Page 50 - GTM-2-4

Global Translational Medicine

REVIEW ARTICLE
Epigenetic perspective on atherosclerotic

cardiovascular diseases: The holistic principle of
systems biology and epigenetic reasoning

2
1
Katerina G. Lourida and George E. Louridas *
1 Independent Researcher, Thessaloniki, Greece
2 Department of Cardiology, Medical school, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract

Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease are the main causes of impairment and
cardiac death, placing a significant burden on our health-care system. This review
focuses on elucidating the involvement of various epigenetic mechanisms in the
genesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly chronic CVDs.
The deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms plays a crucial role in the progression of
CVDs, prompting exploration into novel preventive approaches. Advancements in
molecular procedures, network-based approaches, and data analysis have identified
new targets in CVDs, permitting the utilization of individualized epigenetic factors for
personalized diagnosis and treatment. While promising for improving diagnostic and
prognostic assessments, the clinical implementation of epigenetic biomarkers lags
behind. Multicenter clinical documentation in a large sample population is crucial to
confidently ascertain the clinical utility of specific epigenetic biomarkers. Of particular
interest is the interplay between epigenetics and the conflict between the gene-based
reductionist theory and the holistic principle of systems biology (SB). The holistic
*Corresponding author: principle analyzes the structural organization and regulation of biological networks,
George E. Louridas influencing the genesis and progression of complex cardiac diseases like CVDs. This
(louridasg@gmail.com)
review emphasizes the complexity of CVDs, elucidates the interrelationship between
Citation: Lourida KG, Louridas GE, disease networks and epigenetic mechanisms, and highlights the importance
2023, Epigenetic perspective on
atherosclerotic cardiovascular of the holistic principle of SB, coupled with artificial intelligence, in clarifying this
diseases: The holistic principle of interrelationship. The constant and uninterrupted epigenetic impact holds immense
systems biology and epigenetic potential for advancing our understanding of disease progression and treatment
reasoning. Global Transl Med,
2(4): 1868. across cells and tissues. Despite these advancements, the full integration of the
https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.1868 epigenetic impact into medical practice remains incomplete, with limited utilization
in clinical applications. Nevertheless, it is likely that in the near future, the epigenetic
Received: September 19, 2023
Accepted: December 14, 2023 regulation of gene expression, with its lifelong and extended effects on health, will
Published Online: December 28, 2023 become an integral part of everyday clinical practice.
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the Keywords: Epigenetics; Holistic thinking; Systems biology; Cardiovascular disease;
Creative Commons Attribution Atherosclerosis; Artificial intelligence
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited.
1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Twenty years ago, it was acknowledged that the human genome contained 20,000
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional protein-coding genes, which represent a mere 2% of our DNA. The remaining 98%,
affiliations. previously dismissed as junk or dark genome, is now recognized for its critical role.

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2023) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.1868