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Epigenetics of inflammatory arthritis
Deepa Hammaker1, Gary S Firestein
1Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA.
Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|December 2, 2017
Summary
Epigenetic alterations in DNA methylation and histone marks are key in rheumatic diseases. These epigenetic profiles offer potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for inflammatory arthritis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Aberrant epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA expression, are implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases.
- Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the epigenetic profiles of inflammatory arthritis.
- To discuss potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets based on epigenetic modifications.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on epigenetic alterations in rheumatic diseases.
- Analysis of methylation signatures in fibroblast-like synoviocytes and T cells.
- Integrative analysis of methylome, transcriptome, and proteome data in osteoarthritis.
Main Results:
- Methylation signatures can differentiate between rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and even disease stages.
- Specific methylation patterns correlate with disease severity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may serve as diagnostic markers.
- Integrative analysis identified potential therapeutic targets in OA chondrocytes.
- Histone deacetylase inhibitors are being investigated for inflammatory arthritis treatment.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications play a significant role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases.
- Epigenetic profiles hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for inflammatory arthritis and related conditions.
- Individualized therapy approaches informed by epigenetic mechanisms are a future direction in rheumatology.
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