Epigenetic changes in estrogen receptor β gene in atherosclerotic cardiovascular tissues and in-vitro vascular senescence

Epigenetic changes marked by DNA methylation have been proposed to play a role in age-related disease. We investigated DNA methylation changes in cardiovascular atherosclerotic tissues and in-vitro vascular senescence in the promoter of estrogen receptor β gene, which has essential roles in vascular function. Coronary atherosclerotic tissues showed higher methylation levels (28.7%) than normal appearing arterial (6.7%–10.1%) and venous tissues (18.2%). In comparing estrogen receptor β methylation between plaque and non-plaque regions in ascending aorta, common carotid artery, and femoral artery of two patients, the plaque lesions showed consistently higher methylation levels than non-plaque regions. Passage-dependent increased estrogen receptor β methylation was observed in three of six human aortic endothelial or smooth muscle cell lines cultured in-vitro to vascular senescence. Estrogen receptor β expression in these vascular cell lines was significantly activated by DNA-methyltransferase inhibition. This activity was augmented by histone deacetylase inhibition. These findings provide evidence of epigenetic dysregulation of estrogen receptor β in atherosclerosis and vascular aging. We suggest that focal epigenetic changes in estrogen receptor β contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and vascular aging.