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Collins HE, Alexander BT, Care AS, Davenport MH, Davidge ST, Eghbali M, Giussani DA, Hoes MF, Julian CG, LaVoie HA, Olfert IM, Ozanne SE, Bytautiene Prewit E, Warrington JP, Zhang L, Goulopoulou S. Guidelines for assessing maternal cardiovascular physiology during pregnancy and postpartum. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 327:H191-H220. [PMID: 38758127 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00055.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Maternal mortality rates are at an all-time high across the world and are set to increase in subsequent years. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death during pregnancy and postpartum, especially in the United States. Therefore, understanding the physiological changes in the cardiovascular system during normal pregnancy is necessary to understand disease-related pathology. Significant systemic and cardiovascular physiological changes occur during pregnancy that are essential for supporting the maternal-fetal dyad. The physiological impact of pregnancy on the cardiovascular system has been examined in both experimental animal models and in humans. However, there is a continued need in this field of study to provide increased rigor and reproducibility. Therefore, these guidelines aim to provide information regarding best practices and recommendations to accurately and rigorously measure cardiovascular physiology during normal and cardiovascular disease-complicated pregnancies in human and animal models.
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Grants
- HL169157 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- HD083132 HHS | NIH | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence
- The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- P20GM103499 HHS | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
- Distinguished University Professor
- HL146562 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- The Lister Insititute
- ES032920 HHS | NIH | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- Canadian Insitute's of Health Research Foundation Grant
- HL149608 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- Christenson professor In Active Healthy Living
- Royal Society (The Royal Society)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
- HL138181 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- MC_00014/4 UKRI | Medical Research Council (MRC)
- HD111908 HHS | NIH | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- HL163003 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- APP2002129 NHMRC Ideas Grant
- HL159865 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- British Heart Foundation (BHF)
- HL131182 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- HL163818 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- NS103017 HHS | NIH | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- HL143459 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- 20CSA35320107 American Heart Association (AHA)
- RG/17/12/33167 British Heart Foundation (BHF)
- National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship
- P20GM121334 HHS | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
- HL146562-04S1 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- HL155295 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- HD088590-06 HHS | NIH | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- HL147844 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- WVU SOM Synergy Grant
- R01 HL146562 NHLBI NIH HHS
- HL159447 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- ES034646-01 HHS | NIH | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- HL150472 HHS | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- 2021T017 Dutch Heart Foundation Dekker Grant
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E Collins
- University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
| | - Barbara T Alexander
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, United States
| | - Alison S Care
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | | | - Mansoureh Eghbali
- University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | | | | | - Colleen G Julian
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Holly A LaVoie
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States
| | - I Mark Olfert
- West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | | | | | - Junie P Warrington
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, United States
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, United States
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Conti E, Cascio ND, Paluan P, Racca G, Longhitano Y, Savioli G, Tesauro M, Leo R, Racca F, Zanza C. Pregnancy Arrhythmias: Management in the Emergency Department and Critical Care. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1095. [PMID: 38398407 PMCID: PMC10888682 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is closely associated with an elevated risk of arrhythmias, constituting the predominant cardiovascular complication during this period. Pregnancy may induce the exacerbation of previously controlled arrhythmias and, in some instances, arrhythmias may present for the first time in pregnancy. The most important proarrhythmic mechanisms during pregnancy are the atrial and ventricular stretching, coupled with increased sympathetic activity. Notably, arrhythmias, particularly those originating in the ventricles, heighten the likelihood of syncope, increasing the potential for sudden cardiac death. The effective management of arrhythmias during the peripartum period requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach from the prepartum to the postpartum period. The administration of antiarrhythmic drugs during pregnancy necessitates meticulous attention to potential alterations in pharmacokinetics attributable to maternal physiological changes, as well as the potential for fetal adverse effects. Electric cardioversion is a safe and effective intervention during pregnancy and should be performed immediately in patients with hemodynamic instability. This review discusses the pathophysiology of arrythmias in pregnancy and their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Conti
- Division of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Ordine Mauriziano, 10128 Turin, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.C.); (P.P.); (F.R.)
| | - Nunzio Dario Cascio
- Division of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Ordine Mauriziano, 10128 Turin, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.C.); (P.P.); (F.R.)
| | - Patrizia Paluan
- Division of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Ordine Mauriziano, 10128 Turin, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.C.); (P.P.); (F.R.)
| | - Giulia Racca
- Division of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Ordine Mauriziano, 10128 Turin, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.C.); (P.P.); (F.R.)
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine—Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Humanitas University-Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Savioli
- Emergency Medicine and Surgery, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Manfredi Tesauro
- Geriatric Medicine Residency Program, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Leo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Racca
- Division of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Ordine Mauriziano, 10128 Turin, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.C.); (P.P.); (F.R.)
| | - Christian Zanza
- Geriatric Medicine Residency Program, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Zhang Y, Liang Z, Xing H, Yu C, Liang J, Xu Q, Song J, He Z. A model of pregnancy-associated malaria for inducing adverse pregnancy outcomes in ICR mouse. Exp Parasitol 2024; 257:108686. [PMID: 38158008 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on understanding of placental pathological features and safe medication in pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM), establishment of a stable pregnant mouse infection model with Plasmodium was urgently needed. METHODS ICR mice with vaginal plugs detected were randomly divided into post-pregnancy infection (Malaria+) and uninfected pregnancy (Malaria-) cohorts. Age-matched mice that had not been mated were infected as pre-pregnancy infection group (Virgin control), which were subsequently mated with ICR males. All mice were inoculated with 1 × 106Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected RBCs by intraperitoneal injection, and the same amount of saline was given to Malaria- group. We recorded the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and the amounts of offspring in each group. RESULTS The Virgin group mice were unable to conceive normally, and vaginal bleeding, abortion, or stillbirth appeared in the Malaria+ group. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was extremely high and statistically significant compared with the control (Malaria-) group (P < 0.05), of which placenta exhibited pathological features associated with human gestational malaria. CONCLUSIONS The intraperitoneal injection of 1 × 106Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected RBCs could establish a model of pregnancy-associated malaria in ICR mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Zhiming Liang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Haoyu Xing
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Chuyi Yu
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Jianming Liang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Qin Xu
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Jianping Song
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Zhouqing He
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
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Xu Q, Yao M, Tang C. RGS2 and female common diseases: a guard of women's health. J Transl Med 2023; 21:583. [PMID: 37649067 PMCID: PMC10469436 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04462-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, women around the world are still suffering from various female common diseases with the high incidence, such as ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids and preeclampsia (PE), and some diseases are even with the high mortality rate. As a negative feedback regulator in G Protein-Coupled Receptor signaling (GPCR), the Regulator of G-protein Signaling (RGS) protein family participates in regulating kinds of cell biological functions by destabilizing the enzyme-substrate complex through the transformation of hydrolysis of G Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP). Recent work has indicated that, the Regulator of G-protein Signaling 2 (RGS2), a member belonging to the RGS protein family, is closely associated with the occurrence and development of certain female diseases, providing with the evidence that RGS2 functions in sustaining women's health. In this review paper, we summarize the current knowledge of RGS2 in female common diseases, and also tap and discuss its therapeutic potential by targeting multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3333, Binsheng Rd, Hangzhou, 310052, People's Republic of China
| | - Mukun Yao
- Department of Gynecology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Chao Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3333, Binsheng Rd, Hangzhou, 310052, People's Republic of China.
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Abstract
Cardiovascular complications of pregnancy have risen substantially over the past decades, and now account for the majority of pregnancy-induced maternal deaths, as well as having substantial long-term consequences on maternal cardiovascular health. The causes and pathophysiology of these complications remain poorly understood, and therapeutic options are limited. Preclinical models represent a crucial tool for understanding human disease. We review here advances made in preclinical models of cardiovascular complications of pregnancy, including preeclampsia and peripartum cardiomyopathy, with a focus on pathological mechanisms elicited by the models and on relevance to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zolt Arany
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Z.A.)
| | - Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner
- Institute of Cardiovascular Complications in Pregnancy and in Oncologic Therapies, Philipps University Marburg, Germany (D.H.-K.)
| | - S Ananth Karumanchi
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (S.A.K.)
