Cardiac epigenetic changes in VEGF signaling genes associate with myocardial microvascular rarefaction in experimental chronic kidney disease
Alfonso Eirin, Alejandro Chade
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often leads to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and heart failure. Using a novel translational swine model of CKD-LVDD, we characterize the cardiac epigenetic landscape, identifying site-specific 5-methylcytosine changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related genes associated with impaired angiogenesis and cardiac microvascular rarefaction. These observations shed light on the mechanisms of cardiac microvascular damage in CKD-LVDD and may assist in developing novel therapies for these patients.
Topics & Concepts
AngiogenesisEpigeneticsMedicineKidney diseaseCardiologyVascular endothelial growth factorHeart failureDiastoleInternal medicineDiseaseVEGF receptorsGeneBiologyBlood pressureGeneticsEpigenetics and DNA MethylationRenal and related cancersRenal cell carcinoma treatment