Reduced Histone H3 Acetylation in CD4+ T Lymphocytes: Potential Mechanism of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults

Aims. Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is the result of gene-environment interactions. Histone acetylation regulates gene expression and maybe interpret how environmental factors modify LADA. Hence, we studied the histone acetylation patterns in CD4(+) T lymphocytes from LADA patients. Methods. Blood CD4(+) T lymphocytes from 28 patients with LADA and 28 healthy controls were obtained to detect histone H3 acetylation and H4 acetylation. The gene expression of histone acetyltransferases (P300 and CREBBP) and histone deacetylases (HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC7) was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. Compared to healthy controls, reduced global H3 acetylation was observed in LADA patients' CD4(+) T lymphocytes (P < 0.05). Global level of H4 acetylation was not statistically different. Among LADA, CD4(+) T lymphocytes H3 acetylation was associated with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and GADA titer. Compared to healthy controls, the expression of histone acetyltransferases CREBBP in LADA patients was downregulated, and the expression of histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC7 was upregulated. Conclusion. A concerted downregulation of histone H3 acetylation was found in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of LADA patients, and this might provide evidence of a novel epigenetic explanation for the pathogenesis of LADA and its complications.