Molecular Research on Pulmonary Hypertension: Focus on the Microbiome and Inflammation

Dear Colleagues,

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening condition characterized by vascular remodeling and dysfunction in the lungs. Apart from the BMPR2 mutations responsible for a subset of PAH, various other genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of PAH, including sex, drugs and microbiome. Emerging data suggest that perturbations in gut and respiratory microbial communities could result in chronic hypoxia, inflammation, and pulmonary vascular injury. Whether microbial changes are the cause or the consequence of vascular inflammation and injury in PAH remains to be determined.

Recent culture-free microbiome studies based on high-throughput sequencing and functional metabolomics have and will continue to provide insights into the relationship between microbiome and PAH. Moreover, specific microbial biomarkers have been shown to have promising diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in patients with PAH. The Special Issue invites contributions investigating the molecular mechanisms involving the microbiome in PAH vascular remodeling and disease progression, as well as respiratory and cardiac dysfunctions associated with chronic hypoxia and inflammation. Both original experimental and clinical research and review papers are welcome.

Dr. Lan Zhao
Guest Editor

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