Methylation-reprogrammed Wnt/β-catenin signalling mediated prenatal hypoxia-induced brain injury in foetal and offspring rats.

ABSTRACT: Prenatal hypoxia (PH) is a common pregnancy complication, harmful to brain development. This study investigated whether and how PH affected Wnt pathway in the brain. Pregnant rats were exposed to hypoxia (10.5% O₂ ) or normoxia (21% O₂ ; Control). Foetal brain weight and body weight were decreased in the PH group, the ratio of brain weight to body weight was increased significantly. Prenatal hypoxia increased mRNA expression of Wnt3a, Wnt7a, Wnt7b and Fzd4, but not Lrp6. Activated β-catenin protein and Fosl1 expression were also significantly up-regulated. Increased Hif1a expression was found in the PH group associated with the higher Wnt signalling. Among 5 members of the Sfrp family, Sfrp4 was down-regulated. In the methylation-regulating genes, higher mRNA expressi

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6050486 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature