Future Challenges and Prospects for the Epigenetics of Autoimmunity Publisher



Mahmoudi M¹ ; Aslani S¹
Source: The Epigenetics of Autoimmunity Published:2018

Abstract

Epigenetic modifications mediate environmental effects on gene expression and can influence the risk of diseases associated with genetic variants. Epigenetic evaluation provides a tool for understanding the mechanisms through which environmental and genetic factors collaborate to assign the disease risk. The spatial and temporal variance in the epigenetic profile is particularly relevant for developmental epidemiology and the study of aging, including the variable age of onset for many common diseases. However, personalized epigenetics has now been introduced as a promising strategy and can be used as an approach for the treatment of epigenetic-based diseases and others aspects of medicine. Epigenetic biomarkers and epigenomic signatures that are specific to each individual may be useful for the diagnosis of disorders and as prognostic tools for assessing the progression of diseases. This chapter will discuss the current status in epigenetic studies and the future challenges that are likely to be faced. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.