Chapter 9 - Epigenetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and their clinical relevance

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability. The development of disease-modifying pharmacologic therapy for OA currently faces major obstacles mainly because the pathogenic mechanism(s) underlying OA remain unclear. Previous studies suggested that the alterations in the expression of catabolic and anabolic genes in articular chondrocytes might be involved in the pathogenesis of OA. However, the regulatory mechanisms for aberrant gene expression in osteoarthritic chondrocytes remain largely unknown. Recent advances in epigenome studies have shed light on the importance of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the initiation and progression of OA. These advances may promote the development of new biomarkers and epigenetics-based strategies for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of OA.