Epigenetic modulation of the immune function

Abstract

Great efforts in the field of solid organ transplantation are being devoted to identifying biomarkers that allow a transplanted patient’s immune status to be established. Recently, it has been well documented that epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications regulate the expression of immune system-related genes, modifying the development of the innate and adaptive immune responses. An in-depth knowledge of these epigenetic mechanisms could modulate the immune response after transplantation and to develop new therapeutic strategies. Epigenetic modifiers, such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have considerable potential as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents, but their effect on transplantation has not hitherto been known. Moreover, the detection of epigenetic marks in key immune genes could be useful as biomarkers of rejection and progression among transplanted patients. Here, we describe recent discoveries concerning the epigenetic regulation of the immune system, and how this knowledge could be translated to the field of transplantation.

Keywords: :

• DNA methylation
• histone modifications
• rejection
• tolerance

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Spanish grants from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitaria-Fondos FEDER European Union (FIS PI08/0566 and PI12/02587) and the Red de Investigación Renal (REDinREN RD12/0021) from the Institute Carlos III.