title: Epigenetic modulation as a therapeutic approach for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
abstract: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive and currently incurable disease, which is characterized by vascular remodeling in association with muscularization of the arterioles, medial thickening and plexiform lesion formation. Despite our advanced understanding of the pathogenesis of PAH and the recent therapeutic advances, PAH still remains a fatal disease. In addition, the susceptibility to PAH has not yet been adequately explained. Much evidence points to the involvement of epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases including cancer, peripheral hypertension and asthma. The knowledge gained from the epigenetic study of various human diseases can also be applied to PAH. Thus, the pursuit of novel therapeutic targets via understanding the epigenetic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of PAH, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNA, might be an attractive therapeutic avenue for the development of a novel and more effective treatment. This review provides a general overview of the current advances in epigenetics associated with PAH, and discusses the potential for improved treatment through understanding the role of epigenetics in the development of PAH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Jun-Dae
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Aram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jihea
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Youngsook
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyesoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Woochul
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Myeong-Sok
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jongmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs