The first international workshop on the epigenetics of osteoarthritis

Authors

Ingrid M. Meulenbelt, Leiden University Medical Center - LUMC
Nidhi Bhutani, Stanford University School of Medicine
Wouter den Hollander, Leiden University Medical Center - LUMC
Steffen Gay, UniversitatsSpital Zurich
Udo Oppermann, University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
Louise N. Reynard, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Faculty of Medical Sciences
Andrew J. Skelton, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Faculty of Medical Sciences
David A. Young, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Faculty of Medical Sciences
Frank Beier, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
John Loughlin, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Faculty of Medical Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2-2017

Journal

Connective Tissue Research

Volume

58

Issue

1

First Page

37

Last Page

48

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.3109/03008207.2016.1168409

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major clinical problem across the world, in part due to the lack of disease-modifying drugs resulting, to a significant degree, from our incomplete understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of the disease. Emerging evidence points to a role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of OA, but research in this area is still in its early stages. In order to summarize current knowledge and to facilitate the potential coordination of future research activities, the first international workshop on the epigenetics of OA was held in Amsterdam in October 2015. Recent findings on DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, histone modifications, noncoding RNAs, and other epigenetic mechanisms were presented and discussed. The workshop demonstrated the advantage of bringing together those working in this nascent field and highlights from the event are summarized in this report in the form of summaries from invited speakers and organizers.