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Fulghum KL, Smith JB, Chariker J, Garrett LF, Brittian KR, Lorkiewicz P, McNally LA, Uchida S, Jones SP, Hill BG, Collins HE. Metabolic Signatures of Pregnancy-Induced Cardiac Growth. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H146-H164. [PMID: 35622533 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00105.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to develop an atlas of the metabolic, transcriptional, and proteomic changes that occur with pregnancy in the maternal heart. Timed pregnancy studies in FVB/NJ mice revealed significant increases in heart size by day 8 of pregnancy (mid-pregnancy; MP), which was sustained throughout the rest of the term compared with non-pregnant controls. Cardiac hypertrophy and myocyte cross-sectional area were highest 7 d after birth (post-birth; PB) and were associated with significant increases in end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular volumes and cardiac output. Metabolomics analyses revealed that, by day 16 of pregnancy (late pregnancy; LP), metabolites associated with nitric oxide production as well as acylcholines, sphingomyelins, and fatty acid species were elevated, which coincided with a lower activation state of phosphofructokinase and higher levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (Pdk4). In the postpartum period, urea cycle metabolites, polyamines, and phospholipid levels were markedly elevated in the maternal heart. Cardiac transcriptomics in LP revealed significant increases in not only Pdk4, but also genes that regulate glutamate and ketone body oxidation, which were preceded in MP by higher expression of transcripts controlling cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Proteomics analysis of the maternal heart in LP and PB revealed significant reductions in several contractile filaments and mitochondrial complex subunits. Collectively, these findings describe the coordinated molecular changes that occur in the maternal heart during and after pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L Fulghum
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Juliette B Smith
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Julia Chariker
- KY INBRE Genomics Core, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Lauren F Garrett
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Kenneth R Brittian
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Pawel Lorkiewicz
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Lindsey A McNally
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Shizuka Uchida
- Center for RNA Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steven P Jones
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Bradford G Hill
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Helen E Collins
- Diabetes and Obesity Center, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
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Tamirisa KP, Elkayam U, Briller JE, Mason PK, Pillarisetti J, Merchant FM, Patel H, Lakkireddy DR, Russo AM, Volgman AS, Vaseghi M. Arrhythmias in Pregnancy. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2022; 8:120-135. [PMID: 35057977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Increasing maternal mortality and incidence of arrhythmias in pregnancy have been noted over the past 2 decades in the United States. Pregnancy is associated with a greater risk of arrhythmias, and patients with a history of arrhythmias are at significant risk of arrhythmia recurrence during pregnancy. The incidence of atrial fibrillation in pregnancy is rising. This review discusses the management of tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias in pregnancy, including management of cardiac arrest. Management of fetal arrhythmias are also reviewed. For patients without structural heart disease, β-blocker therapy, especially propranolol and metoprolol, and antiarrhythmic drugs, such as flecainide and sotalol, can be safely used to treat tachyarrhythmias. As a last resort, catheter ablation with minimal fluoroscopy can be performed. Device implantation can be safely performed with minimal fluoroscopy and under echocardiographic or ultrasound guidance in patients with clear indications for devices during pregnancy. Because of rising maternal mortality in the United States, which is partly driven by increasing maternal age and comorbidities, a multidisciplinary and/or integrative approach to arrhythmia management from the prepartum to the postpartum period is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uri Elkayam
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, California; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, California, USA
| | - Joan E Briller
- Division of Cardiology, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Pamela K Mason
- Division of Cardiology/Electrophysiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | | | - Faisal M Merchant
- Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hena Patel
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | | | - Marmar Vaseghi
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase deficiency impairs cardiovascular adaptations and placental development during pregnancy. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 134:3213-3228. [PMID: 33252660 PMCID: PMC7733041 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), an enzyme that cleaves vasoactive peptides including oxytocin and vasopressin, is suggested to play a role in pregnancy and the onset of preeclampsia. Our aim was to examine the contribution of IRAP to arterial pressure regulation and placental development during pregnancy in mice. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured via radiotelemetry in 12-week-old female wild-type and IRAP knockout mice. Females were time-mated with males of the same genotype. Placentae were collected at embryonic day 18.5 for histological analysis. Basal heart rate was ∼40 bpm lower in IRAP knockout females compared with wild-type females. The increase in heart rate across gestation was greater in IRAP knockout females than wild-type females. Neither basal nor gestational mean arterial pressure was different between wildtype and IRAP knockout females. Urine output and water intake of IRAP knockout mice were ∼45% less than wild-type mice at late gestation. IRAP deficiency had no effect on fetal weight. Morphological assessment of placentae revealed that IRAP deficiency was associated with reduced labyrinth surface area and accumulation of glycogen in the junctional zone. Our data demonstrate that IRAP deficiency alters maternal fluid handling and impairs placental labyrinth expansion at late gestation, indicating that IRAP contributes to the normal adaptions to pregnancy.
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Gokina NI, Fairchild RI, Bishop NM, Dawson TE, Prakash K, Bonney EA. Kinetics of Postpartum Mesenteric Artery Structure and Function Relative to Pregnancy and Lactation in Mice. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:1200-1215. [PMID: 33415648 PMCID: PMC7935827 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests that normal pregnancy in women is associated with decreased cardiovascular risk in later life. Clinical studies have provided evidence that alterations in vascular function and structure are detectable long after delivery. To understand these findings, we examined mesenteric artery reactivity at both early (3 days and 2–4 weeks) and late (12 weeks) postpartum (PP) time points in relation to late pregnancy (LP) and lactation. Vessels from virgin controls, LP, PP, and nursing and non-nursing mothers were tested for responses to phenylephrine (PE), high potassium solutions (high K+), and acetylcholine (ACh). Passive arterial distensibility, vessel dimensions, and collagen and elastin content were evaluated for the studied groups. We observed that (1) there was a significant inhibition of vascular reactivity to PE in LP, 3 days and 2 weeks PP vessels that returned to pre-pregnancy levels at 4 and 12 weeks PP; (2) inhibition of NO production in PP vessels restored PE-induced constriction to pre-pregnancy levels; (3) vasodilator responses to ACh were similar at all PP periods; (4) LP and early PP was associated with a persistent increase in arterial distensibility that correlates with a PP-induced reduction in wall collagen, and regressed to pre-conception levels at 12 weeks PP; (5) vessels from non-nursing PP mice demonstrated an increased PE reactivity, diminished responses to ACh, and reduced distensibility compared to breastfeeding mice. These studies provide a timeframe for mesenteric artery adaptations that occur during pregnancy and extend to the PP period, but which may be modified by PP events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I Gokina
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
| | - Rebecca I Fairchild
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Nicole M Bishop
- Microscopy Imaging Center, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Taylor E Dawson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Kirtika Prakash
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
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From animal models to patients: the role of placental microRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148a/152 in preeclampsia. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:1001-1025. [PMID: 32337535 PMCID: PMC7239341 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the placental transcriptome and play a pathological role in preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Three PE rodent model studies explored the role of placental miRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 respectively, by examining expression of the miRNAs, their inducers, and potential gene targets. This review evaluates the role of miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 in PE by comparing findings from the three rodent model studies with in vitro studies, other animal models, and preeclamptic patients to provide comprehensive insight into genetic components and pathological processes in the placenta contributing to PE. The majority of studies demonstrate miR-210 is upregulated in PE in part driven by HIF-1α and NF-κBp50, stimulated by hypoxia and/or immune-mediated processes. Elevated miR-210 may contribute to PE via inhibiting anti-inflammatory Th2-cytokines. Studies report an up- and downregulation of miR-126, arguably reflecting differences in expression between cell types and its multifunctional capacity. MiR-126 may play a pro-angiogenic role by mediating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Most studies report miR-148/152 family members are upregulated in PE. Evidence suggests they may inhibit DNA methylation of genes involved in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Given the genetic heterogeneity of PE, it is unlikely that a single placental miRNA is a suitable therapeutic target for all patients. Investigating miRNAs in PE subtypes in patients and animal models may represent a more appropriate approach going forward. Developing methods for targeting placental miRNAs and specific placental cell types remains crucial for research seeking to target placental miRNAs as a novel treatment for PE.
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Cardiac, renal and uterine hemodynamics changes throughout pregnancy in rats with a prolonged high fat diet from an early age. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234861. [PMID: 32603330 PMCID: PMC7326224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine whether the cardiac, renal and uterine physiological hemodynamic changes during gestation are altered in rats with an early and prolonged exposure to a high fat diet (HFD). Methods Arterial pressure and cardiac, renal, uterine and radial arteries hemodynamic changes during gestation were examined in adult SD rats exposed to normal (13%) (n = 8) or high (60%) (n = 8) fat diets from weaning. Plethysmography, high-resolution high-frequency ultrasonography and clearance of an inulin analog were used to evaluate the arterial pressure and hemodynamic changes before and at days 7, 14 and 19 of gestation. Results Arterial pressure was higher (P<0.05) in rats with high than in those with normal (NFD) fat diet before pregnancy (123 ±3 and 110 ±3 mmHg, respectively) and only decreased at day 14 of gestation in rats with NFD (98±4 mmHg, P<0.05). A significant increment in stroke volume (42 ±10%) and cardiac output (51 ±12%) was found at day 19 of pregnancy in rats with NFD. The changes in stroke volume and cardiac output were similar in rats with NFD and HFD. When compared to the values obtained before pregnancy, a transitory elevation in renal blood flow was found at day 14 of pregnancy in both groups. However, glomerular filtration rate only increased (P<0.05) in rats with NFD at days 14 (20 ±7%) and 19 (27 ±8%) of gestation. The significant elevations of mean velocity, and velocity time integral throughout gestation in radial (127 ±26% and 111 ±23%, respectively) and uterine (91 ±16% and 111 ±25%, respectively) arteries of rats with NFD were not found in rats with an early and prolonged HFD. Summary This study reports novel findings showing that the early and prolonged exposure to a HFD leads to a significant impairment in the renal, uterine and radial arteries hemodynamic changes associated to gestation.
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Probenecid treatment improves outcomes in a novel mouse model of peripartum cardiomyopathy. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230386. [PMID: 32218573 PMCID: PMC7100971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Probenecid has been used for decades in the treatment of gout but recently has also been found to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure via stimulation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel in cardiomyocytes. This study tested the use of probenecid on a novel mouse model of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) as a potential treatment option. A human mutation of the human heat shock protein 20 (Hsp20-S10F) in mice has been recently shown to result in cardiomyopathy, when exposed to pregnancies. Treatment with either probenecid or control sucrose water was initiated after the first pregnancy in both wild type and Hsp20-S10F mice. Serial echocardiography was performed during subsequent pregnancies and hearts were collected after the third pregnancies for staining and molecular analysis. Hsp20-S10F mice treated with probenecid had decreased mortality, hypertrophy, TRPV2 expression and molecular parameters of heart failure. Probenecid treatment also decreased apoptosis as evidenced by an increase in the level of Bcl-2/Bax. Probenecid improved survival in a novel mouse model of PPCM and may be an appropriate therapy for humans with PPCM as it has a proven safety and tolerability in patients with heart failure.
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Morffy Smith CD, Russ BN, Andrew AK, Cooper CA, Moore JM. A novel murine model for assessing fetal and birth outcomes following transgestational maternal malaria infection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19566. [PMID: 31862902 PMCID: PMC6925284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55588-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum infection during pregnancy is a major cause of severe maternal illness and neonatal mortality. Mouse models are important for the study of gestational malaria pathogenesis. When infected with Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS in early gestation, several inbred mouse strains abort at midgestation. We report here that outbred Swiss Webster mice infected with P. chabaudi chabaudi AS in early gestation carry their pregnancies to term despite high parasite burden and malarial hemozoin accumulation in the placenta at midgestation, with the latter associated with induction of heme oxygenase 1 expression. Infection yields reduced fetal weight and viability at term and a reduction in pup number at weaning, but does not influence postnatal growth prior to weaning. This novel model allows for the exploration of malaria infection throughout pregnancy, modeling chronic infections observed in pregnant women prior to the birth of underweight infants and enabling the production of progeny exposed to malaria in utero, which is critical for understanding the postnatal repercussions of gestational malaria. The use of outbred mice allows for the exploration of gestational malaria in a genetically diverse model system, better recapitulating the diversity of infection responses observed in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine D Morffy Smith
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Brittany N Russ
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alicer K Andrew
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Caitlin A Cooper
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Julie M Moore
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States. .,Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
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Gelinne A, Brown L, Ko NL, Osol G, Brown S. Pregnancy-Induced Physiologic Adaptation of the Abdominal Aorta Is Associated with Changes in Gene Expression and Genomic Methylation. J Vasc Res 2018; 55:319-327. [PMID: 30347403 DOI: 10.1159/000493682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Ten-eleven translocation 2 (Tet2), a DNA demethylase enzyme, has been identified as a master epigenetic regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell plasticity. We hypothesized that pregnancy will induce significant adaptive changes in aortic biomechanics that correlate with the Tet family gene expression. METHODS Abdominal aortas from pregnant and nonpregnant mice were dissected and cannulated. Intraluminal pressure was adjusted using a pressure-servo system while using a video dimension analyzer to measure the lumen diameter. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot was used to analyze the expression of Tet genes. Global genomic methylation was assessed with the luminometric methylation assay. RESULTS Compared to the nonpregnant (NP, 706 ± 8 µm) control group, the aortic luminal diameter was significantly increased in both E18.5 (836 ± 14 µm) and PP30 (889 ± 16 µm) mice. Distensibility was reduced in E18.5 (90 ± 4%) mice and returned to NP values (108 ± 2%) in PP30 (108 ± 3%) mice. Tet2 transcription decreased at the beginning of pregnancy and subsequently increased in late gestation, inversely corresponding to changes in global methylation. CONCLUSION Physiologic changes in the aorta were accompanied by changes in gene expression and genomic methylation, suggesting an epigenetic component to maternal vascular remodeling during pregnancy.
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Gonzalez NC, Kuwahira I. Systemic Oxygen Transport with Rest, Exercise, and Hypoxia: A Comparison of Humans, Rats, and Mice. Compr Physiol 2018; 8:1537-1573. [PMID: 30215861 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c170051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this article is to compare and contrast the known characteristics of the systemic O2 transport of humans, rats, and mice at rest and during exercise in normoxia and hypoxia. This analysis should help understand when rodent O2 transport findings can-and cannot-be applied to human responses to similar conditions. The O2 -transport system was analyzed as composed of four linked conductances: ventilation, alveolo-capillary diffusion, circulatory convection, and tissue capillary-cell diffusion. While the mechanisms of O2 transport are similar in the three species, the quantitative differences are naturally large. There are abundant data on total O2 consumption and on ventilatory and pulmonary diffusive conductances under resting conditions in the three species; however, there is much less available information on pulmonary gas exchange, circulatory O2 convection, and tissue O2 diffusion in mice. The scarcity of data largely derives from the difficulty of obtaining blood samples in these small animals and highlights the need for additional research in this area. In spite of the large quantitative differences in absolute and mass-specific O2 flux, available evidence indicates that resting alveolar and arterial and venous blood PO2 values under normoxia are similar in the three species. Additionally, at least in rats, alveolar and arterial blood PO2 under hypoxia and exercise remain closer to the resting values than those observed in humans. This is achieved by a greater ventilatory response, coupled with a closer value of arterial to alveolar PO2 , suggesting a greater efficacy of gas exchange in the rats. © 2018 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 8:1537-1573, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norberto C Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Ichiro Kuwahira
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Tokai University Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Tong M, Stanley JL, Chen Q, James JL, Stone PR, Chamley LW. Placental Nano-vesicles Target to Specific Organs and Modulate Vascular Tone In Vivo. Hum Reprod 2018; 32:2188-2198. [PMID: 29040541 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How do nano-vesicles extruded from normal first trimester human placentae affect maternal vascular function? SUMMARY ANSWER Placental nano-vesicles affect the ability of systemic mesenteric arteries to undergo endothelium- and nitric oxide- (NO-) dependent vasodilation in vivo in pregnant mice. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Dramatic cardiovascular adaptations occur during human pregnancy, including a substantial decrease in total peripheral resistance in the first trimester. The human placenta constantly extrudes extracellular vesicles that can enter the maternal circulation and these vesicles may play an important role in feto-maternal communication. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Human placental nano-vesicles were administered into CD1 mice via a tail vein and their localization and vascular effects at 30 min and 24 h post-injection were investigated. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Nano-vesicles from normal first trimester human placentae were collected and administered into pregnant (D12.5) or non-pregnant female mice. After either 30 min or 24 h of exposure, all major organs were dissected for imaging (n = 7 at each time point) while uterine and mesenteric arteries were dissected for wire myography (n = 6 at each time point). Additional in vitro studies using HMEC-1 endothelial cells were also conducted to investigate the kinetics of interaction between placental nano-vesicles and endothelial cells. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Nano-vesicles from first trimester human placentae localized to the lungs, liver and kidneys 24 h after injection into pregnant mice (n = 7). Exposure of pregnant mice to placental nano-vesicles for 30 min in vivo increased the vasodilatory response of mesenteric arteries to acetylcholine, while exposure for 24 h had the opposite effect (P < 0.05, n = 6). These responses were prevented by L-NAME, an NO synthase inhibitor. Placental nano-vesicles did not affect the function of uterine arteries or mesenteric arteries from non-pregnant mice. Placental nano-vesicles rapidly interacted with endothelial cells via a combination of phagocytosis, endocytosis and cell surface binding in vitro. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION As it is not ethical to administer labelled placental nano-vesicles to pregnant women, pregnant CD1 mice were used as a model of pregnancy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first study to report the localization of placental nano-vesicles and their vascular effects in vivo. This work provides new insight into how the dramatic maternal cardiovascular adaptations to pregnancy may occur and indicates that placental extracellular vesicles may be important mediators of feto-maternal communication in a healthy pregnancy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by the Faculty of Medical and Health Science (FMHS) School of Medicine PBRF research fund to L.W.C. M.T. is a recipient of a University of Auckland Health Research Doctoral Scholarship and the Freemasons Postgraduate Scholarship. No authors have any competing interests to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mancy Tong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Joanna L Stanley
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Q Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Joanna L James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Peter R Stone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Larry W Chamley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
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Chung E, Haizlip KM, Leinwand LA. Pregnancy late in rodent life has detrimental effects on the heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 315:H482-H491. [PMID: 29750565 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00020.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the heart undergoes significant and numerous changes, including hypertrophy, that are usually described as physiological and reversible. Two aspects of the cardiac response to pregnancy are relatively understudied: advanced maternal age and multiple pregnancies (multiparity). Repeated breeder (RB) mice that have undergone five to seven consecutive pregnancies were euthanized 21 days after the weaning of their last pups and compared with age-matched primiparous, one-time pregnant (O1P) mice. The ages of the older mouse groups were similar (12 ± 1 mo). Pregnancy at a later age resulted in reduced fertility (40%); resorption was 29%, maternal mortality was 10%, and mortality of the pups was 17%. Contractile function as indicated by percent fractional shortening was significantly decreased in O1P and RB groups compared with the old nonpregnant control (ONP) group. There was no pathological induction of the fetal program of gene expression, with the exception of β-myosin heavy chain mRNA, which was induced in O1P compared with ONP mice ( P < 0.05) but not in RB mice. MicroRNA-208a was significantly increased in O1P compared with ONP mice ( P < 0.05) but significantly decreased in RB compared with ONP mice ( P < 0.05). mRNA of genes regulating angiogenesis (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor-A) were significantly downregulated, whereas proinflammatory genes [i.e., interleukin-6, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, and Cd36] were significantly upregulated in O1P ( P < 0.05) but not in RB mice. Overall, our results suggest that rather than multiparity, pregnancy in advanced age is a much more stressful event in both pregnant dams and fetuses, as evidenced by increased mortality, lower fertility, downregulation of angiogenesis, upregulation of inflammation, and cardiac dysfunction. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pregnancy in older mice significantly decreases cardiac function, although repeated breeder mice demonstrated increased wall hypertrophy and dilated chamber size compared with one-time pregnant mice. Interestingly, many of the molecular changes were altered in one-time pregnant mice but not in repeated breeder mice, which may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in a first pregnancy at a later age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhee Chung
- Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Nutrition, University of Texas at San Antonio , San Antonio, Texas
| | - Kaylan M Haizlip
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado , Boulder, Colorado
| | - Leslie A Leinwand
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado , Boulder, Colorado
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Zafar T, Naik AQ, Shrivastava VK. Effect of cold stress on infanticide by female Swiss albino mice Mus musculus: a pilot study. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2018; 60:7. [PMID: 29713492 PMCID: PMC5913816 DOI: 10.1186/s40781-018-0168-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Mice are widely accepted research models of great clinical significance. Maintenance of laboratory mice breed is an essential aspect for performing research activities in various fields of science. Infanticide is one of the prominent causes of litter loss during maintenance of laboratory mice stock. The present study is an effort to monitor the effect of change in ambient temperature of female mice below the normal range on cannibalism and infanticide during early postparturition phase. Adult female Swiss albino mice have been divided into two groups of control and treatment. On the day of litter group one was maintained under controlled temperature conditions (minimum 20 °C to maximum 23 °C) throughout, while female mice belong to group two have been exposed to variation of room temperature (maximum 15 °C to minimum 10 °C for two nights and one day) until 36 h postparturition. Results The effects of temperature changes were observed on the infanticide behaviour of dams along with the survival of pups in early postparturition phase till 36 h after delivery. The significant statistical difference (P < 0.05) was reported in infanticide behaviour of dams when control and treatment group was compared. It is observed that decrement in surrounding temperature promotes decrement in the ambient body temperature of dams during early postparturition. It is proposed that alteration of hypothalamic homeostasis due to temperature change induces cannibalism and infanticide behaviour. Lack of thermoregulation during early postparturition creates the sense of insecurity, in-satiety, anxiety and stress. Conclusions Authors strongly recommend the maintenance of body and surrounding temperature to prevent infanticidal behaviour and cannibalism within Swiss albino mice population. Further investigations are advisable to authenticate the active behavioural and biochemical pathway behind the phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabassum Zafar
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M.P 462026 India
| | - Ab Qayoom Naik
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M.P 462026 India
| | - Vinoy K Shrivastava
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M.P 462026 India
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Marshall SA, Hannan NJ, Jelinic M, Nguyen TP, Girling JE, Parry LJ. Animal models of preeclampsia: translational failings and why. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 314:R499-R508. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00355.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia affects up to 8% of pregnancies worldwide and is a leading cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Our current understanding of the cause(s) of preeclampsia is far from complete, and the lack of a single reliable animal model that recapitulates all aspects of the disease further confounds our understanding. This is partially due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease, coupled with our evolving understanding of its etiology. Nevertheless, animal models are still highly relevant and useful tools that help us better understand the pathophysiology of specific aspects of preeclampsia. This review summarizes the various types and characteristics of animal models used to study preeclampsia, highlighting particular features of these models relevant to clinical translation. This review points out the strengths and limitations of these models to illustrate the importance of using the appropriate model depending on the research question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Marshall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- The Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria Jelinic
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thy P.H. Nguyen
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane E. Girling
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Laura J. Parry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Batista PR, Gobello C, Arizmendi A, Tórtora M, Arias DO, Blanco PG. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters during the normal postpartum period in toy breeds of dogs. Vet J 2017; 229:31-36. [PMID: 29183571 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters during the normal canine postpartum period. Twenty clinically healthy pregnant bitches of toy breeds (11 Miniature poodles, five Yorkshire terriers, two Maltese terriers and two Bichons Frises) were evaluated on days -3, 3, 10, 17, 24, 38, 52 and 80 relative to parturition (day 0). During the first postpartum week, the width of the interventricular septum in systole, the shortening fraction and the left atrium size decreased, while the left ventricle internal diameter in systole and end systolic stress increased. There were progressive decreases in the velocity of circumferential fibre shortening, stroke volume, cardiac output, and mitral E and A wave values. Systolic blood pressure increased markedly during the first postpartum week to gradually increase thereafter. Heart rate and corrected QT interval progressively decreased, while P wave amplitude increased. QRS complex amplitude decreased in the second week after parturition and then increased during the following weeks. In conclusion, there were changes in systolic function and some structural adaptive changes in the bitch during the first 80days postpartum. In addition, maternal heart rate and corrected QT interval decreased, while P wave and QRS amplitudes increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Batista
- Cardiology Service and Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology (LAFIRE), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - C Gobello
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology (LAFIRE), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - A Arizmendi
- Cardiology Service, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - M Tórtora
- Cardiology Service, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - D O Arias
- Cardiology Service, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - P G Blanco
- Cardiology Service and Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology (LAFIRE), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
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Zhang Y, Kallenberg C, Hyatt HW, Kavazis AN, Hood WR. Change in the Lipid Transport Capacity of the Liver and Blood during Reproduction in Rats. Front Physiol 2017; 8:517. [PMID: 28798692 PMCID: PMC5527701 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To support the high energetic demands of reproduction, female mammals display plasticity in many physiological processes, such as the lipid transport system. Lipids support the energy demands of females during reproduction, and energy and structural demands of the developing offspring via the placenta in utero or milk during the suckling period. We hypothesized that key proteins supporting lipid transport in reproductive females will increase during pregnancy and lactation, but drop to non-reproductive levels shortly after reproduction has ended. We compared the relative protein levels of liver-type cytosolic fatty acid transporter (L-FABPc), plasma membrane fatty acid transporter (FABPpm), fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) in the liver, a key site of lipid storage and synthesis, and free fatty acid transporter albumin and triglyceride transporter [represented by apolipoprotein B (apoB)] levels in serum in reproductive Sprague-Dawley rats during late pregnancy, peak-lactation, and 1-week post-lactation as well as in non-reproductive rats. We found that all lipid transporter levels were greater in pregnant rats compared to non-reproductive rats. Lactating rats also showed higher levels of FAT/CD36 and FABPpm than non-reproductive rats. Moreover, all fat transporters also dropped back to non-reproductive levels during post-lactation except for FAT/CD36. These results indicate that fat uptake and transport capacities in liver cells are elevated during late gestation and lactation. Liver lipid secretion is up-regulated during gestation but not during lactation. These data supported the plasticity of lipid transport capacities in liver and blood during reproductive stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Zhang
- Department of Biological Science, Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL, United States
| | | | - Hayden W Hyatt
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL, United States
| | | | - Wendy R Hood
- Department of Biological Science, Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL, United States
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van der Heijden OWH, Essers YPG, Simkens LHJ, Teunissen QGA, Peeters LLH, De Mey JGR, van Eys GJJM. Aging Blunts Remodeling of the Uterine Artery During Murine Pregnancy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 11:304-10. [PMID: 15219884 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsgi.2004.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The progressive increase in uterine blood flow (UBF) during pregnancy is accommodated by morphologic changes in the uterine artery (UA) in a process defined as arterial remodeling. This process is accompanied by changes in cytoskeletal architecture of the arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Aging reduces flow-induced arterial remodeling. We studied changes in the murine UA during pregnancy and on the effects of aging on the capacity of the UA to remodel in response to pregnancy. METHODS We determined morphologic and cytologic changes in UA from nonpregnant and pregnant mice aged 12 weeks (young) and 40 weeks (old) and correlated them with their reproductive performance. RESULTS In young mice, pregnancy induced an early increase in UA wall mass, which preceded lumen widening. These changes were not accompanied by altered densities of elastin and collagen in the ECM of the medial layer. Smooth muscle cell proliferation increased in midpregnancy and was paralleled by a transient decrease in smoothelin and smooth muscle alpha-actin expression. In old mice, these pregnancy-dependent changes in the UA wall were either absent or markedly reduced. Although by day 11 of pregnancy litter size did not differ between both age groups, the number of viable pups in old mice by day 17 of pregnancy and at birth was 25% and 60% less than in young mice. CONCLUSION Outward hypertrophic remodeling of the UA during pregnancy in young mice is characterized by transient phenotypic modulation and proliferation of SMCs and alterations in the composition of the ECM. In contrast, in older mice, UA remodeling is markedly reduced and accompanied with a loss of viable fetuses near term pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier W H van der Heijden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Institute Growth and Development (GROW), University of Maastricht, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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23
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Ilekis JV, Tsilou E, Fisher S, Abrahams VM, Soares MJ, Cross JC, Zamudio S, Illsley NP, Myatt L, Colvis C, Costantine MM, Haas DM, Sadovsky Y, Weiner C, Rytting E, Bidwell G. Placental origins of adverse pregnancy outcomes: potential molecular targets: an Executive Workshop Summary of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 215:S1-S46. [PMID: 26972897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Although much progress is being made in understanding the molecular pathways in the placenta that are involved in the pathophysiology of pregnancy-related disorders, a significant gap exists in the utilization of this information for the development of new drug therapies to improve pregnancy outcome. On March 5-6, 2015, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health sponsored a 2-day workshop titled Placental Origins of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Potential Molecular Targets to begin to address this gap. Particular emphasis was given to the identification of important molecular pathways that could serve as drug targets and the advantages and disadvantages of targeting these particular pathways. This article is a summary of the proceedings of that workshop. A broad number of topics were covered that ranged from basic placental biology to clinical trials. This included research in the basic biology of placentation, such as trophoblast migration and spiral artery remodeling, and trophoblast sensing and response to infectious and noninfectious agents. Research findings in these areas will be critical for the formulation of the development of future treatments and the development of therapies for the prevention of a number of pregnancy disorders of placental origin that include preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and uterine inflammation. Research was also presented that summarized ongoing clinical efforts in the United States and in Europe that has tested novel interventions for preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, including agents such as oral arginine supplementation, sildenafil, pravastatin, gene therapy with virally delivered vascular endothelial growth factor, and oxygen supplementation therapy. Strategies were also proposed to improve fetal growth by the enhancement of nutrient transport to the fetus by modulation of their placental transporters and the targeting of placental mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress to improve placental health. The roles of microRNAs and placental-derived exosomes, as well as messenger RNAs, were also discussed in the context of their use for diagnostics and as drug targets. The workshop discussed the aspect of safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of potential existing and new therapeutics that will need to be determined, especially in the context of the unique pharmacokinetic properties of pregnancy and the hurdles and pitfalls of the translation of research findings into practice. The workshop also discussed novel methods of drug delivery and targeting during pregnancy with the use of macromolecular carriers, such as nanoparticles and biopolymers, to minimize placental drug transfer and hence fetal drug exposure. In closing, a major theme that developed from the workshop was that the scientific community must change their thinking of the pregnant woman and her fetus as a vulnerable patient population for which drug development should be avoided, but rather be thought of as a deprived population in need of more effective therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John V Ilekis
- Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Ekaterini Tsilou
- Obstetric and Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Susan Fisher
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Vikki M Abrahams
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, CT
| | - Michael J Soares
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - James C Cross
- Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary Health Sciences Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stacy Zamudio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ
| | - Nicholas P Illsley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ
| | - Leslie Myatt
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
| | - Christine Colvis
- Therapeutics Discovery Program, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Maged M Costantine
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | - David M Haas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | - Carl Weiner
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Erik Rytting
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | - Gene Bidwell
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
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Krishnamurthy U, Szalai G, Shen Y, Xu Z, Yadav BK, Tarca AL, Chaiworapongsa T, Hernandez-Andrade E, Than NG, Haacke EM, Romero R, Neelavalli J. Longitudinal Changes in Placental Magnetic Resonance Imaging Relaxation Parameter in Murine Pregnancy: Compartmental Analysis. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2015; 81:193-201. [PMID: 26336923 PMCID: PMC4769121 DOI: 10.1159/000431223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify gestation-dependent longitudinal changes in the magnetic resonance transverse relaxation time (T2) parameter of the major constituent regions of the mouse placenta and to evaluate their relative contributions to changes in overall placental T2. METHODS Timed-pregnant CD-1 mice underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 7.0 T field strength, on gestational day 13 (GD13), GD15 and GD17. T2 of the placenta and its constituent high and low blood perfusion regions were quantified. A linear mixed-effects model was used to fit the T2 across gestation, and the significance of coefficients was tested. RESULTS A decrease in the T2 values of the placenta and its constituent regions was observed across gestation. The temporal change in T2 was estimated to be -1.85 ms/GD (p < 0.0001) for the placenta, -1.00 ms/GD (p < 0.001) for the high-perfusion zones (HPZs) and -1.66 ms/GD (p < 0.0001) for the low-perfusion zones (LPZs). CONCLUSION T2 of the constituent zones of the murine placenta decreases with advancing gestation. While the T2 of the LPZ is smaller than that of the HPZ, there is no difference in their decrease rate relative to that of the whole placenta (p = 0.24). The results suggest an increased role of constituent volume fractions in affecting overall gestation-dependent placental T2 decrease in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday Krishnamurthy
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Gabor Szalai
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Yimin Shen
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Zhonghui Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Brijesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Adi Laurentiu Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Edgar Hernandez-Andrade
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ewart Mark Haacke
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - D Med Sci
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Jaladhar Neelavalli
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Vargas-Rojas MI, Solleiro-Villavicencio H, Soto-Vega E. Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg levels in umbilical cord blood in preeclampsia. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2015; 29:1642-5. [DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2015.1057811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Care AS, Bourque SL, Morton JS, Hjartarson EP, Davidge ST. Effect of Advanced Maternal Age on Pregnancy Outcomes and Vascular Function in the Rat. Hypertension 2015; 65:1324-30. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.115.05167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Advanced maternal age is becoming increasingly common in Western societies and is associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that aging results in impaired vascular function in pregnancy because of increased vascular oxidative stress and resultant scavenging of nitric oxide in both uterine and systemic arteries, causing reduced uteroplacental perfusion and poor pregnancy outcomes. Using aged rats (9.5 months), we investigated the effect of a delayed first natural pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes and uterine and mesenteric artery function on gestational day 20. Delayed pregnancy in the rat reduced fertility by 46%, reduced litter size by 36%, caused fetal growth restriction, increased placental weight, and increased maternal systolic blood pressure (by 16 mm Hg). Uterine arteries from aged dams displayed reduced constriction to phenylephrine (young: 14.3±0.94 mN/mm versus aged: 11.4±0.5 mN/mm,
P
=0.02) and potassium chloride (124 mmol/L; young: 21.8±1.27 mN/mm versus aged: 14.2±1.7 mN/mm;
P
=0.01). Methacholine-induced vasodilation was similar in uterine arteries from young and aged dams. However, mesenteric arteries from aged dams had a greater nitric oxide and a reduced endothelial-derived hyperpolarization contribution to methacholine-mediated vasodilation compared with young dams. Both uterine and mesenteric arteries from aged dams had greater active myogenic responses, with area under the curve increased by 228% and 151%, in aged uterine and mesenteric arteries, respectively. These results demonstrate that vascular function is altered at an advanced maternal age and provides further insights into the risks of poor pregnancy outcomes observed in women who delay pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison S. Care
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.S.C., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (S.L.B.), Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Cardiovascular Research Centre (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., S.T.D.), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephane L. Bourque
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.S.C., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (S.L.B.), Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Cardiovascular Research Centre (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., S.T.D.), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jude S. Morton
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.S.C., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (S.L.B.), Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Cardiovascular Research Centre (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., S.T.D.), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Emma P. Hjartarson
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.S.C., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (S.L.B.), Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Cardiovascular Research Centre (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., S.T.D.), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sandra T. Davidge
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.S.C., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (S.L.B.), Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., E.P.H., S.T.D.), Cardiovascular Research Centre (A.S.C., S.L.B., J.S.M., S.T.D.), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Osei-Owusu P, Blumer KJ. Regulator of G Protein Signaling 2: A Versatile Regulator of Vascular Function. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 133:77-92. [PMID: 26123303 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins of the B/R4 family are widely expressed in the cardiovascular system where their role in fine-tuning G protein signaling is critical to maintaining homeostasis. Among members of this family, RGS2 and RGS5 have been shown to play key roles in cardiac and smooth muscle function by tightly regulating signaling pathways that are activated through Gq/11 and Gi/o classes of heterotrimeric G proteins. This chapter reviews accumulating evidence supporting a key role for RGS2 in vascular function and the implication of changes in RGS2 function and/or expression in the pathogenesis of blood pressure disorders, particularly hypertension. With such understanding, RGS2 and the signaling pathways it controls may emerge as novel targets for developing next-generation antihypertensive drugs/agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Osei-Owusu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Kendall J Blumer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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28
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Pregnancy differentially regulates the collagens types I and III in left ventricle from rat heart. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:984785. [PMID: 25147829 PMCID: PMC4131467 DOI: 10.1155/2014/984785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The pathologic cardiac remodeling has been widely documented; however, the physiological cardiac remodeling induced by pregnancy and its reversion in postpartum are poorly understood. In the present study we investigated the changes in collagen I (Col I) and collagen III (Col III) mRNA and protein levels in left ventricle from rat heart during pregnancy and postpartum. Col I and Col III mRNA expression in left ventricle samples during pregnancy and postpartum were analyzed by using quantitative PCR. Data obtained from gene expression show that Col I and Col III in left ventricle are upregulated during pregnancy with reversion in postpartum. In contrast to gene expression, the protein expression evaluated by western blot showed that Col I is downregulated and Col III is upregulated in left ventricle during pregnancy. In conclusion, the pregnancy differentially regulates collagens types I and III in heart; this finding could be an important molecular mechanism that regulates the ventricular stiffness in response to blood volume overload present during pregnancy which is reversed in postpartum.
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Harris EK, Berg EP, Berg EL, Vonnahme KA. Effect of maternal activity during gestation on maternal behavior, fetal growth, umbilical blood flow, and farrowing characteristics in pigs1. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:734-44. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- E. K. Harris
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108
| | - E. P. Berg
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108
| | - E. L. Berg
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108
| | - K. A. Vonnahme
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108
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Raz T, Avni R, Addadi Y, Cohen Y, Jaffa AJ, Hemmings B, Garbow JR, Neeman M. The hemodynamic basis for positional- and inter-fetal dependent effects in dual arterial supply of mouse pregnancies. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52273. [PMID: 23284965 PMCID: PMC3527527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammalian pregnancy, maternal cardiovascular adaptations must match the requirements of the growing fetus(es), and respond to physiologic and pathologic conditions. Such adaptations are particularly demanding for mammals bearing large-litter pregnancies, with their inherent conflict between the interests of each individual fetus and the welfare of the entire progeny. The mouse is the most common animal model used to study development and genetics, as well as pregnancy-related diseases. Previous studies suggested that in mice, maternal blood flow to the placentas occurs via a single arterial uterine loop generated by arterial-arterial anastomosis of the uterine artery to the uterine branch of the ovarian artery, resulting in counter bi-directional blood flow. However, we provide here experimental evidence that each placenta is actually supplied by two distinct arterial inputs stemming from the uterine artery and from the uterine branch of the ovarian artery, with position-dependent contribution of flow from each source. Moreover, we report significant positional- and inter-fetal dependent alteration of placental perfusion, which were detected by in vivo MRI and fluorescence imaging. Maternal blood flow to the placentas was dependent on litter size and was attenuated for placentas located centrally along the uterine horn. Distinctive apposing, inter-fetal hemodynamic effects of either reduced or elevated maternal blood flow, were measured for placenta of normal fetuses that are positioned adjacent to either pathological, or to hypovascular Akt1-deficient placentas, respectively. The results reported here underscore the critical importance of confounding local and systemic in utero effects on phenotype presentation, in general and in the setting of genetically modified mice. The unique robustness and plasticity of the uterine vasculature architecture, as reported in this study, can explain the ability to accommodate varying litter sizes, sustain large-litter pregnancies and overcome pathologic challenges. Remarkably, the dual arterial supply is evolutionary conserved in mammals bearing a single offspring, including primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Raz
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reut Avni
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoseph Addadi
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoni Cohen
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ariel J. Jaffa
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Brian Hemmings
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joel R. Garbow
- Biomedical MR Laboratory, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Michal Neeman
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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31
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Bany BM, Torry DS. Regulation of Maternal Blood Pressure by the Conceptus During Early Pregnancy. Biol Reprod 2012; 86:61. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.098921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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Nevers T, Kalkunte S, Sharma S. Uterine Regulatory T cells, IL-10 and hypertension. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66 Suppl 1:88-92. [PMID: 21726343 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01040.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Regulatory T cells (T(reg) ) are a vital immune cellular population at the maternal-fetal interface. They are likely to aid in immune tolerance by dampening the harmful effects of other immune cellular populations through cell-cell-mediated interactions as well as by producing IL-10 and TGF-β. In addition to the anti-inflammatory properties, IL-10 has emerged as an important vascular cytokine choreographing endovascular interactions and angiogenesis and regulates hypertension. METHOD OF STUDY Review of innovative concepts to understand the temporal role of T(regs) in both mouse and human pregnancy, particularly whether uterine T(reg) play a potential role in regulating vascular homeostasis and blood flow during pregnancy. RESULTS T(reg) guard immune tolerance, getting cytotoxically activated under certain conditions, leading to adverse pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION Despite increasing evidence of T(reg) tissue-specific expansion and functional plasticity, their role in vascular activity, pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes is obscure and needs closer investigation to delineate its role later during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Nevers
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital-Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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Blanco PG, Batista PR, Re NE, Mattioli GA, Arias DO, Gobello C. Electrocardiographic Changes in Normal and Abnormal Canine Pregnancy. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 47:252-6. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01846.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Foster FS, Hossack J, Adamson SL. Micro-ultrasound for preclinical imaging. Interface Focus 2011; 1:576-601. [PMID: 22866232 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2011.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, non-invasive preclinical imaging has emerged as an important tool to facilitate biomedical discovery. Not only have the markets for these tools accelerated, but the numbers of peer-reviewed papers in which imaging end points and biomarkers have been used have grown dramatically. High frequency 'micro-ultrasound' has steadily evolved in the post-genomic era as a rapid, comparatively inexpensive imaging tool for studying normal development and models of human disease in small animals. One of the fundamental barriers to this development was the technological hurdle associated with high-frequency array transducers. Recently, new approaches have enabled the upper limits of linear and phased arrays to be pushed from about 20 to over 50 MHz enabling a broad range of new applications. The innovations leading to the new transducer technology and scanner architecture are reviewed. Applications of preclinical micro-ultrasound are explored for developmental biology, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. With respect to the future, the latest developments in high-frequency ultrasound imaging are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Stuart Foster
- Sunnybrook and Health Sciences Centre , University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario , Canada
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35
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Pulgar VM, Yamashiro H, Rose JC, Moore LG. Role of the AT2 receptor in modulating the angiotensin II contractile response of the uterine artery at mid-gestation. J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst 2011; 12:176-83. [PMID: 21421654 DOI: 10.1177/1470320310397406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During human pregnancy, circulating concentrations of components of the renin-angiotensin system increase, but pressor refractoriness to angiotensin II (Ang-II) is observed. Given the importance of the Ang-II pressor response in deciding susceptibility to preeclampsia and of the Ang-II system for controlling uterine vasoreactivity, we sought to address the effects of pregnancy on the reactivity of the isolated uterine artery (UA) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood pressure was measured throughout pregnancy in awake C57BL/6J mice. UA segments were isolated from three groups of animals (non-pregnant, mid [day 12-13] and late [day 18-19] gestation) and studied by wire myography. RESULTS UA diameters, KCl-mediated responses, and acetylcholine-dependent vasorelaxation were greater at mid and late gestation than in non-pregnant animals. Ang-II responses were also greater during pregnancy, with an increased contraction in response to AT2 receptor blockade at mid-gestation. AT1 receptor blockade abolished the Ang-II response in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Study findings are consistent with the possibility that AT2 receptor-mediated vasodilatation plays a role in modulating Ang-II contractile responses in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Pulgar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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Sunman H, Canpolat U, Yorgun H, Gürgan T, Tokgözoglu L. Successful pregnancy by in vitro fertilization after Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries. J Cardiol Cases 2011; 3:e50-e52. [PMID: 30532835 PMCID: PMC6265238 DOI: 10.1016/j.jccase.2010.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on a 32-year-old woman who had Mustard operation for transposition of great arteries and who underwent successful pregnancy by in vitro fertilization and without peripartum complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Sunman
- Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Uğur Canpolat
- Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hikmet Yorgun
- Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Timur Gürgan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Lale Tokgözoglu
- Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Daneshvar H, Edwards T, Voss K, Landis K, Gleason T, Atterson P. Cardiovascular Assessment in Radiotelemetry-Implanted Pregnant Rats. J INVEST SURG 2011; 24:35-43. [DOI: 10.3109/08941939.2010.528547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Abstract
Background Pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy-specific multisystemic disorder is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. This syndrome has been known to medical science since ancient times. However, despite considerable research, the cause/s of preeclampsia remain unclear, and there is no effective treatment. Development of an animal model that recapitulates this complex pregnancy-related disorder may help to expand our understanding and may hold great potential for the design and implementation of effective treatment. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we show that the CBA/J x DBA/2 mouse model of recurrent miscarriage is also a model of immunologically-mediated preeclampsia (PE). DBA/J mated CBA/J females spontaneously develop many features of human PE (primigravidity, albuminuria, endotheliosis, increased sensitivity to angiotensin II and increased plasma leptin levels) that correlates with bad pregnancy outcomes. We previously reported that antagonism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling by soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt-1) is involved in placental and fetal injury in CBA/J x DBA/2 mice. Using this animal model that recapitulates many of the features of preeclampsia in women, we found that pravastatin restores angiogenic balance, ameliorates glomerular injury, diminishes hypersensitivity to angiotensin II and protects pregnancies. Conclusions/Significance We described a new mouse model of PE, were the relevant key features of human preeclampsia develop spontaneously. The CBA/J x DBA/2 model, that recapitulates this complex disorder, helped us identify pravastatin as a candidate therapy to prevent preeclampsia and its related complications. We recognize that these studies were conducted in mice and that clinical trials are needed to confirm its application to humans.
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Tskitishvili E, Nakamura H, Kinugasa-Taniguchi Y, Kanagawa T, Shimoya K, Tomimatsu T, Kimura T. The effect of tumor-associated protein RCAS1 gene silencing on blood pressure and urinary protein excretion in pregnant mouse: a pilot study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010; 203:364.e6-364.e12. [PMID: 20579953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2010] [Revised: 04/14/2010] [Accepted: 05/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The level of tumor-associated receptor-binding cancer antigen that is expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) is decreased significantly in preeclamptic pregnancies. We hypothesized that RCAS1 protein gene silencing might affect blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnant mice. STUDY DESIGN On postcoital day 7.5, pregnant imprinting control region mice were subjected to the transfer of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against RCAS1 protein into the uterine cavity with the use of a hemagglutinating virus Japan envelope. Scramble siRNA was used as a negative control. Blood pressure and urine albumin/creatinine measurements were performed. The effect of the transferred siRNA was examined in uterine samples on postcoital day 8.5 with the use of Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses. RESULTS In the RCAS1 siRNA group, blood pressure significantly raised on postcoital days 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, and 15.5, whereas urine albumin/creatinine ratio was significantly increased on postcoital day 9.5 CONCLUSION Our results suggest the importance of RCAS1 protein in the pathophysiologic condition of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterine Tskitishvili
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita City, Osaka, Japan.
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Burke SD, Barrette VF, Bianco J, Thorne JG, Yamada AT, Pang SC, Adams MA, Croy BA. Spiral arterial remodeling is not essential for normal blood pressure regulation in pregnant mice. Hypertension 2010; 55:729-37. [PMID: 20100997 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.109.144253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Maternal cardiovascular adaptations occur in normal pregnancy, systemically, and within the uterus. In humans, gestational control of blood pressure is clinically important. Transient structural remodeling of endometrial spiral arteries normally occurs in human and mouse pregnancies. In mice, this depends on uterine natural killer cell function. Using normal and immune-deficient mice, we asked whether spiral artery remodeling critically regulates gestational mean arterial pressure and/or placental growth. Radiotelemetric transmitters were implanted in females and hemodynamic profiles to a dietary salt challenge and to pregnancy were assessed. Implantation sites from noninstrumented females were used for histological morphometry. Both normal and immune-deficient mice had normal sensitivity to salt and showed similar 5-phase gestational patterns of mean arterial pressure correlating with stages of placental development, regardless of spiral artery modification. After implantation, mean arterial pressure declined during the preplacental phase to reach a midgestation nadir. With gestation day 9 opening of placental circulation, pressure rose, reaching baseline before parturition, whereas heart rate dropped. Heart rate stabilized before parturition. Placental sizes deviated during late gestation when growth stopped in normal mice but continued in immune-deficient mice. As an indication of the potential for abnormal hemodynamics, 2 pregnant females delivering dead offspring developed late gestational hypertension. This study characterizes a dynamic pattern of blood pressure over mouse pregnancy that parallels human gestation. Unexpectedly, these data reveal that spiral artery remodeling is not required for normal gestational control of blood pressure or for normal placental growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne D Burke
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
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41
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Knight BS, Sunn N, Pennell CE, Adamson SL, Lye SJ. Developmental regulation of cardiovascular function is dependent on both genotype and environment. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2009; 297:H2234-41. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.01338.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Adverse developmental environments can increase the risk of adult cardiovascular disease, but not all individuals are affected, suggesting the importance of genotype. Genetically distinct mouse strains allow the genetic dissection of complex traits; however, they have not been used to evaluate the developmental origins of adult cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to determine the effect of prenatal nutrient restriction (R) on adult cardiovascular function in A/J (AJ) and C57BL/6J (B6) mice and whether a postnatal high-fat (HF) diet exacerbates these effects. Pregnant AJ and B6 mice underwent a 30% R or ad libitum diet, and their offspring underwent a HF or control diet. Hypertension (+17 mmHg; P < 0.001) was observed in B6R mice at 9 wk, and their arterial pressure tended to remain high at 25 wk (+13 mmHg; not significant). In AJR mice, the normal decrement in arterial pressure over this age range in this strain was abolished. Heart rate prematurely increased in B6R and decreased in AJR (all; P < 0.05) mice from 9 to 25 wk. There was no effect of postnatal HF diet on these relationships. The Tei index (from a 26-wk microultrasound) was increased in both AJR and B6R mice (all; P < 0.05), suggesting an improved global myocardial performance. Neither R nor HF alone changed diastolic (ratio of E wave to A wave) or systolic (%fractional shortening) function in either strain; however, R and HE combined improved diastolic function in B6 ( P < 0.05) but not in AJ mice. Therefore, there are strain-dependent alterations in adult cardiovascular function in response to prenatal nutrient restriction. Unexpectedly, a postnatal HF diet did not exacerbate the effects of prenatal nutrient restriction on postnatal cardiovascular outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian S. Knight
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, and
- Departments of 2Physiology and
| | - Nana Sunn
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, and
- Departments of 2Physiology and
| | - Craig E. Pennell
- Departments of 2Physiology and
- Obstetrics/Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - S. Lee Adamson
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, and
- Departments of 2Physiology and
- Obstetrics/Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Stephen J. Lye
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, and
- Departments of 2Physiology and
- Obstetrics/Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
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42
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van der Heijden OWH, Essers YPG, Wijnands E, Mey JGR, Peeters LLH, van Eys GJJM. Postpartum Reversal of the Pregnancy-Induced Uterine Artery Remodeling in Young, Aging, and eNOS-Deficient Mice. Reprod Sci 2009; 16:642-9. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719109333660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier W. H. van der Heijden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Institute Growth and Development (GROWTH), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands, Department of Molecular Genetics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne P. G. Essers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Research Institute Growth and Development (GROWTH) , University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Wijnands
- Department of Pathologyy, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jo G. R. Mey
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Louis L. H. Peeters
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Institute Growth and Development (GROWTH), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Guillaume J. J. M. van Eys
- Department of Cardiovascular, Research Institute Maastricht University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands, Department of Molecular Genetics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands,
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43
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Falcao S, Bisotto S, Gutkowska J, Lavoie JL. Hyperhomocysteinemia is not sufficient to cause preeclampsia in an animal model: the importance of folate intake. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009; 200:198.e1-5. [PMID: 19110222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Revised: 08/08/2008] [Accepted: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to determine whether methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr)-deficient mice develop preeclampsia (PE). STUDY DESIGN Mice were placed on a normal or low-folate/high-methionine (LF/HM) diet to assess the impact of mild and severe homocysteinemia. Blood pressure and proteinuria were measured throughout gestation in Mthfr-deficient and control mice on both diets, by radiotelemetry and by determining the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS Although Mthfr-deficient mice have endothelial dysfunction, they do not develop hypertension or proteinuria during gestation. The LF/HM diet induced proteinuria, growth restriction, and a decrease in the number of pups per litter in all mice without any effect on the placenta. CONCLUSION Our study clearly demonstrates that hyperhomocysteinemia is not sufficient to cause PE in this animal model. Furthermore, it confirms the importance of folate intake on pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Falcao
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) -Technopôle Angus, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Acton BM, Lai I, Shang X, Jurisicova A, Casper RF. Neutral Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy Alters Physiological Function in Mice1. Biol Reprod 2007; 77:569-76. [PMID: 17554081 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.060806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic transfer is an assisted reproductive technique that involves the infusion of ooplasm from a donor oocyte into a recipient oocyte of inferior developmental competence. Although this technique has shown some success for couples with recurrent in vitro fertilization failure, it results in mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the offspring, defined as the presence of two different mitochondrial genomes in the same individual. Because the long-term health consequences of mitochondrial heteroplasmy are unknown, there is a need for appropriate animal models to evaluate any physiological changes of dual mtDNA genotypes. This longitudinal study was designed as a preliminary screen of basic physiological functions for heteroplasmic mice (NZB mtDNA on a BALB/cByJ background). The mice were tested for cardiovascular and metabolic function, hematological parameters, body mass analysis, ovarian reserve, and tissue histologic abnormalities over a period of 15 mo. Heteroplasmic mice developed systemic hypertension that corrected over time and was accompanied by cardiac changes consistent with pulmonary hypertension. In addition, heteroplasmic animals had increased body mass and fat mass compared with controls at all ages. Finally, these animals had abnormalities in electrolytes and hematological parameters. Our findings suggest that there are significant physiological differences between heteroplasmic and control mice. Because ooplasm transfer appears to be consistently associated with mitochondrial heteroplasmy, children conceived through ooplasm transfer should be closely followed to determine if they are at risk for any health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Acton
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5
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45
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Ghulmiyyah LM, Tamayo E, Clark SM, Hankins GDV, Anderson GD, Saade GR, Longo M. Effect of a previous pregnancy on vascular function in endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 knockout mice. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007; 197:279.e1-5. [PMID: 17826420 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2007.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2007] [Revised: 05/04/2007] [Accepted: 06/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nitric oxide deficiency has been implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mice that lack endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) have abnormal in vitro vascular reactivity. Our objective was to assess the effect of a previous pregnancy on the abnormal vascular function of NOS3 knockout mice. STUDY DESIGN Carotid arteries from pregnant NOS3 knockout (NOS3(-/-KO)) and wild-type control mice (NOS3(+/+WT)) from first and second pregnancy were obtained for in vitro vascular reactivity studies. Vascular responses to cumulative concentrations of the vasoconstrictors phenylephrine, serotonin, and thromboxane and the vasorelaxants acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, and isoproterenol were determined. RESULTS In the first pregnancy, contractile responses were exaggerated in the knockout animals, compared with the wild-type animals. However, the second pregnancy in knockout animals was associated with normalization of responses to phenylephrine and serotonin and increased responses to the endothelium-independent relaxants. CONCLUSION The vascular function of NOS3 knockout mice improves with subsequent pregnancy becoming comparable to wild-type animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Labib M Ghulmiyyah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0144, USA.
