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Cell Type-specific Gene Expression Profiling in the Mouse Liver
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Cell Type-specific Gene Expression Profiling in the Mouse Liver

Published on: September 17, 2019

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Targeting epigenetics and lncRNAs in liver disease: From mechanisms to therapeutics

Xiao-Fei Peng1, Shi-Feng Huang2, Ling-Juan Chen3

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan 511518, Guangdong Province, China.

Pharmacological Research
|August 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic mechanisms like RNA methylation and histone modification are key drivers of liver disease. Targeting these epigenetic regulators offers promising therapeutic strategies for hepatic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Aberrant transcriptional regulation significantly impacts liver disease onset and progression.
  • Epigenetics, encompassing RNA/DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNA targeting, plays a crucial role in both healthy and diseased liver cells.
  • Liver disease research increasingly focuses on its strong epigenetic component, transforming epigenetics from a basic biological phenomenon to a disease research focus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current knowledge on five key epigenetic processes in hepatic diseases: RNA methylation, DNA methylation, histone methylation, microRNAs (miRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators, such as m6A-related factors, for liver disease prevention and treatment.
  • To provide a perspective on identifying novel hepatic biomarkers and therapeutic targets within the epigenetics field for precision medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing studies on epigenetic mechanisms in liver disease.
  • Discussion of interconnectedness and interdependence of different epigenetic processes.
  • Analysis of therapeutic implications and future research directions.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic processes are fundamental to liver biology and disease pathogenesis.
  • Inhibitors of epigenetic regulators show potential as therapeutic agents for liver conditions.
  • The review consolidates understanding of RNA methylation, DNA methylation, histone methylation, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in hepatic diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic dysregulation is a critical factor in liver disease.
  • Targeting epigenetic mechanisms presents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic strategies and biomarker discovery in hepatology.
  • This review highlights the transformative role of epigenetics in advancing precision research and treatment for liver diseases.
Keywords:
DNA methylationEpigeneticsHistone modificationLiver diseaseLncRNAsRNA methylation

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