Cell-free chromatin: A newly described mediator of systemic inflammation

J Biosci. 2019 Jun;44(2):32.

Abstract

Recent research has shown that cell-free chromatin (cfCh) particles that are released from the billions of cells that die in the body everyday can enter into healthy cells, integrate into their genomes and induce dsDNA breaks and apoptotic responses. Genomic integration of cfCh activates NF κ B suggesting a novel mechanism of induction of systemic inflammation. Since DNA damage and inflammation are underlying pathologies in multiple devastating acute and chronic disease conditions, the discovery of agents that can inactivate cfCh may provide therapeutic possibilities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Biological Transport
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromatin / drug effects
  • Chromatin / pathology*
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / drug effects
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Space / chemistry
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Histones / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Histones / genetics*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • Jurkat Cells / transplantation
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / genetics*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Resveratrol / analogs & derivatives
  • Resveratrol / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Chromatin
  • H2AX protein, human
  • Histones
  • NF-kappa B
  • Deoxyribonuclease I
  • Resveratrol