Potential of epigenetic therapies in non-cancerous conditions

Theresa Mau1, Raymond Yung2

  • 1Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Frontiers in Genetics
|January 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetics research is advancing rapidly, offering new therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases beyond cancer. Dietary factors also play a role in epigenetic modifications, influencing health across generations.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and immunology
  • Molecular biology
  • Translational medicine

Background:

  • The field of epigenetics has seen significant growth over the last two decades.
  • Epigenetic therapies are now used clinically for cancer, but their potential for non-cancerous conditions is still under investigation.
  • Autoimmune diseases represent a major area where epigenetic insights could lead to novel treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the role of epigenetics in immune and inflammatory diseases.
  • To explore how this knowledge can identify new therapeutic targets for autoimmune conditions.
  • To discuss the influence of dietary factors on epigenetic modifications and their intergenerational effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on epigenetics in immune and inflammatory conditions.
  • Analysis of current epigenetic therapies and their applicability to non-cancerous diseases.
  • Examination of research on dietary influences on epigenetic marks.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
  • Dietary factors are recognized as key modulators of epigenetic marks with potential health implications.
  • The convergence of epigenomics and personal genetics offers promise for personalized medicine.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the epigenetics of immune and inflammatory conditions is crucial for developing new therapies.
  • Dietary interventions may offer a strategy to modulate epigenetic marks for disease prevention and treatment.
  • The epigenomics revolution, combined with personal genetics, will enhance disease risk stratification and guide treatment decisions.

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
4.3K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
34.6K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

26.7K
Gene Therapy00:59

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be...
28.3K
Gene Therapy00:59

Gene Therapy

4.9K
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for...
2.3K