Chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in osteoarthritis.

Epigenetic and chromatin remodeling mechanisms critically influence mesenchymal stem/stromal cell function in osteoarthritis, with chromatin regulation affecting key cellular responses.

• Why it matters: Understanding how epigenetic changes impact MSC behavior in OA is vital because these alterations contribute to impaired tissue repair and disease progression, yet their precise roles remain unclear.
• What they did: The review examines DNA methylation, histone modifications, RNA-based regulation, and chromatin accessibility, analyzing their connection to OA-related stress and MSC functional changes, supported by varying levels of evidence.
• The result: Insights into chromatin regulators and epigenetic strategies offer potential avenues for OA regenerative therapies, though challenges like product heterogeneity and safety must be addressed for clinical translation.