Figure 4.

Effect of Dmpk silencing on cardiac response to pressure overload stress. FVB +/- (Het) and -/- (KO) mice were given saline or ASO at 50 mpk/wk starting at 2 months of age. Baseline measurements of (A) ejection fraction and (B) estimated LV mass were taken at age 3 months, along with age-matched WT and uninjected KO controls. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) banding was performed after baseline measurements. Ejection fraction and LV mass were monitored at 3, 5–6, and 8 weeks following TAC banding (n =  17–19 for WT, Het+Saline, and Het+ASO at baseline to 5-6 weeks. n =  8–11 for KO, KO+Saline, and KO+ASO and for all groups at 8 weeks.) ANOVA P-value as shown above each data set. * = t-test P <  0.003, ** = t-test P <  0.00005. (C) Lung weight normalized to body weight (LW/BW mg/g) in FVB Dmpk mice 9 weeks post-TAC, with age-matched non-TAC controls. Dotted line denotes threshold for decompensated heart failure (LW/BW > 8mg/g). Fisher’s Exact Test showed no significant increase of lung weight in any group compared to WT controls.