Epigenetic control of skin immunity.

Abstract

Epigenetics has been well understood for its role in cell development; however, it is now known to regulate many processes involved in immune cell activation in a variety of cells. The skin maintains homeostasis via crosstalk between immune and non-immune cells. Disruption of normal epigenetic regulation in these cells may alter the transcription of immune-regulatory factors and affect the immunological balance in the skin. This review summarizes recent evidence for the epigenetic regulation of skin immunity. Much of what is known about epigenetic involvement in skin immunity is associated with DNA methylation. This review focuses on epigenetic regulation of histone modification and chromatin remodeling and describes their role in the transcriptional regulation of immune-regulatory factors. While much is still unknown regarding the regulation of skin immunity via histone modification or chromatin remodeling, these processes may underlie the pathogenesis of chronic cutaneous immune disorders.