scholarly journals The estrogen paradox in pulmonary arterial hypertension

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (4) ◽  
pp. L435-L438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiichiro Sakao ◽  
Nobuhiro Tanabe ◽  
Koichiro Tatsumi
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Estrogen Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disabling condition characterized by PA vasoconstriction and remodeling as well as in situ thrombosis and eventual right heart failure. Idiopathic PAH occurs more frequently in females than in males. The female:male ratio is 1.64 ∼ 3.88:1. Although endogenous sex hormones including estrogen have been suggested to account for the observed gender differences in PAH, a precise pathobiology for the gender differences remains uncertain. Recent studies demonstrated that estrogen exerts beneficial effects on the pulmonary vasculature. However, it seems to contradict the female predominance that is observed in idiopathic PAH. Moreover, Sweeney and Voelkel (Sweeney L and Voelkel NF. Eur J Med Res 14: 433–442, 2009) showed that early and long-term estrogen exposure might be correlated with an increased risk of the development of PAH. Here we ask the question: Is estrogen a friend or a foe? According to accumulating evidence, we postulate that the different effects of estrogens on different target cells could account for this paradox, i.e., estrogens may exert beneficial effects only on the increased muscularization of vessel walls, but not on phenotypically altered endothelial cells. The effects of estrogens on the pulmonary vasculature are potent and complex, yet not fully understood. A better mechanistic understanding may allow for future therapeutic interventions in patients with PAH.

Abstract 18587: Downregulation of Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Catechol-o-methyltransferase Activity by Aldosterone Increases Norepinephrine Levels in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Torquato ◽  
Kiyotake Ishikawa ◽  
Jaume Aguerro ◽  
Bradley A Maron ◽  
Joseph Loscalzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Right Heart Failure ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
Methyltransferase Activity ◽  
Comt Activity ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Elevated levels of norepinephrine (NE) occur in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and are determined, in part, by the activity of catechol- O -methyltransferase (COMT). COMT degrades catecholamines, is negatively regulated by calcium, and is expressed by pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). As hyperaldosteronism occurs in PAH and aldosterone (ALDO) influences calcium levels, we hypothesized that ALDO decreases COMT activity to increase NE levels in PAH. Accordingly, human PAEC were treated with ALDO (10 -7 mol/L), a level that is achieved clinically in PAH, for up to 72 h. Compared to vehicle-treated PAEC, ALDO decreased COMT activity by 59.2 ± 6.2% (p<0.01) to increase NE levels in the medium (122.4 ± 11.8 vs. 210.7 ± 15.5 pg/mL/mg protein, p<0.01). This occurred as a result of an ALDO-mediated decrease in COMT protein expression by 52.6 ± 9.3% (p<0.01) as well as an increase in intracellular calcium levels (102.9 ± 21.0 vs. 167.7 ± 17.8 nmol/L, p<0.05) to inhibit activity. These effects were abrogated by coincubation with spironolactone. To determine the in vivo relevance of these findings, COMT was examined in the rat monocrotaline model of PAH with confirmed hyperALDO. COMT was decreased (47.6 ± 10.2 %control, p<0.05) in remodeled pulmonary arterioles with a concomitant increase in lung NE levels (432.8 ± 44.5 vs. 899.7 ± 34.2 pg/mL, p<0.01) compared to control rats. In the porcine pulmonary vein banding model of pulmonary hypertension (PH-pigs) with elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (15[13-15] vs. 35[27-43], p<0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) index (1.97[1.74-2.28] vs. 5.78[2.61-8.75], p <0.05), ALDO levels were also increased (27.1 ± 5.1 vs. 60.8 ± 10.6 pg/mL, p<0.03) in advance of right heart failure as compared to sham controls. PH-pigs demonstrated a 48.3 ± 9.9% (p<0.02) decrease in pulmonary vascular COMT expression and an increase in NE levels (114.6 ± 20.2 vs. 1,622.6 ± 489.2 pg/mL, p<0.02) that correlated positively with ALDO levels (R 2 =0.58, p<0.02). These findings were confirmed in patients with PAH. Together, these data indicate that there is crosstalk in the pulmonary vasculature between ALDO and the sympathetic nervous system to regulate NE levels in PAH, and thus, have implications for therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals EXPRESS: Platelets, extracellular vesicles & coagulation in pulmonary arterial hypertension

2021 ◽  
pp. 204589402110210
Author(s):  
Sarah Cullivan ◽  
Claire A Murphy ◽  
Luisa Weiss ◽  
Shane P Comer ◽  
Barry Kevane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Paracrine Signalling ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease of the pulmonary vasculature, characterised pathologically by proliferation, remodelling and thrombosis in situ. Unfortunately, existing therapeutic interventions do not reverse these findings and the disease continues to result in significant morbidity and premature mortality. A number of haematological derangements have been described in PAH which may provide insights into the pathobiology of the disease and also provide opportunities to target new therapeutic pathways. These include quantitative and qualitative platelet abnormalities, such as thrombocytopaenia, increased mean platelet volume (MPV) and altered platelet bioenergetics. Furthermore, a hypercoagulable state and aberrant negative regulatory pathways can be observed, which could contribute to thrombosis in situ in distal pulmonary arteries and arterioles. Finally, there is increasing interest in the role of extracellular vesicle (EV) autocrine and paracrine signalling in PAH, and their potential utility as biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets. This review focuses on the potential role of platelets, EVs and coagulation pathways in the pathobiology of PAH. We highlight important unanswered clinical questions and the implications of these observations for future research and PAH directed therapies.

Role of Redox Homeostasis and Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1340-1351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriane Bello-Klein ◽  
Daniele Mancardi ◽  
Alex S. Araujo ◽  
Paulo C. Schenkel ◽  
Patrick Turck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

This review addresses pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), an incurable disease, which determines high morbidity and mortality. Definition of the disease, its characteristics, classification, and epidemiology are discussed. A difficulty in the diagnosis of PAH due to the lack of symptoms specificity is highlighted. Echocardiographic analysis and electrocardiogram of patients help in the diagnosis and in the follow up of the disease. Nevertheless, right ventricle (RV) catheterization constitutes the gold standard for diagnosing PAH. Oxidative stress and inflammation, in an interactive manner, play a major role in the development of pulmonary vascular remodeling and consequent increase of pulmonary pressure. The latter results in an increase in RV afterload, culminating with RV hypertrophy, which may progress to failure. Both clinical and experimental studies have shown increased oxidative stress and inflammation, not only in lungs and pulmonary vasculature but also in RV. The use of experimental models, such as the monocrotaline-induced PAH, has helped in the understanding of the pathophysiology of PAH, as well as in the development of new therapeutic strategies. In addition to the traditional therapeutics, the use of therapeutic interventions capable of modulating oxidative stress and inflammation may offer newer strategies in the prevention as well as management of this disease.

scholarly journals The DNA Damage Response and HIV-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3305
Author(s):  
Ari Simenauer ◽  
Eva Nozik-Grayck ◽  
Adela Cota-Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

The HIV-infected population is at a dramatically increased risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a devastating and fatal cardiopulmonary disease that is rare amongst the general population. It is increasingly apparent that PAH is a disease with complex and heterogeneous cellular and molecular pathologies, and options for therapeutic intervention are limited, resulting in poor clinical outcomes for affected patients. A number of soluble HIV factors have been implicated in driving the cellular pathologies associated with PAH through perturbations of various signaling and regulatory networks of uninfected bystander cells in the pulmonary vasculature. While these mechanisms are likely numerous and multifaceted, the overlapping features of PAH cellular pathologies and the effects of viral factors on related cell types provide clues as to the potential mechanisms driving HIV-PAH etiology and progression. In this review, we discuss the link between the DNA damage response (DDR) signaling network, chronic HIV infection, and potential contributions to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in chronically HIV-infected individuals.

