'; ?> geneimprint : Hot off the Press http://www.geneimprint.com/site/hot-off-the-press Daily listing of the most recent articles in epigenetics and imprinting, collected from the PubMed database. en-us Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:36:59 EST Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:36:59 EST jirtle@radonc.duke.edu james001@jirtle.com Whole-genome paternal uniparental disomy identified through prenatal single-nucleotide polymorphism-based cell-free DNA screening. Benn P, Hashimoto K, Souter V, Dhamankar R, Xu W, Kijacic D
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (Jan 2026)

Prenatal single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening can identify genome-wide paternal uniparental disomy (GW-UPDpat), including cases with complete hydatidiform mole with a coexisting fetus (CHMCF), those with placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) and those with a mosaic/chimeric GW-UPDpat syndrome. Our objective was to review laboratory data and pregnancy outcome for SNP-based cfDNA screening tests with results compatible with GW-UPDpat and a normal cell line.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST The Right Person, the Right Treatment, at the Right Time in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights From the 2025 Brain Aging Symposium. de Magalhães CG, Moldakozhayev A, Lopez MV, Bowman GL, Chhatwal JP, Kellis M, Mohs R, Nisenbaum L, Quiroz YT, Raju RM, Sperling RA, Moqri M, Gladyshev VN
Aging Cell (Jan 2026)

On October 22nd, 2025, Brain Aging Symposium took place at Harvard Medical School bringing together leading researchers from academia and partner organizations to discuss recent advances in measuring and monitoring human brain aging trajectories, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD). A central theme emerged: achieving "the right treatment for the right person and the right time" through precision medicine approaches. Key advances included the unprecedented validation of plasma-based biomarkers, particularly brain-derived p-Tau217 that can identify seeding AD pathology with remarkable specificity, making large-scale screening newly feasible. Integrating multi-level "omic" modalities, spanning genetic information, molecular biomarkers of nutrition, lipid and protein signatures, neuroimaging measures, cognitive assessments, and lifestyle factors, enhances disease risk modeling and trajectory prediction beyond the capacity of any single marker. Early findings highlight critical roles for nutritional and lipid metabolism, and myelin integrity in brain aging, with cell and sex-specific vulnerabilities identified in response to nutrition, social isolation, and metabolic stress. Computational approaches that combine single-cell genomics, epigenomics, and artificial intelligence have been shown to accelerate causal discovery and therapeutic development. However, significant challenges remain: current biomarkers explain only half the variance in cognitive decline, racial and ethnic differences in biomarker levels lack mechanistic understanding, and scalable tools for comprehensive brain aging assessment are needed. The symposium underscored that preventing AD will require intervening during the preclinical asymptomatic phase. These multimodal screening platforms, coupled with mechanistically driven therapeutics, reduction in modifiable risk factors, including nutrition, vascular health, and social determinants of health, could profoundly impact the field.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST CRISPR 2.0: Expanding the genome engineering Toolbox for epigenetics, RNA editing, and molecular diagnostics. Pradhan K, Anoop S
Gene (Feb 2026)

Non-canonical CRISPR systems adaptation has led to genome editing through nucleases, and the development of transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, transcriptome editing, and molecular diagnostics has resulted in a diversified set of tools-CRISPR 2.0. In this review, the author summarizes the mechanisms and recent engineering advances of (i) dCas9-based epigenetic effectors, (ii) RNA-targeting Cas13 systems and engineered RNA editors, (iii) DNA base editors and prime editors, and (iv) CRISPR-powered diagnostic platforms and their translational readiness. There is a critical comparison of the various approaches (e.g., RNAi/ASO versus Cas13-based methods; base editing versus prime editing) along with practical translational considerations such as delivery technologies, safety (off-target/edit windows, mosaicism), and regulatory pathways which are evaluated. Three concise case studies refer to map laboratory evidence to clinical or near-clinical outcomes and the ethical and governance discussion is widened to include global access, intellectual property and equity in deployment. Finally, the authors classify technologies according to their level of readiness - diagnostics and some ex-vivo therapeutic approaches are already in or very close to clinical use, chosen in-vivo editing methods are undergoing early trials, and AI-assisted nuclease design is still mostly theoretical but is getting better fast. This comprehensive viewpoint is intended to help researchers and physicians understand which CRISPR tools are most likely to be translated soon and where more validation is required.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST The contribution of single-cell omics technologies to improve knowledge on human early embryo development. Girard O, Moinard E, David L, Fréour T
Hum Reprod (Jan 2026)

Understanding human early embryo development from fertilization to gastrulation is essential to improve medically assisted reproduction. Faced with technical and ethical limitations, research into peri-implantation stages has been transformed by the recent onset of single-cell omics technologies. These approaches encompassing transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics now enable unprecedented resolution of cellular heterogeneity, lineage specification, and spatial organization during early development. Here, we review the major discoveries permitted by single-cell omics methods, presented chronologically to reflect the progression of embryonic development. We address, among others, the delineation of blastomere contributions, mechanisms of embryonic genome activation, and the sequential specification of the trophectoderm, epiblast, and hypoblast lineages. We also explore how single-cell omics clarifies the effects of aneuploidy, uncovers mural-polar trophectoderm maturation, revises X chromosome regulation, and enables identification of rare post-implantation populations like primordial germ cells and amnion.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST A smoothing method for DNA methylome analysis to enhance epigenomic signature detection in epigenome-wide association studies. Oussalah A, Mousel L, Trégouët DA, Guéant JL
Methods (Feb 2026)

Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) are instrumental for mapping DNA methylation changes in human traits and diseases but often suffer from low statistical power and false positives, especially in small cohorts. We developed an EWAS smoothing method that exploits co-methylation of adjacent CpG probes within CpG islands via a sliding-window average and generalized it using Savitzky-Golay filtering. We applied the smoothing approach-with window widths of 1-3 CpGs and, for generalization, Savitzky-Golay filters of varying polynomial orders and window sizes-across five distinct EWAS settings. Performance was quantified by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), noise-variance reduction, variance ratio (VR), Bayes factors, and sample-size sensitivity. In the MMACHC epimutation dataset, a 5-CpG window (width, w = 2) increased SNR by 90 %, reduced noise variance by 80 %, and elevated VR by 176 % at the target CpG island, with no genome-wide false positives. For MLH1, smoothing preserved the top association and suppressed background signals. In the aging EWAS, a "Polyepigenetic CpG aging score" was derived following smoothing. This score correlated strongly with chronological age in the discovery cohort (Spearman's ρ = 0.89; P = 3.0 × 10) and was independently validated in a separate dataset, significantly distinguishing newborns from nonagenarians (P = 3.4 × 10). Savitzky-Golay filtering of order 0 with a 5-CpG window yielded optimal SNR across bootstrap iterations, supporting this configuration as a robust choice for methylation array smoothing. As an extension of the Savitzky-Golay-based smoothing framework, reanalysis of a liver cancer dataset identified five top loci surpassing a smoothed P-value threshold of 1 × 10. Among these, MIR10A within the HOXB3 locus was the only previously reported functionally relevant site. In conclusion, the smoothing method improves EWAS performance by enhancing SNR, enabling detection of meaningful associations even in small cohorts, and offers a valuable tool for reanalyzing existing Infinium methylation array datasets to uncover previously undetected epigenomic signatures.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Machine learning and multi-omics-based identification of hub paternal imprinted genes PEG11/RTL1, PEG9/DLK1, PEG6/NDN, and PEG5/NNAT in sperm of couples experiencing idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss. Hashemi Karoii D, Najafi SMA, Favaedi R, Esmaeili Borzabadi V, Sabbaghian M, Amirchaghmaghi E, Shahhoseini M
Comput Biol Med (Jan 2026)

Idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (IRPL), defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses without an identifiable cause, affects 1-2 % of couples in their reproductive years. While maternal factors have been extensively studied, paternal contributions remain underexplored. Paternally imprinted genes are essential for spermatogenesis, embryonic development, and placental function, and their epigenetic dysregulation may contribute to IRPL.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Detection of Isodisomy Utilizing SNP Microarray: Frequency, Ascertainment, and Implications. Molinari S, Williams N, Haskell G, Penton A, Arreola A, Gadi I, Phillips K, Tepperberg J, Schwartz S
Am J Med Genet A (Feb 2026)

