Objectives: Gaucher's disease type 1 (GD1) pathophysiology includes an imbalance on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and in the inflammatory system. However, the pathways involved remain poorly understood. The hypothesis of this study is that epigenetic mechanisms might be involved, at least partially, in this phenomenon.
Design and methods: This study investigated the BDNF modulation, global histone H4 acetylation and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels in the peripheral blood of GD1 patients (n=10) when compared with control samples (CS) (n=11).
Results: The results showed a significant increase in Chitotriosidase (CT) (p=0.019) and decreased β-glucosidase (GBA) activities (p=0.001) in GD1 samples when compared to CS, for GD1 diagnostic confirmation. Reduced levels of BDNF (p=0.004) and elevated levels of TNF-α (p=0.017) and IL-4 (p=0.035) were also found in the GD group. No significant differences were observed in IL-6 or IL-17a levels between groups (p>0.05). Finally, a trend on higher global histone H4 acetylation levels (p=0.054) was observed in the control group when compared to GD1 individuals.
Conclusions: Combined, these results suggest inflammatory cytokines imbalance, reduced BDNF levels and global histone H4 hypoacetylation status in GD type 1 physiopathology. These preliminary findings may open new avenues to introduce therapies and strategies in the preventive management and treatment of this population.
Keywords: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1); Histone H4 acetylation; Inflammatory parameters.
Copyright © 2016 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.