Isolation of differentially expressed genes in hypertensive pulmonary artery of rats

Pulmonary artery remodeling is a complex biological process, and a key mole cular mechanism regulating this process is selective up- and downregulation of genes. We used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) differential display in a rat model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension to i dentify selectively expressed genes relevant to pulmonary artery remodeling . We characterized the pattern of gene expression in hypertensive and norma l arteries. Eight differentially expressed cDNAs were selected, isolated, a nd characterized Homology searches identified 4 previously identified genes and 4 novel genes that were not further characterized. The known genes wer e beta-glucoronidase, heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydro genase, and cytoplasmic gamma-actin. Each of the 4 known genes was relevant to processes involved in pulmonary artery remodeling. We conclude that mRN A differential display teas informative in identifying genes coding for pro ducts directly involved in pulmonary artery remodeling.