Genetics, epigenetics and autoimmunity constitute a Bermuda triangle for the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a multigene disorder with a heritability rate of 60 %, is characterized by persistent pain, synovial hyperplasia, and cartilage and bone destruction, ultimately causing irreversible joint deformity. The etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are primarily influenced by specific genetic variants, particularly HLA alleles such as HLA-DRB1*01 and DRB1*04. However, other HLA alleles such as HLA-DRB1*10 and DPB*1 have also been found to contribute to increased susceptibility to RA. However, non-HLA genes also confer a comparatively high risk of RA disease manifestation. The most relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with non-HLA genes are PTPN22, TRAF1, CXCL-12, TBX-5, STAT4, FCGR, PADI4, and MTHFR. In conjunction with genetic susceptibility, epigenetic alterations orchestrate paramount involvement in regulating RA pathogenesis. Increasing evidence implicates DNA methylation and histone protein modifications, including acetylation and methylation, as the primary epigenetic mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis and clinical progression of the disease. In addition to genetic and epigenetic changes, autoimmune inflammation also determines the pathological progression of the synovial membrane in joints with RA. Glycosylation changes, such as sialylation and fucosylation, in immune cells have been shown to be relevant to disease progression. Genetic heterogeneity, epigenetic factors, and changes in glycosylation do not fully explain the features of RA. Therefore, investigating the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and autoimmunity is crucial. This review highlights the significance and interaction of these elements in RA pathophysiology, suggesting their diagnostic potential and opening new avenues for novel therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Autoimmunity; DNA methylation; Epigenetic modification; Genetic susceptibility; Rheumatoid arthritis; Single nucleotide polymorphism.