ROS and HIF-1α in right ventricular hypertrophy in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) is associated with hypoxia (low oxygen levels) in lung cells. Patients with pulmonary hypertension develop thickening of the right heart wall. We have previously shown that inhibition of a HIF-1α, a protein important during hypoxia, in lung blood vessels prevents pulmonary hypertension, but does not block right heart wall thickening. We propose that HIF-1α is directly involved in right heart wall thickening during the development of pulmonary hypertension. This project will investigate the role of HIF-1α in right heart wall thickening in pulmonary hypertension in order to better understand how this disease develops. If true, then emerging drugs to limit HIF activity could prove useful in the treatment of this disease.