Conference paper

Publication year: 2009

Pages: S20-S31

Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Volume number: 54

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 0735-1097

eISSN: 1558-3597

Open access status: Green

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2009.04.018

Conference: 4th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is caused by functional and structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature, leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance. The process of pulmonary vascular remodeling is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction, activation of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, crosstalk between cells within the vascular wall, and recruitment of circulating progenitor cells. Recent findings have reestablished the role of chronic vasoconstriction in the remodeling process. Although the pathology of PAH in the lung is well known, this article is concerned with the cellular and molecular processes involved. In particular, we focus on the role of the Rho family guanosine triphosphatases in endothelial function and vasoconstriction. The crosstalk between endothelium and vascular smooth muscle is explored in the context of mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor, alterations in angiopoietin-1/TIE2 signaling, and the serotonin pathway. We also review the role of voltage-gated K+ channels and transient receptor potential channels in the regulation of cytosolic [Ca2+] and [K+], vasoconstriction, proliferation, and cell survival. We highlight the importance of the extracellular matrix as an active regulator of cell behavior and phenotype and evaluate the contribution of the glycoprotein tenascin-c as a key mediator of smooth muscle cell growth and survival. Finally, we discuss the origins of a cell type critical to the process of pulmonary vascular remodeling, the myofibroblast, and review the evidence supporting a contribution for the involvement of endothelial-mesenchymal transition and recruitment of circulating mesenchymal progenitor cells. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2009;54:S20-31) (C) 2009 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Harvard Citation style: Morrell, N., Adnot, S., Archer, S., Dupuis, J., Jones, P., MacLean, M., et al. (2009) Cellular and Molecular Basis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 54(1), pp. S20-S31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2009.04.018

APA Citation style: Morrell, N., Adnot, S., Archer, S., Dupuis, J., Jones, P., MacLean, M., McMurtry, I., Stenmark, K., Thistlethwaite, P., Weissmann, N., Yuan, J., & Weir, E. (2009). Cellular and Molecular Basis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 54(1), S20-S31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2009.04.018