International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences (ISSN 2226-9614)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

VOLUME 27(21) (2025)

Genomic and epigenetic influences on coronary artery disease

Ramy Rashed Mohamed Abdelkader, Eyad Munir Almubarak

 Dubai Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is a consequence of the interaction of numerous genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Many genes have been recognized by genomic research to contribute to CAD risk through single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variations (CNVs). Epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation, histone adjustments, and non-coding RNAs control gene expression following contact with environmental stressors. This literature review consolidates available evidence on the genomic and epigenetic determinants of CAD and their diagnostic, predictive, and therapeutic implications. An exhaustive search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using keywords such as “coronary artery disease” AND “genomics,” “epigenetics” AND “CAD,” and “DNA methylation” AND “cardiovascular disease,” between 2015 and 2025. Genetic loci such as 9p21, PCSK9, and APOE have strong association with CAD susceptibility, and epigenetic changes such as hypermethylation of lipid metabolism genes and disruption of microRNAs contribute to disease pathology. Evidence is highly suggestive of the diagnostic utility of epigenetic biomarkers and polygenic risk scores (PRS), and PRS has the potential to predict CAD risk with up to 80% specificity in high-risk subjects. However, barriers in the shape of genetic heterogeneity, epigenetic assay heterogeneity, and sparse longitudinal data pose an impediment to clinical use. Therapies targeting epigenetic changes, such as microRNA mimics and conditional histone deacetylase inhibitors, are promising but require validation. This review emphasizes the core contribution of genomics to CAD epigenetics, emphasizing the need for standardised assays, combined omics strategies, and large-scale prospective cohorts to enhance precision medicine.

Keywords: coronary artery disease, genomics, epigenetics, polygenic risk scores, DNA methylation.

Full length article    *Corresponding Author, e-mail: ramyrashedmohamed@yahoo.com               Doi # https://doi.org/10.62877/20-IJCBS-25-27-21-20