title: Amplification of the genes that codify endothelin-1 and its receptors in rheumatic mitral valves.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiopathies are high prevalence conditions. Among them, rheumatic carditis is of high relevance in developing countries. Left cardiac chamber changes are associated to endothelial dysfunction and ET-1 levels increase. Pulmonary circulation is then affected, and not seldom leading to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the presence of ET-1 and its receptors in the mitral valve itself--promoting pulmonary vascular changes, with increased rheumatic valvular deformation--has not been discussed in the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the expression of endothelin gene and its receptors in rheumatic mitral valves through techniques of molecular genetics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven patients submitted to mitral valve replacement had their valvular tissue examined to determine the presence of ET-1 genes and their A and B receptors. Histological and molecular analysis of the valves was performed (divided into M1, M2 and M3 fragments), with patients' clinical and epidemiological data collected. Patients were divided into 3 groups (mitral valvopathy, mitroaortic valvopathy, and reoperation patients).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed endothelin-1 gene expression in 40.7% specimens and A receptor in all samples; receptor gene B had lower expression (22.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All patients showed A receptor gene expression. No statistically significant difference was observed in regard to condition severity, expressed according to functional class, and subgroups (mitral valvopathy, mitroaortic valvopathy, and reoperation patients).
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Base, Instituto do Coração DF, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil. ebmoura@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Edmilson Bastos de
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.forename: Mariana Ribeiro
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Ricardo Barros
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Corso
authors.forename: Cristiano Nicolleti
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Fabiana Pirani
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Yolanda Galindo
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Pacheco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000473:pathology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000235:genetics*; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin