DNA demethylation in PD-1 gene promoter induced by 5-azacytidine activates PD-1 expression on Molt-4 cells

The expression of the programmed death 1 (PD-1) gene is an indicator of exhausted T-cells with decreased activation and function. It remains unknown, however, whether the methylation status of the PD-1 gene promoter is associated with PD-1 expression level. This study shows the changes of PD-1 expression levels and the demethylation status of the PD-1 promoter region in Molt-4 cells under different concentrations of 5-azacytidine (5-Zac). The result demonstrated that DNA demethylation at PD-1 promoter may contribute to PD-1 overexpression.

► 5-Azacytidine up-regulate cell surface receptor PD-1.
► DNA demethylation at PD-1 promoter may contribute to PD-1 overexpression.
► These are the first data showing alterations of PD-1 expression on lymphoid cell line by demethylation treatment.