Dysregulation of chromatin remodeling disrupts the careful balance of gene expression, serving as a key driver in the initiation and progression of diverse human diseases. In cancer, for instance, mutations in SWI/SNF complex subunits or aberrant activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs) alter oncogene/tumor suppressor expression; in neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer, Parkinson), impaired chromatin accessibility perturbs neuronal survival and synaptic function; in metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes, fatty liver disease), dysregulated chromatin remodeling disturbs metabolic gene networks; and in inflammatory conditions, it modulates immune cell activation and cytokine production. Despite growing evidence of its pathological relevance, the tissue-specific mechanisms of chromatin remodeling in many diseases remain incompletely understood, and its potential as a therapeutic target is yet to be fully exploited.

The objective of this Research Topic is to advance the understanding of chromatin remodeling as a universal modulator of disease, spanning basic mechanisms to translational applications. We aim to uncover how chromatin remodeling dysregulation contributes to disease initiation, progression, and heterogeneity, and to explore its utility in developing novel diagnostic markers and targeted therapies. A key focus is to bridge gaps between chromatin biology and disease-specific phenotypes, highlighting tissue- or cell-type-specific roles of chromatin remodeling in pathological processes.

We welcome submissions including, but not limited to, the following scope:

• Mechanisms of chromatin remodeling dysregulation in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, or rare genetic conditions.
• Tissue-specific roles of chromatin remodeling in disease progression.
• Chromatin accessibility dynamics in disease models and human clinical samples, and their correlation with disease severity or treatment response.
• Development of targeted therapies targeting chromatin remodeling for diverse diseases.
• Integration of chromatin remodeling with other epigenetic mechanisms in disease pathogenesis.
• Clinical applications of chromatin remodeling-based biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or precision medicine.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

The Role of Chromatin Remodeling in Disease Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Development