These studies have revealed several mechanosensitive genes, such as HoxA5, Klf3, and Klf4, whose promoters were hypermethylated by disturbed blood flow, but rescued by DNA methyltransferases inhibitors such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. It has been found that use of this DNA methyltranferase inhibitor prevents atherosclerosis lesion formation and reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages.
These studies have identified several mechanosensitive genes, including HoxA5, Klf3, and Klf4, whose promoters were hypermethylated due to disturbed blood flow but restored by DNA methyltransferase inhibitors like 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. It has been discovered that using this DNA methyltransferase inhibitor prevents atherosclerosis lesion formation and decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages.