Class I and II histone deacetylase inhibition by ITF2357 reduces SLE pathogenesis in vivo

The real culprit in systemic lupus erythematosus: abnormal epigenetic regulation

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease involving multiple organs and the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies. The pathogenesis of SLE has been intensively studied but remains far from clear. B and T lymphocyte abnormalities, dysregulation of apoptosis, defects in the clearance of apoptotic materials, and various genetic and epigenetic factors are attributed to the development of SLE. The latest research findings point to the association between abnormal epigenetic regulation and SLE, which has attracted considerable interest worldwide. It is the purpose of this review to present and discuss the relationship between aberrant epigenetic regulation and SLE, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs in patients with SLE, the possible mechanisms of immune dysfunction caused by epigenetic changes, and to better understand the roles of aberrant epigenetic regulation in the initiation and development of SLE and to provide an insight into the related therapeutic options in SLE.

Treatment of chronic kidney diseases with histone deacetylase inhibitors

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) induce deacetylation of both histone and non-histone proteins and play a critical role in the modulation of physiological and pathological gene expression. Pharmacological inhibition of HDAC has been reported to attenuate progression of renal fibrogenesis in obstructed kidney and reduce cyst formation in polycystic kidney disease. HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) are also able to ameliorate renal lesions in diabetes nephropathy, lupus nephritis, aristolochic acid nephropathy, and transplant nephropathy. The beneficial effects of HDACis are associated with their anti-fibrosis, anti-inflammation, and immunosuppressant effects. In this review, we summarize recent advances on the treatment of various chronic kidney diseases with HDACis in pre-clinical models.

Epigenetics in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: potential clinical application

The current treatments of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been based on the use of immunosuppressive drugs which are linked to serious side effects. The more effective therapeutic approaches with minimal or no side effects for SLE patients are hard to develop, mainly due to the complexity of the disease. The discovery of pharmacoepigenetics provides a new way to solve this problem. Epigenetic modifications can influence drug efficacy by altering gene expression via changing chromatin structure. Although still in early development, epigenetic studies in SLE are expected to reveal novel therapeutic targets and disease biomarkers in autoimmunity. For example, miRNAs, which have been identified to govern many genes including drug targets, are altered in disease development and after drug administration. This review aims to present an overview of current epigenetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, and discuss their potential roles in clinical and pharmacological applications.