More Than a Genetic Code: Epigenetics of Lung Fibrosis

Overview

Journal Mol Diagn Ther

Specialties Molecular Biology
Pathology
Pharmacology

Date 2020 Sep 14

PMID 32926347

Citations 18

Authors

Krystian Bartczak

Adam J Bialas

Mateusz J Kotecki

Pawel Gorski

Wojciech J Piotrowski

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

At the end of the last century, genetic studies reported that genetic information is not transmitted solely by DNA, but is also transmitted by other mechanisms, named as epigenetics. The well-described epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, biochemical modifications of histones, and microRNAs. The role of altered epigenetics in the biology of various fibrotic diseases is well-established, and recent advances demonstrate its importance in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis-predominantly referring to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the most lethal of the interstitial lung diseases. The deficiency in effective medications suggests an urgent need to better understand the underlying pathobiology. This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning epigenetic changes in pulmonary fibrosis and associations of these changes with several cellular pathways of known significance in its pathogenesis. It also designates the most promising substances for further research that may bring us closer to new therapeutic options.

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