title: The Role of Epigenetics in Arterial Calcification.
abstract: Arterial calcification is highly prevalent and correlated with cardiovascular mortality, especially in patients with ESRD or diabetes. The pathogenesis of arterial calcification is multifactorial, with both genetic and environmental factors being implicated. In recent years, several mechanisms contributing to arterial calcification have been proposed. However, these can only explain a small proportion of the variability in arterial calcification, which is a major obstacle for its prevention and management. Epigenetics has emerged as one of the most promising areas that may fill in some of the gaps in our current knowledge of the interaction between the environmental insults with gene regulation in the development of diseases. Epigenetics refers to heritable and acquired changes in gene transcription that occur independently of the DNA sequence. Well-known components of epigenetic regulation include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs. Epigenetics research in the regulation of arterial calcification has only recently been elucidated. In this review, we will summarise recent progress in epigenetic pathways involved in arterial calcification and discuss potential therapeutic interventions based on epigenetic mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Department, Pingxiang People's Hospital, 128 Anyuan Area Square Road, Pingxiang, Jiangxi 337000, China ; Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
authors.forename: Shan-Shan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
authors.forename: Ling-Qing
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
authors.forename: Er-Yuan
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D035683:MicroRNAs