Role and mechanism of DNA methylation and its inhibitors in hepatic fibrosis

Shi-Yi Lyu; Wang Xiao; Guang-Zu Cui; Cheng Yu; Huan Liu; Min Lyu; Qian-Ya Kuang; En-Hua Xiao; Yong-Heng Luo

doi:10.3389/fgene.2023.1124330

Frontiers in Genetics (Mar 2023)

Role and mechanism of DNA methylation and its inhibitors in hepatic fibrosis

Shi-Yi Lyu,
Wang Xiao,
Guang-Zu Cui,
Cheng Yu,
Huan Liu,
Min Lyu,
Qian-Ya Kuang,
En-Hua Xiao,
Yong-Heng Luo

Affiliations

Shi-Yi Lyu: Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Wang Xiao: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Guang-Zu Cui: XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Cheng Yu: Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Huan Liu: Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Min Lyu: Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Qian-Ya Kuang: Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
En-Hua Xiao: Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Yong-Heng Luo: Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1124330
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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Liver fibrosis is a repair response to injury caused by various chronic stimuli that continually act on the liver. Among them, the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and their transformation into a myofibroblast phenotype is a key event leading to liver fibrosis, however the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. The molecular basis of HSC activation involves changes in the regulation of gene expression without changes in the genome sequence, namely, via epigenetic regulation. DNA methylation is a key focus of epigenetic research, as it affects the expression of fibrosis-related, metabolism-related, and tumor suppressor genes. Increasing studies have shown that DNA methylation is closely related to several physiological and pathological processes including HSC activation and liver fibrosis. This review aimed to discuss the mechanism of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, explore DNA methylation inhibitors as potential therapies for liver fibrosis, and provide new insights on the prevention and clinical treatment of liver fibrosis.

Published in Frontiers in Genetics

ISSN: 1664-8021 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Genetics
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/genetics

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