Epigenetic factors in rheumatoid arthritis / 中华检验医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Epigenetics is defined as heritable changes in genc expression that are,unlike mutations,not attributable to alterations in the sequence of DNA.The predominant epigenetic mechanisms are DNA methylation,histone modification and microRNA.Exploring the precise roles of epigenetic factors on autoimmunity has become an active research area.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder with a prevalence of approximately 0.5％ to 1.0％ worldwide.The mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of RA are still not completely understood.In recent years,the epigenetics of RA have been widely investigated.Alterations in the modification of histones and DNA methylation are the two major epigenetic mechanisms that may potentially cause a breakdown of immune tolerance and the perpetuation of RA.These epigenetic changes may be ideal targets for new personalized treatments.