Pulmonary endothelial cells express hemoglobin alpha in pulmonary hypertension, scavenging NO

What is it about?

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction. By doing immunofluorescence staining we show that the endothelium in patients with pulmonary hypertension express hemoglobin. We also show that endothelial Hb α functions as an endogenous scavenger of NO in the pulmonary endothelium. Targeting this pathway may offer a novel therapeutic target to increase endogenous levels of NO in PH.

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Why is it important?

Our findings reveal that endothelial hemoglobin α functions as an endogenous scavenger of nitric oxide (NO) in pulmonary endothelium. Targeting this pathway may offer a novel therapeutic target to increase endogenous levels of NO in pulmonary hypertension.