Altered patterns of epigenetic changes in systemic lupus erythematosus and auto-antibody production: is there a link?
The prominent feature of immunological defects in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the production of autoantibodies (auto-Abs) to nuclear antigens including DNA, histones and RNP. In addition, there is growing evidence that epigenetic changes play a key role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Autoreactive CD4(+) T cells and B cells in patients with SLE have evidence of altered patterns of DNA methylation as well as post-translational modifications of histones and ribonucleoproteins (RNP). A key question that has emerged from these two characteristic features of SLE is whether the two processes are linked. New data provide support for such a link. For example, there is evidence that hypomethylated DNA is immunogenic, that anti-histone auto-Abs in patients with SLE bind epigenetic-sensitive hot spots and that epigenetically-modified RNP-derived peptides can modulate lupus disease. All in all, the available evidence indicates that a better understanding of dysregulation in epigenetics in SLE may offer opportunities to develop new biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies.
EA2216 Immunology, Pathology and Immunotherapy, European University of Brittany, Brest, France.
Yosra
Y
Thabet
Felipe
F
Cañas
Ibtissem
I
Ghedira
Pierre
P
Youinou
Rizgar A
RA
Mageed
Yves
Y
Renaudineau
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000276:immunology*; D006657:Histones / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000276:immunology*; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D006657:Histones; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D004247:DNA