Epigenetics of Lipid Phenotypes

Sergi Sayols-Baixeras, Marguerite R. Irvin, Roberto Elosua, Donna K. Arnett, Stella W. Aslibekyan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the main cause of death worldwide. Blood lipid profiles are patterned by both genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, epigenetics has emerged as a paradigm that unifies these influences. In this review, we have summarized the latest evidence implicating epigenetic mechanisms—DNA methylation, histone modification, and regulation by RNAs—in lipid homeostasis. Key findings have emerged in a number of novel epigenetic loci located in biologically plausible genes (eg, CPT1A, ABCG1, SREBF1, and others), as well as microRNA-33a/b. Evidence from animal and cell culture models suggests a complex interplay between different classes of epigenetic processes in the lipid-related genomic regions. Although epigenetic findings hold the potential to explain the interindividual variability in lipid profiles as well as the underlying mechanisms, they have yet to be translated into effective therapies for dyslipidemia.

Original languageEnglish
Article number31
JournalCurrent Cardiovascular Risk Reports
Volume10
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Keywords

  • Cholesterol
  • Epigenetics
  • Lipids
  • Methylation
  • Triglycerides

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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