DZL UGMLC researchers discover a new therapeutic approach for treating pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension affects 100 million people worldwide and is characterized by uncontrolled cell division in blood vessel walls. Current treatment options alleviate symptoms, but the disease is still incurable. Scientists at the DZL UGMLC Center have discovered that transcription factor FoxO1 regulates cell division in the vascular wall and plays a key role in the development of pulmonary hypertension. By activating FoxO1, the researchers were able to cure pulmonary hypertension in a rat model of the disease. This study opens new avenues for the development of treatment options for pulmonary hypertension.
For more information please see the press release from the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim.
R. Savai, H.M. Al-Tamari, D. Sedding, B. Kojonazarov, C. Mücke, R. Teske, M.R. Capecchi, N. Weissmann, F. Grimminger, W. Seeger, R.T. Schermuly, S.S. Pullamsetti: Pro-proliferative and inflammatory signaling converge on FoxO1 transcription factor in pulmonary hypertension. Nat Med. 2014. doi: 10.1038/nm.3695.
