Advances of epigenetics in the progression of renal fibrogenesis

Epigenetics, which is called second genetic code precisely and controls the total metabolic processes of eukaryotic cells,has an inseparable correlation with human health and diseases. Among all the gene silencing mechanisms of epigenetic modifications,CpG islands of DNA promoter hypermethylation/histone mod-ifications are two major causes. Promoter methylation of specific genes,such as Ras protein activator analogue 1 may lead to aberrant activation of downstream signaling pathways,following by fibroblasts proliferation and kid-ney fibrosis. In recent years,epigenetic modifications have been proved to play a major role in preventing fibro-blasts to return to their quiescent stage,ultimately contributing to fibrosis in the kidney. This paper provides a glimpse of recent studies on epigenetic mechanisms of chronic kidney diseases,especially renal fibrosis,with an aim to provide new insights into pathogenesis research and clinical diagnosis and treatment. Key words: Kidney fibrosis; Epigenetics; DNA methylation; Histone modification