Fig. 2

Coronavirus-dependent host epigenome alterations and potential interventions. Viruses, like those from the Coronaviridae family, can alter the host epigenome, negatively affecting the host immune response and successfully spreading the infection. The immune response is extensively regulated by specific epigenetic marks, such as chromatin remodeling, histone modification, DNA, and RNA methylation. The epigenetic machinery is responsible not only for the host response priming and memory, but also for ensuring its functional regulation. Age-related alterations to the host epigenome might affect the adaptive immune response, hindering viral defenses. Epigenomics represent a powerful tool to explore how to prevent, attenuate, or reverse the viral infection therapeutically. The enzymes responsible for the epigenetic alterations might represent potential targets for new antiviral drugs