Smooth muscle Rac1 contributes to pulmonary hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifactorial chronic disease characterized by an increase in pulmonary artery (PA) resistance leading to right ventricle (RV) failure. Endothelial dysfunction and alteration of NO/cGMP signalling in PA plays a major role in PH. We recently described the involvement of the Rho protein Rac1 in the control of systemic blood pressure through its involvement in NO-mediated relaxation of arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC). The aim of this study was to analyse the role of SMC Rac1 in PH.

Experimental approach

PH is induced by exposure of control and SMC Rac1-deficient (SM-Rac1-KO) mice to chronic hypoxia (10% O₂ , 4 weeks). PH is assessed by the measurement of RV systolic pressure and hypertrophy. PA reactivity is

SUBMITTER: Dilasser F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9305120 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature