@Article{ecn.2026.086087,
AUTHOR = {Mihaela Andreescu, Laura Tirlea, Alina Tanase, Cosmin Alec Moldovan, Stefana Petrut, Daniel Cochior, Adina-Diana Moldovan, Monica-Daniela Padurariu-Covit},
TITLE = {Gut microbiota-driven epigenetic regulation of cytokine gene expression: microbial metabolites, chromatin mechanisms, and clinical perspectives},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {},
YEAR = {},
NUMBER = {},
PAGES = {{pages}},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/online/detail/28341},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
ABSTRACT = {Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota regulates cytokine gene expression through multiple epigenetic mechanisms that shape chromatin states in response to microbial metabolites. Alterations in the gut microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory, autoimmune, and metabolic disorders. Key mediators including short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and tryptophan derivatives modulate histone modifications and DNA methylation at cytokine gene loci, influencing the balance between pro-inflammatory and tolerogenic immune responses. Experimental evidence, including ChIP-seq studies, indicates that microbial colonization promotes regulatory chromatin configurations, while dysbiosis is associated with epigenetic patterns favoring inflammatory cytokine programs. Short-chain fatty acid–mediated histone deacetylase inhibition represents a central mechanism supporting regulatory T cell differentiation and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. This review summarizes the current evidence linking microbial metabolites, epigenetic regulation, and cytokine expression, while critically discussing the strengths and limitations of the available experimental and translational studies. Although these findings highlight a mechanistic link between the microbiota and cytokine epigenetic regulation, direct evidence in human immune cells remains limited. Further integrative studies are required to support the development of microbiome-informed biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.},
DOI = {10.32604/ecn.2026.086087}
}