Open Access
ARTICLE
Epigenetics for the pediatric cardiologist
Andrew D. Spearman
Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000
Wisconsin Avenue, Children’s Hospital of
Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
* Corresponding Author: Andrew D. Spearman, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. Email:
Congenital Heart Disease 2017, 12(6), 828-833. https://doi.org/10.1111/chd.12543
Abstract
A genetic basis of congenital heart disease (CHD) has been known for decades. In addition to the
sequence of the genome, the contribution of epigenetics to pediatric cardiology is increasingly recognized. Multiple epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and
RNA-based regulation, are known mediators of cardiovascular disease, including both development
and progression of CHD and its sequelae. Basic understanding of the concepts of epigenetics will
be essential to all pediatric cardiologists in order to understand mechanisms of pathophysiology,
pharmacotherapeutic concepts, and to understand the role of epigenetics in precision medicine.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Spearman, A. D. (2017). Epigenetics for the pediatric cardiologist.
Congenital Heart Disease, 12(6), 828–833. https://doi.org/10.1111/chd.12543