Increased myocardial collagen and ventricular diastolic dysfunction in relaxin deficient mice: a gender-specific phenotype
To investigate cardiac phenotypes in mice deficient in the peptide hormone relaxin by gene targeting. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were performed on male and female relaxin deficient (Rlx(-/-)) mice as well as heterozygous (Rlx(+/-)) and wildtype (Rlx(+/+)) littermates aged between 8...
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Published in | Cardiovascular research Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 395 - 404 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
01.02.2003
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | To investigate cardiac phenotypes in mice deficient in the peptide hormone relaxin by gene targeting.
Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were performed on male and female relaxin deficient (Rlx(-/-)) mice as well as heterozygous (Rlx(+/-)) and wildtype (Rlx(+/+)) littermates aged between 8 and 24 months. Collagen expression and content in the heart were analysed by real-time PCR, hydroxyproline assay and histology.
Heart rate, blood pressures, left ventricular (LV) dimensions, fractional shortening and maximal and minimal dP/dt did not differ significantly between the three genotypes of either gender at any age. However, 8-10-month-old Rlx(-/-) males exhibited a greater transmitral flow velocity (A-wave) at the late LV diastolic phase. Male Rlx(-/-) mice aged between 12 and 24 months had significantly higher LV end-diastolic pressures, a 30% increase in atrial weight and 10-30% increases in lung and liver weights. Male mice also showed an age-dependent increase (P<0.01) in LV collagen content that was more pronounced in Rlx(-/-) than control littermates (P<0.01). Procollagen type-1 expression was also significantly higher in the LV of Rlx(-/-) males compared with either Rlx(+/-) or Rlx(+/+) males at 6, 9 and 12 months of age. Age-matched female Rlx(-/-) mice did not display any of these cardiac phenotypes seen in Rlx(-/-) males.
Male Rlx(-/-) mice had impeded LV diastolic filling and increased atrial weights, most likely due to an increase in ventricular collagen content and chamber stiffness. These phenotypes in the Rlx(-/-) males were not observed in Rlx(-/-) females, indicating the importance of other gender-related factors in cardiovascular function. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0008-6363 |
DOI: | 10.1016/S0008-6363(02)00663-6 |