DNA methylation profile, histone acetylation, and filaggrin gene expression in the blood of patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Introduction . Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common genetically determined chronic inflammatory skin disease with a relapsing course. Over the past three decades, the prevalence of AD in industrialized countries has increased markedly. The rising incidence and variable clinical course of AD may be associated, in part, with epigenetic changes induced by environmental factors. Aim. To evaluate epigenetic changes in patients with moderate-to-severe AD, including histone acetylation, filaggrin ( FLG ) gene expression, and the DNA methylation profile. Mat erials and methods. An observational case–control study was conducted from January 2022 to October 2023 and included 60 patients with AD and 23 healthy controls. Histone acetylation and DNA methylation levels were assessed in peripheral blood samples from patients with AD and healthy controls. F LG gene expression was evaluated in the leukocyte fraction of peripheral blood using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results. DNA methylation levels were significantly higher in patients with AD than in healthy controls (98.86% vs. 66.16%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Histone acetylation levels were lower in patients with AD than in healthy controls, as indicated by a 21.0% reduction in histone acetyltransferase activity (p < 0.001). In addition, FLG gene expression in the leukocyte fraction of peripheral blood was significantly lower in patients with AD than in healthy controls (Cohen’s d = -3.03; p = 1.19 × 10 -11 ). Conclusion. The assessment of molecular genetic characteristics and epigenetic alterations in patients with AD may contribute to a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of the disease and support the development of novel approaches to targeted therapy.