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Environmental exposures, epigenetics and cardiovascular disease
Andrea Baccarelli1, Sanjukta Ghosh
1Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. abaccare@hsph.harvard.edu
Summary
Environmental pollutants can trigger epigenetic changes, impacting gene expression and contributing to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Research is identifying these epigenetic signatures for potential diagnostics and therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Environmental Health
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Epigenetic modifications alter gene expression without changing DNA sequence.
- Environmental pollutants are increasingly linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in response to environmental pollutants.
- To explore the link between environmental factors, epigenetics, and CVD development.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on epigenetic modifications and environmental exposures.
- Analysis of studies identifying epigenetic signatures in CVD-related genes.
- Examination of population cohort data for gene-specific epigenetic changes.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic signatures associated with atherosclerosis, ischemia, hypertension, and heart failure have been identified.
- Environmental exposure-driven epigenetic dysregulation can be detected in peripheral blood within hours.
- Numerous epigenetic signatures of environmental exposure relevant to CVD have been identified.
Conclusions:
- Understanding chromatin remodeling in response to environmental stimuli is crucial for CVD.
- Emerging insights offer promise for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CVD.
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