Research: The research proposed explores the mechanisms of vascular remodeling in chronically hypertensive pulmonary arteries (PA). Pulmonary hypertension is a serious disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Chronic pulmonary hypertension associated with vascular remodeling is characterized by limited response to treatment with oxygen and vasodilators. Improved understanding of the remodeling process would hopefully lead to therapeutic interventions. This proposal examine the role of peptide growth factors in the cellular hyperplasia/hypertrophy and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) production characteristic of hypertensive pulmonary vascular remodeling. Studies will initially focus on insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and later examine possible synergism with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B). Most of the experiments proposed will be carried out in vitro on cells isolated from the pulmonary arteries of neonatal calves, often under conditions simulating those which lead tot he development of chronic pulmonary hypertension in vivo (hypoxia, simulated hemodynamic stress). Considerable effort will be made to relate these in vitro studies to the neonatal calf model of severe chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension developed in this laboratory.
Specific Aims will be to: 1) Characterize the effects of IGF-I on normal neonatal bovine PA smooth muscle cells (SMC) and fibroblasts with regard to cellular proliferation and ECM production, 2) Determine if IGF-I production and/or responsiveness by vascular wall cells are increased under conditions associated with the development of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, 3) Study possible synergism of PDGF and TGF-B with IGF-I with regard to cellular proliferation and ECM production, in the presence and absence of hypoxia and simulated hemodynamic stress. Environment: The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension is under intensive investigation in the Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratory at the University of Colorado in Denver. This is a large laboratory with many very well qualified clinical scientists, excellent equipment, facilities, and technical support, and a reputation for preparing researchers for successful careers as independent investigators. The large academically- oriented Pulmonary Division at the University of Colorado further enhances the environment for career development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08HL002408-03
Application #
3082795
Study Section
Research Manpower Review Committee (MR)
Project Start
1990-07-01
Project End
1995-06-30
Budget Start
1992-07-01
Budget End
1993-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
065391526
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
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Dempsey, E C; Badesch, D B; Dobyns, E L et al. (1994) Enhanced growth capacity of neonatal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in vitro: dependence on cell size, time from birth, insulin-like growth factor I, and auto-activation of protein kinase C. J Cell Physiol 160:469-81
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Durmowicz, A G; Badesch, D B; Parks, W C et al. (1991) Hypoxia-induced inhibition of tropoelastin synthesis by neonatal calf pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 5:464-9