Key points from article :
Treatment of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) by altering epigenetics of macrophages.
LDD is one of the many diseases caused by immune dysregulation.
M2c macrophages produce TGFβ1 which has a negative effect on LDD.
To treat LDD, one adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to deplete DNMT1.
This depletion in macrophages has been shown to encourage them to polarize towards M2.
Study in mice model prove that ellular suicide via apoptosis is the central pathology of LDD.
Apoptosis decreased dramatically by DNMT1 , further decreased by TGFβ1 suppression.
Findings: M2 polarization of macrophages may have demonstrable therapeutic effect on LDD.
As well as the suppressed production and release of TGFβ1.
AAVs encourage macrophages to fight back against inflammation instead of spreading it.
Published in Aging.
