Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, non-coding RNA are reversible, heritable alterations which are induced by environmental stimuli. Major risk factors of diabetes and diabetic complications including hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products, can lead to abnormal epigenetic modifications in retinal vascular endothelial cells and retinal pigment epithelium cells. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema and neovascularization of diabetic retinopathy (DR), as well as diabetic metabolic memory. The heritable nature of epigenetic marks also playsakey role in familial diabetes mellitus. Further elucidation of epigenetic mechanisms in DR can open the way for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets to prevent DR progression.
Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a hereditary disease with high geneticheterogeneity, including autosomal dominant inheritance, autosomal recessive inheritance, snd X-linked recessive inheritance. So far, six genes have been found to be associated with FEVR: Wnt receptor fizzled protein (FZD4), Norrie disease (NDP), co-receptor low-densitylipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), and tetrasin 12 (TSPANI2), zinc finger protein408 (ZNF408), kinesin family member 11 (KIF11) gene. Among them, FZD4, NDP, LRPS, TSPANI2 and other four genes play an important role in the Norrin/Frizzled 4 signaling pathway. In retinal capillary endothelial cells, Norrin specifically controls the occurrence of ocular capillaries by activating the Norrin/Frizzled 4 signaling pathway. ZNF408 and KIF11 are newly discovered pathogenic genes related to FEVR in the past 5 years. ZNF408 encodes the transcription factor that plays an important role in retinal angiogenesis. KIF11 plays a role in eye development and maintenance of retinal morphology and function.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal and complex disease characterized by multifactorial involvement in pulmonary vascular remodeling, leading to heart failure. It is difficult to treat and has a poor long-term prognosis. Recent studies highlight the significant role of epigenetic modulation in the pathophysiological progression of PAH, offering new therapeutic approaches to improve clinical outcomes. This article summarizes the role of epigenetic modulation in the development and progression of PAH, focusing on deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, ribonucleic acid methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding ribonucleic acid, in order to understand the role of epigenetic modulation in PAH and identifying new evaluation indexes and therapeutic targets, thereby improving the prognosis of PAH.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of pathogenesis and genetics of alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (AIONFH). MethodsThe relevant domestic and foreign literature in recent years was extensively reviewed. The pathogenesis, the relationship between gene polymorphism and susceptibility, the related factors of disease progression, and the potential therapeutic targets of AIONFH were summarized. ResultsAIONFH is a refractory orthopedic disease caused by excessive drinking, seriously affecting the daily life of patients due to its high disability rate. The pathogenesis of AIONFH includes lipid metabolism disorder, endothelial dysfunction, bone homeostasis imbalance, and et al. Gene polymorphism and non-coding RNA are also involved. The hematological and molecular changes involved in AIONFH may be used as early diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets of the disease. ConclusionThe pathogenesis of AIONFH has not been fully elucidated. Research based on genetics, including gene polymorphism and non-coding RNA, combined with next-generation sequencing technology, may provide directions for future research on the mechanism and discovery of potential therapeutic targets.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical features of patients over 30 years old with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). MethodsNine male LHON patients (18 eyes) were enrolled in this study. The patients aged from 34 to 56 years old, with an average age of (45.22±6.91) years. The course of the disease ranged from 7 days to 21 months, with a mean course of 5 months. Visual acuity, slit lamp microscope, chromoptometry, direct ophthalmoscope and fundus photography were measured for all patients, visual field examined for 6 patients (11 eyes). Mitochondrial DNA mutation was analyzed. The visual acuity was followed-up for 12 months. ResultsSeven of the 9 patients (77.78%) had family history. Five patients (55.56%) had both eyes involved simultaneously, and 4 patients (44.44%) had the eyes involved at different time. Three patients (33.33%) had sudden visual loss, and 6 patients (66.67%) had gradual visual loss. The visual acuity was light perception in 1 eye (5.55%), finger counting in 3 eyes (16.67%), 0.01-0.1 in 7 eyes (38.89%), 0.12-0.3 in 3 eyes (16.67%), equal or greater than 0.4 in 4 eyes (22.22%). Sixteen eyes (88.88%) had normal light reflex, 1 eye (5.55%) had no light reflex, and 1 eye (5.55%) had relative afferent papillary defect. Eight eyes (44.44%) had normal optic disk, 3 eyes (16.67%) had blurred optic disc border and disc telangiectasia, 7 eyes (38.89%) had pale disc and clear boundary. Among 11 eyes underwent visual field examination, 9 eyes (81.82%) had central or paracentral scotoma and 2 eyes (18.18%) had visual field narrowing. Among 9 patients, there were 7 patients (77.78%) with G11778A mutation, 1 patient (11.11%) with G11696A mutation, and 1 patient (11.11%) with T14484C mutation. In the last follow-up, the visual acuity was light perception in 1 eye (5.55%), finger counting in 4 eyes (22.22%), 0.01-0.1 in 6 eyes (33.33%), 0.12-0.3 in 3 eyes (16.67%), equal or greater than 0.4 in 4 eyes (22.22%).The visual acuity was improved in 9 eyes (50.00%), stable in 7 eyes(38.89%), and decreased in 2 eyes (11.11%). ConclusionLHON patients (older than 30 years) are more common in men, mostly with normal light reflex, central or paracentral scotoma and G11778A mutation.
