Epigenetics and Sjogren’s Syndrome

Title:Epigenetics and Sjogren’s Syndrome

Volume: 13 Issue: 10

Author(s): Christelle Le Dantec, Marie-Michele Varin, Wesley H Brooks, Jacques-Olivier Pers, Pierre Youinou and Yves Renaudineau

Affiliation:

Keywords: Sjogren’s syndrome, epigenetics, DNA methylation, microRNAs, post-translational modifications, human endogenous retrovirus 1. INTRODUCTION, autoimmune diseases (AID), exocrine glands, epigenetic studies, human endogenous retrovirus (HERV), epigenetic (dys), autoantibody production, lymphoma.

Abstract: There is growing evidence that epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve mutations in the DNA itself, may play an essential role in autoimmune diseases (AID). In Sjogren’s syndrome (SS), a chronic AID characterized by an epithelis of the exocrine glands, epigenetic studies have focused on three mechanisms: DNA methylation and its consequences including human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) expression; microRNA expression; and protein post-translational modifications associated with autoantibody production. Although in its infancy, comprehension of the epigenetic (dys)regulation in SS may help us to understand: why SS affects predominantly middle-aged women; why genetically predisposed individuals develop SS but not others; why flare-ups occur; why treatment responses differ between patients; and why some patients develop lymphoma. From these studies will arise a better comprehension of the pathophysiology of SS as well as development of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and novel therapeutics for prevention and perhaps early intervention.

Cite this article as:

Le Dantec Christelle, Varin Marie-Michele, H Brooks Wesley, Pers Jacques-Olivier, Youinou Pierre and Renaudineau Yves, Epigenetics and Sjogren’s Syndrome, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2012; 13 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920112802273326