Beyond genes: a clinician's guide to epigenetics

Petar Popov1, Renata Z Jurkowska1

  • 1Division of Biomedicine, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.

PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene expression and are altered by environmental factors, influencing chronic lung diseases. Understanding these epigenetic changes offers new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for respiratory conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms control gene on/off status.
  • Chronic environmental exposures (e.g., smoke, pollution) alter epigenetics, contributing to disease.
  • Epigenetics can be manipulated for therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To guide clinicians and researchers on epigenetic regulation in lung disease.
  • To introduce key epigenetic modifications and cellular machinery.
  • To discuss epigenetic dysregulation in response to environmental exposures and chronic lung diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epigenetic modifications and cellular machinery.
  • Presentation of examples of epigenetic dysregulation.
  • Discussion of epigenetic biomarkers and therapies.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic signaling provides novel insights into chronic lung disease development.
  • Environmental exposures induce epigenetic dysregulation relevant to lung diseases.
  • Epigenetic modifications are implicated in the pathogenesis of various chronic lung conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial in understanding and potentially treating respiratory diseases.
  • Epigenetic biomarkers and therapies hold promise for clinical applications.
  • Precision medicine approaches, including epigenetic editing, offer future therapeutic avenues.

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