Epigenetics in systemic lupus erythematosus (Review)

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease, with mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Previous studies have proposed that genes and environments are required for lupus to develop and flare. It has been found that epigenetics have a significant influence on SLE. The present review will concentrate on epigenetics in SLE. There are a number of studies reporting that autoreactive T cells and B cells in patients with SLE have evidence of altered patterns of DNA methylation, modifications of histones and microRNA (miRNA). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are another type of noncoding RNAs, which have an important role in epigenetics. lncRNAs may possibly become a new hotspot in SLE.