Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integration

BackgroundIschemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of mortality and disability, with atherosclerosis (AS) as a primary risk factor. DNA methylation plays a critical role in AS development, but its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms...

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Main Authors: Binrong Ding, Yiqun Wang, Junfeng Li, Xuewei Zhang, Zhengqing Wan, Hao Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Genetics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2025.1567951/full
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author Binrong Ding
Yiqun Wang
Junfeng Li
Xuewei Zhang
Xuewei Zhang
Xuewei Zhang
Zhengqing Wan
Zhengqing Wan
Hao Wang
author_facet Binrong Ding
Yiqun Wang
Junfeng Li
Xuewei Zhang
Xuewei Zhang
Xuewei Zhang
Zhengqing Wan
Zhengqing Wan
Hao Wang
author_sort Binrong Ding
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundIschemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of mortality and disability, with atherosclerosis (AS) as a primary risk factor. DNA methylation plays a critical role in AS development, but its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms linking AS and IS by integrating DNA methylation and transcriptome data from public databases.MethodsThis study integrated DNA methylation (GSE46394) and transcriptome data (GSE111782 and GSE162955) from public databases to investigate the molecular mechanisms linking AS and IS. Differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (p < 0.05). Subsequent gene annotation and enrichment analyses were performed to uncover potential molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between AS and IS.ResultsA total of 5,396 consistent DMPs were identified in aortic and carotid atherosclerotic lesions, with enriched pathways such as MAPK signaling and Hippo signaling. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1,147 DEGs in AS plaques and 1,321 DEGs in IS brain tissues, enriched in pathways including neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, calcium signaling, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. Overlapping analyses identified shared processes like actin filament polymerization, cell migration, and MAPK cascade regulation, as well as pathways such as adrenergic signaling, and apelin signaling.ConclusionThis study highlights the pivotal role of epigenetic regulation in AS and IS, uncovering key pathways and molecular processes involved in their progression. Future studies should validate these findings in larger cohorts and integrate multi-omics approaches for a comprehensive understanding.
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spelling doaj-art-e8b6fbcfddbf4932bef7fcf4d3089b772025-08-20T03:22:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Genetics1664-80212025-06-011610.3389/fgene.2025.15679511567951Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integrationBinrong Ding0Yiqun Wang1Junfeng Li2Xuewei Zhang3Xuewei Zhang4Xuewei Zhang5Zhengqing Wan6Zhengqing Wan7Hao Wang8People’s Hospital of Ningxiang City, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, ChinaDepartment of Geriatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, ChinaPeople’s Hospital of Ningxiang City, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, ChinaHealth Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, ChinaCenter for Medical Genetics and Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, ChinaDepartment of Medical Genetics, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, ChinaMOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of South China, Changsha, ChinaPeople’s Hospital of Ningxiang City, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, ChinaBackgroundIschemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of mortality and disability, with atherosclerosis (AS) as a primary risk factor. DNA methylation plays a critical role in AS development, but its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms linking AS and IS by integrating DNA methylation and transcriptome data from public databases.MethodsThis study integrated DNA methylation (GSE46394) and transcriptome data (GSE111782 and GSE162955) from public databases to investigate the molecular mechanisms linking AS and IS. Differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (p < 0.05). Subsequent gene annotation and enrichment analyses were performed to uncover potential molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between AS and IS.ResultsA total of 5,396 consistent DMPs were identified in aortic and carotid atherosclerotic lesions, with enriched pathways such as MAPK signaling and Hippo signaling. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1,147 DEGs in AS plaques and 1,321 DEGs in IS brain tissues, enriched in pathways including neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, calcium signaling, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. Overlapping analyses identified shared processes like actin filament polymerization, cell migration, and MAPK cascade regulation, as well as pathways such as adrenergic signaling, and apelin signaling.ConclusionThis study highlights the pivotal role of epigenetic regulation in AS and IS, uncovering key pathways and molecular processes involved in their progression. Future studies should validate these findings in larger cohorts and integrate multi-omics approaches for a comprehensive understanding.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2025.1567951/fullischemic strokeatherosclerosisintegrated bioinformatics approachesDNA methylationtranscriptomicsepigenetic regulation
spellingShingle Binrong Ding
Yiqun Wang
Junfeng Li
Xuewei Zhang
Xuewei Zhang
Xuewei Zhang
Zhengqing Wan
Zhengqing Wan
Hao Wang
Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integration
Frontiers in Genetics
ischemic stroke
atherosclerosis
integrated bioinformatics approaches
DNA methylation
transcriptomics
epigenetic regulation
title Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integration
title_full Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integration
title_fullStr Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integration
title_full_unstemmed Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integration
title_short Epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke: insights from DNA methylation and transcriptome integration
title_sort epigenetic mechanisms linking atherosclerosis to ischemic stroke insights from dna methylation and transcriptome integration
topic ischemic stroke
atherosclerosis
integrated bioinformatics approaches
DNA methylation
transcriptomics
epigenetic regulation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2025.1567951/full
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