title: Epigenetic-related therapeutic challenges in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Progress in human genetic and genomic research has led to the identification of genetic variants associated with specific cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Recent studies have analyzed the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications in the development and progression of CVD. Preliminary work has investigated the correlations between DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA-based mechanisms with CVDs including atherosclerosis, heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), and cardiac hypertrophy. Remarkably, both in utero programming and postnatal hypercholesterolemia may affect the epigenetic signature in the human cardiovascular system, thereby providing novel early epigenetic-related pharmacological insights. Interestingly, some dietary compounds, including polyphenols, cocoa, and folic acid, can modulate DNA methylation status, whereas statins may promote epigenetic-based control in CVD prevention through histone modifications. We review recent findings on the epigenetic control of cardiovascular system and new challenges for therapeutic strategies in CVDs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development (SDN), Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schiano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Vietri
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa Complessa Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology (SIMT), Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology (LIT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU), Second University of Naples, Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: vincenzo.grimaldi@policliniconapoli.it.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa Complessa Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology (SIMT), Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology (LIT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU), Second University of Naples, Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picascia
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa Complessa Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology (SIMT), Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology (LIT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU), Second University of Naples, Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: De Pascale
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development (SDN), Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; Unità Operativa Complessa Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology (SIMT), Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology (LIT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU), Second University of Naples, Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Napoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006657:Histones / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D006657:Histones; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular pharmacology; epigenetics; natural compounds; statins