The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of diabetes on gene expression and DNA methylation in cardiac cells. Cell type-specific analysis performed in this study reveals differentially regulated gene programs in diabetes that are associated with disease-relevant biological processes, and predicts heterocellular interactions in the diabetic heart. Despite marked changes in gene expression, DNA methylation of genic regions and regulatory regions remained stable. The results from this study emphasize that cell type-specific approaches not only improve sensitivity but also reliability and should be considered as a standard in cardiovascular research.
Lother et al. Diabetes changes gene expression but not DNA methylation in cardiac cells. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020 in press