scholarly journals Mendelian randomisation and experimental medicine approaches to IL-6 as a drug target in PAH

2021 ◽  
pp. 2002463
Author(s):  
Mark Toshner ◽  
Colin Church ◽  
Lars Harbaum ◽  
Christopher Rhodes ◽  
Sofia S. Villar Moreschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
European Ancestry ◽  
Mendelian Randomisation ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Inflammation and dysregulated immunity are important in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Compelling preclinical data supports the therapeutic blockade of interleukin-6 signalling.We conducted an open-label phase-II study of intravenous tocilizumab (8 mg·kg−1) over 6 months in group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension. Co-primary endpoints were safety, defined by incidence and severity of adverse events, and change in pulmonary vascular resistance. Separately, a Mendelian randomisation study was undertaken on 11,744 individuals with European ancestry including 2085 patients with idiopathic/heritable disease for the IL6R variant (rs7529229), known to associate with circulating IL6R levels.Twenty-nine patients (M/F 10/19; mean age 54.9[SD11.4]) were recruited. Nineteen had heritable/idiopathic and ten connective tissue disease associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Six were withdrawn prior to drug administration. Twenty-three patients received at least one dose of tocilizumab. Tocilizumab was discontinued in 4 patients due to serious adverse events. There were no deaths. Despite evidence of target engagement in plasma interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels, both intention-to-treat and modified intention-to-treat analyses demonstrated no change in pulmonary vascular resistance. Inflammatory markers did not predict treatment response. Mendelian randomisation did not support an effect of the lead IL6R variant on risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension (OR 0.99, p=0.88).Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of tocilizumab. Tocilizumab did not show any consistent treatment effect.

scholarly journals Sex Dimorphism in Pulmonary Hypertension: The Role of the Sex Chromosomes

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 779
Author(s):  
Daria S. Kostyunina ◽  
Paul McLoughlin
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ◽  
Sex Dimorphism ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
The Impact

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterised by an abnormal elevation of pulmonary artery pressure caused by an increased pulmonary vascular resistance, frequently leading to right ventricular failure and reduced survival. Marked sexual dimorphism is observed in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a form of pulmonary hypertension with a particularly severe clinical course. The incidence in females is 2–4 times greater than in males, although the disease is less severe in females. We review the contribution of the sex chromosomes to this sex dimorphism highlighting the impact of proteins, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs encoded on the X and Y chromosomes. These genes are centrally involved in the cellular pathways that cause increased pulmonary vascular resistance including the production of reactive oxygen species, altered metabolism, apoptosis, inflammation, vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling. The interaction with genetic mutations on autosomal genes that cause heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMPR2) are examined. The mechanisms that can lead to differences in the expression of genes located on the X chromosomes between females and males are also reviewed. A better understanding of the mechanisms of sex dimorphism in this disease will contribute to the development of more effective therapies for both women and men.

scholarly journals Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1397-1408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed S. Al-Omary ◽  
Stuart Sugito ◽  
Andrew J. Boyle ◽  
Aaron L. Sverdlov ◽  
Nicholas J. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Pressure ◽  
Left Heart ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to left heart disease (LHD) is the most common type of PH and is defined as mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure of >20 mm Hg and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 mm Hg during right heart catheterization. LHD may lead to elevated left atrial pressure alone, which in the absence of intrinsic pulmonary vascular disease will result in PH without changes in pulmonary vascular resistance. Persistent elevation in left atrial pressure may, however, also be associated with subsequent pulmonary vascular remodeling, vasoconstriction, and an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Hence, there are 2 subgroups of PH due to LHD, isolated postcapillary PH and combined post- and precapillary PH, with these groups have differing clinical implications. Differentiation of pulmonary arterial hypertension and PH due to LHD is critical to guide management planning; however, this may be challenging. Older patients, patients with metabolic syndrome, and patients with imaging and clinical features consistent with left ventricular dysfunction are suggestive of LHD etiology rather than pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hemodynamic measures such as diastolic pressure gradient, transpulmonary gradient, and pulmonary vascular resistance may assist to differentiate pre- from postcapillary PH and offer prognostic insights. However, these are influenced by fluid status and heart failure treatment. Pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies have been trialed in the treatment with concerning results reflecting disease heterogeneity, variation in inclusion criteria, and mixed end point criteria. The aim of this review is to provide an updated definition, discuss possible pathophysiology, clinical aspects, and the available treatment options for PH due to LHD.

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