Fig. 2.

Possible roles of epigenetic alterations involved in SLE pathogenesis. Genetic disposition in combination with environmental factors can alter epigenetic marks, such as DNA (de-)methylation, histone modifications and transcriptional regulation by non-coding RNA. These epigenetic modifications may lead to aberrant gene expression profiles in (autoreactive) T cells that activate proinflammatory and repress anti-inflammatory genes. Aberrant and continuous expression of chemokines and cytokines mobilizes autoreactive B cells, which may trigger and aggravate SLE. SLE systemic lupus erythematosus