Project description:We analyzed differences in placental gene expressions. We examined the mRNA expression profile in placental labyrinth zone from normal pregnant mice, and PAH mice with different Nrf2 expressions (WT, Nrf2 Knockout [KO], Keap1 Knockdown [KD])
Project description:Pregnancy-associated hypertensive (PAH) mice were maintained by mating females carrying the human angiotensinogen (hAGT) gene with males expressing the human renin (hRN) gene, as previously described (Takimoto E., et al., Science, 1996). Angiotensin II (AngII) has critical roles in regulation of blood pressure. In late pregnancy of PAH mice, increased AngII causes acute and severe hypertension with proteinuria. Furthermore, PAH mice show cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and apoptosis. It is known that AngII downregulates mRNA of alpha 1a-adrenergic receptor (Adra1a) in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes (Li H.T., et al., Circ. Res., 1997). Interestingly, we found that Adra1a knock out PAH (PAH/aKO) mice display more severe phenotype of cardiac hypertrophy in comparison to PAH mice. In this study, to understand the molecular basis of cardiac hypertrophy via regulation of Adra1a expression with AngII in PAH mice, we performed a comprehensive analysis of gene expression changes in cardiac remodeling of PAH and PAH/aKO mice using the next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).
Project description:In a previous study, 50% calorie restriction in mice from days 1.5-11.5 of pregnancy resulted in reduced placental weights and areas, relatively sparing of labyrinth zone area compared to junctional zone area, and dramatic changes in global gene expression profiles. Here we examined placental gene expression at day 18.5, after the return to normal feeding to see whether differences were reversible Mice were randomized to 2 treatment groups on day 1.5 of pregnancy: (1) ad libitum fed (control) (2) 50% food restriction (restricted). Mice were returned to ad libitum feed on d11.5, sacrificed on d18.5 and placentas were collected.
Project description:In a previous study, 50% calorie restriction in mice from days 1.5-11.5 of pregnancy resulted in reduced placental weights and areas, relatively sparing of labyrinth zone area compared to junctional zone area, and dramatic changes in global gene expression profiles. Here we examined placental gene expression at day 18.5, after the return to normal feeding to see whether differences were reversible
Project description:Neutrophil elastase (NE) is implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) but the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of PAH is unclear. Here we show that neutrophils from PAH vs. control subjects produce and release increased NE associated with enhanced extracellular trap formation. PAH neutrophils are highly adherent and show decreased migration consistent with increased vinculin, identified on proteomic analysis and previously linked to an antiviral response. This was substantiated by a transcriptomic interferon signature in PAH neutrophils and an increase in human endogenous retrovirus (HERV-K) envelope protein. NE and interferon genes are induced by HERV-K envelope and vinculin is increased by HERV-K dUTPase that is elevated in PAH plasma. Neutrophil exosomes from PAH plasma contain increased NE and HERV-K envelope and induce pulmonary hypertension in mice, that is mitigated by the NE inhibitor and antiviral agent, elafin. Thus elevated HERVs explain pathological neutrophils linked to PAH induction and progression.
Project description:AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Pregnancies complicated by diabetes have a higher risk of adverse outcomes for mothers and children, including predisposition to disease later in life, such as metabolic syndrome and hypertension. We hypothesized that adverse outcomes from diabetic pregnancies may be linked to compromised placental function. Our goal in this study was to identify cellular and molecular abnormalities in diabetic placenta. METHODS: Using a mouse model of diabetic pregnancy, placental gene expression was assayed at midgestation and cellular composition was analyzed at various stages. Genome-wide expression profiling was validated by quantitative PCR, and tissue localization studies were performed to identify cellular correlates of altered gene expression in diabetic placenta. RESULTS: We detected significantly altered gene expression in diabetic placenta for genes expressed in the maternal as well as those in the embryonic compartments. We also found altered cellular composition of the decidual compartment. Furthermore, the junctional and labyrinth layers were reduced in diabetic placenta, accompanied by aberrant differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Diabetes during pregnancy alters transcriptional profiles in the murine placenta, affecting cells of both embryonic and maternal origin, and involving several genes not previously implicated in diabetic pregnancies. The molecular changes and abnormal differentiation of multiple cell types precede impaired growth of junctional zone and labyrinth, and placenta overall. Whether these changes represent direct responses to hyperglycaemia or physiological adaptations, they are likely to play a role in pregnancy complications and outcomes, and have implications for developmental origins of adult disease. The STZ diabetic mouse model was used to investigate gene expression changes in diabetic placentae at E10.5. Placentae were dissected from 5 different FVB dams at embryonic day 10.5 under diabetic conditions and from 5 control dams. Gene expression profiles from five individual placentae from independent pregnancies per group were compared.
Project description:Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is thought to be driven by dysfunction of pulmonary vascular microendothelial cells (PMVEC). Most hereditary PAH is associated with BMPR2 mutations. However, the physiologic and molecular consequences of expression of BMPR2 mutations in PMVEC are unknown.
Project description:Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the best characterized and most studied type of pulmonary hypertension, classified as Group I according to the international guidelines, and hemodinamically defined as pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. Our analysis was focused on the role of the osteopontin gene in the transcriptional profile of PAH. We used microarray to identifiy the gene expression profiles in patients with PAH and in normal controls.
Project description:The aim of the current study is to identify DNA methylation markers associated with rheumatic heart disease with secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension (RHD-PAH). Genome-wide DNA methylation study is performed among 6 RHD-PAH patients and 6 healthy controls using Illumina HumanMethylation 450K array.
Project description:Although multiple gene and protein expression have been extensively profiled in human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the mechanism for the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension remains elusive. Analysis of the global metabolomic heterogeneity within the pulmonary vascular system leads to a better understanding of disease progression. Using a combination of high-throughput liquid-and-gas-chromatography-based mass spectrometry, we showed unbiased metabolomic profiles of disrupted glycolysis, increased TCA cycle, and fatty acid metabolites with altered oxidation pathways in the severe human PAH lung. The results suggest that PAH has specific metabolic pathways contributing to increased ATP synthesis for the vascular remodeling process in severe pulmonary hypertension. These identified metabolites may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of severe PAH. By profiling metabolomic alterations of the PAH lung, we reveal new pathogenic mechanisms of PAH in its later stage, which may differ from the earlier stage of PAH, opening an avenue of exploration for therapeutics that target metabolic pathway alterations in the progression of PAH. Global profiles were determined in human lung tissue and compared across 11 normal and 12 severe pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. Using a combination of microarray and high-throughput liquid-and-gas-chromatography-based mass spectrometry, we showed unbiased metabolomic profiles of disrupted glycolysis, increased TCA cycle, and fatty acid metabolites with altered oxidation pathways in the severe human PAH lung.