摘要表观遗传学是近些年兴起的一门遗传学研究的新分支.表观遗传现象不是通过改变核酸的序列来影响基因的表达,而是通过DNA甲基化、组蛋白修饰、非编码RNA调节等方式对基因的功能与表型进行调控；这种调控受环境、饮食等因素的影响,并且可能遗传给下一代个体.表观遗传现象涉及生命发育、人体正常生理功能的维持以及众多复杂的病理现象,如炎症、衰老、肿瘤发生等.一些复杂性眼病的发生,如单纯疱疹性角膜炎的复发、青光眼、色素膜炎、年龄相关性黄斑变性等眼病可能与表观遗传学因素有密切关联,大力开展眼科表观遗传学研究可能为研究这些眼病的发病机制及治疗提供新的思路及方法.

abstractsEpigenetics is the emergence of a new branch of genetics.Epigenetic factors regulate gene function and phenotype by the modulation of DNA methylation,histone modification,non-coding RNA expression instead of changing the DNA sequence ; more importantly,the regulation occurs under the influence of environment and diet and can be passed on to the next generation.Epigenetics is involved in life development,maintenance of normal physiological functions of the human body and the pathology of many complex phenomena,such as inflammation,aging,tumorgenesis,etc.There is no doubt that the pathogenesis of complex eye diseases such as recurrence of herpes simplex keratitis,glaucoma,uveitis and AMD may be associated with aberrant epigenetic regulations.Therefore effect in vigorously carrying eye research on epigenetics may provide new insight of the pathogenesis of those eye diseases and development of novel treatment options.