biostudies-literatureUnachukwu UNHLBI NIH HHSNIGMS NIH HHS2340-2351https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6191095biostudies-literatureUnknown31(6)The present study tested the hypothesis that maternal smoke exposure results in fetal lung growth retardation due to dysregulation in various signaling pathways, including the Wnt (wingless-related integration site)/β-catenin pathway. Pregnant female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (100-150 mg/m³) or room air, and offspring were humanely killed on 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, and 18.5 d <i>post coitum</i> (dpc). We assessed lung stereology with Cavalieri estimation; apoptosis with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, TUNEL, and caspase assays; and gene expression with quantitative PCR (qPCR) and RNA sequencing on lung epithelium and mesenchyme retrieved by laser capture microdissection. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in body weight and lung volume of smoke-exposedFASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental BiologyMaternal smoke exposure decreases mesenchymal proliferation and modulates Rho-GTPase-dependent actin cytoskeletal signaling in fetal lungs.PMC6191095R01 HL086936T32 GM008464Trischler JGoldklang MD'Armiento JUnachukwu UXiao RfalseMaternal smoke exposure decreases mesenchymal proliferation and modulates Rho-GTPase-dependent actin cytoskeletal signaling in fetal lungs.The present study tested the hypothesis that maternal smoke exposure results in fetal lung growth retardation due to dysregulation in various signaling pathways, including the Wnt (wingless-related integration site)/β-catenin pathway. Pregnant female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (100-150 mg/m³) or room air, and offspring were humanely killed on 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, and 18.5 d <i>post coitum</i> (dpc). We assessed lung stereology with Cavalieri estimation; apoptosis with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, TUNEL, and caspase assays; and gene expression with quantitative PCR (qPCR) and RNA sequencing on lung epithelium and mesenchyme retrieved by laser capture microdissection. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in body weight and lung volume of smoke-exposed2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Jun2025-04-18T23:54:15.98Z2019-03-27T00:03:14ZS-EPMC61910952820977210.1096/fj.201601063R10.1096/fj.201601063r