title: Epigenetics in immune development and in allergic and autoimmune diseases.
abstract: Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and micro RNA signaling regulate the activity of the genome. Virtually all aspects of immunity involve some level of epigenetic regulation, whether it be host defense or in mediating tolerance. These processes are critically important in mediating dynamic responses to the environment over the life course of the individual, yet we are only just beginning to understand how dysregulation in these pathways may play a role in immune disease. Here, we give a brief chronological overview of epigenetic processes during immune development in health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: david.martino@mcri.edu.au.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dörthe A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kesper
authors.affiliation: Childhood Allergy and Immunology Research, School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Manori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amarasekera
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harb
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Renz
authors.affiliation: Childhood Allergy and Immunology Research, School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prescott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000276:immunology*; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Immune development; Immune disease; Immune function