Unfolding the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosisthrough Epigenomics

Abstract

 As a group of autoimmune diseases, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is prominent in the imbalance of immune homeostasis, micro-vessels dominant obliteration, and the skin and/or internal organs fibrosis. Although the precise mechanisms are still unknown, increasing data have shown that epigenetic dysregulation, which can link genetics and environmental stress, represents a promising field in SSc investigation. The objective of this review is to sum up the current information on the epigenetic alteration in SSc, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA.