Anne-Marie Koop

1 17 • Chapter_5_ Here describe a protocol for proper assessment of RV function and morphology by CMR in mice subjected to pulmonary artery banding. • Chapter_6_ By using transgenic mice with miR-199b overexpression, it was tested whether miR-199b also accounts as a pro-hypertrophic factor in the RV subjected to pressure overload, as has been previously described in LV remodelling. In addition, we tested the role of miR-199b in the LV during RV pressure load. • Chapter_7_ Hand2 F/F and MCM-Hand2 F/F mice were treated with tamoxifen and subjected to pulmonary artery banding to assess the role of Hand2 in adult RV remodelling in response to pressure overload. Since the role of Hand2 in the RV appeared to be different from the LV, we performed RNA sequence analysis in order to identify downstream targets of Hand2 in the pressure loaded RV specifically. • Chapter_8_ We aimed to identify early stages of RV disease in children with a history of congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension using a multi- biomarker approach. Eight blood plasma derived biomarkers were taken of 125 children and correlated to the type and degree of RV loading, RV remodelling and RV function. • Chapter_9_ This chapter discusses the main findings of this thesis and the subsequent future prospects in the field of RV adaptation due to increased pressure load.