Methylation Microarray Studies Highlight PDGFA Expression as a Factor in Biliary Atresia.

ABSTRACT: Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive fibro-inflammatory disorder that is the leading indication for liver transplantation in children. Although there is evidence implicating genetic, infectious, environmental, and inflammatory causes, the etiology of BA remains unknown. We have recently reported that cholangiocytes from BA patients showed decreased DNA methylation relative to disease- and non-disease controls, supporting a potential role for DNA hypomethylation in BA etiopathogenesis. In the current study, we examined the methylation status of specific genes in human BA livers using methylation microarray technology. We found global DNA hypomethylation in BA samples as compared to disease- and non-disease controls at specific genetic loci. Hedgehog pathway members, SHH and GLI2, known to

SUBMITTER: Cofer ZC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4806872 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature