Epigenetic analysis in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis: Understanding the regulation of disease-relevant genes Whole genome analysis of synoviocytes, specialized cells in the joint-lubricating synovial fluid, sheds light on the pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Around 350 million people worldwide suffer joint pain and stiffness due to RA, but the inheritance pattern of the disease remains unclear. A study led by Tae-Young Roh at Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea, reveals a distinct pattern of chemical tags on the DNA of synoviocytes from RA patients. Differences in methyl group tags in over 500 regions of the genome influenced the expression of RA-associated genes and of microRNAs, small RNA molecules that are also involved in the regulation of gene expression. These differentially methylated sites may not only represent potential disease biomarkers, but also offer new insights into the regulation of RA-relevant genes.