Objectives: The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis and course of RA as well as response to treatment is increasingly being emphasised. The aim of our study was to determine the ADAMTSL2 and LRPAP1 gene methylation levels in RA patients' serum divided according to disease activity and in comparison with the results with the control group.
Methods: Quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR was used to analyse the methylation status of the investigated genes.
Results: We observed a significant difference in the methylation levels of both the ADAMTSL2 and the LRPAP1 genes in patients with high RA activity compared to patients in remission.
Conclusions: ADAMTSL2 methylation status was inversely correlated with DAS28. High disease activity was associated with lower methylation levels than in remission as well as in the control group. Different results were obtained for the methylation levels of the LRPAP1 gene. High disease activity and the control group were characterised by a higher level of LRPAP1 gene methylation compared to patients in remission. We have proven that methylation may play an important role in the course and severity of RA. The level of ADAMTSL2 and LRPAP1 gene methylation might impact the development of disease and reflect the activity of RA.