Study On Abnormal Histone Modification Patterns In RA CD4+T Cells And CD14+ Monocyte/Macrophages

Objective:to detect alterations in histone H3/H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K9 methylation status in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) CD4+ T Cells and CD14+ Monocyte/Macrophages, to analyze the relativity between Histone Modification and RA activity index(HAQ and DAS28), to investigate the effect of Abnormal Histone Modification Patterns in RA pathogenesis.Methods:17 RA patients and 12 healthy controls were collected according to the collection standard.PBMC were isolated by Ficoll—Hypaque density gradient centrifugation, CD4+ and CD 14+ subsets were isolated by positive selection using Miltenyi beads and protocols provided by the manufacturer. Histone extraction and detection of global histone H3/H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K9 methylation were performed following the protocol of Epigentek Assay Kit. Analyze the relativity between Histone Modification and RA activity index(HAQ and DAS28).Results:Global histone H3 hyperacetylation was observed in RA CD4+T cells compared with controls(P=0.037). Global histone H4 hypoacetylation was observed in RA CD4+T cells compared with controls (P=0.008). Global levels of H3K4/H3K9 methylation in RA CD4+T cells were no different between patients and controls(P>0.05). Global levels of H3/H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K9 methylation in RA CD14+ Monocyte/Macrophages were no different between patients and controls(P>0.05).There were no significant relativity between global levels of H3/H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K9 methylation and RA activity index(HAQ and DAS28) (P>0.05).Conclusion:Histone modifications appear abnormal in CD4+T cells in RA.