Epigenome-Wide Association Study (EWAS) of Blood Lipids in Healthy Population from STANISLAS Family Study (SFS)

Abstract

Epigenome-Wide Association Studies (EWAS) are furthering our knowledge of epigenetic modifications involved in the regulation of lipids’ metabolism. Furthermore, epigenetic patterns associated with lipid levels may play an important role in predicting the occurrence of cardiovascular events. To further investigate the relationship between methylation status and lipids, we performed an EWAS in 211 individuals from the STANISLAS Family study (SFS). Methylation at two CpG sites (PRKAG2; p = 1.39 × 10−8; KREMEN2; p = 5.75 × 10−9) were significantly associated with lipidomic profiles. Replication was sought in adipose tissue where one probe, cg08897188, was found to be nominally significant (KREMEN2; p = 0.0196). These results could provide new insight in the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases and contribute to new therapeutic interventions.

Keywords

• genetics
• gene Expression/polymorphisms
• lipids
• adipose tissue
• dyslipidemias
• EWAS
• DNA methylation
• epigenetics