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Methylation status of immune response genes promoters in cell-free DNA differs in hemodialyzed patients with diabetic nephropathy according to the intensity of anemia therapy

Publication at First Faculty of Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine |
2013

Abstract

Anemia is a major complication of end-stage renal disease. Hemodialysis itself is regarded as a stimulus activating inflammation.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are able to suppress erythropoiesis. In this pilot study, we analyzed the changes in methylation status of promoters of immune response genes in cell-free DNA to detect the differences between diabetic subjects (n = 18) with different therapeutic doses of recombinant erythropoietin.

Methods: The extent of promoter methylation of 24 genes in plasma cell-free DNA was examined before and after hemodialysis using EpiTect Methyl qPCR Array Inflammatory Response and Autoimmunity (Qiagen). Results: The patients with higher methylation status of gene sequences IL13RA1, IL15, EDG3 and INHA in interdialytic interval were significantly overrepresented in the group with none or mild anemia therapy.

Conclusion: The results are in agreement with the fact that IL13 and IL15 are known inhibitors of erythropoiesis and with considered immunomodulatory role of cell-free DNA.