Genetics
CETP gene promoter hypomethylation is associated with coronary artery disease risk in a Chinese Han cohort (Mol Biol Rep 2022)
Original title: Association of lipid metabolism-related gene promoter methylation with risk of coronary artery disease
In 260 individuals from a Chinese Han population (120 coronary artery disease cases and 140 healthy controls), researchers used targeted bisulfite sequencing to test whether DNA methylation status of eight lipid-metabolism-related gene promoters, including CETP, was associated with coronary artery disease risk. Hypomethylation of the APOC3, CETP and APOC1 gene promoters was significantly associated with increased coronary artery disease risk, while higher methylation of APOA5 and LIPC promoters was linked to increased risk, and ANGPTL4 methylation was associated with disease only in males. No significant methylation differences were found for APOB or PCSK9 promoters, indicating that epigenetic regulation of CETP, alongside several other lipid genes, may contribute to coronary artery disease susceptibility in this population.
Original abstract
Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex disease that is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Lipid levels are regarded as a major risk factor for CAD, and epigenetic mechanisms might be involved in the regulation of CAD development. This study was designed to investigate the association between the DNA methylation status of 8 lipid metabolism-related genes and the risk of CAD in the Chinese Han population.
Methods: A total of 260 individuals were sampled in this study, including 120 CAD cases and 140 normal healthy controls. DNA methylation status was tested via targeted bisulfite sequencing.
Results: The results indicated a significant association between hypomethylation of the APOC3, CETP and APOC1 gene promoters and the risk of CAD. Individuals with higher methylation levels of the APOA5 and LIPC gene promoters had increased risks for CAD. In addition, ANGPTL4 methylation level was significantly associated with CAD in males but not females. There were no significant differences in the methylation levels of the APOB and PCSK9 gene promoters between CAD patients and controls.
Conclusions: The methylation status of the APOC3, APOA5, LIPC, CETP and APOC1 gene promoters may be associated with the development of CAD.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.