resistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla R Ghaly
- Tanta University, Faculty of Medicine, Dermatology & Venereology , Tanta , Egypt
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14
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Choubey D, Moudgil KD. Interferons in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: regulation and roles. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2012; 31:857-65. [PMID: 22149411 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2011.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several lines of evidence strongly implicate type I interferons (IFN-α and β) and IFN-signaling in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, genome-wide association studies have identified polymorphisms in the type I IFN-signaling pathways. Other studies also indicate that a feed-forward loop of type I IFN production, which involves sensing of cytoplasmic nucleic acids by sensors, contributes to the development of immunopathology. In addition, a mutually positive regulatory feedback loop between type I IFNs and estrogen receptor-α may contribute to a gender bias, thus resulting in an increased production of type I IFNs and associated immunopathology in women. Increased levels of type I IFNs have numerous immunomodulatory functions for both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Given that the IFN-β also has some anti-inflammatory roles, identifying molecular links among certain genotypes, cytokine profiles, and associated phenotypes in patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases is likely to improve our understanding of autoimmunity-associated pathogenesis and suboptimal outcomes following standard therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divaker Choubey
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA.
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EL-SHIEKH EH, BESSA SS, ABDOU SM, EL-REFAEY WA. Role of DNA methyltransferase 3A mRNA expression in Egyptian patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Int J Lab Hematol 2012; 34:369-76. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553x.2012.01404.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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16
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Midgley A, Thorbinson C, Beresford MW. Expression of Toll-like receptors and their detection of nuclear self-antigen leading to immune activation in JSLE. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2012; 51:824-32. [PMID: 22253024 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/ker400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Toll-like receptors (TLRs) essential in the functioning of the immune system have been implicated in the development of autoimmunity. TLR3, 7, 8 and 9 are capable of recognizing nucleic autoantigens typical of SLE. Their expression correlates positively with disease activity in adult-onset SLE. This study aimed to determine the role of TLRs in JSLE and whether apoptotic neutrophils are a source of nuclear autoantigen being detected through TLR3, 7, 8 and 9, leading to an inflammatory response. METHODS TLR3, 7, 8 and 9 mRNA and protein expression were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in JSLE patients compared with JIA and non-inflammatory controls. Activation of the TLRs by JSLE serum-induced apoptotic neutrophils was detected by measuring IFN-α mRNA and protein expression, and confirmed using myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TIR domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β (TRIF) inhibitors. RESULTS JSLE patients have increased TLR3, 8 and 9 mRNA and protein expression compared with controls (P < 0.05). Incubation of PBMCs with apoptotic neutrophils demonstrated a dose-response relationship for IFN-α mRNA expression. Inhibition of TLR signalling by blocking MyD88 and TRIF signalling decreased IFN-α mRNA expression in PBMCs incubated with apoptotic neutrophils (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated significantly increased TLR expression in JSLE compared with controls. Our data indicate that apoptotic neutrophils trigger TLR activation through their presentation of autoantigens. The role of TLRs in this inflammatory response was demonstrated by a dose-response relationship to apoptotic neutrophil concentration and confirmed by a decrease in IFN-α production after inhibition of TLR signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Midgley
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK.
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17
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Choubey D, Panchanathan R, Duan X, Liu H, Liu H. Emerging roles for the interferon-inducible p200-family proteins in sex bias in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2011; 31:893-906. [PMID: 21902548 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2011.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease involving multiple organs. The disease is characterized by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies to DNA and certain nuclear antigens, chronic inflammation, and immune dysregulation. Genetic studies involving SLE patients and mouse models have indicated that multiple lupus susceptible genes contribute to the disease phenotype. Notably, the development of SLE in patients and in certain mouse models exhibits a strong sex bias. In addition, several lines of evidence indicates that activation of interferon-α (IFN-α) signaling in immune cells and alterations in the expression of certain immunomodulatory cytokines contribute to lupus pathogenesis. Studies have implicated factors, such as the X chromosomal gene dosage effect and the sex hormones, in gender bias in SLE. However, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Additionally, it remains unclear whether these factors influence the "IFN-signature," which is associated with SLE. In this regard, a mutually positive regulatory feedback loop between IFNs and estrogen receptor-α (ERα) has been identified in immune cells. Moreover, studies indicate that the expression of certain IFN-inducible p200-family proteins that act as innate immune sensors for cytosolic DNA is differentially regulated by sex hormones. In this review, we discuss how the modulation of the expression of the p200-family proteins in immune cells by sex hormones and IFNs contributes to sex bias in SLE. An improved understanding of the regulation and roles of the p200-family proteins in immune cells is critical to understand lupus pathogenesis as well as response (or the lack of it) to various therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divaker Choubey
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA.
