Potential therapeutic targets for hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension

Background Hypoxic pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) as a severe pulmonary disease is characterized by changes of pulmonary vascular reconstruction. Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK ATP ) was considered as one of factors responsible for the proliferation of hypoxic pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Methods Pulmonary artery hypertension was induced in rats with or without 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD). The mean pulmonary artery pressure, morphologic changes, mRNA and protein expressions of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv1.5 channel), were measured. The concentrations of monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) were detected. Furthermore, pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were isolated and cultured with or without hypoxia pretreated with or without 5-HD or/and Kv1.5 inhibitor 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and the proliferation of PASMCs were detected. Results 5-HD significantly prevented the development of PAH by blocking the mitochondrial membrane depolarization, increased the expression of voltage-gated potassium channels, and reduced pulmonary hypertension mediated by TGF-β1 or MCP-1 signaling pathway. Conclusion The MitoK ATP plays an important role in the development of PAH and may be therapeutic target for the treatment of disease.