Korean J Med.  2013 Sep;85(3):260-266. 10.3904/kjm.2013.85.3.260.

Epigenetics in Allergic Diseases

• Jang AS

• KMID: 1722635
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2013.85.3.260

Abstract

The epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression or celluar phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic regulation in asthma and allergic diseases is an interesting area that has obtained a great deal of scientific concern in recent years. Allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis in early life are one of the important indicators that the developing immune system is vulnerable to biologic and environmental pollutants. The epigenetic studies are likely to provide clear and deep understandings into how the environment can be modified to drive immune development and change the allergic disease phenotypes. This review includes 1) definition of epigenetics 2) regulation of epigenetics 3) characterization of environmental asthma and allergic diseases triggers that induce epigenetic changes.

Keyword

Epigenetics; Allergic diseases; Asthma

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Base Sequence
Environmental Pollutants
Epigenomics
Gene Expression
Immune System
Phenotype
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Environmental Pollutants