Investigating the Role of Epigenetics in Adaptation to Hypoxia in Mic

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand more about the changes in DNA methylation patterns in mice exposed to hypoxia. We have shown that differential methylation of DNA does occur in response to hypoxia, and that there is evidence of differential methylation on the promoters and exons of known hypoxia response genes. We found associations between hypoxia and promoter hypomethylation of RelB, I-17rd, Cdc-34 (all three of which are closely tied to NF-kB activity), Lmnb2 and exon hypomethylation of Foxo1, Phox2b, and Il-17rd. Our observations of these genes suggest that hypoxia induces increased cell metabolism and endothelial growth, inflammation linked to hypertension, insulin signaling, and increased glucose production and uptake in mice.