Here we show reduced expression of the transcription factor RFX1 in CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, which leads to IL-17A overexpression through increased histone H3 acetylation and decreased DNA methylation and H3K9 tri-methylation.
On the other hand, certain miRNAs, RFX1, defective ERK pathway signaling, Gadd45α and DNA hydroxymethylation have been proposed as potential mechanisms leading to DNA hypomethylation in lupus.
In order to provide more insight into the epigenetic mechanisms leading to the deregulation of autoimmune-related genes in SLE, we asked whether RFX1 is involved in regulating histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) tri-methylation at the CD11a and CD70 promoters in SLE CD4(+) T cells.
These findings reveal a crucial role for RFX1 in regulating the epigenetic status of T cells, and demonstrate that autoimmune responses in SLE are due in part to RFX1 downregulation.