Genome‑wide DNA methylation profiling in a rat model with vascular dementia
Abstract
Vascular dementia (VaD), the second most prevalent type of dementia, is caused by reduced blood supply to the brain that results in cognitive impairment. Despite the efforts of numerous studies, the pathological mechanisms behind VaD remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to identify candidate genes that undergo changes in hippocampal DNA methylation owing to VaD. A genome‑wide DNA methylation analysis was performed, using methylated DNA‑binding domain sequencing. VaD model rats with cognitive impairment induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion were confirmed using the radial arm maze test. A total of 1,180 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified, and functional annotation analysis revealed the DMGs to be enriched in 10 Gene Ontology biological processes. Network analysis using the STRING database indicated that seven genes were closely connected. Rats in the VaD model group demonstrated relative hypomethylation in the promoter region and increased mRNA expression of the hippocampal genes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) and kinase insert domain receptor, but only differences in VEGFA mRNA expression levels were determined to be statistically significant. In conclusion, these preli...Continue Reading
References
Diet, methyl donors and DNA methylation: interactions between dietary folate, methionine and choline
White matter damage and the effect of matrix metalloproteinases in type 2 diabetic mice after stroke
Alzheimer's disease: early alterations in brain DNA methylation at ANK1, BIN1, RHBDF2 and other loci
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