Screening of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (05) ◽  
pp. 596-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Celermajer ◽  
Anne Keogh ◽  
Vivek Thakkar ◽  
Edmund Lau
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Progression ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

The majority of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) present in advanced stages of the disease, when therapeutic interventions may potentially be less effective. Early diagnosis is associated with improved outcomes, supporting best practice recommendations that asymptomatic patients in high-risk populations such as systemic sclerosis or carriers of a PAH-causing mutation should be offered periodic screening for PAH. An evidence-based algorithm for screening systemic sclerosis-associated PAH is now available based on the DETECT study. A multimodal approach using Doppler echocardiography, lung function testing, and B-type natriuretic peptides improves screening accuracy but at the expense of higher health care costs. Patients with abnormal hemodynamics but who do not meet definition for diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (such as mean pulmonary artery pressure between 21 and 24 mm Hg) should be closely followed up given their increased risk of progression to PAH. This review summarizes the current approach to screening for PAH and discusses areas of uncertainties that require further research.

Abstract 382: Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a Pathogenic Mediator of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Xue
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Cyclophilin A ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
Tunel Staining ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Rationale: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease in which oxidative stress has been proposed to mediate pathological changes to the pulmonary vasculature such as endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis, endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, and inflammation. Our previous study showed that cyclophilin A (CypA) was secreted from EC and VSMC in response to oxidative stress, and much of the secreted CypA was acetylated (AcK-CypA). Furthermore, CypA was increased in the plasma of patients with PAH. Objective: To evaluate the cell- s pecific role of CypA in PAH and compare the relative effects of AcK-CypA and CypA on EC apoptosis, development of an inflammatory EC phenotype and EndMT. Methods and Results: Transgenic overexpression of CypA in EC, but not SMC, caused a PAH phenotype including increased pulmonary artery pressure, α-smooth muscle actin expression in small arteries, and CD45 positive cells in the lungs. Mechanistic analysis using cultured mouse lung microvascular EC showed that CypA and AcK-CypA increased apoptosis measured by caspase 3 cleavage and TUNEL staining. MM284, a specific inhibitor of extracellular CypA, prevented EC apoptosis. In addition, CypA and AcK-CypA promoted an EC inflammatory phenotype assessed by increased VCAM1 and ICAM1 expression, phosphorylation of p65, and degradation of IkB. Furthermore, CypA and AcK-CypA promoted EndMT assayed by change in cell morphology, increased mesenchymal markers and EndMT related transcription factors. At all concentrations, AcK-CypA stimulated greater increases in apoptosis, inflammation and EndMT than CypA. Conclusions: EC-derived CypA (especially AcK-CypA) causes PAH by a presumptive mechanism involving increased EC apoptosis, inflammation and EndMT. Our results suggest that inhibiting extracellular secreted CypA is a novel therapeutic approach for PAH.

scholarly journals Novel Therapeutic Approaches of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (02) ◽  
pp. 112-117
Author(s):  
Sanjay Tyagi ◽  
Vishal Batra
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Endothelin Receptors ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Uncommon Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Novel Therapeutic

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an uncommon disease characterized progressive remodeling of pulmonary vasculature. Although treatment for PAH have improved in last two decades but the outcome remains fatal. Currently, the therapies for PAH target three well-established pathways the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, endothelin receptors, and prostanoids. There are multiple potential targets for development of newer drugs in PAH which requires meticulous research and clinical trials.

scholarly journals Echocardiography and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Bossone ◽  
Rodolfo Citro ◽  
Alberto Ruggiero ◽  
Bettina Kuersten ◽  
Giovanni Gregorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Pulmonary Arteries ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is an heterogeneous condition brought on by a wide range of causes. It is characterized by structural changes in small pulmonary arteries, that produce a progressive increase in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, ultimately leading to right ventricle failure and death. Given the non-specific nature of its early symptoms and signs, PAH is often diagnosed in its advanced stages. Along with a careful clinical assessment and an accurate electrocardiogram/Chest X-ray interpretation, echocardiography is an essential test in the evaluation of patient with PAH. In fact it not only provides an accurate estimate of pulmonary pressure at rest and during exercise, but may also help to exclude any secondary causes, predict the prognosis, monitor the efficacy of specific therapeutic interventions and detect the preclinical stage of the disease.

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