Endoglin haplo-insufficiency modifies the inflammatory response in irradiated mouse hearts without affecting structural and mircovascular changes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is now widely recognized that radiotherapy of thoracic and chest wall tumors increases the long-term risk of cardiovascular damage although the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. There is increasing evidence that microvascular damage is involved. Endoglin, an accessory receptor for TGF-β1, is highly expressed in damaged endothelial cells and may play a crucial role in cell proliferation and revascularization of damaged heart tissue. We have therefore specifically examined the role of endoglin in microvascular damage and repair in the irradiated heart.

Materials & methods

A single dose of 16 Gy was delivered to the heart of adult Eng(+/+) or Eng(+/-) mice and damage was evaluated at 4, 20 and 40 weeks, relative to age-matched controls. Gated single

SUBMITTER: Seemann I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3722207 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature