The Key Role of DNA Methylation and Histone Acetylation in Epigenetics of Atherosclerosis

Han-Teo Lee; Sanghyeon Oh; Du Hyun Ro; Hyerin Yoo; Yoo-Wook Kwon

doi:10.12997/jla.2020.9.3.419

The Key Role of DNA Methylation and Histone Acetylation in Epigenetics of Atherosclerosis

J Lipid Atheroscler. 2020 Sep;9(3):419-434. doi: 10.12997/jla.2020.9.3.419. Epub 2020 Sep 21.

Authors

Han-Teo Lee^{1

2}, Sanghyeon Oh^{1

2}, Du Hyun Ro^{1

2

3}, Hyerin Yoo^{1

2}, Yoo-Wook Kwon^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
² Interdisciplinary Program in Stem Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
³ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
⁴ Strategic Center of Cell and Bio Therapy for Heart, Diabetes & Cancer, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
⁵ Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis, which is the most common chronic disease of the coronary artery, constitutes a vascular pathology induced by inflammation and plaque accumulation within arterial vessel walls. Both DNA methylation and histone modifications are epigenetic changes relevant for atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that the DNA methylation and histone modification systems are closely interrelated and mechanically dependent on each other. Herein, we explore the functional linkage between these systems, with a particular emphasis on several recent findings suggesting that histone acetylation can help in targeting DNA methylation and that DNA methylation may control gene expression during atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Acetylation; Atherosclerosis; DNA methylation; Histones.

Publication types

Review