Methyl- rich diet ameliorates lupus-like disease in MRL/lpr mice

• Environmental factors are key components in SLE pathogenesis. • Decreased DNA methylation level contributes to lupus-like disease in lupus mice. • Methyl-rich diet ameliorates lupus-like disease in MRL mice. • Targeted DNA methylation changes are possible approach with therapeutic potential. Genetic susceptibility is necessary but not sufficient for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to appear indicating that environmental factors are also key components in the disease onset. Aberrant DNA methylation profile positively correlates with the development of lupus-like disease in MRL/ lpr mice. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of long term administration of methyl-rich diet in MRL mice. The results showed that supplemented diet decreased the levels of proteinuria and of anti-dsDNA antibodies and modulated cytokine profiles. Limited kidney failure and prevented development of skin lesions in MRL/ lpr mice were another positive effects of the high-dose methyl diet. These data suggest that it is possible to modulate the disease course by altering the amount of particular dietary micronutrients and that nutrition-mediated changes in DNA methylation may have potential clinical relevance.