The role of MBD2 in immune cell development, function, and autoimmune diseases

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression, cell differentiation, and genome stability. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns, including the hypermethylation or global hypomethylation of tumor suppressor genes, are strongly associated with various human diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic syndrome. DNA methylation predominantly occurs at CpG dinucleotides, influencing transcription by altering chromatin structure and accessibility. MBD2 (Methyl-CpG-binding proteins 2) play a crucial role in interpreting these epigenetic marks and regulating downstream gene expression. In disease contexts, aberrant DNA methylation disrupts cellular homeostasis by silencing key regulatory genes or activating pathological pathways. Current research primarily focuses on MBD2 in cancer, with less emphasis on its role in autoimmune diseases. This review discusses the role of MBD2 in regulating immune cell development and differentiation through epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation and its regulatory components. Furthermore, it highlights the mechanistic contributions of MBD2 to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and evaluates its potential as a novel therapeutic target for these conditions.