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46
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Roos KP, Jordan MC, Fishbein MC, Ritter MR, Friedlander M, Chang HC, Rahgozar P, Han T, Garcia AJ, MacLellan WR, Ross RS, Philipson KD. Hypertrophy and heart failure in mice overexpressing the cardiac sodium-calcium exchanger. J Card Fail 2007; 13:318-29. [PMID: 17517353 PMCID: PMC2017112 DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2007.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2006] [Revised: 11/03/2006] [Accepted: 01/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cardiac sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX1) is a key sarcolemmal protein for the maintenance of calcium homeostasis in the heart. Because heart failure is associated with increased expression of NCX1, heterozygous (HET) and homozygous (HOM) transgenic mice overexpressing NCX1 were developed and evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS The NCX1 transgenic mice display 2.3-fold (HET) and 3.1-fold (HOM) increases in exchanger activity from wild-type (WT) mice. Functional information was obtained by echocardiography and catheterizations before and after hemodynamic stress from pregnancy, treadmill exercise or transaortic constriction (TAC). HET and HOM mice exhibited hypertrophy and blunted responses with beta-adrenergic stimulation. Postpartum mice from all groups were hypertrophied, but only the HOM mice exhibited premature death from heart failure. HOM mice became exercise intolerant after 6 weeks of daily treadmill running. After 21 days TAC, HET, and HOM mice exhibited significant contractile dysfunction and 15% to 40% mortality with clinical evidence of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS Hemodynamic stress results in a compensated hypertrophy in WT mice, but NCX1 transgenic mice exhibit decreased contractile function and heart failure in proportion to their level of NCX1 expression. Thus exchanger overexpression in mice leads to abnormal calcium handling and a decompensatory transition to heart failure with stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth P. Roos
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - Maria C. Jordan
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - Michael C. Fishbein
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Pathology David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - Matthew R. Ritter
- Department of Cell Biology The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Martin Friedlander
- Department of Cell Biology The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Helen C. Chang
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - Paymon Rahgozar
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - Tieyan Han
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - Alejandro J. Garcia
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - W. Robb MacLellan
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
| | - Robert S. Ross
- The Department of Medicine, UCSD School of Medicine and Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161
| | - Kenneth D. Philipson
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
- The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory Department of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751
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47
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Furukawa S, Tinney JP, Tobita K, Keller BB. Hemodynamic vulnerability to acute hypoxia in day 10.5-16.5 murine embryos. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2007; 33:114-27. [PMID: 17441882 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2007.00499.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM We tested the hypothesis that murine embryonic cardiovascular (CV) function is vulnerable to transient changes in maternal transplacental oxygen support during the critical period of CV morphogenesis. METHODS We measured maternal heart rate (MHR), maternal blood pressure (MBP), and embryonic heart rate (EHR) during mechanical ventilatory support, then induced transient maternal hypoxia daily from gestation day (ED) 10.5 to ED16.5 in pregnant ICR mice. Hypoxia was induced by suspending mechanical ventilation for 30 s or by the replacement of inspired oxygen with nitrogen (75% or 100%) for 30 s while maintaining ventilation. RESULTS We noted a rapid onset of maternal hypotension in response to hypoxia that quickly recovered following reoxygenation. Following a brief lag time that was not gestation specific, EHR decreased in response to hypoxia. The magnitude of embryo bradycardia and the rate of EHR decline and recovery displayed gestation specific patterns. The magnitude of embryo bradycardia was similar from ED10.5 to ED13.5 and then increased with gestation. Before ED13.5, only 40% of embryos recovered to the baseline EHR following transient maternal hypoxia (vs 80% of embryos after ED 13.5). EHR following recovery exceeded baseline EHR after ED15.5. Nitrogen inhalation (75% or 100%) produced changes in maternal and embryonic hemodynamics similar to suspended ventilation induced hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS The mammalian embryo is vulnerable to transient decreases in maternal oxygenation during the critical period of organogenesis and the gestational specific EHR response to hypoxia may reflect both increased embryonic oxygen demand and the maturation of neurohumoral heart rate regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seishi Furukawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Miyazaki Medical College, Miyazaki, Japan, and Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Heart Center, PA 15213, USA
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48
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Feintuch A, Ruengsakulrach P, Lin A, Zhang J, Zhou YQ, Bishop J, Davidson L, Courtman D, Foster FS, Steinman DA, Henkelman RM, Ethier CR. Hemodynamics in the mouse aortic arch as assessed by MRI, ultrasound, and numerical modeling. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007; 292:H884-92. [PMID: 17012350 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00796.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mice are widely used to study arterial disease in humans, and the pathogenesis of arterial diseases is known to be strongly influenced by hemodynamic factors. It is, therefore, of interest to characterize the hemodynamic environment in the mouse arterial tree. Previous measurements have suggested that many relevant hemodynamic variables are similar between the mouse and the human. Here we use a combination of Doppler ultrasound and MRI measurements, coupled with numerical modeling techniques, to characterize the hemodynamic environment in the mouse aortic arch at high spatial resolution. We find that the hemodynamically induced stresses on arterial endothelial cells are much larger in magnitude and more spatially uniform in the mouse than in the human, an effect that can be explained by fluid mechanical scaling principles. This surprising finding seems to be at variance with currently accepted models of the role of hemodynamics in atherogenesis and the known distribution of atheromatous lesions in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiva Feintuch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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49
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Kulandavelu S, Qu D, Adamson SL. Cardiovascular function in mice during normal pregnancy and in the absence of endothelial NO synthase. Hypertension 2006; 47:1175-82. [PMID: 16636199 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.0000218440.71846.db] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In humans, the increased cardiovascular demands of pregnancy are met by increases in cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), plasma volume (PV), and cardiac and aortic inner dimensions and a concurrent decrease in arterial pressure that indicates a fall in total peripheral vascular resistance. The mechanisms responsible for these changes are incompletely understood, but NO synthase (NOS) is believed to play a central role. We assessed whether C57Bl/6J (B6) mice show similar changes and whether these changes are altered in mice lacking the gene for endothelial NOS (eNOS). The CO of B6 mice increased 28% by day 9.5 of gestation because of a 25% increase in SV, and increased 48% by day 17.5 because of a 41% increase in SV. The increase in SV at day 17.5 was associated with a 27% increase in PV, a 15% decrease in arterial pressure, and 10% to 15% increases in aortic and left-ventricular inner dimensions. In the absence of eNOS, CO increased 22% by day 9.5 because of increases in SV (14%) and heart rate (9%), but increased no further by day 17.5. SV near term was lower than B6 mice despite similar 26% increases in PV and 14% decreases in arterial pressure in association with blunted left-ventricular chamber enlargement. All reported changes are P<0.05. We conclude that cardiovascular changes during pregnancy are similar in B6 mice and humans. eNOS plays a critical role in increasing stroke volume in late gestation by promoting cardiac remodeling.
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50
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Perlegas D, Xie H, Sinha S, Somlyo AV, Owens GK. ANG II type 2 receptor regulates smooth muscle growth and force generation in late fetal mouse development. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2004; 288:H96-102. [PMID: 15331365 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00620.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although evidence from culture studies implicates the angiotensin II (ANG II) type 2 receptor (AT(2)R) in the regulation of growth and differentiation of arterial smooth muscle (SM) cells (SMC), the lack of its expression in adult arteries has precluded direct investigation of its role in vivo. The goal of the present study was to determine the role of AT(2)R in the control of fetal SMC growth, contractility, and differentiation during vascular development. Determination of isometric tension in fetal aortas showed potentiated ANG II-induced contraction by treatment with the selective AT(2)R antagonist PD-123319, demonstrating the presence of functional AT(2)Rs that mediate reduced force development in vascular SMC. In direct contrast to numerous cell culture studies, proliferation indexes were decreased rather than increased in aortic SMC of fetal homozygous AT(2)R knockout compared with wild-type or heterozygous knockout mice. Experiments using SMC tissues from heterozygous female AT(2)R knockout mice, which are naturally occurring chimeras for AT(2)R expression, showed that AT(2)R mRNA expression was exactly 50% of that of wild type. This indicated that loss of AT(2)R expression did not confer a selective advantage or disadvantage for SMC lineage determination and expansion. Real time RT-PCR analyses showed no significant difference in expression of SM-alpha-actin, SM myosin heavy chain, and myocardin in various SM tissues from all three genotypes, suggesting that knockout of AT(2)R had no effect on subsequent SMC differentiation. Taken together, results indicate that functional AT(2)R are expressed in fetal aorta and mediate reduced force development but do not significantly contribute to regulation of SMC differentiation.
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MESH Headings
- Actins/metabolism
- Angiotensin II/pharmacology
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/embryology
- Cell Division/physiology
- Cell Line
- Female
- Fetal Development
- Fetus/physiology
- In Vitro Techniques
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/embryology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myosin Heavy Chains/metabolism
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/deficiency
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/metabolism
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/physiology
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Vasoconstriction/physiology
- Vasoconstrictor Agents/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Perlegas
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, PO Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1394, USA
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