Atherosclerotic Plaque Epigenetic Age Acceleration Predicts a Poor Prognosis and Is Associated With Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Humans

Abstract

Plaque EAA is a strong and independent marker of poor outcome in patients with severe atherosclerosis. Plaque EAA was linked to mesenchymal endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition was associated with EAA, which was experimentally validated. Epigenetic aging mechanisms may provide new targets for treatments that reduce atherosclerosis complications.