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Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiac Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells and Tissues
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Heart Diseases
1Medical Faculty, Department of Biophysics, Trakya University, 22030 Edirne, Türkiye.
Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
|August 8, 2025
Summary
Epigenetic mechanisms significantly regulate heart diseases (HDs) by altering gene expression. Understanding these epigenetic pathways, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, is key to developing novel biomarkers and precision therapies for cardiovascular pathology.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Heart diseases (HDs) are a major global health concern with complex contributing factors.
- Epigenetic mechanisms, which modify gene expression without changing DNA sequence, are increasingly recognized as crucial in cardiovascular pathology.
- Early detection and diagnosis are vital for improving heart disease treatment and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent discoveries in the epigenetic regulation of heart diseases.
- To highlight the roles of key epigenetic modifiers like DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), histone deacetylases (HDACs), sirtuins (SIRTs), and ten-eleven translocation proteins (TETs).
- To explore preclinical therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic modifiers for precision cardiology.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on epigenetics and heart disease.
- Analysis of next-generation sequencing techniques' contributions to understanding epigenetic roles.
- Examination of specific epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.
Main Results:
- Abnormal methylation states in candidate genes can serve as biomarkers for heart disease progression.
- Epigenetic mechanisms influence the expression of genes associated with heart disease.
- Advances in sequencing have deepened the understanding of epigenetic roles in cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusions:
- Understanding epigenetic pathways is crucial for developing novel biomarkers and therapies for heart diseases.
- Targeting epigenetic modifiers offers new avenues for precision medicine in cardiology.
- Epigenetic-based therapies hold promise for reversing maladaptive cardiac remodeling and improving clinical outcomes.
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