Genome-Wide Methylation in Patterns in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Objective Epigenomic regulation is important in the pathology of many diseases. Evidence suggests epigenetic modification of individual genes in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), and understanding these epigenomic mechanisms involved in vascular remodeling in IPAH may be beneficial. The objective of the current study was to assess the genome‐wide methylation of IPAH lungs. We hypothesized that genome‐wide methylation would have an essential role in vascular remodeling in IPAH. Methods Lung tissues from 8 age‐matched and sex‐matched IPAH lungs and 8 healthy lungs were analyzed in the current study. Genome‐wide methylation of cytosine was assessed using whole genome bisulfite sequencing. Gene functional pathway analysis was performed on identified differentially methylated genes. Results Based on bioinformatics analysis of the methylation sequences, differentially methylated genes were identified in IPAH lungs. Further, there were distinct methylation patterns in the pathophysiology of the IPAH lungs. Conclusion Identification of epigenetically regulated pathways in IPAH may offer novel therapeutic opportunities for IPAH. Support or Funding Information ATSU Start Up Fund