Epigenetics and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

This chapter reviews evidence supporting the case for a strong epigenetic component in the etiology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sensible progress has been made to understand the epigenetic bases of CVD and atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of CVD. In principle, epigenetics provides unique conceptual and experimental instruments to understand how these CVD risk factors act at the molecular level to change gene expression patterns. Crucially, at least some risk factors for CVD are present only transiently during an individual’s lifetime and act as if imposing a “hit” during a specific time window. DNA demethylation in quiescent cells is difficult to explain in the absence of firm evidence of any active DNA demethylase activity. The involvement of DNA methylation in stroke, a major complication of atherosclerosis, has been investigated in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia.