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Epigenetic Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Strategies in Multiple Sclerosis

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2024 | Viewed by 1084

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA
Interests: neurodegenerative diseases; neuroscience; multiple sclerosis; neurobiology and brain physiology; neurodegeneration

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on studies investigating the gene-environment influences and epigenetic alterations underlying multiple sclerosis’ (MS) etiology or pathology. These can include animal models or clinical studies. Many studies have identified changes in the one-carbon metabolism, histone and DNA methylation, and noncoding RNA in MS. The role of the microbiome on epigenetic changes is also an area of interest. We welcome studies that delve into the mechanisms involved in epigenetic changes in MS and the resultant aberrant transcriptions in neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, or other peripheral cells in addition. We also aim to cover potential therapies that can restore appropriate epigenetic control considering the neuroinflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative aspects of this disease. These therapies could include dietary factors, exercise, and others.

Dr. Jennifer McDonough
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • multiple sclerosis
  • epigenetics
  • neuroinflammation
  • DNA methylation
  • noncoding RNA
  • microbiome

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

9 pages, 1084 KiB  
Communication
The Impact of Sample Storage on Blood Methylation: Towards Assessing Myelin Gene Methylation as a Biomarker for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
by Assia Tiane, Veerle Somers, Niels Hellings, Daniel L. A. van den Hove and Tim Vanmierlo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3468; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063468 - 19 Mar 2024
Viewed by 807
Abstract
One of the major challenges in multiple sclerosis (MS) is to accurately monitor and quantify disability over time. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify new biomarkers for disease progression. Peripheral blood DNA methylation has been demonstrated to be an easily accessible [...] Read more.
One of the major challenges in multiple sclerosis (MS) is to accurately monitor and quantify disability over time. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify new biomarkers for disease progression. Peripheral blood DNA methylation has been demonstrated to be an easily accessible and quantifiable marker in many neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether methylation patterns that were previously determined in chronic inactive white matter lesions of patients with progressive MS are also reflected in the blood, and whether the latter can serve as a biomarker for disease progression in MS. While our initial analysis revealed differences in the blood methylation state of important myelin-related genes between patients with progressive MS and controls, these findings could not be validated in other independent patient cohorts. Subsequent investigation suggests that sample storage can selectively influence DNA methylation patterns, potentially hindering accurate epigenetic analysis. Therefore, sample storage time should be taken into consideration during the initial sample selection stage in biomarker studies. Full article
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