Open Access

Effects of global epigenetic methylation changes and interleukins‑15 and ‑29 on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis

  • Authors:
    • Noor A. Hameed
    • Rakad M.K. Al-Jumaily
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 3, 2025     https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.310
  • Article Number: 22
  • Copyright : © Hameed et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic disease characterized by inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of RA remain unclear, although multiple genetic and environmental agents have been implicated. The present study investigated the roles of interleukin (IL)‑15 and IL‑29) along with DNA methylation changes in the progression of RA, aiming to elucidate their potential as prognostic markers. For this purpose, 60 patients with RA (45 females and 15 males) and 40 healthy controls were selected for the study. Blood samples were collected from all participants to evaluate the sedimentation rate (ESR), and complete blood count, while the serum of participants was used to assess rheumatoid factor, C‑reactive protein, anti‑cyclic citrullinated peptides, IL‑15 and IL‑29. In addition, the levels of 5‑methylcytosine (5mC) and 5‑hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) were determined as markers of global DNA methylation. The results indicated a significant elevation in ESR and a decrease in red blood cell count in patients with RA compared with the controls. The patients with RA exhibited higher levels of IL‑15 (464.61±13.89) and IL‑29 (349.45±7.87) compared with the control group (291.47±10.32 and 255.37±5.45 ng/ml, respectively). Age‑related analysis revealed elevated levels of IL‑15, but not IL‑29 in the older age groups. Additionally, the patients with RA exhibited reduced levels of 5mC, indicative of global DNA hypomethylation, and increased levels of 5hmC, suggesting altered methylation dynamics. These changes are implicated in immune regulation and inflammatory responses, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of RA. On the whole, the findings of the present study underscore the importance of cytokine regulation and epigenetic changes in the progression of RA, presenting avenues for personalized therapies aimed at mitigating joint inflammation and damage.
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Spandidos Publications style
Hameed NA and Al-Jumaily RM: Effects of global epigenetic methylation changes and interleukins‑15 and ‑29 on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. World Acad Sci J 7: 22, 2025.
APA
Hameed, N.A., & Al-Jumaily, R.M. (2025). Effects of global epigenetic methylation changes and interleukins‑15 and ‑29 on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 7, 22. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.310
MLA
Hameed, N. A., Al-Jumaily, R. M."Effects of global epigenetic methylation changes and interleukins‑15 and ‑29 on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis". World Academy of Sciences Journal 7.2 (2025): 22.
Chicago
Hameed, N. A., Al-Jumaily, R. M."Effects of global epigenetic methylation changes and interleukins‑15 and ‑29 on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis". World Academy of Sciences Journal 7, no. 2 (2025): 22. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.310