Elucidating molecular mechanism of thrombin signaling involved in pathogenesis and progression of pulmonary hypertension

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860632
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cardiovascular medicine
• Research Institution: 独立行政法人国立病院機構岡山医療センター(臨床研究部)
• Principal Investigator: OGAWA Aiko 独立行政法人国立病院機構岡山医療センター(臨床研究部, その他部局等, その他 (40572748)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 肺高血圧 / 平滑筋細胞 / トロンビン / 細胞内カルシウム / シグナル伝達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the role of thrombin signaling in pathogenesis and progression of pulmonary hypertension, we performed the present study by using lung tissues and isolated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from patients with pulmonary hypertension. Protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1), which acts as a thrombin receptor, was highly expressed in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from patients with pulmonary hypertension. We demonstrated that thrombin/PAR1 signaling and its downstream pathways (Akt/mTOR signaling and p38 signaling) play important roles in progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling. These results indicate that thrombin and its downstream signaling pathways may be novel therapeutic targets in pulmonary hypertension.

Free Research Field

肺高血圧