Abnormal epigenetic modifications in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a hair loss disease caused by T-cell-mediated autoimmune reactions against anagen-stage hair follicles. Although the exact aetiology is poorly understood, there is evidence to suggest that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in AA pathogenesis. To analyse DNA methylation and histone modification patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with AA. PBMC samples were obtained from 25 patients with AA and 20 healthy controls. Global DNA methylcytosine levels, as well as histone acetylation and methylation levels, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expression levels were determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Genomic DNA methylation in PBMCs of patients with AA was increased relative to controls. DNMT1, MBD1 and MBD4 expression levels were significantly higher in AA PBMCs than in controls, and DNMT1 transcription levels positively correlated with global DNA methylation levels in patient samples. Histone H3 acetylation was significantly increased and histone H3 lysine 4 methylation was significantly decreased in patient PBMCs compared with healthy controls. Histone H3 acetylation levels were positively correlated with AA disease severity, and with RANTES (CCL5) mRNA expression in PBMCs of patients with AA. These changes were accompanied by increased p300 (EP300), histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), myeloid/lymphoid or mixed lineage leukemia (MLL), SET7/9 (SETD7), G9A (EHMT2), JMJD2C (KDM4C) and JARID1A (KDM5A) expression, as well as reduced HDAC2, HDAC7, LSD1 (KDM1A), JMJD2A (KDM4A) and JMJD2B (KDM4B) expression. DNA methylation and histone modification status are altered in PBMCs of patients with AA, possibly due to the deregulation of epigenetic regulatory genes. These changes may contribute to the activation of pathological immune responses in AA.

Zhao M ，Liang G ，Wu X ，Wang S ，Zhang P ，Su Y ，Yin H ，Tan Y ，Zhang J ，Lu Q ... -  《-》

Aberrant epigenetic modifications in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disorder with a complex aetiology involving genetic and environmental factors, most of which remain unknown. It has become increasingly evident that aberrant epigenetic modifications are associated with the occurrence and development of autoimmune skin disorders. However, it is not known whether epigenetic modifications play a role in the development of PV. To analyse DNA methylation and histone modification patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with PV. PBMC samples were isolated from 24 patients with PV and 20 healthy controls. Skin lesion biopsies and control skin specimens were obtained from 25 patients with PV and 15 healthy controls. Global DNA methylcytosine levels, as well as histone acetylation and methylation levels, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expression levels were determined using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Genomic DNA methylation in PBMCs of patients with PV was increased relative to controls. DNMT1 expression levels were significantly higher in PV PBMCs than in controls. MBD3 expression was repressed in PV PBMCs compared with healthy controls. Global histone H3/H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K27 methylation levels were significantly decreased in patient PBMCs compared with healthy controls. These changes were accompanied by increased HDAC1, HDAC2 and SUV39H2 and decreased SUV39H1 and EZH2 in PV PBMCs. Aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications occur in PBMCs of patients with PV, possibly due to the deregulation of epigenetic modifier genes. These changes may contribute to the pathological immune responses in PV.

Zhao M ，Huang W ，Zhang Q ，Gao F ，Wang L ，Zhang G ，Su Y ，Xiao R ，Zhang J ，Tang M ，Cheng W ，Tan Y ，Lu Q ... -  《-》

Abnormal histone modification patterns in lupus CD4+ T cells.

Hu N ，Qiu X ，Luo Y ，Yuan J ，Li Y ，Lei W ，Zhang G ，Zhou Y ，Su Y ，Lu Q ... -  《JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY》

Abnormal histone modifications in PBMCs from patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Zhang P ，Su Y ，Zhao M ，Huang W ，Lu Q ... -  《-》

Aberrant histone acetylation and methylation levels in woman with endometriosis.

Xiaomeng X ，Ming Z ，Jiezhi M ，Xiaoling F ... -  《-》