Role of SIRT1 in autoimmune demyelination and neurodegeneration

Immunol Res. 2015 Mar;61(3):187-97. doi: 10.1007/s12026-014-8557-5.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the central nervous system, in which many factors can act together to influence disease susceptibility and progression. SIRT1 is a member of the histone deacetylase class III family of proteins and is an NAD(+)-dependent histone and protein deacetylase. SIRT1 can induce chromatin silencing through the deacetylation of histones and plays an important role as a key regulator of a wide variety of cellular and physiological processes including DNA damage, cell survival, metabolism, aging, and neurodegeneration. It has gained a lot of attention recently because many studies in animal models of demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases have shown that SIRT1 induction can ameliorate the course of the disease. SIRT1 expression was found to be decreased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of MS patients during relapses. SIRT1 represents a possible biomarker of relapses and a potential new target for therapeutic intervention in MS. Modulation of SIRT1 may be a valuable strategy for treating or preventing MS and neurodegenerative central nervous system disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly
  • Demyelinating Diseases / immunology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / metabolism*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / immunology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Histones
  • SIRT1 protein, human
  • Sirtuin 1