DNA Methylation Profiling in Childhood-Onset Lupus Reveals Distinct Epigenetic Clusters and Suggests Epigenetic Drivers of Disease Activity.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting multiple organs, with childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) typically presenting a more severe course and greater genetic risk than adult-onset SLE. While DNA methylation plays a key role in lupus pathogenesis, the epigenetic landscape of cSLE remains understudied. This study aimed to investigate DNA methylation changes in cSLE.

Methods

A total of 64 cSLE patients and 47 healthy control DNA samples isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), along with an independent validation cohort of 38 patient DNA samples from whole blood, were analyzed. DNA methylation was assessed using the Infinium MethylationEPIC v2.0 array (Illumina), with quality control and statistical analyses performed us

SUBMITTER: Casares-Marfil D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12622076 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature