Glucocorticoids and programming of the microenvironment in heart.

摘要: Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones and can improve neonatal survival when given to pregnant women threatened by preterm birth or infants. It has become increasingly apparent that glucocorticoids, primarily interacting with glucocorticoid receptors, play a critical role in late gestational cardiac maturation. Altered actions contribute the development progression of heart disease. The knowledge gained from studies mature damage is insufficient but necessary starting point for understanding programming including microenvironment glucocorticoids fetal heart. This review aims highlight potential roles microenvironment, especially supporting cells endothelial cells, immune fibroblasts. molecular mechanisms which regulate various cellular extracellular components clinical relevance functions also discussed.