Deciphering the role of DNA methylation in multiple sclerosis: emerging issues.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that involves several not yet fully elucidated pathophysiologic mechanisms. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic modifications at level of DNA bases, histones, and micro-RNAs may confer risk for MS. DNA methylation seems to have a prominent role in the epigenetics of MS, as aberrant methylation in the promoter regions across genome may underlie several processes involved in the initiation and development of MS. In the present review, we discuss current understanding regarding the role of DNA methylation in MS, possible therapeutic implications and future emerging issues.
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Maria
M
Sokratous
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Efthimios
E
Dardiotis
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Zisis
Z
Tsouris
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Eleni
E
Bellou
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Amalia
A
Michalopoulou
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Vasileios
V
Siokas
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Stylianos
S
Arseniou
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
Tzeni
T
Stamati
Second Department of Neurology, University of Athens, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Georgios
G
Tsivgoulis
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University General Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly Viopolis, 40500, Larissa, Greece.|Cellular Immunotherapy and Molecular Immunodiagnostics, Biomedical Section, Center for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH)-Institute for Research and Technology-Thessaly (IRETETH), 41222, Larissa, Greece.
Dimitrios
D
Bogdanos
Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece. gmhadji@med.uth.gr.
Georgios M
GM
Hadjigeorgiou
Autoimmunity; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Methylocytosine; Multiple sclerosis