Abstract
Endothelin-converting-enzyme (ECE-1) catalyzes the proteolytic activation of big endothelin-1 to mature endothelin-1. Most homozygous ECE-1-/- embryos die in utero and show severe craniofacial, enteric, and cardiac malformations precluding ventilatory function assessment. In contrast, heterozygous ECE-1+/- embryos develop normally. Their respiratory function at birth has not been studied. Taking into account previous respiratory investigations in mice with endothelin-1 gene disruption, we hypothesized that ECE-1-deficient mice may have impaired ventilatory control. We analyzed ventilatory responses to hypercapnia (8% CO2) and hypoxia (10% O2) in newborn and adult mice heterozygous for ECE-1 deficiency (ECE-1+/-) and in their wild-type littermates (ECE-1 +/+). Ventilation, breath duration, and tidal volume were measured using whole-body plethysmography. Ventilatory responses to hypoxia were significantly weaker in ECE-1+/- than in ECE-1+/+ newborn mice (percentage ventilation increase: 1 ± 25% versus 33 ± 29%, p = 0.010). Baseline breathing variables and ventilatory responses to hypercapnia were normal in the ECE-1+/- newborn mice. No differences were observed between adult ECE-1+/- and ECE-1+/+ mice. We conclude that ECE-1 is required for normal ventilatory response to hypoxia at birth.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 705-712 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Pediatric Research |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health