title: Altered DNA methylation profile in Norwegian patients with Autoimmune Addison's Disease.
abstract: Autoimmune Addison's Disease (AAD) is an endocrine and immunological disease of uncertain pathogenesis resulting from the immune system's destruction of the hormone producing cells of the adrenal cortex. The underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown, but it is commonly accepted that a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental impact is critical. In the present study, we identified multiple hypomethylated gene promoter regions in patients with isolated AAD using DNA isolated from CD4+ T cells. The identified differentially methylated regions were distributed evenly across the 10.5-kb-promoter regions covered by the array, and a substantial number localized to promoters of genes involved in immune regulation and autoimmunity. This study reveals a hypomethylated status in CD4+ T cells from AAD patients and indicates differential methylation of promoters of key genes involved in immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Trine E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Bjanesoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1171, 0318 Oslo, Norway; Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Bettina Kulle
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O Box 7804, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bratland
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Shahinul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O Box 7804, 5020 Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, P.O Box 7804, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Eystein S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Husebye
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: Marit.Bakke@biomed.uib.no.
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakke
mesh_terms: D000224:Addison Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adrenal gland; Autoimmune Addison's Disease; Autoimmunity; DNA methylation; Epigenetics