Cellular Mechanisms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2025 | Viewed by 40
Special Issue Editors
Interests: vascular biology; genomics; pulmonary arterial hypertension; extracellular vesicles; redox biology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a complex vasculopathy characterized by progressive pulmonary vascular remodeling, elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and ultimately right heart failure. This Special Issue is dedicated to deciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving PAH pathogenesis, focusing on the intricate interplay of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells. We aim to gather cutting-edge research that delineates signaling pathways, cellular dysfunction, and cross-talk contributing to PAH development. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Endothelial barrier integrity and mechanotransduction—unraveling how endothelial dysfunction initiates vascular inflammation and remodeling.
- Smooth muscle proliferation and phenotypic switching—examining the drivers of pathological vascular remodeling and hyperplasia.
- Immune and inflammatory mechanisms—addressing how immune cell infiltration, cytokines, and oxidative stress modulate vascular cell behavior.
- Matrix dynamics and biomechanics—evaluating extracellular matrix alterations and their impact on cellular phenotype and vessel stiffness.
- Epigenetic and metabolic regulation—exploring noncoding RNAs, DNA/histone modifications, and metabolic reprogramming in vascular cells.
- Genetic predisposition (e.g., BMPR2)—assessing how genetic mutations inform intracellular signaling and cellular homeostasis.
- Intercellular Signaling—novel mechanisms of cellular communication, including extracellular vesicles, paracrine, and endocrine factors.
- Diagnostic Biomarkers—molecular signatures of disease, including metabolites, lipids, proteins, and RNA detected in blood or other body fluids.
- Novel therapeutic strategies—investigating pharmacologic, gene-based, or cell-targeted interventions that reverse or prevent vascular anomalies.
We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and methodological papers focusing on the cellular pathobiology of PAH. By consolidating insights across disciplines, this issue seeks to advance our grasp of the cellular underpinnings of PAH and catalyze the development of novel therapies. We welcome your contributions to help chart a more hopeful future for PAH patients.
Dr. David P Marciano
Dr. Saurabh Aggarwal
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- pulmonary vascular remodeling
- endothelial cells
- endothelial dysfunction
- smooth muscle cells
- hyperplasia
- pericytes
- fibroblasts
- monocytes
- macrophage
- neutrophil
- mechanotransduction
- oxidative stress
- cytokines
- extracellular vesicles
- extracellular matrix
- epigenetics
- metabolism
- biomarkers
- therapeutics
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