Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40990388›Full record

ReviewAnnals of medicine2025

Epigenetic modifications of immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

Xiaoyu Cai, Yao Yao

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Annals of medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. SerumInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2026
    Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Xiaoyu CaiDepartment of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-8510-2967
Yao YaoDepartment of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0002-4560-6861

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by synovial inflammation, joint destruction, and systemic features. Dysregulated immune cells-particularly T cells, B cells, and macrophages-drive its onset and progression. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, RNA editing, and non-coding RNAs, critically shape immune cell activation, differentiation, and effector functions, perpetuating autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. PURPOSE: Although individual epigenetic changes in RA have been widely studied, an integrated overview connecting these alterations to disease pathogenesis and clinical application is lacking. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on how epigenetic modifications affect key immune populations in RA, evaluate their potential as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, and discuss future directions for precision epigenetic therapies. DISCUSSION: In RA, T cells show locus-specific hypomethylation and lncRNA-mediated regulation that boost inflammatory cytokine production. Macrophages undergo histone modification changes and altered RNA editing that amplify inflammation. B cells exhibit abnormal DNA methylation and microRNA profiles promoting autoantibody production. Together, these processes form a self-sustaining loop of immune activation. Clinically, epigenetic profiles may aid early detection and patient stratification. Targeting epigenetic enzymes and RNA-based therapies is promising but faces challenges in cell specificity, delivery, and variability.

conclusionAdvances in epigenetics could enable personalized RA management. Integrative multi-omics and cell-specific interventions may restore immune balance, control inflammation, and prevent damage. Overcoming barriers to targeted delivery and clinical translation will be key for precision epigenetic therapies in RA.

Indexed as

Arthritis, RheumatoidEpigenesis, GeneticBiomarkersB-LymphocytesDNA MethylationHumansMacrophagesT-LymphocytesBiomarkersepigeneticsimmune cellsRheumatoid arthritistargeted therapy

Identifiers

PMID40990388
PMCPMC12462423

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.