Heart remodeling during pregnancy and the early postpartum period

heart
3D Model of the heart by Dr. Matthew Bramlet. Credit: NIH

An article published in Experimental Biology and Medicine provides new insights regarding the molecular events underlying cardiac remodeling during pregnancy and the early post-partum period. The study, led by Dr. Holly LaVoie, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, USA, reports that changes in heart function during pregnancy and the early post-partum period in an animal model are accompanied by changes in the expression of genes encoding the extracellular matrix, proteins and substances that connect the muscle cells of the heart.

During pregnancy the structurally enlarges to handle the progressive increase in blood volume needed to support the developing fetus. These changes are normal and referred to as cardiac remodeling. The enlarged heart subsequently remodels to the nonpregnant state with time in the . About 1 in 1000 women will have trouble remodeling the heart in late pregnancy or the postpartum period, where the heart remains dilated and becomes weak giving rise to a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy. The majority of peripartum cardiomyopathy cases present in the first week after delivery. Cardiomyopathy in non-pregnant animals is associated with remodeling of the . However, the role of the extracellular matrix in cardiac remodeling during pregnancy is not known. Understanding the molecular, structural and functional changes that naturally occur in the heart during pregnancy and the early postpartum period will be helpful in managing peripartum cardiomyopathy.

In the current study, Dr. LaVoie and colleagues, used microarray technology and functional assessments to determine if changes in the expression of extracellular matrix protein genes accompanied functional changes in the heart during pregnancy in an . As a group, genes encoding extracellular matrix molecules showed a high level of alteration during late pregnancy and postpartum. Many of the changes involved genes coding structural proteins like collagens, protease enzymes which breakdown the matrix, and inhibitors of these proteases. Furthermore, changes in gene expression correlated with changes in measured by echocardiography. These studies show the postpartum period as a time of active change for gene expression and heart function. Dr. LaVoie said "Changes in the heart during pregnancy are gradual and peak at late , while changes in the early postpartum period are more dramatic. Identifying the molecules that contribute to cardiac remodeling during this transitional postpartum period may help to better understand the failure to remodel that occurs during peripartum cardiomyopathy in women."

Dr. Steven R. Goodman, editor-in-chief of Experimental Biology & Medicine, said "LaVoie and colleagues have demonstrated substantial changes in extracellular matrix gene expression during the postpartum period. These studies form the basis for future studies on changes in extracellular matrix expression in cardiomyopathy."

More information: Megan E Parrott et al. Feature Article: Maternal cardiac messenger RNA expression of extracellular matrix proteins in mice during pregnancy and the postpartum period, Experimental Biology and Medicine (2018). DOI: 10.1177/1535370218818457

Citation: Heart remodeling during pregnancy and the early postpartum period (2019, January 23) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-01-heart-remodeling-pregnancy-early-postpartum.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Childhood cancer survivors have higher risk of deadly heart disease in pregnancy

 shares

Feedback to editors