DNA methylation changes in CD4+ T cells isolated from multiple sclerosis patients on dimethyl fumarate

Abstract

Background: Dimethyl fumarate is an oral treatment for multiple sclerosis, whose mechanism of action is not fully understood. Objective: To investigate the effects of dimethyl fumarate on DNA methylation in the CD4+ T cells of multiple sclerosis patients. Methods: We performed Illumina EPIC arrays to investigate the DNA methylation profiles of CD4+ T cells derived from multiple sclerosis patients before and after dimethyl fumarate treatment. Results: Treatment with dimethyl fumarate resulted in 97% of differentially methylated positions showing hypermethylation. Four genes, SNORD1A, SHTN1, MZB1 and TNF had a differentially methylated region located within the transcriptional start site. Conclusion: This study investigates the effect of dimethyl fumarate on DNA methylation in multiple sclerosis patients.