The role of promoter hypermethylation in fibroblast activation and fibrogenesis

ISSN
0022-3417
1096-9896
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
DOI
10.1002/path.4120
Abstract
The aberrant methylation of CpG island promoters of selected genes is the prominent epigenetic mechanism by which gene transcription can be effectively silenced. Aberrant hypermethylation of a few selected genes plays an important role in facilitating fibrotic fibroblast activation and in driving fibrogenesis. Here we review mechanisms of DNA methylation and demethylation and their implications for fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis.