Autophagy may exert this influential protective effect on the development of OSA by acting on several molecular pathways via inherited epigenotypes of the LC3B and p62 genes, while chronic IHR may lead to various adverse consequences through autophagy impairment via hypermethylation of the ATG5 gene promoter regions (Fig. 6). The gene discussed is SQSTM1; the disease is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.