Epigenetic Modulation as a Therapeutic Prospect for Treatment of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Figure 1

Epigenetic agents modulating immune response in rheumatic diseases including RA, SSc, SLE, AS, and PsA. Schematic of the epigenetic modulations represented by DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA interference influencing immune cells (B cells, T cells, and monocytes) and fibroblasts. DNA methylation refers to covalent addition of a methyl group to the 5-position of the cytosine ring, which can be inhibited by 5′-AZA. 5′-AZA induces DNA hypomethylation and drives differential gene expression. Histone modifications are reversible and site-specific histone alterations including acetylation (Acet), methylation (Meth), phosphorylation (Phosph), or ubiquitination (Ubi). Histone methylation or acetylation can be either activated by apicidin and TSA or inhibited by DZNep and curcumin. miRNA inhibition is a formation of miRNA-mRNA duplexes in the position of 3′UTR. This leads gene silencing (genes in black) by specific miRNAs (in red).