A04
Origin and fate of vascular myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells during pulmonary vascular remodeling and reverse remodeling
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to lung diseases and/or hypoxia (group 3 PH) is a progressive and life-threatening disease characterized by excessive accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts. In this project we will use multiple genetic tools to carry out in vivo lineage tracing, targeted cell ablation and cell-autonomous gain and loss of function of key developmental genes in the context of hypoxia- and cigarette smoke-induced PH in mice. We aim to explore the cellular origin and underlying molecular mechanisms that govern vascular remodeling and subsequent reverse remodeling, and provide a proof of concept for possible future therapeutic intervention using lung tissues derived from human patients.
