on August 28, 2003
Published online before print August 28, 2003, doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.0000092871.30563.41
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Submitted on August 11, 2003
Accepted on August 11, 2003
DNA Methylation, Smooth Muscle Cells, and Atherogenesis
Mikko O. Hiltunen and Seppo Ylä-Herttuala *
From the A.I. Virtanen Institute (M.O.H., S.Y.-H.) and Department of Medicine (S.Y.-H.), University of Kuopio, and Gene Therapy Unit (S.Y.-H.), Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Seppo.Ylaherttuala{at}uku.fi.
Abstract--DNA methylation is a form of epigenetic modification of the genome that can regulate gene expression. Hypermethylation of CpG islands in the promoter areas leads to decreased gene expression, whereas promoters of actively transcribed genes remain nonmethylated. Because of cellular proliferation and monoclonality of at least some of the lesion cells, atherosclerotic lesions have been compared with benign vascular tumors.1,2 However, although genetic and epigenetic background favors neoplastic transformation, atherosclerotic plaques never develop to malignant tumors. Among cancer cells, common features are genome-wide hypomethylation, which correlates with transformation and tumor progression. Recent studies have shown that DNA methylation changes occur also during atherogenesis and may contribute to the lesion development.
Key words: atherogenesis • DNA methylation • 5-methylcytosine • epigenetic gene regulation • gene expression
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