Epigenetics of Notch1 regulation in pulmonary microvascular rarefaction following extrauterine growth restriction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) plays an important role in the developmental origin of adult cardiovascular diseases. In an EUGR rat model, we reported an elevated pulmonary arterial pressure in adults and genome-wide epigenetic modifications in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (PVECs). However, the underlying mechanism of the early nutritional insult that results in pulmonary vascular consequences later in life remains unclear.

Methods

A rat model was used to investigate the physiological and structural effect of EUGR on early pulmonary vasculature by evaluating right ventricular systolic pressure and pulmonary vascular density in male rats. Epigenetic modifications of the Notch1 gene in PVECs were evaluated.

Results

EUGR decreased pulmonary vas

SUBMITTER: Tang LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4486133 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature