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Updated: Oct 2, 2025
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Published on: April 23, 2021
Epigenetic modifications in spinal ligament aging
Qian Xiang1, Yongzhao Zhao1, Jialiang Lin1
1Peking University Third Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing, China; Engineering Research Center of Bone and Joint Precision Medicine, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Disease Research, Beijing, China.
Spinal ligament aging, a key factor in spinal stenosis, is influenced by epigenetic changes like DNA methylation and histone modifications. This review explores these epigenetic mechanisms in degenerative spinal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Molecular Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Spinal stenosis is a prevalent degenerative spine disorder in aging populations.
- Spinal ligament aging is a significant contributor to spinal stenosis, but its mechanisms are poorly understood.
- Epigenetic alterations are increasingly recognized in age-related diseases and cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the involvement of epigenetic modifications in spinal ligament aging.
- To discuss the potential functions of epigenetic mechanisms in the context of degenerative spinal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on epigenetics and spinal ligament aging.
- Analysis of epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA modulation.
- Discussion of targeted genes and pathways involved in spinal ligament degeneration.
Main Results:
- DNA methylation affects critical genes (e.g., WNT5A, GDNF, miR-497) in spinal ligament degeneration.
- Histone modification abnormalities are prevalent in spinal ligament aging.
- Noncoding RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) regulate osteogenic/fibrogenic differentiation in spinal ligament aging.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs, play crucial roles in spinal ligament aging.
- Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms is vital for addressing degenerative spinal diseases.
- This review provides a comprehensive overview of epigenetic involvement in spinal ligament aging.
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