Open AccessThe Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: An Important Avenue for Clinical Trials (2015 Grover Conference Series)
Author(s) -
Huston Jessica H.,
Ryan John J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pulmonary circulation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.791
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 2045-8940
DOI - 10.1086/687765
Subject(s) - epigenetics , medicine , histone , clinical trial , dna methylation , bioinformatics , genetic enhancement , computational biology , cancer research , gene expression , gene , genetics , biology
Epigenetics is an emerging field of research and clinical trials in cancer therapy that also has applications for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), as there is evidence that epigenetic control of gene expression plays a significant role in PAH. The three types of epigenetic modification include DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA interference. All three have been shown to be involved in the development of PAH. Currently, the enzymes that perform these modifications are the primary targets of neoplastic therapy. These targets are starting to be explored for therapies in PAH, mostly in animal models. In this review we summarize the basics of each type of epigenetic modification and the known sites and molecules involved in PAH, as well as current targets and prospects for clinical trials.