The Histone Methyltransferase SETDB2 Regulates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to establish whether the histone methyltransferase, SETDB2, regulates abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development. We hypothesized that during AAA development, SETDB2 is upregulated, resulting in the “turning off” of genes that are normally protective against pathologic vascular remodeling via methylation of H3K9 at gene promoters. Specifically, during normal aortic wall existence, a balance exists between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which function to break down the aortic wall, and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), which prevent the actions of MMPs on the aortic wall.