Multi-Cohort Exploration of Repetitive Element Transcription and DNA Methylation in Human Steatotic Liver Disease.

ABSTRACT: Transposable elements (TEs) make up around half of the human genome. Their transcription is repressed in most somatic cells to maintain genome integrity and function. The repression is chiefly maintained by a combination of epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modifications. However, recent research suggests that liver steatosis is associated with extensive changes to the hepatocyte epigenome. Furthermore, studies in mice have reported diet- and drug-induced changes to TE transcript levels in liver. The confirmation of these effects in human liver has not previously been undertaken. Here, we examined TE transcription in liver tissue from three patient cohorts with histologically confirmed liver steatosis caused by alcohol consumption or metabolic dysfunction. The qu

SUBMITTER: Youngson NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12192986 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature