The Evaluation of the epigenetics related genes expression (DNMT, HDAC1) in Iranian patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system abnormally reacts against cells and tissues leading to inflammation. Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modification, have critical effects on autoimmune disease and SLE pathogenesis via dysregulation of critical genes. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epigenetic-related gene expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in Iranian patients with SLE. Methods: This matched case-control study included 16 people with SLE and 16 healthy people who were referred to the Rafsanjan rheumatology clinic, in the southeast of Iran. The expression of DNMT and HDAC1 genes was measured through a Real-time PCR assay of blood samples. Results: DNMT gene expression did not differ significantly between SLE and healthy groups (P=0.21). In contrast, HDAC1 gene expression was enhanced in the SLE group, but this enhancement failed to reach statistical significance (P=0.94). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that overexpression of HDAC1 could serve as a diagnostic for SLE disease. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm our findings. Evaluation of other genes are related to SLE disease is essential and may help to form an accurate diagnosis of the disease.