DNA methylation variations at CETP and LPL gene promoter loci: new molecular biomarkers associated with blood lipid profile variability.

BACKGROUND

Recent findings suggest that DNA methylation, a well-known epigenetic mechanism, is involved in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) metabolism and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this study was thus to assess whether DNA methylation within key genes of lipoprotein metabolism is associated with blood lipid profile variability.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ninety-eight untreated familial hypercholesterolaemia patients (61 men and 37 women) were recruited for leucocyte DNA methylation analyses at the LDLR, CETP, LCAT and LPL gene promoter loci using bisulfite pyrosequencing. LPL DNA methylation was correlated with HDL-C (r = 0.22; p = 0.031) and HDL particle size (r = 0.47, p = 0.013). In both sex, CETP DNA methylation was negatively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r < -0.32; p < 0.05). In men, CETP DNA methylation was associated with HDL-C (r = -0.36; p = 0.006), HDL-triglyceride levels (r = 0.59; p < 0.001) and HDL particle size (r = -0.44, p = 0.019). In visceral adipose tissue from 30 men with severe obesity, the associations between LPL DNA methylation, HDL-C (r = -0.40; p = 0.03) and LPL mRNA levels (r = -0.61, p < 0.001) were confirmed.

CONCLUSION

CETP and LPL DNA methylation levels are associated with blood lipid profile, suggesting that further studies of epipolymorphisms should most certainly contribute to a better understanding of the molecular bases of dyslipidemia.