hMLH1 gene promoter methylation in joint cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the role of Human MutL homologue 1 (hMLH1) gene promoter methylation in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis (OA).@*METHODS@#General DNA was dealt with sodium bisulfite. The methylation of hMLH1 promoter was detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). hMLH1 protein expression in joint cartilage was detected by immunohistochemical method.@*RESULTS@#The positive percent of hMLH1 promoter methylation in OA patients was higher than that in healthy persons (χ(2)=30.634, P<0.001); the positive percent of hMLH1 protein in OA patients was significantly lower than that in healthy persons (χ(2)=37.724, P<0.001); prmoter methylation and protein expression level of hMLH1 gene showed negative correlation (rs=-0.554, P<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#hMLH1 promoter is hypermethlated in joint cartilage cells of OA patients. Hypermethylation may affect the protein expression of hMLH1, which might play a role in the occurrence and development of OA.