Epigenetics in rheumatic diseases

With enormous speed novel data are emerging about regulating the expression of the genetically encoded information [1]. This highly complex regulatory network called epigenetics includes acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, sumoylation and non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), such as miRNA and lncRNAs. Our laboratory is addressing over the past decade inflammatory rheumatic diseases [2], like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), AS, SSc and pulmonary hypertension and thereby searching for the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines [3,4], novel diagnostic signatures and new therapeutic targets. In this regard, DNA demethylation of RA synovial cells can be modulated by targeting specific enzymes [5]. Also, miRNA signatures for new response markers are in development [6].