TdTomato Transgenic Reporter Rat Reveals Endothelial-Specific Changes in Progression of PAH

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and elevated pulmonary artery pressure, leading to right heart failure. Vasoconstriction and complex vascular remodeling contribute to progressive vasculopathy. The Sugen‐hypoxia (SuHx) protocol generates arterial pathology in rats that recapitulates key features of PAH including vascular remodeling. Previously, a transgenic rat with endothelial cell‐specific tdTomato expression was developed. This study aims to demonstrate the application of this transgenic rat as a novel tool for assessing the role of the pulmonary vascular endothelium in occlusive remodeling in PAH.