title: Epigenetics of progression of chronic kidney disease: fact or fantasy?
abstract: Epigenetic modifications are important in the normal functioning of the cell, from regulating dynamic expression of essential genes and associated proteins to repressing those that are unneeded. Epigenetic changes are essential for development and functioning of the kidney, and aberrant methylation, histone modifications, and expression of microRNA could lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, epigenetic modifications modulate transforming growth factor β signaling, inflammation, profibrotic genes, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, promoting renal fibrosis and progression of CKD. Identification of these epigenetic changes is important because they are potentially reversible and may serve as therapeutic targets in the future to prevent subsequent renal fibrosis and CKD. In this review we discuss the different types of epigenetic control, methods to study epigenetic modifications, and how epigenetics promotes progression of CKD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Renal Disease and Hypertension, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Maria R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wing
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramezani
authors.forename: Harindarpal S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Devaney
authors.forename: Dominic S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Raj
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation; D018450:Disease Progression; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: DNA methylation; EMT; chronic kidney disease (CKD); microRNAs; renal fibrosis