Aberrant promoter hypermethylation regulates thrombomodulin in high altitude induced deep vein thrombosis.

Background: DNA methylation regulates gene expression by inhibiting transcription factor binding to promoter and regulatory regions. Acute hypoxia during altitude exposure is associated with decreased natural anticoagulants and morbid thrombotic events. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a high affinity thrombin binding receptor protein, vital for vascular homeostasis.