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Epigenetic Mechanisms and Non-coding RNAs in Osteoarthritis

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Matthew Barter, Professor David YoungORCiD

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Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease typified by the loss of cartilage, the normal integrity of which is maintained by the resident cell, the chondrocyte. Alterations in chondrocyte gene expression with age, injury, loading or predisposing genetics, underpin OA cartilage loss. Cell- and tissue-specific gene expression is determined by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, chromatin modifications and non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs and long-non-coding RNAs. A number of epigenetic changes have been identified between OA and normal cartilage, and the enzymes which impart the epigenetic code are increasingly seen as important players in a number of pathologies, including OA. Here, we will describe current and potential new epigenetic studies that are likely to reveal novel aspects of chondrocyte and cartilage biology and potentially help sub-characterise OA phenotypes. Importantly, many of these epigenetic modifiers or non-coding RNAs are proposed drug targets and could represent a therapeutic opportunity for this currently untreatable disease.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Barter MJ, Young DA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Current Rheumatology Reports

Year: 2013

Volume: 15

Issue: 9

Print publication date: 01/06/2013

Online publication date: 26/07/2013

ISSN (print): 1523-3774

ISSN (electronic): 1534-6307

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11926-013-0353-z

DOI: 10.1007/s11926-013-0353-z

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