Exposure of chondrocytes in vitro with microbial DNA amplified from human osteoarthritis cartilage induces widespread OA-associated DNA methylation changes

Abstract

Purpose: In recent years, strong links between epigenetic changes, particularly alterations in DNA methylation, have been linked with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA); however, the environmental factors driving epigenetic changes within articular tissues have not yet been fully elucidated. We have previously demonstrated that the microbial DNA signatures exist within human cartilage, and that changes in microbial signatures correlate with primary knee OA progression. In this study, we hypothesized that alterations in microbial DNA may induce epigenetic changes within articular cartilage.