Research progress of epigenetic regulation in the ossification of spinal ligaments
10.3760/cma.j.cn121113-20211021-00612
- VernacularTitle:表观遗传调控在脊柱韧带骨化中的作用研究进展
- Author:
Jialiang LIN
1
;
Qian XIANG
;
Yongzhao ZHAO
;
Shuai JIANG
;
Weishi LI
Author Information
1. 北京大学第三医院骨科，脊柱疾病研究北京市重点实验室，骨与关节精准医学教育部工程中心，北京 100191
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2022;42(2):121-128
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Ossification of the spinal ligaments (OSL) is characterized by the appearance of pathologic bone tissue within the spinal ligamentous tissue. OSL tends to occur in the cervical and thoracic segments with important cause of spinal stenosis. Compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots by ossified masses can lead to severe neurological dysfunction, which has a tremendous impact on the quality of life of patients. However, the exact etiology and pathogenesis of OSL are still unclear. Epigenetic regulation is widespread in organisms and refers to the appearance of heritable changes in gene expression without alteration in genomic DNA sequence. As an important form of biodiversity regulation, epigenetic regulation plays an important role in development of several diseases. Epigenetic regulation has multiple manifestations in OSL, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation. Sequencing tools, such as gene microarrays, have revealed significant differences in DNA methylation profiles and non-coding RNA expression between ossified and normal spinal ligaments. These differences can cause abnormal expression of osteogenesis-related target genes through direct or indirect pathways, thus affecting the ossification process of spinal ligaments. In addition, interactions between these epigenetic regulatory mechanisms constitute a large and complex regulatory network. Consequently, an in-depth understanding of the role of different epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and the linkages between them in the initiation and progression stages of OSL is expected to provide a valuable reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of OSL-related diseases.