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18
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Chen ZP, Gu DS, Zhou ZP, Chen XL, Guo ZX, Du WT, Ge J, Ren Q, Yang RC. Decreased expression of MBD2 and MBD4 gene and genomic-wide hypomethylation in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia. Hum Immunol 2011; 72:486-91. [PMID: 21377502 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2011.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Revised: 02/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide hypomethylation has been confirmed in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Proteins containing methylcytosine-binding domain (MBD) are involved in promoter methylation as transcriptional repressors and promote the gene-silencing effect of DNA methylation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methylation pattern of T cells and the relationship between genomic methylation and the expression of MBD2 and MBD4 in ITP patients. DNA deoxymethylcytosine content of CD4(+) cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the transcription levels of MBD2 and MBD4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4(+) cells. DNA dmC content in CD4(+) cells of ITP patients was significantly lower than in the controls (p = 0.001). The mRNA level of MBD2 and MBD4 in CD4(+) cells of ITP patients was statistically lower than those of the controls (p < 0.001). Positive correlations between methylation indexes and expression of each enzyme were observed in the control group (r(2) = 0.718, p = 0.004 for MBD2; r(2) = 0.608, p = 0.015 for MBD4). However, inverse correlations were found in ITP patients (r(2) = 0.604, p = 0.008 for MBD2; r(2) = 0.498, p = 0.027 for MBD4). Our results indicate that decreased expression of MBD2 and MBD4 might involve in the pathogenesis of ITP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
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20
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Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest the involvement of disturbance in epigenetic processes in autoimmune disease. Most noteworthy is the global DNA hypomethylation seen in lupus. Epigenetic states in difference from genetic lesions are potentially reversible and hence candidates for pharmacological intervention. Potential targets for drug development are histone modification and DNA methylating and demethylating enzymes. The most advanced set of drugs in clinical development are histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. However, the prevalence of DNA hypomethylation in lupus suggests that we should shift our attention from HDAC inhibitors to DNA demethylation inhibitors. MBD2 was recently proposed to be involved in demethylation in T cells in lupus and is, therefore, a candidate target. Although this field is at its infancy, it carries great promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir William Osler Promenade, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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21
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Zhang X, Zhang X, Liu F, Chen X, Zhu X, Uetrecht J. Involvement of the immune system in idiosyncratic drug reactions. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2010; 26:47-59. [PMID: 21084762 DOI: 10.2133/dmpk.dmpk-10-rv-085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is strong evidence that most idiosyncratic drug reactions (IDRs) are immune-mediated and are caused by reactive metabolites of a drug rather than by the drug itself. Several hypotheses have been proposed by which a drug could induce an immune response. The major hypotheses are the hapten hypothesis and the danger hypothesis; however, the characteristics and spectrum of IDRs are different with different drugs, and this likely reflects mechanistic differences; therefore, no one hypothesis is likely to explain all IDRs. Some IDRs appear to involve epigenetic effects, direct activation of antigen-presenting cells, or disturbing the normal balance of the immune system. It has been suggested that many cases of idiosyncratic liver injury are not immune-mediated, and other mechanisms such as mitochondrial injury may be involved. It is essential that any hypothesis be consistent with the clinical characteristics of the IDR. Although the characteristics of most idiosyncratic liver injury do not suggest that mitochondria are the major target, it is quite possible that milder mitochondrial injury could stimulate an immune-mediated reaction. The observation that IDRs can vary widely among different drugs and different patients is most easily explained by an immune mechanism in which the target of the immune response is different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochu Zhang
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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22
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Mechelli R, Annibali V, Ristori G, Vittori D, Coarelli G, Salvetti M. Multiple sclerosis etiology: beyond genes and environment. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2010; 6:481-90. [PMID: 20441432 DOI: 10.1586/eci.10.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder of the CNS with inflammatory and neurodegenerative components. The etiology is unknown, but there is evidence for a role of both genetic and environmental factors. Among the heritable factors, MHC class II genes are strongly involved, as well as genes coding for others molecules of immunological relevance, genes controlling neurobiological pathways and genes of unknown function. Among nonheritable factors, many infectious agents (mainly viruses) and environmental factors (e.g., smoke, sun exposition and diet) seem to be of etiologic importance. Here, we report and discuss recent findings in MS on largely unexplored fields: the alternative splicing of mRNAs and regulatory noncoding RNAs, the major sources of transcriptome diversity; and epigenetic changes with special attention paid to DNA methylation and histone acetylation, the main regulators of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosella Mechelli
- Neurology and Center for Experimental Neurological Therapies, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy
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23
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Wang GS, Zhang M, Li XP, Zhang H, Chen W, Kan M, Wang YM. Ultraviolet B exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus inhibits DNA methylation. Lupus 2010; 18:1037-44. [PMID: 19762376 DOI: 10.1177/0961203309106181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, in which sunlight (especially ultraviolet B (UVB) 290-320 nm) is known to induce exacerbation of disease. DNA methylation regulates gene expression, and hypomethylation is associated with abnormal cell function in SLE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of UVB on DNA methylation in SLE and its significance in the pathogenesis of SLE. Forty-five patients with SLE and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study, which involved the investigation of DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with UVB irradiation. Our results demonstrate the following: The level of DNA methylation in patients with SLE was lower than that in the control group. DNA methylation was decreased after UVB irradiation at different dosages especially in patients with marlar rashes and leucopenia, but no significant difference was observed in the DNMT1 mRNA expression. DNA methylation levels in patients with active SLE were more sensitive to UVB. In conclusion, UVB exposure is able to inhibit DNA methylation, which subsequently takes part in the pathogenesis of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230001, China.
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Abstract
Evidence is emerging that several diseases and behavioral pathologies result from defects in gene function. The best-studied example is cancer, but other diseases such as autoimmune disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, and autism display aberrant gene expression. Gene function may be altered by either a change in the sequence of the DNA or a change in epigenetic programming of a gene in the absence of a sequence change. With epigenetic drugs, it is possible to reverse aberrant gene expression profiles associated with different disease states. Several epigenetic drugs targeting DNA methylation and histone deacetylation enzymes have been tested in clinical trials. Understanding the epigenetic machinery and the differential roles of its components in specific disease states is essential for developing targeted epigenetic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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25
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Tao J, Yang M, Chen Z, Huang Y, Zhao Q, Xu J, Ren H, Zhao H, Chen Z, Ren Q, Yang R. Decreased DNA methyltransferase 3A and 3B mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and increased plasma SAH concentration in adult patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. J Clin Immunol 2008; 28:432-9. [PMID: 18683034 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-008-9223-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE DNA methylation is known to play an important role in gene transcription and alterations of methylation contribute to the development of certain disorders such as cancer and immunodeficiency. Recent years have found an increasing interest in the role of epigenetic modifications in the etiology of human autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are involved in the epigenetic control of DNA methylation processes. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), as the substrate and product of essential cellular methyltransferase reactions, have important indicator action of cellular methylation status. The aim of this study is to explore if DNA methylation plays a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). METHODS DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of adult ITP patients were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasma SAM and SAH levels were assayed with reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS DNMT3A and DNMT3B mRNA expressions were significantly lower in ITP patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001), while DNMT1 mRNA expression was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.774). Plasma SAH concentration was significantly elevated in ITP patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.05), while the plasma SAM and SAM/SAH were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.133, p = 0.624 respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our observations suggest that aberrant DNA methylation status reflected by increased plasma SAH concentration and decreased mRNA expression levels of DNMT3A and 3B are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of ITP although the precise mechanisms need further study.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/blood
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/genetics
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/immunology
- DNA Methylation
- DNA Methyltransferase 3A
- Female
- Humans
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/enzymology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/blood
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/genetics
- Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/immunology
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- S-Adenosylhomocysteine/blood
- S-Adenosylhomocysteine/immunology
- S-Adenosylmethionine/blood
- S-Adenosylmethionine/immunology
- DNA Methyltransferase 3B
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Hospital of Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin 300020, People's Republic of China
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26
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Chen Z, Zhou Z, Chen X, Xu J, Liu A, Du W, Gu D, Ge J, Guo Z, Wang X, Dong X, Ren Q, Yang R. Single nucleotide polymorphism in DNMT3B promoter and the risk for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in Chinese population. J Clin Immunol 2008; 28:399-404. [PMID: 18437543 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-008-9198-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2007] [Accepted: 03/11/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epigenetic changes in gene expression, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, might contribute to autoimmunity. DNA methylation is mediated by a family of DNA methyltransferases. Polymorphisms of the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene may influence DNMT3B activity on DNA methylation, thereby modulating the susceptibility to some diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in promoter of the DNMT3B gene and the risk for development of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). METHODS In this hospital-based case-control study, the DNMT3B SNP was genotyped in 201 patients with ITP and 136 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS The C/C genotype was not detected in both the patients with ITP and the controls. In the controls, the frequencies of T/T and C/T genotypes and T and C alleles were 97.8%, 2.2%, 98.9%, and 1.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele distribution between the patients with ITP and the controls (P = 0.745 and 0.747, respectively). No significant difference was observed in genotype and allele distribution between the two groups when stratified by the age. The similar results were shown among the four groups of patients with ITP: acute childhood, chronic childhood, acute adult, and chronic adult. CONCLUSION This polymorphism was distributed similarly between the patients with ITP and the controls. It demonstrated that it may not be used as a stratification marker to predict the susceptibility to ITP, at least in the population of North China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 288 Nanjing Road, Tianjin 300020, People's Republic of China
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27
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Mi XB, Zeng FQ. Hypomethylation of interleukin-4 and -6 promoters in T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2008; 29:105-12. [PMID: 18158872 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2008.00739.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM DNA methylation regulates gene expression, and hypomethylation is associated with abnormal T-cell function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, little is known about the methylation levels of the interleukin (IL)-4 and -6 promoters in SLE patients. METHODS T cells were isolated from 20 SLE patients and 10 healthy controls, activated in vitro in the presence or absence of 5- azacytidine (5-azaC), and their IL-4 and -6 transcripts were characterized using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Following bisulfate modification of their genomic DNA, the levels of DNA methylation in the IL-4 or -6 promoter were determined by nested PCR and direct sequencing. RESULTS The levels of IL-4 and -6 mRNA transcripts were significantly higher in SLE T cells, as compared with that in the controls. Furthermore, the treatment of healthy T cells with 5-azaC demethylated the CpG islands in the IL-4 or -6 promoter and increased IL-4 and -6 mRNA transcriptions. Importantly, the hypomethylation of the CpG islands in the IL-4 and -6 promoters displayed in SLE patients was similar to that of healthy T cells treated with 5-azaC. Finally, the hypomethylation levels of the CpG islands in the IL-4 and -6 promoters in lupus patients were significantly correlated to the IL-4 and -6 expressions. CONCLUSION The hypomethylation of the CpG islands of the IL-4 and -6 promoters accrued in T cells from SLE patients and was associated with the severity of SLE at the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-bin Mi
- Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Abstract
Our aim is to review methods to optimize detection of all disease genes in a genetic region. As a starting point, we assume there is sufficient evidence from linkage and/or association studies, based on significance levels or replication studies, for the involvement in disease risk of the genetic region under study. For closely linked markers, there will often be multiple associations with disease, and linkage analyses identify a region rather than the specific disease-predisposing gene. Hence, the first task is to identify the primary (major) disease-predisposing gene or genes in a genetic region, and single nucleotide polymorphisms thereof, that is, how to distinguish true associations from those that are just due to linkage disequilibrium with the actual disease-predisposing variants. Then, how do we detect additional disease genes in this genetic region? These two issues are of course very closely interrelated. No existing programs, either individually or in aggregate, can handle the magnitude and complexity of the analyses needed using currently available methods. Further, even with modern computers, one cannot study every possible combination of genetic markers and their haplotypes across the genome, or even within a genetic region. Although we must rely heavily on computers, in the final analysis of multiple effects in a genetic region and/or interaction or independent effects between unlinked genes, manipulation of the data by the individual investigator will play a crucial role. We recommend a multistrategy approach using a variety of complementary methods described below.
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Nafee TM, Farrell WE, Carroll WD, Fryer AA, Ismail KMK. Review article: Epigenetic control of fetal gene expression. BJOG 2007; 115:158-68. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01528.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Nakamura T, Sekigawa I, Ogasawara H, Mitsuishi K, Hira K, Ikeda S, Ogawa H. Expression of DNMT-1 in patients with atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol Res 2006; 298:253-6. [PMID: 16897079 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-006-0682-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2005] [Accepted: 06/30/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is known to play an important role in gene transcription and alterations of methylation that contribute to the development of certain disorders such as cancer, immunodeficiency, and autoimmune diseases. We investigated the DNA methylation profiles in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT-1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. The levels of DNMT-1 mRNA were significantly lower in PBMC from the AD patients who had higher serum IgE levels compared with normal controls. Our observations suggest that suppression of DNMT-1 might be related to the pathogenesis of AD, especially in whom serum IgE level is high. This is the first report of DNMT-1 expression in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinobu Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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31
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Rodenhiser D, Mann M. Epigenetics and human disease: translating basic biology into clinical applications. CMAJ 2006; 174:341-8. [PMID: 16446478 PMCID: PMC1373719 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.050774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the study of heritable changes in gene expression that occur without a change in DNA sequence. Research has shown that epigenetic mechanisms provide an "extra" layer of transcriptional control that regulates how genes are expressed. These mechanisms are critical components in the normal development and growth of cells. Epigenetic abnormalities have been found to be causative factors in cancer, genetic disorders and pediatric syndromes as well as contributing factors in autoimmune diseases and aging. In this review, we examine the basic principles of epigenetic mechanisms and their contribution to human health as well as the clinical consequences of epigenetic errors. In addition, we address the use of epigenetic pathways in new approaches to diagnosis and targeted treatments across the clinical spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rodenhiser
- EpiGenWestern Research Group, Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ont.
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32
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Abstract
DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification of the genome that is involved in regulating many cellular processes. These include embryonic development, transcription, chromatin structure, X chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting and chromosome stability. Consistent with these important roles, a growing number of human diseases have been found to be associated with aberrant DNA methylation. The study of these diseases has provided new and fundamental insights into the roles that DNA methylation and other epigenetic modifications have in development and normal cellular homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith D Robertson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
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33
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Park BL, Kim LH, Shin HD, Park YW, Uhm WS, Bae SC. Association analyses of DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Hum Genet 2004; 49:642-646. [PMID: 15375672 DOI: 10.1007/s10038-004-0192-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2004] [Accepted: 07/26/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is very complex, and genetic factors appear to play a significant role in susceptibility to SLE, in determining the disease expression, and in the autoantibody profiles of individuals with SLE. DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) is a major enzyme that determines genomic methylation patterns and both maintains methyltransferase and exhibits de novo DNA methylation activity in vivo. In order to clarify the association of DNMT1 polymorphisms with SLE, we scrutinized the genetic polymorphisms in exons and their boundaries of DNMT1, including the -1,500 bp promoter region, by direct sequencing in 24 Korean individuals. Twenty-nine sequence variants were identified: two in 5'UTR, six in exons, and 21 in introns. Eight of these polymorphisms were selected for a larger-scale genotyping (n=680) by considering their allele frequencies, haplotype-tagging status, and linkage disequilibrium coefficiencies (LDs) among polymorphisms. The associations between DNMT1 polymorphisms and the clinical profiles of SLE were analyzed. No significant associations with the risk of SLE were detected. However, further analyses of association with autoantibody production among SLE patients revealed that one nonsynonymous SNP, +14463G>C (V120L) in exon 4, was weakly associated with an increased risk of anti-La antibody production (P=0.04), although the significance could not be retained after correction of multiple tests. The DNMT1 variations and haplotypes clarified in this study would provide valuable information for future genetic studies of other autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Lae Park
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, SNP Genetics, Inc., 11th Floor, MaeHun B/D, 13 Chongro 4 Ga, Chongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-834, South Korea
| | - Lyoung Hyo Kim
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, SNP Genetics, Inc., 11th Floor, MaeHun B/D, 13 Chongro 4 Ga, Chongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-834, South Korea
| | - Hyoung Doo Shin
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, SNP Genetics, Inc., 11th Floor, MaeHun B/D, 13 Chongro 4 Ga, Chongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-834, South Korea
| | - Yong Wook Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-Dong, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 133-792, South Korea
| | - Wan Sik Uhm
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-Dong, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 133-792, South Korea
| | - Sang-Cheol Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-Dong, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 133-792, South Korea.
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Sekigawa I, Naito T, Hira K, Mitsuishi K, Ogasawara H, Hashimoto H, Ogawa H. Possible mechanisms of gender bias in SLE: a new hypothesis involving a comparison of SLE with atopy. Lupus 2004; 13:217-22. [PMID: 15176655 DOI: 10.1191/0961203304lu1012ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is far higher in females than in males, and numerous investigations of this gender bias have been performed from several perspectives. Sex hormones, particularly estrogens, may be significant in causing the gender discrepancy. This article discusses the possible importance of estrogens in regulating the expression of and responsivity to autoantigens in SLE and in atopic disorders, which are associated with hyperreactivity to exogenous antigens. Estrogens seem to play an important role in the overexpression of endogenous autoantigens, such as human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), and this may be related to the existence of a gender bias in the incidence of SLE but not atopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Sekigawa
- Department of Medicine, Juntendo University Izu-Nagaoka Hospital, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka, Japan.
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