echocardiographic-measurement-right-ventricular-diastolic-parameters

Echocardiographic Measurement of Right Ventricular Diastolic Parameters in Mouse

Diastolic dysfunction is a prominent feature of right ventricular (RV) remodeling associated with conditions of pressure overload. However, the RV ...

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research

Medical University of Graz

The heterogeneous nature of most human organs and tissues represents a common challenge when analyzing specific structures or cells. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) enables isolation of pure cells from a mixed population of cells or tissue samples via usage of laser energy. Combined with high-throughput gene or protein techniques, compartment specific analysis elucidating the role of specialized cell types in physiological or pathophysiological activity can be performed. This chapter describes the crucial steps that have to be taken into consideration when designing and conducting a LCM project. Detailed protocols describing the workflow from project planning to high-throughput analysis of LCM material used in our laboratory are provided. Routinely occurring challenges and appropriate solutions, e.g., when working with fibrotic tissue are described.

Laser Capture Microdissection of Tissue Sections for High-Throughput RNA Analysis.

Fibrosis and remodeling of the right ventricle (RV) are associated with RV dysfunction and mortality of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) but it is unknown how much RV fibrosis contributes to RV dysfunction and mortality. RV fibrosis manifests as fibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition which may be excessive. Although extracellular matrix deposition leads to elevated ventricular stiffness, it is not known to which extent it affects RV function. Various animal models of pulmonary hypertension have been established to investigate the role of fibrosis in RV dysfunction and failure. However, they do not perfectly resemble the human disease. In the current review we describe the major characteristics of RV fibrosis, molecular mechanisms regulating the fibrotic process, and discuss how therapeutic targeting of fibrosis might affect RV function.

Right ventricular fibrosis and dysfunction: Actual concepts and common misconceptions.

Remodeling and fibrosis of the right ventricle (RV) may cause RV dysfunction and poor survival in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Grazyna Kwapiszewska

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research

Echocardiographic Measurement of Right Ventricular Diastolic Parameters in Mouse