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Review
. 2017 Dec 1;313(6):L1096-L1100.
doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00325.2017. Epub 2017 Aug 24.

Epigenetic changes by DNA methylation in chronic and intermittent hypoxia

Jayasri Nanduri  1 , Gregg L Semenza  2   3 , Nanduri R Prabhakar  4
Affiliations
Review

Epigenetic changes by DNA methylation in chronic and intermittent hypoxia

Jayasri Nanduri et al. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. .

Abstract

DNA methylation of cytosine residues is a well-studied epigenetic change, which regulates gene transcription by altering accessibility for transcription factors. Hypoxia is a pervasive stimulus that affects many physiological processes. The circulatory and respiratory systems adapt to chronic sustained hypoxia, such as that encountered during a high-altitude sojourn. Many people living at sea level experience chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) due to sleep apnea, which leads to cardiovascular and respiratory maladaptation. This article presents a brief update on emerging evidence suggesting that changes in DNA methylation contribute to pathologies caused by chronic IH and potentially mediate adaptations to chronic sustained hypoxia by affecting the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway.

Keywords: DNA methyl transferases; antioxidant enzyme; blood pressure; carotid body reflex; redox state.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Schematic presentation of the role of DNA methylation in causing persistent cardiorespiratory abnormalities by long-term intermittent hypoxia (LT-IH). ST-IH, short-term intermittent hypoxia; AOE, antioxidant enzyme; RA, room air; ROS, reactive oxygen species; HIF-2α, hypoxia-inducible factor-2α.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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