Differential expression of lncRNAs in hypertension-induced pericytes

Pericytes facilitate vessel maturation and endothelial barrier functions closely related with the pathogenesis of organ damage from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension. We used a computational-based strategy to first screen for differentially expressed genes and lncRNAs and characterized associations between lncRNAs of microvascular pericytes and hypertension. In total, 22 lncRNAs were upregulated and 46 were downregulated in the rats afflicted with spontaneous hypertension. Expression profiles for lncRNAs were significantly altered in the hypertension afflicted tissue samples and the transcripts have good potential for use as molecular targets to inhibit the progression of hypertension.