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.
Several mechanosensitive genes, such as HoxA5, Klf3, and Klf4, were identified with hypermethylated promoters linked to disturbed blood flow. These genes could be rescued by DNA methyltransferase inhibitors like 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. It has been observed that using this inhibitor prevents atherosclerosis lesion formation and reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages.