Bromodomain and Extraterminal Protein Inhibition: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints and surrounding tissues, triggered by factors such as inflammation, infection, degeneration, and trauma. The major forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gouty arthritis (GA). Its pathogenesis primarily involves synovial inflammation, cartilage degradation, and subchondral bone remodeling, with pro-inflammatory cytokines, collagenases, and other mediators playing central roles in disease onset and progression. The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein family-a subclass of the larger bromodomain protein superfamily-comprises BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT. The regulatory functions of BET proteins in inflammation highlight their considerable potential for mitigating arthritis-related pathology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on the role of BET proteins in OA, RA, and GA, aiming to deepen our understanding of the protective mechanisms of BET inhibitors, underscore their potential as therapeutic targets, and emphasize their relevance in the development of novel treatment strategies.