Browsing by Author "Funes, Samanta C."

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    Contribution of Dysregulated DNA Methylation to Autoimmunity
    (2021) Funes, Samanta C.; Fernández Fierro, Ayleen; Rebolledo Zelada, Diego; Mackern Oberti, Juan P.; Kalergis, Alexis M.
    Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are known regulators of gene expression and genomic stability in cell growth, development, and differentiation. Because epigenetic mechanisms can regulate several immune system elements, epigenetic alterations have been found in several autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the epigenetic modifications, mainly DNA methylation, involved in autoimmune diseases in which T cells play a significant role. For example, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus display differential gene methylation, mostly hypomethylated 5′-C-phosphate-G-3′ (CpG) sites that may associate with disease activity. However, a clear association between DNA methylation, gene expression, and disease pathogenesis must be demonstrated. A better understanding of the impact of epigenetic modifications on the onset of autoimmunity will contribute to the design of novel therapeutic approaches for these diseases.
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    Immune checkpoints and the regulation of tolerogenicity in dendritic cells: Implications for autoimmunity and immunotherapy.
    (2019) Funes, Samanta C.; Manrique de Lara, Amaranta; Altamirano-Lagos, María J.; Mackern-Oberti, Juan P.; Escobar-Vera, Jorge; Kalergis, Alexis M.
    The immune system is responsible for defending the host from a large variety of potential pathogens, while simultaneously avoiding immune reactivity towards self-components. Self-tolerance has to be tightly maintained throughout several central and peripheral processes; immune checkpoints are imperative for regulating the immunity/tolerance balance. Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized cells that capture antigens, and either activate or inhibit antigen-specific T cells. Therefore, they play a key role at inducing and maintaining immune tolerance. DCs that suppress the immune response have been called tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs). Given their potential as a therapy to prevent transplant rejection and autoimmune damage, several strategies are under development to generate tolDCs, in order to avoid activation and expansion of self-reactive T cells. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge relative to the main features of tolDCs, their mechanisms of action and their therapeutic use for autoimmune diseases. Based on the literature reviewed, autologous antigen-specific tolDCs might constitute a promising strategy to suppress autoreactive T cells and reduce detrimental inflammatory processes.
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    Implications of macrophage polarization in autoimmunity
    (2018) Funes, Samanta C.; Ríos, Mariana; Escobar‐Vera, Jorge; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes