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Review
. 2020:1253:285-308.
doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-3449-2_11.

Epigenetics in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Anne Bordron  1 , Valérie Devauchelle-Pensec  1   2 , Christelle Le Dantec  1 , Arthur Capdeville  1 , Wesley H Brooks  3 , Yves Renaudineau  4   5
Affiliations
Review

Epigenetics in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Anne Bordron et al. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020.

Abstract

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune epithelitis with predominant female incidence, which is characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction. Incompletely understood, the etiology of SjS is multi-factorial and evidence is growing to consider that epigenetic factors are playing a crucial role in its development. Independent from DNA sequence mutations, epigenetics is described as inheritable and reversible processes that modify gene expression. Epigenetic modifications reported in minor salivary gland and lymphocytes from SjS patients are related to (i) an abnormal DNA methylation process inducing in turn defective control of normally repressed genes involving such matters as autoantigens, retrotransposons, and the X chromosome in women; (ii) altered nucleosome positioning associated with autoantibody production; and (iii) altered control of microRNA. Results from epigenome-wide association studies have further revealed the importance of the interferon pathway in disease progression, the calcium signaling pathway for controlling fluid secretions, and a cell-specific cross talk with risk factors associated with SjS. Importantly, epigenetic modifications are reversible thus opening opportunities for therapeutic procedures in this currently incurable disease.

Keywords: DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Epithelial cells; Genetics; Histone; Sjögren’s syndrome; microRNAs.

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