Epigenetics Changes in the RA Synovium

Abstract

The fast technological progress of bio-medical research in the last decade led to the accumulation of vast amounts of data and opened new fields of research, such as epigenetics. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of most complex diseases is still not understood. The current review discusses pathological changes in the adaptive immune system as well as in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The main focus lies on epigenetic changes found in RA synovial cells, which might help to understand not only how environmental factors can influence disease development, but mainly why inflammation in RA joints is not resolved and why constant activation of the immune system and progressive joint destruction prevail.