DNA demethylation of CD40L in CD4+ T cells from women with systemic sclerosis: A possible explanation for female susceptibility

• Published in: Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) Vol. 64; no. 7; pp. 2338 - 2345
• Main Authors: Lian, XiaoRi, Xiao, Rong, Hu, Xinhong, Kanekura, Takuro, Jiang, HongYan, Li, YaPing, Wang, YaoYao, Yang, Yan, Zhao, Ming, Lu, QianJin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.07.2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD40 Ligand - genetics; Chromosomes; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Disease Susceptibility; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; DNA; DNA methylation; DNA Methylation - genetics; DNA Methylation - immunology; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Lymphocytes; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Scleroderma, Systemic - genetics; Scleroderma, Systemic - immunology; Sex Factors; Human; Immunopathology; Connective tissue disease; Skin disease; Rheumatology; Autoimmune disease; Immunological investigation; DNA; Systemic disease; T-Lymphocyte; Female; Woman; Scleroderma

Objective Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with a predilection for women. The interaction between CD40 and CD154 (CD40L) is known to be involved in the development of SSc. Although CD40L is overexpressed in patients with SSc, the mechanisms leading to this overexpression are not wel...