Olfactory bulb is a critical component in encoding and processing olfactory signals, characterized by its intricate neural projections and networks dedicated to this function. It has been found that descending neural projections from the olfactory cortex and other advanced brain regions can modulate the excitability of olfactory bulb output neurons in the olfactory bulb, either directly or indirectly, which can further influence olfactory discrimination, learning, and other abilities. In recent years, advancements in optogenetic technology have facilitated extensive application of neuron manipulation for studying neural circuits, thereby greatly accelerating research into olfactory mechanisms. This review summarizes the latest research progress on the regulatory effects of neural projections from the olfactory cortex, basal forebrain, raphe nucleus, and locus coeruleus on olfactory bulb function. Furthermore, the important role that photogenetic technology plays in olfactory mechanism research is evaluated. Finally, the existing problems and future development trends in current research are preliminarily proposed and explained. This review aims to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying olfactory neural regulation as well as applications of optogenetic technology, which are crucial for advancing the research on olfactory mechanism and the application of optogenetic technology.
Recent advances in epigenetics indicate that several epigenetic modifications, including acetylation, methylatio, and microRNA (miRNA), play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). Our study reveales that enhancement of protein acetylation by pharmacological inhibition of class I histone deacetylases leads to more severe tubular injury, and delays the restoration of renal structure and function. The changes in promoter DNA methylation occurs in the kidney with ischemia/reperfusion. MiRNA expression is associated with the regulation of both renal injury and regeneration after AKI. Targeting the epigenetic process may provide a therapeutic treatment for patients with AKI. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in epigenetic regulation of AKI and provide mechanistic insight into the role of acetylation, methylation, and miRNA expression in the pathological processes of AKI.
ObjectiveTo investigate the difference of DNA methylation before and after bariatric surgery.MethodThe relevant literatures of the research on the changes of DNA methylation level and gene expression regulation in blood and tissues before and after bariatric surgery were retrieved and reviewed.ResultsDNA methylation was an important method of epigenetic regulation in organisms and its role in bariatric surgery had been paid more and more attention in recent years. Existing studies had found that there were changes of DNA methylation in blood and tissues before and after bariatric surgery. The degree of methylation varies with different follow-up time after bariatric surgery and the same gene had different degrees of methylation in different tissues, and some even had the opposite results.ConclusionsDNA methylation levels before and after bariatric surgery are different in different tissues. And studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up time are needed, to further reveal relationship among DNA methylation, obesity, and bariatric surgery.
Epigenetic mechanisms influence gene expression and function without modification of the base sequence of DNA and may generateagenetic phenotype. Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and deployment of noncoding RNA. There is growing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms could playacrucial role in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Molecular biological methods which could maintain mitochondrial homeostasis through the regulation of epigenetic mechanisms may prevent the development of DR. Epigenetic-related treatment modalities will become the new direction of targeted therapy for DR.
Primary cardiac tumors, which originate from the heart, are uncommon and can be classified as benign or malignant, with the majority being benign. Malignant primary cardiac tumors have a poor prognosis. Benign ones may also cause severe hemodynamic and electrophysiological consequences, but the prognosis is generally good if they are detected early and treated properly. In recent years, researches on the genetic and molecular causes of primary cardiac tumors have yielded some promising breakthroughs, with some of them already being translated into clinical practice. This article reviews research progress and its use in precise diagnosis and targeted therapy from the perspective of DNA, RNA, and protein changes, as well as prospects the promising research directions in the future.