Epigenetics and systemic sclerosis: An answer to disease onset and evolution?

Abstract

There is growing evidence that implicates epigenetic modification in the pathogenesis of systemicsclerosis (SSc). The complexity of epigenetic regulation and its dynamic nature complicate the investigationof its role in the disease. We will review the current literature for factors that link epigeneticsto SSc by discussing DNA methylation, histone acetylation and methylation, and non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs), particularly microRNA changes in endothelial cells, fibroblasts (FBs), and lymphocytes.These three cell types are significantly involved in the early stages and throughout the course of thedisease and are particularly vulnerable to epigenetic regulation. The pathogenesis of SSc is likely relatedto modifications of the epigenome by environmental signals in individuals with a specific geneticmakeup. The epigenome is an attractive therapeutic target; however, successful epigenetics-basedtreatments require a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling the epigenomeand its alteration in the disease.