Whole-genome transcription and DNA methylation analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells identified aberrant gene regulation pathways in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Our study has demonstrated that significant number of differential genes in SLE were involved in IFN, TLR signaling pathways, and inflammatory cytokines. The enrichment of differential genes has been associated with aberrant DNA methylation, which may be relevant to the pathogenesis of SLE. Our observations have laid the groundwork for further diagnostic and mechanistic studies of SLE and LN.