Hypomethylation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domain containing 4 gene in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease linked to epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation. While LDLRAD4 has been implicated in RA through GWAS, its role in RA via methylation remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate LDLRAD4 methylation patterns in RA and evaluate its potential as a diagnostic and inflammatory biomarker.

METHODS

We assessed DNA methylation at specific CpG sites within LDLRAD4 in 150 RA patients and 150 healthy controls. Clinical data, including disease duration and inflammatory markers, were collected.

RESULTS

RA patients showed significant hypomethylation of LDLRAD4, especially in the LDLRAD4-43 and LDLRAD4-44 regions. ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.841, indicating strong diagnostic potential. Methylation levels correlated negatively with ESR, CRP and DAS28 in the RF+/CCP- subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

LDLRAD4 DNA present hypomethylation in rheumatoid arthritis, and methylation levels are correlated with inflammatory indicator, possibly via TGF-β signaling. Further research is needed to explore its therapeutic potential.