Epigenetics: novel mechanism of pulmonary hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Epigenetics refers to changes in phenotype and gene expression that occur without alterations in DNA sequence. MicroRNAs are relatively recently discovered negative regulators of gene expression and act at the posttranscriptional level.


METHODS
This review summarizes epigenetic mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension, focusing on microRNAs related to pulmonary hypertension.


RESULTS
There are three major mechanisms of epigenetic regulation, including methylation of CpG islands, modification of histone proteins, and microRNAs. There may be an epigenetic component to pulmonary hypertension. These epigenetic abnormalities can be reversed therapeutically.


CONCLUSIONS
By better integrating network biology with evolving technologies in cell culture and in vivo experimentation, we will better understand epigenetic mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension and identify more diagnostic and therapeutic targets in pulmonary hypertension.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, 10 Huadong Road, Nanning, 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, b2007117@hotmail.com.
Jing-bin
JB
Huang
Jian
J
Liang
Xiao-fang
XF
Zhao
Wen-sen
WS
Wu
Fu
F
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D023281:Genomics; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D049490:Systems Biology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006657:Histones; D035683:MicroRNAs