Epigenetic dynamic during endochondral ossification and articular cartilage development

Abstract

Within the last decade epigenetics has emerged as fundamental regulator of numerous cellular processes, including those orchestrating embryonic and fetal development. As such, epigenetic factors play especially crucial roles in endochondral ossification, the process by which bone tissue is created, as well during articular cartilage formation. In this review, we summarize the recent discoveries that characterize how DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications and non-coding RNA (e.g., miRNA and lcnRNA) epigenetically regulate endochondral ossification and chondrogenesis.

Keywords: Cartilage; Chondrogenesis; DNA methylation; Endochondral ossification; Epigenetics; Gene regulation; Histone methylation; lncRNA; miRNA.