title: Epigenetic targets for reversing immune defects caused by alcohol exposure.
abstract: Alcohol consumption alters factors that modify gene expression without changing the DNA code (i.e., epigenetic modulators) in many organ systems, including the immune system. Alcohol enhances the risk for developing several serious medical conditions related to immune system dysfunction, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), liver cancer, and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Binge and chronic drinking also render patients more susceptible to many infectious pathogens and advance the progression of HIV infection by weakening both innate and adaptive immunity. Epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in these processes. For example, alcohol-induced epigenetic variations alter the developmental pathways of several types of immune cells (e.g., granulocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes) and through these and other mechanisms promote exaggerated inflammatory responses. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms may underlie alcohol's ability to interfere with the barrier functions of the gut and respiratory systems, which also contribute to the heightened risk of infections. Better understanding of alcohol's effects on these epigenetic processes may help researchers identify new targets for the development of novel medications to prevent or ameliorate alcohol's detrimental effects on the immune system.
authors: Department of Surgery, Burn & Shock Trauma Institute, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors: Brenda J
authors: BJ
authors: Curtis
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Zahs
authors: Elizabeth J
authors: EJ
authors: Kovacs
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol