Three of the hypomethylated genes [Drosophila headcase (HECA), early B-cell factor 1 (EBF1) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2)] and three of the hypermethylated genes [human mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4), zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and FYN] were previously been implicated in atherosclerosis.
These results provide evidence for the involvement of NOD2 in vascular homeostasis and tissue injury, serving as a potential molecular target in the modulation of arteriosclerotic vascular disease.
One non-synonymous SNP in TLR4 and two non-synonymous SNPs in CARD15, previously associated with atherosclerosis and Crohn's disease, respectively, were also studied.