Background: The familial clustering phenomenon together with environmental influences indicates the presence of a genetic and epigenetic predisposition to systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interestingly, regarding lupus nephritis (LN), the worst complication of SLE, mortality, and morbidity were not consistent with SLE in relation to sexuality and ethnicity.
Summary: Genetic and epigenetic alterations in LN include genes and noncoding RNAs that are involved in antigen-presenting, complements, immune cell infiltration, interferon pathways, and so on. Once genetic or epigenetic change occurs alone or simultaneously, they will promote the formation of immune complexes with autoantibodies that target various autoantigens, which results in inflammatory cytokines and autoreactive immune cells colonizing renal tissues and contributing to LN.
Key messages: Making additional checks for immunopathology-related heredity and epigenetic factors may lead to a more holistic perspective of LN.
Keywords: Epigenetics; Genetics; Immune system; Lupus nephritis; Systemic lupus erythematosus.
Copyright © 2022 by The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.