Stem cells derived from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension provide a unique resource for studying the molecular defects that cause the disease and testing potential therapies.

The pulmonary arterial hypertension knowledgebase (PAHKB), developed by Vanderbilt researchers, provides a useful tool for identifying PAH-related genes and signaling pathways relevant to pathogenesis.

An inherited lung disease does not appear to have earlier onset and increased severity – a phenomenon called genetic anticipation – in successive generations.

New findings from Vanderbilt researchers may explain why only some individuals who have inherited mutations that increase risk for pulmonary hypertension actually develop the disease.

The discovery of a previously unrecognized and pivotal role of enzyme ASL in nitric oxide production could potentially lead to new therapies for babies with pulmonary hypertension.