title: The role of epigenetics in tuberculosis infection.
abstract: Epigenetic mechanisms are pivotal in regulating gene expression during cellular response to extracellular stimuli. Bacterial infections have a profound effect on the host epigenome, which triggers susceptibility to diseases. Recent studies suggest that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) can alter the host epigenome to modulate the transcriptional machinery and plays a major role in immunomodulation of the host immune response. However, the mechanism of epigenetic alterations during Mtb infection has not yet been fully understood. Thus, Mtb-induced epigenetic changes may affect the host cell by either activation or suppression of key immune genes involved in immune response or pathogen persistence. In this review, we discuss the principles of epigenetics, recent advances in Mtb-induced alterations in the host epigenetic landscape and their role in the host immune response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry-605 006, India.
authors.forename: Maruthai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kathirvel
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry-605 006, India.
authors.forename: Subramanian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahadevan
mesh_terms: D019175:DNA Methylation; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D022661:RNA, Untranslated
keywords: DNA methylation; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; epigenetics; histone modifications; immunity; miRNA; tuberculosis