Open AccessNovel epigenetic-based therapies useful in cardiovascular medicine
Author(s) -
Claudio Napoli,
Vincenzo Grimaldi,
Maria Rosaria Pascale,
Linda Sommese,
Teresa Infante,
Andrea Soricelli
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1949-8462
DOI - 10.4330/wjc.v8.i2.211
Subject(s) - epigenetics , medicine , microrna , dna methylation , histone deacetylase , bioinformatics , epigenetic therapy , histone , methyltransferase , computational biology , pharmacology , gene expression , gene , methylation , biology , genetics
Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA. Gene alterations have been found to be associated with cardiovascular diseases, and epigenetic mechanisms are continuously being studied to find new useful strategies for the clinical management of afflicted patients. Numerous cardiovascular disorders are characterized by the abnormal methylation of CpG islands and so specific drugs that could inhibit DNA methyltransferase directly or by reducing its gene expression (e.g., hydralazine and procainamide) are currently under investigation. The anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties of histone deacetylase inhibitors and their cardio-protective effects have been confirmed in preclinical studies. Furthermore, the regulation of the expression of microRNA targets through pharmacological tools is still under development. Indeed, large controlled trials are required to establish whether current possible candidate antisense microRNAs could offer better therapeutic benefits in clinical practice. Here, we updated therapeutic properties, side effects, and feasibility of emerging epigenetic-based strategies in cardiovascular diseases by highlighting specific problematic issues that still affect the development of large scale novel therapeutic protocols.