A Review of Aberrant DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Agents Targeting DNA Methyltransferases in Endometriosis

Ding L, Leilei Ding, Li Yang, Yang L, Ren C, Chenchen Ren, Zhang H, Huawen Zhang, Jie Lu, Lu J, Senyan Wang, Wang S, Wu Z, Zimeng Wu, Yanan Yang, Yang Y
Current drug targets · 2020 · doi:10.2174/1389450121666200228112344 · PMID:32107990
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Aberrant DNA methylation is crucial in endometriosis pathogenesis, and epigenetic agents targeting DNA methyltransferases offer a potential therapeutic strategy.

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This review examines the role of aberrant DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, highlighting how epigenetic changes contribute to abnormal hormonal, immune, and inflammatory states associated with the disease. The authors synthesize findings from high-throughput sequencing and biomolecular technologies to illustrate genome-wide methylation patterns and identify potential therapeutic targets within DNA methyltransferases. They discuss the current progress and challenges of using DNA methylation inhibitors as a novel treatment strategy for managing endometriosis symptoms and progression. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically focusing on epigenetic mechanisms and targeted therapies involving DNA methylation modifiers.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis (EMS) is a gynecological disease defined by the translocation and growth of endometrial tissue in other tissues or organs outside the uterus. Its clinical manifestations are dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and even infertility. Although EMS is a benign disease, it has the characteristics of malignant tumor and the potential of malignant transformation. Recent studies have found that EMS may involve epigenetic changes and that various epigenetic aberrations, especially aberrant DNA methylation may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of EMS. Previous studies have elucidated the epigenetic regulators of EMS and reported variations in epigenetic patterns of genes known to be associated with abnormal hormonal, immune, and inflammatory states of EMS. With the development of high-throughput sequencing and other biomolecular technologies, we have a better understanding of genome-wide methylation in EMS. OBJECTIVE: This article will discuss the potentiality of targeting DNA methylation as the therapeutic approach for EMS. RESULTS: This article reviews the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of EMS and provides insight into a novel therapeutic approach for EMS by targeting DNA methylation modifiers. We also review the current progress in using DNA methylation inhibitors in EMS therapy and the potential promise and challenges ahead. CONCLUSION: Aberrant DNA methylation plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of EMS and epigenetic agents targeting DNA methyltransferases are expected to be the theoretical basis for the new treatment of EMS.
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Abstract

Background: Endometriosis (EMS) is a gynecological disease defined by the translocation and growth of endometrial tissue in other tissues or organs outside the uterus. Its clinical manifestations are dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and even infertility. Although EMS is a benign disease, it has the characteristics of malignant tumor and the potential of malignant transformation. Recent studies have found that EMS may involve epigenetic changes and that various epigenetic aberrations, especially aberrant DNA methylation may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of EMS. Previous studies have elucidated the epigenetic regulators of EMS and reported variations in epigenetic patterns of genes known to be associated with abnormal hormonal, immune, and inflammatory states of EMS. With the development of high-throughput sequencing and other biomolecular technologies, we have a better understanding of genome-wide methylation in EMS.

Objective

This article will discuss the potentiality of targeting DNA methylation as the therapeutic approach for EMS.

Results

This article reviews the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of EMS and provides insight into a novel therapeutic approach for EMS by targeting DNA methylation modifiers. We also review the current progress in using DNA methylation inhibitors in EMS therapy and the potential promise and challenges ahead.

Conclusion

Aberrant DNA methylation plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of EMS and epigenetic agents targeting DNA methyltransferases are expected to be the theoretical basis for the new treatment of EMS.

Keywords

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Condition tags

endometriosisdysmenorrheainfertility

MeSH descriptors

DNA Methylation DNA Methylation DNA Modification Methylases DNA Modification Methylases Endometriosis Endometriosis Epigenesis, Genetic CpG Islands CpG Islands DNA Methylation DNA Modification Methylases Endometriosis Endometriosis Epigenesis, Genetic Female Humans Promoter Regions, Genetic

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