Abstract
In recent years, molecular research has brought to light a series of mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene function without altering the DNA sequence. These mechanisms are described with the term “epigenetics” and include modifications in the structure of the human genome, leading to heritable and potentially reversible changes in gene expression. There is now increasing evidence suggesting that several characteristic features of chronic kidney disease such as hyperhomocysteinemia, subclinical inflammation, increased oxidative stress and others may affect the human epigenome. In addition, animal studies have suggested a possible link between nutrition and environmental exposure during the periconceptional period and epigenetic changes in the expression of major genes implicated in kidney organogenesis; these changes result in a diminished number of nephrons in the developing kidney, which predisposes to an increased risk for hypertension and chronic kidney disease in future life. The understanding of the role of epigenetic phenomena in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease opens new avenues for future therapeutic strategies, through the development of pharmaceutical agents that target directly with the changes in the human epigenome. Such epigenetic drugs are already in clinical use for the treatment of cancer as well as under investigation for the use in other diseases. This review will summarize the existing data on the link between epigenetic mechanisms and chronic uremic milieu, as well as the promising results of ongoing research in the field of epigenetic drugs that could represent additional options in our therapeutic armamentarium for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, epigenetics, kidney organogenesis, transplantation, genome, hyperhomocysteinemia, subclinical, environmental exposure
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Epigenetic Mechanisms and Kidney Diseases
Volume: 18 Issue: 12
Author(s): V. Liakopoulos, P. I. Georgianos, T. Eleftheriadis and P. A. Sarafidis
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, epigenetics, kidney organogenesis, transplantation, genome, hyperhomocysteinemia, subclinical, environmental exposure
Abstract: In recent years, molecular research has brought to light a series of mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene function without altering the DNA sequence. These mechanisms are described with the term “epigenetics” and include modifications in the structure of the human genome, leading to heritable and potentially reversible changes in gene expression. There is now increasing evidence suggesting that several characteristic features of chronic kidney disease such as hyperhomocysteinemia, subclinical inflammation, increased oxidative stress and others may affect the human epigenome. In addition, animal studies have suggested a possible link between nutrition and environmental exposure during the periconceptional period and epigenetic changes in the expression of major genes implicated in kidney organogenesis; these changes result in a diminished number of nephrons in the developing kidney, which predisposes to an increased risk for hypertension and chronic kidney disease in future life. The understanding of the role of epigenetic phenomena in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease opens new avenues for future therapeutic strategies, through the development of pharmaceutical agents that target directly with the changes in the human epigenome. Such epigenetic drugs are already in clinical use for the treatment of cancer as well as under investigation for the use in other diseases. This review will summarize the existing data on the link between epigenetic mechanisms and chronic uremic milieu, as well as the promising results of ongoing research in the field of epigenetic drugs that could represent additional options in our therapeutic armamentarium for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Liakopoulos V., I. Georgianos P., Eleftheriadis T. and A. Sarafidis P., Epigenetic Mechanisms and Kidney Diseases, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 18 (12) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711795496827
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711795496827 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
Current advances in inherited cardiomyopathy
Describe in detail all novel advances in multimodality imaging related to inherited cardiomyopathy diagnosis and prognosis. Shed light to deeper phenotypic characterization. Acknowledge recent advances in genetics, genomics and precision medicineread more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Vascular Pharmacology Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure to Lead: The Epidemiologic Evidence and Potential Role of Epigenetics
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial [ Nuclear Receptors as Drug Discovery Targets Executive Editor: Sunil Nagpal ]
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Hyperglycemia to Nephropathy via Transforming Growth Factor Beta
Current Diabetes Reviews The Effects of Glucose-Lowering Therapies on Diabetic Kidney Disease
Current Diabetes Reviews Renal Denervation Therapy: Can it Contribute to Better Blood Pressure Control in Hypertension?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Ethical and Social Issues in Pharmacogenomics Testing
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nitric Oxide in Atherosclerosis
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Sleep and COPD
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Roles of Perilipins in Diseases and Cancers
Current Genomics Role of Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Obesity, Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome
Current Hypertension Reviews Smad3-Mediated Signals Showing Similarities and Differences Between Epithelial and Mesenchymal Cells in Human Chronic Liver Diseases
Current Enzyme Inhibition Nontraditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
Current Diabetes Reviews New Insights into Adipokines as Potential Biomarkers for Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
Current Medicinal Chemistry Passive Smoking and Coronary Heart Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology The Role of Endothelial Related Circulating Biomarkers in COVID-19. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Important Role of Potatoes, An Underrated Vegetable Food Crop in Human Health and Nutrition
Current Nutrition & Food Science Overlap Syndrome of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Two-Faced Janus
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Gamma (PI3Kγ) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery