First Author | Campens L | Year | 2015 |
Journal | Pediatr Res | Volume | 78 |
Issue | 3 | Pages | 256-63 |
PubMed ID | 26042521 | Mgi Jnum | J:299098 |
Mgi Id | MGI:6490124 | Doi | 10.1038/pr.2015.110 |
Citation | Campens L, et al. (2015) Intrinsic cardiomyopathy in Marfan syndrome: results from in-vivo and ex-vivo studies of the Fbn1C1039G/+ model and longitudinal findings in humans. Pediatr Res 78(3):256-63 |
abstractText | BACKGROUND: Mild intrinsic cardiomyopathy in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) has consistently been evidenced by independent research groups. So far, little is known about the long-term evolution and pathophysiology of this finding. METHODS: To gain more insights into the pathophysiology of MFS-related cardiomyopathy, we performed in-vivo and ex-vivo studies of 11 Fbn1(C1039G/+) mice and 9 wild-type (WT) littermates. Serial ultrasound findings obtained in mice were correlated to the human phenotype. We therefore reassessed left ventricular (LV) function parameters over a 6-y follow-up period in 19 previously reported MFS patients, in whom we documented mild LV dysfunction. RESULTS: Fbn1(C1039G/+) mice demonstrated LV contractile dysfunction. Subsequent ex-vivo studies of the myocardium of adult mutant mice revealed upregulation of TGFbeta-related pathways and consistent abnormalities of the microfibrillar network, implicating a role for microfibrils in the mechanical properties of the myocardium. Echocardiographic parameters did not indicate clinical significant deterioration of LV function during follow-up in our patient cohort. CONCLUSION: In analogy with what is observed in the majority of MFS patients, the Fbn1(C1039G/+) mouse model demonstrates mild intrinsic LV dysfunction. Both extracellular matrix and molecular alterations are implicated in MFS-related cardiomyopathy. This model may now enable us to study therapeutic interventions on the myocardium in MFS. |