Association of methylation marks in monocyte nuclear DNA and platelet mitochondrial DNA with the risk of myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: Epigenetics is one of the fastest growing research fields in biomedicine. Recently, numerous studies have analyzed the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms, especially DNA methylation, in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. It is well known that atherosclerotic lesions often precede the clinical manifestation of myocardial infarction. Therefore, studying the role of two key blood cell types, monocytes and platelets, in the development of MI, may provide greater insight into the identification of individuals at risk of suffering a coronary event. Since DNA methylation marks are cellspecific, many studies have analyzed the association of DNA methylation levels in myocardium or coronary atherosclerotic plaques in association with coronary heart disease. However, these techniques are highly invasive. Alternatively, studying of epigenetic marks in blood cells obtained by non-invasive techniques as venipuncture shows a promising landscape for coronary risk assessment in addition to classical risk functions. Purpose: We aim to study the association between DNA methylation levels in IL-6 and MCP-1 genes as well as LINE-1 in monocytes, platelet DNA methylation levels, and the risk of MI. Design: An observational case-control study consisting in patients after a first episode of a myocardial infarction as well as age and gender-frequency matched healthy control subjects. Participants: Patients who suffered from a first episode of myocardial infarction hospitalized in the Coronary Unit of Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona