Research Article
5-HT2B Receptor Antagonists Inhibit Fibrosis and Protect from RV Heart Failure
Figure 1
Effect of 5-HT2BR blockade on PAB-induced RVH. mRNA expression of 5-HT2AR (a) and 5-HT2BR (b) in mice right ventricular tissue homogenate 3 weeks after pulmonary artery banding (PAB). While 5-HT2AR expression is unaltered after PAB surgery, 5-HT2BR expression level is significantly increased, in comparison to sham-operated mice. Chronic pulmonary artery constriction led to a sustained and significant increase in RVPsys at day 21 (c). Elevated RV pressure was accompanied by right ventricular hypertrophy measured as ratio of the RV weight to tibia length (d). Chronic treatment from day 7 to day 21 with Terguride (0.2 mg/kg bodyweight) or SB204741 (5 mg/kg bodyweight) reduced right ventricular hypertrophy (c), without having any effect on RVPsys (d). 5-HT2AR and 5-HT2BR blockade decrease PAB-induced collagen deposition as detected by quantitative image analysis of Sirius red staining (e). Representative images are shown in (f). 5-HT2A/B receptor expression and collagen content data represent 5-6 animals for each group. RVPsys and RV/tibia were calculated for animals per group. versus placebo-treated control.
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