[Changes of the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the lung of rats with chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension].
To observe the effect of chronic hypoxia on the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat's lung, and the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, thirteen male Wistar rats were exposed to isobaric hypoxia for 3 weeks. The pulmonary artery pressure was measured by right cardiac catheterization. The serum level of VEGF was measured by Elisa. The VEGF cRNA was labeled with digoxigenin-UTP by in vitro transcription. The expression of VEGF mRNA in the lung was examined by hybridization in situ. The pulmonary artery pressure was significantly increased after hypoxic exposure. The serum level of VEGF in rats treated with hypoxia (420.3 +/- 73.1 pg/ml) was significantly increased in comparison with that of normal rats (322.2 +/- 58.1 pg/ml). The VEGF hybridization signals on the wall of pulmonary arteriole were significantly increased in rats with pulmonary hypertension. Chronic hypoxia can markedly increase expression of VEGF mRNA in the pulmonary arteriole and hence stimulate VEGF synthesis and secretion. The increase of VEGF may play a role in the developing process of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.
Chen
W
W
Department of Internal Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Chengdu.
Cheng
D
D
Wu
Q
Q
D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000378:metabolism; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors