New insights into the epigenetics of inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Epigenetic mechanisms are essential for immune cell differentiation and function, including the correct activation of B cells and T cells and inflammatory processesThe dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms in genetically predisposed individuals is associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseasesEpigenome-wide association studies in genetically complex inflammatory rheumatic diseases have identified substantial correlations between epigenetic mechanisms and disease activity and severityEpigenetic dysregulation contributes to the clinical manifestations of monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes and can be used as a biomarker of response to treatmentThe systematic use of epigenomic screening will help to classify and identify novel biomarkers for personalized management of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseasesNew inhibitors of epigenetic enzymes or upstream enzymes that are linked to the epigenetic control of immune function are likely to be tested in clinical trials for disease management