Glucocorticoids promote structural and functional maturation of foetal cardiomyocytes: a role for PGC-1α.

ABSTRACT: Glucocorticoid levels rise dramatically in late gestation to mature foetal organs in readiness for postnatal life. Immature heart function may compromise survival. Cardiomyocyte glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is required for the structural and functional maturation of the foetal heart in vivo, yet the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we asked if GR activation in foetal cardiomyocytes in vitro elicits similar maturational changes. We show that physiologically relevant glucocorticoid levels improve contractility of primary-mouse-foetal cardiomyocytes, promote Z-disc assembly and the appearance of mature myofibrils, and increase mitochondrial activity. Genes induced in vitro mimic those induced in vivo and include PGC-1α, a critical regulator of cardiac mitochondrial capacity. SiR

SUBMITTER: Rog-Zielinska EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4572859 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature