Role of autophagy and histone deacetylases in diabetic nephropathy: Current status and future perspectives

The prevalence of diabetes and its complications is increasing at an alarming rate in both developed and developing nations. The emerging evidences highlighted that both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications play a significant role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and acetylation are involved in the regulation of autophagy as well as pathogenesis of DN. Both HDACs and histone acetyltransferases (HATs) play a key role in chromatin remodeling and affect the transcription of various genes involved in the cellular homeostasis, apoptosis, immunity and angiogenesis. Further, HDAC inhibitors are exert the renoprotective effects in DN and other diabetic complications. Thus, the cellular acetylation plays a crucial role in the regulation of autophagy and can be explored as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of DN. This review aimed to delineate the role of HDACs and associated molecular signaling/pathways in the regulation of autophagy with an emphasis on promising targets for the treatment of DN. Copyright (C) 2016, Chongqing Medical University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.