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Epigenetic Therapeutics in Autoimmune Disease

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Abstract

Several lines of evidence suggest the involvement of disturbance in epigenetic processes in autoimmune disease. Most noteworthy is the global DNA hypomethylation seen in lupus. Epigenetic states in difference from genetic lesions are potentially reversible and hence candidates for pharmacological intervention. Potential targets for drug development are histone modification and DNA methylating and demethylating enzymes. The most advanced set of drugs in clinical development are histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. However, the prevalence of DNA hypomethylation in lupus suggests that we should shift our attention from HDAC inhibitors to DNA demethylation inhibitors. MBD2 was recently proposed to be involved in demethylation in T cells in lupus and is, therefore, a candidate target. Although this field is at its infancy, it carries great promise.

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Acknowledgments

The studies in the MS laboratory were supported by the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Health Research.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir William Osler Promenade, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada

    Moshe Szyf

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Szyf, M. Epigenetic Therapeutics in Autoimmune Disease. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 39, 62–77 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-009-8172-8

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