Decreased neprilysin and pulmonary vascular remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Studies with genetically engineered mice showed that decreased expression of the transmembrane peptidase neprilysin (NEP) increases susceptibility to hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling and hypertension; in hypoxic wild-type mice, expression is decreased early in distal pulmonary arteries, where prominent vascular remodeling occurs. Therefore, in humans with smoke- and hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling, as in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary activity/expression of NEP may likewise be decreased.

Objectives

To test whether NEP activity and expression are reduced in COPD lungs and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exposed to cigarette smoke extract or hypoxia and begin to investigate mechanisms involved.

Methods

Control an

SUBMITTER: Wick MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3056229 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature