Methylation Levels in the 5' Region of the TBX20 Gene in the Ascending Aorta Change in Opposite Direction in Atherosclerosis and Aneurysm

We found hypomethylation of five CpG sites in the 5' region of TBX20 gene (7p14.2) in the tissues of atherosclerotic aortic plaque compared to dilated part of aorta in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm. Using GEO database, we found that the DNA methylation level in the chr7:35253926-35262250 region changes in opposite direction in aortic dissection and aortic atherosclerosis. The results suggest an alteration in epigenetic regulation both in aortic atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm.