Epigenetics and vascular diseases

J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2019 Aug:133:148-163. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.06.010. Epub 2019 Jun 15.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death and disability worldwide despite significant improvements in diagnosis, prevention, and early intervention efforts. There is an urgent need for improved understanding of cardiovascular processes responsible for disease development in order to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. Recent knowledge gleaned from the study of epigenetic mechanisms in the vasculature has uncovered new potential targets for intervention. Herein, we provide an overview of epigenetic mechanism, and review recent findings related to epigenetics in vascular diseases, highlighting classical epigenetic mechanism such as DNA methylation and histone modification as well as the newly discovered non-coding RNA mechanisms.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; DNA methylation; Histone modifications; Long non-coding RNAs; microRNAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly
  • DNA Methylation
  • Disease Management
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism
  • Vascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Vascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Vascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Vascular Diseases / therapy

Substances

  • Histones
  • RNA, Untranslated