Epigenetic events have been linked with disease expression in individuals genetically predisposed to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a severe systemic autoimmune/inflammatory disease. Altered DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation as well as histone modifications mediate changes in chromatin accessibility and gene expression in immune cells from SLE patients. Defective epigenetic control contributes to uncontrolled expression of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and co-receptors, resulting in systemic inflammation and tissue damage. While the pathophysiological involvement of epigenetic changes in SLE has been accepted for some time, we only recently started to investigate and understand molecular events contributing to epigenetic dysregulation. Here, epigenetic alterations will be discussed with a focus on underling molecular events that may be target of preventative measures or future treatment strategies.

表观遗传事件已与遗传易患系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）（一种严重的系统性自身免疫/炎性疾病）的个体中的疾病表达相关。DNA甲基化和羟甲基化的改变以及组蛋白的修饰介导了SLE患者免疫细胞中染色质可及性和基因表达的改变。不良的表观遗传控制导致包括细胞因子和共受体在内的炎症介质的失控表达，导致全身性炎症和组织损伤。尽管SLE的表观遗传学改变的病理生理学参与已经被接受了一段时间，但我们直到最近才开始研究和理解导致表观遗传学失调的分子事件。这里，