This study investigates the frequency, ascertainment, and clinical implications of whole chromosomal isodisomy using a database of over 415,000 chromosomal microarray (CMA) tests conducted since 2008 across prenatal, postnatal, and products of conception specimens. In this cohort, 0.04% of cases exhibited the rare chromosomal phenomenon of isodisomy. Analysis of these cases revealed distinct patterns in frequency, chromosome involvement, and parent of origin related to specimen type. Isodisomy 14 was most frequent in prenatal samples, while chromosomes 6, 7, and 15 were more common in postnatal cases. The involvement of imprinted and non-imprinted chromosomes was equivalent for prenatal cases, while imprinted chromosomes consisted of two-thirds of postnatal cases, with paternal uniparental isodisomy more prevalent than maternal across all specimen types. Several cases demonstrated unmasking of pathogenic variants in recessive genes, and findings support prior studies of associations between isodisomy 11 and prenatal or neonatal lethality. These results underscore the diagnostic value of CMA and contribute to an extended understanding of isodisomy's clinical relevance.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST [Expression of Concern] Gene therapy for human colorectal cancer cell lines with recombinant adenovirus 5 based on loss of the insulin‑like growth factor 2 imprinting. Sun H, Pan Y, He B, Deng Q, Li R, Xu Y, Chen J, Gao T, Ying H, Wang F, Liu X, Wang S
Int J Oncol (Jan 2026)

Following the publication of the above paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that, for the immunohistochemical data shown in Fig. 2B and C, the PBS/TUNEL panel in Fig. 2B appeared to be strikingly similar to the PBS/E1A panel shown in Fig. 2C. Furthermore, for the E1A experiments portrayed in Fig. 2C, portions of the data panels shown for the H101 and E1A groups also appeared to be strikingly similar, albeit with rotation of one of the panels. The authors were contacted by the Editorial Office to offer an explanation for this possible anomaly in the presentation of the data in this paper, although up to this time, no response from them has been forthcoming. Owing to the fact that the Editorial Office has been made aware of potential issues surrounding the scientific integrity of this paper, we are issuing an Expression of Concern to notify readers of this potential problem while the Editorial Office continues to investigate this matter further. [International Journal of Oncology 46: 1759‑1767, 2015; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.2852].]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Maternal UPD(20) Leading to Mulchandani-Bhoj-Conlin Syndrome: A Rare Neonatal Case With Additional TRPS1 Deletion. Zhang J, Chen X, Chen M, Wu S, Huang F, Pan R, Chen G
Am J Med Genet A (Feb 2026)

Mulchandani-Bhoj-Conlin syndrome is an extremely rare imprinting disorder caused by maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 20, primarily characterized by intrauterine growth restriction, severe postnatal growth failure, and feeding difficulties. Here, we report a neonate diagnosed with Mulchandani-Bhoj-Conlin syndrome via whole exome sequencing and copy number variation analysis, which also identified a 0.26 Mb deletion on chromosome 8q23.3 affecting the TRPS1 gene, associated with Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome. We describe the clinical features and genetic findings of this infant, with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of these two rare diseases.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST A cell type enrichment analysis tool for brain DNA methylation data (CEAM). Müller J, Laroche VT, Imm J, Weymouth L, Harvey J, Reijnders RA, Smith AR, van den Hove D, Lunnon K, Cavill R, Pishva E
Epigenetics (Dec 2026)

DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures are highly cell type-specific, yet most epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) are performed on bulk tissue, potentially obscuring critical cell type-specific patterns. Existing computational tools for detecting cell type-specific DNAm changes are often limited by the accuracy of cell type deconvolution algorithms. Here, we introduce CEAM (Cell-type Enrichment Analysis for Methylation), a robust and interpretable framework for cell type enrichment analysis in DNA methylation data. CEAM applies over-representation analysis with cell type-specific CpG panels from Illumina EPIC arrays derived from nuclei-sorted cortical post-mortem brains from neurologically healthy aged individuals. The constructed CpG panels were systematically evaluated using both simulated datasets and published EWAS results from Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease, and multiple sclerosis. CEAM demonstrated resilience to shifts in cell type composition, a common confounder in EWAS, and remained robust across a wide range of differentially methylated positions, when upstream modeling of cell type composition was modeled with sufficient accuracy. Application to existing EWAS findings generated in neurodegenerative diseases revealed enrichment patterns concordant with established disease biology, confirming CEAM's biological relevance. The workflow is publicly available as an interactive Shiny app (https://um-dementia-systems-biology.shinyapps.io/CEAM/) enabling rapid, interpretable analysis of cell type-specific DNAm changes from bulk EWAS.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Epigenomics-guided precision oncology: Chromatin variants in prostate tumor evolution. Furlano K, Keshavarzian T, Biernath N, Fendler A, de Santis M, Weischenfeldt J, Lupien M
Int J Cancer (Jan 2026)

