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Epigenetic Regulation and Molecular Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 665

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Guest Editor
Second Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: rheumatoid arthritis; cardiovascular disease; cohort study; antiphospholipid syndrome; phospholipid antibody; prothrombin; maturity onset diabetes of the young; sodium glucose cotransporter 2; cardiovascular system
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death globally, yet the molecular pathways underlying their development are not fully understood. Recent advances highlight the critical role of epigenetic regulation—including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs—in modulating gene expression and driving cardiovascular pathology. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences will focus on the latest molecular research exploring how epigenetic mechanisms influence key processes such as vascular inflammation, myocardial remodeling, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. We invite original research articles and reviews that present molecular data and mechanistic insights into the role of epigenetic regulation in cardiovascular diseases. Submissions employing state-of-the-art molecular techniques and addressing potential therapeutic implications are highly encouraged. We hope that this collection will provide a comprehensive view of the epigenetic landscape in cardiovascular diseases and foster the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Paschalis Karakasis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • epigenetic regulation
  • cardiovascular disease
  • DNA methylation
  • histone modifications
  • non-coding RNAs
  • vascular inflammation
  • myocardial remodeling
  • molecular mechanisms
  • thera-peutic targets

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

39 pages, 778 KiB  
Review
Epigenetic Drivers of Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Targets
by Paschalis Karakasis, Panagiotis Theofilis, Nikias Milaras, Panayotis K. Vlachakis, Dimitrios Patoulias, Theodoros Karamitsos, Antonios P. Antoniadis and Nikolaos Fragakis
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5253; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115253 - 29 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 562
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained arrhythmia, associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burdens. Despite therapeutic advances, recurrence rates remain high, particularly in persistent AF, underscoring the need for deeper mechanistic insight. Epigenetic regulation—comprising DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, [...] Read more.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained arrhythmia, associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burdens. Despite therapeutic advances, recurrence rates remain high, particularly in persistent AF, underscoring the need for deeper mechanistic insight. Epigenetic regulation—comprising DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, RNA methylation, and non-coding RNAs—has emerged as a key contributor to the structural, electrical, and inflammatory remodeling underlying AF. These mechanisms operate at the interface of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure, offering a dynamic framework for understanding disease progression. Systemic stressors such as aging, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypoxia, and alcohol have been shown to induce epigenetic reprogramming in atrial tissue, further promoting atrial cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenesis. Additionally, circulating epigenetic markers, particularly microRNAs, are being investigated for their potential in AF diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic monitoring. Therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic pathways—ranging from histone deacetylase inhibitors and miRNA-based therapeutics to CRISPR/dCas9-mediated epigenome editing—are under investigation. Additionally, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors may indirectly influence epigenetic programs and miRNA expression relevant to atrial remodeling. While promising, these approaches require further validation in terms of safety, delivery specificity, and long-term efficacy. High-resolution epigenomic mapping and integrative multi-omic approaches may enhance understanding of AF heterogeneity and enable personalized treatment strategies. This review provides an integrated appraisal of epigenetic mechanisms in AF and outlines their emerging diagnostic and therapeutic relevance. Full article
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