DNA Methylation of the PDGFD Gene Promoter Increases the Risk for Intracranial Aneurysms and Brain Arteriovenous Malformations.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of DNA methylation of the platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGFD) gene promoter in the development of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) and brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs). A total of 70 patients with IAs or BAVMs and 26 control individuals were enrolled for this study. The PDGFD level in the plasma was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. DNA methylation levels of seven cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotides present in the PDGFD gene promoter were measured using bisulfite pyrosequencing technology. The plasma PDGFD levels in IA and BAVM were significantly lower than those in the control group (p = 0.0008 and 0.002, respectively). CpG1 methylation levels of the PDGFD gene promoter were significantly higher in IA patients (4.63 ± 0.35, p = 0.017) than in the control group (3.36 ± 0.35). CpG1 methylation of the PDGFD gene promoter in BAVM patients (6.00 ± 0.86, p = 0.003) was also significantly higher than that in the control group, although these differences were seen in both male and female patients (p = 2.81E-04 and p = 0.017, respectively). In addition, CpG1 methylation of the PDGFD promoter was associated with apolipoprotein E (APOE) levels in IA patients (p = 0.013). In conclusion, our study has demonstrated significant correlations between DNA methylation of the PDGFD gene promoter and the risk of developing either IA or BAVM. Furthermore, PDGFD gene promoter CpG1 methylation shows a significant correlation with APOE in IAs. Further functional studies on these relationships and correlations are warranted.

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