Association of retinal diseases with epigenetics mechanism / 中华实验眼科杂志

ABSTRACT

Epigenetics refers to the changes of heritable gene expression without modification of DNA sequences which is one of major research interest of human genome study post gene era. Epigenetics may play an important role in the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. Epigenetics modification in the regulation of gene expression and function mainly includes DNA methylation,histone acetylation and non-coding RNA such as miRNA. The implication of epigenetics has been suggested with the pathogenesis of retinal fibrosis, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. In addition, the epigenetics drug has potential to be used in the treatment of retinal diseases.