Kondababu Kurakula, Quint A. J. Hagdorn, Diederik E. van der Feen, Anton Vonk Noordegraaf, Peter ten Dijke, Rudolf A. de Boer, Harm Jan Bogaard, Marie José Goumans, Rolf M. F. Berger
Leiden University Medical Center. University of Groningen and Beatrix Children’s Hospital. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen.
Netherlands
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis 2022; 25: 99-112
DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09812-7
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease, characterized by obstructive pulmonary vascular remodelling ultimately leading to right ventricular (RV) failure and death. Disturbed transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling, endothelial cell dysfunction, increased proliferation of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, and inflammation contribute to this abnormal remodelling. Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 has been identified as a critical driver of proliferation and inflammation in vascular cells, but its role in the disturbed TGF-β/BMP signalling, endothelial cell dysfunction, and vascular remodelling in PAH is unknown. Here, we report that Pin1 expression is increased in cultured pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) and lung tissue of PAH patients. Pin1 inhibitor, juglone significantly decreased TGF-β signalling, increased BMP signalling, normalized their hyper-proliferative, and inflammatory phenotype. Juglone treatment reversed vascular remodelling through reducing TGF-β signalling in monocrotaline + shunt-PAH rat model. Juglone treatment decreased Fulton index, but did not affect or harm cardiac function and remodelling in rats with RV pressure load induced by pulmonary artery banding. Our study demonstrates that inhibition of Pin1 reversed the PAH phenotype in PAH MVECs in vitro and in PAH rats in vivo, potentially through modulation of TGF-β/BMP signalling pathways. Selective inhibition of Pin1 could be a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of PAH.
Category
Animal Models of Pulmonary Vascular Disease and Therapy
Vascular Cell Biology and Mechanisms of Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Age Focus: No Age-Related Focus
Fresh or Filed Publication: Filed (PHiled). Greater than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes