title: Evidence of epigenetic tags in cardiac fibrosis.
abstract: In cardiac fibrosis, following an injury or a stress, non-functional fibrotic tissue substitutes normal myocardium, thus leading to progressive heart failure. Activated fibroblasts are principal determinants of cardiac fibrosis by producing excessive fibrotic extracellular matrix and causing hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNAs have been involved in these mechanisms. Therefore, there is a strong interest in reverting such epigenetic transformations in order to arrest myocardial fibrotic degeneration. Demethylating agents, such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, 5-azacytidine, some selective histone deacetylase inhibitors, including mocetinostat, trichostatin A, and MPT0E014, have a direct action on important inducers of cardiac fibrosis. Also dietary compounds, such as resveratrol, can suppress the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. Although in vivo and in vitro studies suggest specific epigenetic therapies to treat cardiac fibrosis, the related clinical trials are still lacking. A better understanding of the epigenetic effects of dietary compounds (e.g. curcumin and green tea catechins) on the onset and progression of cardiac fibrosis, will allow the identification of protective dietary patterns and/or the generation of novel potential epidrugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistics, U.O.C. Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy; Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy. Electronic address: vincenzo.grimaldi@policliniconapoli.it.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistics, U.O.C. Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy; Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: De Pascale
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy; CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.affiliation: Foundation SDN, Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development, IRCCS, Naples, Italy; University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soricelli
authors.affiliation: Foundation SDN, Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development, IRCCS, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Infante
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco Paolo
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistics, U.O.C. Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy; Foundation SDN, Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development, IRCCS, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Napoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004032:Diet; D018450:Disease Progression; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005355:Fibrosis; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005819:Genetic Markers; D035683:MicroRNAs; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D006655:Histone Deacetylases
keywords: Anti-miRNA; Cardiac fibrosis; DNA methylation; Dietary epigenetic compounds; Histone deacetylase inhibitor