Epigenetic Regulation of Immune Cells in Health and Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Serunjogi Ruth

Faculty of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda

Email: ruth.serunjogi@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

ABSTRACT

Epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in the development, differentiation, and function of immune cells. Mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA interactions dynamically shape gene expression, enabling immune cells to adapt to environmental stimuli and mediate appropriate immune responses. Aberrant epigenetic regulation is implicated in a range of diseases, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, and chronic inflammatory conditions. In autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, altered DNA methylation and histone modifications contribute to immune dysregulation and tissue damage. In cancer, immune cells in the tumor microenvironment often exhibit epigenetic changes that facilitate immune evasion. Emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic pathways, including DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and CRISPR-based epigenome editing, offer promising approaches for treating immune-mediated diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epigenetic mechanisms governing immune cell behavior, their dysregulation in disease, and the potential of epigenetic therapies to restore immune homeostasis and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Epigenetics, immune cells, DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, autoimmune diseases, immunotherapy

CITE AS: Serunjogi Ruth (2024). Epigenetic Regulation of Immune Cells in Health and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 10(2):1-7. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JST/24/102.17000