Figure 1.

Possible roles of epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of OA. Under the accumulative effect of risk factors, chondrocytes undergo epigenetic events including DNA methylation and histone modifications that occur in the nucleus, and miRNAs which function in the cytoplasm. This results in aberrant expression of TFs, cytokines, collagen, aggrecan, and matrix proteinases. Abnormal expression of these factors may disrupt the balance of anabolic and catabolic activity and compromise cartilage homeostasis, leading to articular cartilage degradation and the development of OA.