title: Epigenetic roots of immunologic disease and new methods for examining chromatin regulatory pathways.
abstract: The ability to accurately quantitate and experimentally examine epigenetic modifications across the human genome has exploded in the past decade. This has given rise to a wealth of new information concerning the contributions of epigenetic regulatory networks to the pathogenesis of human disease. In particular, immunological disorders have strong developmental roots in chromatin regulatory pathways. In this review, we focus on the epigenetic signatures and new discoveries revealing the epigenetic compositions of specific immunological cancers and autoimmune diseases. We also comment on the conserved epigenetic roots among diverse immunological disorders and suggest inhibition strategies that may be relevant for future treatment. Finally, we highlight emerging experimental tools with the capability to examine the mechanisms of chromatin regulatory enzymes with a high level of temporal control. The knowledge of genetic and epigenetic defects in immunological disease combined with new experimental approaches will elucidate the contribution of individual enzymes in complex epigenetic regulatory networks. This could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for some very diverse and difficult to treat human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: 1] Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA [2] Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Nathaniel A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hathaway
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006657:Histones