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy that in 5%-30% leads to treatment-resistant and highly aggressive disease. Metastasis-potential and treatment-resistance is thought to rely on increased plasticity of the cancer cells-a mechanism whereby cancer cells alter their identity to adapt to changing environments or therapeutic pressures to create cellular heterogeneity. To understand the molecular basis of this plasticity, genomic studies have uncovered genetic variants to capture clonal heterogeneity of primary tumors and metastases. As cellular plasticity is largely driven by non-genetic events, complementary studies in cancer epigenomics are now being conducted to identify chromatin variants. These variants, defined as genomic loci in cancer cells that show changes in chromatin state due to the loss or gain of epigenomic marks, inclusive of histone post-translational modifications, DNA methylation and histone variants, are considered the fundamental units of epigenomic heterogeneity. In prostate cancer chromatin variants hold the promise of guiding the new era of precision oncology. In this review, we explore the role of epigenomic heterogeneity in prostate cancer, focusing on how chromatin variants contribute to tumor evolution and therapy resistance. We therefore discuss their impact on cellular plasticity and stochastic events, highlighting the value of single-cell sequencing and liquid biopsy epigenomic assays to uncover new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Ultimately, this review aims to support a new era of precision oncology, utilizing insights from epigenomics to improve prostate cancer patient outcomes.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Genetic and epigenetic insights into systemic lupus erythematosus: linking long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific transcript 5 and interferon signature. Maghraby GG, El-Menyawi MA, Rehiem HAA, Shaker OG, Habib MM, Elgohary R
J Rheum Dis (Jan 2026)

Interferon (IFN) signaling, and excessive apoptosis have a well-established role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) has been linked to excessive apoptosis and upregulation of IFN genes. We aimed to investigate the expression of IFN-stimulated genes in SLE patients compared to healthy controls, and to assess their association with lncRNA GAS5 and clinical characteristics of SLE.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST A hitchhiker's guide to single-cell epigenomics: Methods and applications for cancer research. Moreno-Gonzalez M, Sierra I, Kind J
Int J Cancer (Jan 2026)

Genetic mutations are well known to influence tumorigenesis, tumor progression, treatment response and relapse, but the role of epigenetic variation in cancer progression is still largely unexplored. The lack of epigenetic understanding in cancer evolution is in part due to the limited availability of methods to examine such a heterogeneous disease. However, in the last decade the development of several single-cell methods to profile diverse chromatin features (chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, DNA methylation, etc.) has propelled the study of cancer epigenomics. In this review, we detail the current landscape of single-omic and multi-omic single-cell methods with a particular focus on the examination of histone modifications. Furthermore, we provide recommendations on both the application of these methods to cancer research and how to perform initial computational analyses. Together, this review serves as a referential framework for incorporating single-cell methods as an important tool for tumor biology.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Dissecting neuroblastoma heterogeneity through single-cell multi-omics: insights into development, immunity, and therapeutic resistance. He GQ, He SJ, Jing XY, Dai YL, Guo X, Gao J, Zhang W
Oncogene (Jan 2026)

Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, is characterized by remarkable cellular heterogeneity and clinical variability ranging from spontaneous regression to aggressive progression and relapse. Despite advances in multimodal therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, differentiation therapy, and immunotherapy-treatment resistance remains the principal barrier to improving survival in high-risk patients. Recent single-cell and spatial multi-omics studies have revolutionized our understanding of NB by revealing its developmental origins, lineage hierarchy, and adaptive evolution under therapeutic pressure. These technologies have delineated distinct cellular states along an adrenergic-mesenchymal continuum and uncovered the dynamic interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Genetic instability, epigenetic reprogramming, and metabolic plasticity cooperate with immune and stromal remodeling to drive tumor persistence and relapse. At the molecular level, mechanisms such as MYCN-driven chromatin remodeling, super-enhancer reorganization, bypass signaling activation, quiescent persister programs, immune checkpoint engagement, and metabolic rewiring collectively enable therapeutic escape. Importantly, these processes are reversible, highlighting tumor plasticity as both a hallmark and a potential vulnerability of NB. Integrating single-cell transcriptomics, epigenomics, and spatial profiling provides an unprecedented framework to map resistance evolution, identify lineage-specific vulnerabilities, and guide rational combination strategies. Targeting epigenetic regulators, metabolic checkpoints, and immune suppressive networks in a temporally coordinated manner holds promise for converting NB from an adaptive to a controllable disease.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST The superpowers of imprinting control regions. Montibus B, Court F, Arnaud P
Genome Res (Jan 2026)

Genomic imprinting is a specialized mechanism of transcriptional regulation whereby approximately 200 mammalian genes are expressed monoallelically according to their parental origin. This crucial developmental process is primarily controlled by discrete -regulatory elements known as imprinting control regions (ICRs), which play essential roles in directing allele-specific gene expression across large imprinted domains. In this review, we highlight the features that define ICRs as a distinct class of -regulatory regions, from their ability to maintain germline-inherited DNA methylation to their multifunctional roles in transcriptional control. For each imprinted domain, we examine the diverse mechanisms by which individual ICRs integrate multiple regulatory functions to coordinate both proximal and distal imprinted gene expression. By uncovering the multifaceted roles of ICRs, this review provides a compelling framework for understanding, more broadly, the molecular basis of finely controlled gene expression.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST From genes to lifestyle: A multi-dimensional framework for Alzheimer's disease prevention and therapy. Su L, Wang Y
Ageing Res Rev (Jan 2026)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder driven by multilayered molecular and cellular mechanisms that cannot be fully elucidated through single-omics approaches. Consequently, large-scale multi-omics integration-encompassing transcriptomics, epigenomics (e.g., methylation), and genetic association studies (GWAS/eQTL/mQTL)-has uncovered critical genetic and epigenetic networks underlying disease risk and progression.Based on these integrative insights, this review emphasized several genes-including KLHL21, SCN2B, ZNF415, and PITRM1-as potential contributors to AD pathogenesis. Notably, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analyses revealed specific enrichment of these genes in astrocytes, underscoring the pivotal role of this cell type in Aβ clearance, tau propagation, and neuroinflammation. Exercise interventions were shown to selectively modulate the expression of these genes, providing molecular support for the preventive and therapeutic potential of non-pharmacological lifestyle strategies. Drug repurposing analyses using DrugBank have identified promising therapeutic candidates, including FDA-approved agents (e.g., valproic acid, raloxifene, and clomipramine) and naturally derived compounds (e.g., quercetin and fisetin), which may modulate key AD-related pathways. Furthermore, emerging evidence of miRNA-gene regulatory networks suggested an additional layer of post-transcriptional control that may regulate responses to pathological stimuli. Collectively, these integrative insights advocated for a multidimensional precision medicine framework that spans genetic, cellular,network, and lifestyle levels of regulation. This shift from single-target therapeutics to an integrated "gene-cell-network-lifestyle" paradigm open new theoretical and translational avenues for delaying or mitigating AD progression.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Erythropoietin Expression and Regulation: Piecing Together Known Mechanisms and Emerging Insights. Idriss S, Hoogewijs D, Girodon F, Gardie B
Am J Hematol (Jan 2026)

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a circulating glycoprotein hormone essential for red blood cell production. The history of EPO stretches from early observations of hypoxia in the mid-19th century to its gene cloning and the clinical use of recombinant forms. Structurally, EPO's extensive glycosylation shapes stability, receptor binding, and therapeutic potential, inspiring engineered analogs with distinct pharmacokinetics. Developmentally, EPO expression shifts from embryonic neural crest and fetal hepatocytes to renal interstitial fibroblasts after birth. EPO gene regulation integrates hypoxia-inducible factors, transcriptional repressors, enhancers, with HIF-2α as the principal activator, and post-translational mechanisms. Recent findings reveal genetic variants within the EPO gene in patients with erythrocytosis. Isoelectric focusing profiles of EPO in these patients was similar to the hepatic-derived EPO profiles in premature newborns, highlighting a dynamic and context-dependent regulation. These findings suggest that reactivation of EPO expression in the liver could be therapeutically valuable, given that hepatic-derived EPO exhibits enhanced activity. Clinically, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents transformed anemia management but raised safety concerns, leading to refined guidelines. The recent introduction of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors represents a new strategy that restores endogenous EPO production and coordinates iron metabolism through transient HIF stabilization. Outstanding challenges include the absence of faithful human EPO-producing cell models and incomplete understanding of the full molecular mechanisms controlling EPO expression and production. Combining insights from developmental biology, genetics, and epigenomics may open new avenues for therapies targeting disorders of erythropoiesis and oxygen homeostasis.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Multiomics Insights into Epigenetic Mechanisms and Their Role as Biomarkers for Acute Coronary Syndrome. D'Agostino A, Rosalinda M, Salvatore M, Monica F
Heart Fail Clin (Jan 2026)

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a complex cardiovascular condition driven by chronic inflammation, immune system imbalances, and epigenetic alterations. Recent research highlights the crucial role of epigenetic modifications in disease progression. Furthermore, differentially methylated regions influence expression in genes associated with immune signaling and cellular functions in ACS patients. ACS is a multifactorial disease driven by complex interactions between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. By leveraging multiomics approaches, clinicians and researchers can uncover novel pathophysiological mechanisms and refine therapeutic strategies for improved cardiovascular outcomes in ACS patients. Integrating multiomics technologies with machine learning-driven analysis is revolutionizing our understanding of ACS.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Epigenetic Modulation of Immunity: Mechanisms, Implications, and Emerging Therapeutic Horizons; a Step Toward Epigenetics to Precision. Saleh DO, Salem ML, Van Linthout S, Lin Q, Hamdy NM
Subcell Biochem (2026)

Epigenetic regulation plays a central role in immune cell development, specialization, and memory formation by dynamically modifying DNA, histones, and RNA. These processes enable adaptation to environmental cues, precise pathogen responses, and maintenance of immune tolerance, while their disruption contributes to autoimmune, inflammatory, and cancer pathogenesis. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA regulation shape the lineage and activation states of T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells, with specific alterations linked to diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Emerging insights also highlight roles for RNA modifications and exosome-mediated RNA transfer in immune activation, trained immunity, and antigen presentation. Advances in single-cell epigenomics, CRISPR-based editing, and RNA sequencing are driving the development of targeted therapies-such as DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, RNA-based interventions, and exosome delivery systems-that aim to reprogram immune responses. Understanding immune cell epigenetics paves the way for precision immunotherapies tailored to patient-specific profiles, offering highly specific, effective treatments with minimal immune suppression.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST From renal development to pathology: An analysis of the multilevel role of insulin‑like growth factor 2 (Review). Sun Y, Hao W, Liu W, Hu W
Mol Med Rep (Jan 2026)

Insulin‑like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a multifunctional polypeptide hormone that serves important roles in embryonic development, metabolic regulation and disease pathogenesis. IGF2 expression is tightly regulated by genomic imprinting, which restricts transcription to the paternal allele. IGF2 modulates cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation and metabolic homeostasis, by activating downstream signaling cascades via binding to IGF1 receptor, insulin receptor isoform A and IGF2 receptor. IGF2 is important for kidney development, promoting both nephron formation, and the functional maintenance of renal tubules and glomeruli. Aberrant IGF2 expression is associated with the pathogenesis of diverse renal diseases, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, renal cell carcinoma and Wilms' tumor. Under pathological conditions, IGF2 promotes renal fibrosis and promotes tumor expansion and progression by activating key signaling pathways such as the PI3K/Akt and TGF‑β pathways. Due to these roles, IGF2 has attracted growing clinical interest as a potential therapeutic target. The present review presents a comprehensive analysis of the structure and function of IGF2, its roles in renal pathophysiology, and its therapeutic potential, while outlining future research directions.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST