Epigenetic control mechanisms play a key role in the regulation of embryonic 
development and tissue homeostasis and modulate cardiovascular diseases. 
Increasing evidence suggests that lineage commitment of stem/progenitor cells is 
tightly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. These epigenetic control mechanisms 
include DNA and histone modifications, which modulate the chromatin structure 
thereby regulating access of transcription factors. Particularly, the 
modification of histone acetylation and methylation, which is controlled by 
families of histone acetylases/deacetylases and methyltransferases/demethylases, 
respectively, controls stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and function. 
This review article summarizes our current understanding of epigenetic 
mechanisms regulating the differentiation of cardiovascular cells, specifically 
endothelial cells and cardiac muscle lineages. In particular, the article will 
focus on the enzymes which modify histones and are involved in chromatin 
remodelling.