Genome wide expression analysis suggests perturbation of vascular homeostasis during high altitude pulmonary edema.

ABSTRACT:

Background

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life-threatening form of non-cardiogenic edema which occurs in unacclimatized but otherwise normal individuals within two to four days after rapid ascent to altitude beyond 3000 m. The precise pathoetiology and inciting mechanisms regulating HAPE remain unclear.

Methodology/principle findings

We performed global gene expression profiling in individuals with established HAPE compared to acclimatized individuals. Our data suggests concurrent modulation of multiple pathways which regulate vascular homeostasis and consequently lung fluid dynamics. These pathways included those which regulate vasoconstriction through smooth muscle contraction, cellular actin cytoskeleton rearrangements and endothelial permeability/dysfunction.

SUBMITTER: Sharma M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3899118 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature