title: Role of epigenetics in modulation of immune response at the junction of host-pathogen interaction and danger molecule signaling.
abstract: Epigenetic mechanisms have rapidly and controversially emerged as silent modulators of host defenses that can lead to a more prominent immune response and shape the course of inflammation in the host. Thus, the epigenetics can both drive the production of specific inflammatory mediators and control the magnitude of the host response. The epigenetic actions that are predominantly shown to modulate the host defense against microbial pathogens are DNA methylation, histone modification and the activity of non-coding RNAs. There is also growing evidence that opportunistic chronic pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, as a microbial host subversion strategy, can epigenetically interfere with the host DNA machinery for successful colonization. Similarly, the novel involvement of small molecule 'danger signals', which are released by stressed or infected cells, at the center of host-pathogen interplay and epigenetics is developing. In this review, we systematically examine the latest knowledge within the field of epigenetics in the context of host-derived danger molecule and purinergic signaling, with a particular focus on host microbial defenses and infection-driven chronic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry - University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA Department of Oral Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA amorandini@pacific.edu yilmaz@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Morandini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry - University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA amorandini@pacific.edu yilmaz@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Özlem
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
keywords: DNA methylation; danger molecule signaling; epigenetics; histone deacetylation; innate immunity; opportunistic bacteria