Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Study Reveals Specific Signatures in the Affected Arterial Tissue of Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis, potentially causing complications such as blindness and strokes. This study aims to gain insights into the pathogenesis of GCA by identifying specific DNA methylation signatures in the arterial tissue of patients with this vasculitis.

Methods

DNA methylation profiling was analyzed in 79 temporal artery biopsy samples (69 patients with GCA and 10 controls) by performing an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS). Differential analysis was performed to identify differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Lastly, we compared our findings with previous transcriptomics and epigenomics studies on GCA-affected arteries.

Results

EWAS identified 3,644 DMPs (P_adj

SUBMITTER: Borrego-Yaniz G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12936897 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature