Environmental exposures, epigenetics and cardiovascular disease.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

Epigenetic modifications are heritable alterations of the genome, which can govern gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. The purpose of this review is to render an overview of the possible mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in response to environmental pollutants leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Recent findings

An era of cataloging epigenetic marks of the various diseased states has recently commenced, including those within the genes responsible for atherosclerosis, ischemia, hypertension and heart failure. From varied study approaches directed either toward the general understanding of the key pathway regulatory genes, or sampling population cohorts for global and gene-specific changes, it has been possible to ide

SUBMITTER: Baccarelli A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3742092 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature