Epigenomes · 4 authors, 1 centre
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This narrative review summarizes how respiratory pathogens like viruses and bacteria can alter host cell epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification. The central result is that these pathogen-induced epigenetic changes may promote host defense or pathogen persistence, potentially contributing to chronic lung disease pathophysiology.
Examples include histone modifications by *Chlamydia trachomatis* and *Anaplasma phagocytophilum*, and DNA methylation changes linked to *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. The authors discuss potential implications, suggesting these epigenetic alterations may be a factor in the development of chronic lung diseases like COPD and asthma. A key limitation noted is that a direct causal link between respiratory infections, host epigenetic regulation, and chronic lung diseases remains unknown.
