title: Unraveling the DNA methylome of atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in atherosclerosis have gained an increasing interest in recent years. We focus on the relevance of DNA methylation, a well characterized epigenetic modification of the genome, as a biomarker and underlying mechanism of atherosclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A growing number of loci have been identified, which are good candidate biomarkers for atherosclerosis and provide novel insights into the molecular changes taking place in the diseased vessel. Understanding the global change in DNA methylation during atherosclerosis remains a challenge. Novel unfolding research avenues include the interplay between genetic variants and DNA methylation patterns, and the role of long noncoding RNAs as epigenetic regulators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epigenetics continues to represent a promising area of research in atherosclerosis. The full exploitation of cutting edge epigenomics will be decisive to define whether epigenetics will contribute to lower the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, Campus León, University of Guanajuato, León, Mexico.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaina
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D057890:Epigenomics / Q000379:methods*; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases