Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum
06:12

Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum

Published on: May 3, 2024

3.4K

H3K4 Methylation Regulates LPS-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression and Release in Macrophages

Shuqi Zhao1, Yuyun Zhong, Xiaoxia Fu

  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Proteomics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Shock (Augusta, Ga.)
|March 24, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Histone methylation, specifically H3K4me2, is crucial for regulating inflammatory gene expression. Inhibiting H3K4 methylation suppressed key inflammatory cytokine release in macrophages.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Histone methylation is a key epigenetic regulator of gene expression in mammals.
  • Understanding histone methylation's role in inflammation is critical for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of specific histone methylation marks in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation.
  • To determine the involvement of H3K4me2 and H3K9me2 in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of histone methylation patterns (H3K4, H3K9, H3K36, H3K79, H4K20) in murine macrophages (RAW264.7 and BMDMs) after LPS stimulation.
  • Assessment of H3K4me2 and H3K9me2 enrichment at IL-6 and TNF-α promoters.
  • Evaluation of the effect of MTA, an H3K4 methylation inhibitor, on LPS-induced cytokine expression and release.

Main Results:

  • LPS stimulation increased H3K4 and H3K9 methylation in macrophages.
  • H3K4me2, but not H3K9me2, was enriched at the promoters of IL-6 and TNF-α.
  • Inhibition of H3K4 methylation by MTA significantly suppressed LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α expression and release.

Conclusions:

  • Histone methylation, particularly H3K4me2, plays a critical role in regulating LPS-induced inflammatory responses.
  • H3K4me2 enrichment at target gene promoters is a key mechanism in controlling pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
  • Targeting H3K4 methylation represents a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory conditions.

More Related Videos

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages10:07

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages

Published on: June 23, 2013

68.6K
Using Reference Reagents to Confirm Robustness of Cytokine Release Assays for the Prediction of Monoclonal Antibody Safety06:37

Using Reference Reagents to Confirm Robustness of Cytokine Release Assays for the Prediction of Monoclonal Antibody Safety

Published on: September 15, 2023

1.2K

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
26.5K
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

4.0K
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.
33.9K
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
1.4K
Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression01:27

Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression

Gene expression in prokaryotes is governed by constitutive and regulated systems, allowing cells to balance the production of essential proteins with adaptive responses to environmental changes.Constitutive Gene ExpressionConstitutive, or housekeeping, genes are continuously expressed as they encode proteins vital for fundamental cellular processes. These include enzymes for glycolysis, ribosomal components for protein synthesis, and proteins involved in DNA replication. Their constant...
1.3K
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators02:04

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
9.7K