Epigenetic Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Disease

The genetic information of an organism does not change during its lifetime, with a few exceptions. Different cell types, on the other hand, have very diverse gene expression profiles, resulting in a wide range of cells, tissues, and organs with varying roles throughout the human body. Likewise, gene expression within a cell type changes dramatically during the course of the disease. This process that regulates gene expression is regulated by epigenetic processes.

A variety of environmental and behavioral factors interact and result in gene expression changes and laying the groundwork for the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Epigenetic pathways have a role in the heterogeneity of gene expression responses among cells and individuals. Technology advancement now allows genome-scale epigenetic mark interrogation and provides a fast-developing understanding of the epigenome's richness and diversity. Epigenetic mechanisms include classical marks on the DNA or histones, but also the rapidly expanding field of epigenetic mechanisms played by non-coding RNAs and, more recently, even epigenetic marks on RNA itself. Exploration of the increasing landscape of epigenetic changes will eventually have implications for future disease understanding. Finally, understanding the epigenome provides potential targets for the development of future diagnostics, preventive strategies, and therapy for cardiovascular diseases.

Scientific results on the epigenome or technological advances involving genome-wide assessment of epigenetic marks in cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and immune cells of the cardiovascular system are of interest.

The areas of interest may include:

• Epigenome assessment in animal models, organoids or cells of the cardiovascular system
• Candidate epigenetic gene testing in the intact heart, cultured cardiac organoids or cells
• Signaling pathways that affect the epigenome of cells
• Computational approaches to study the epigenome of cardiovascular pathophysiology

Keywords: Epigenetics, Gene expression, Cardiovascular disease, Non-coding RNA

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