Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of the vitamin D receptor gene results in cardiac hypertrophy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A variety of studies carried out using either human subjects or laboratory animals suggest that vitamin D and its analogues possess important beneficial activity in the cardiovascular system. Using Cre-Lox technology we have selectively deleted the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene in the cardiac myocyte in an effort to better understand the role of vitamin D in regulating myocyte structure and function.

Methods and results

Targeted deletion of the exon 4 coding sequence in the VDR gene resulted in an increase in myocyte size and left ventricular weight/body weight versus controls both at baseline and following a 7-day infusion of isoproterenol. There was no increase in interstitial fibrosis. These knockout mice demonstrated a reduction in end-diastolic and end-systol

SUBMITTER: Chen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4160312 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature