Isolation of differentially expressed genes in hypertensive pulmonary artery of rats

Pulmonary artery remodeling is a complex biological process, and a key molecular 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 identify selectively expressed genes relevant to pulmonary artery remodeling. We characterized the pattern of gene expression in hypertensive and normal arteries. Eight differentially expressed cDNAs were selected, isolated, and characterized. Homology searches identified 4 previously identified genes and 4 novel genes that were not further characterized. The known genes were beta-glucoronidase, hemeoxygenase-2 (HO-2), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and cytoplasmic gamma-actin. Each of the 4 known genes was relevant to processes involved in pulmonary artery remodeling. We conclude that mRNA differential display was informative in identifying genes coding for products directly involved in pulmonary artery remodeling.