Description

"Endothelial Cells in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension" will feature Dr. Zhiyu Dai, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona. 

Description

Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and obliterative pulmonary vascular remodeling that result in right heart hypertrophy and failure and premature death. Besides other cell types that are known to be involved in PAH pathogenesis (e.g. smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and leukocytes), recent studies demonstrate a crucial role of endothelial cells (ECs) in the initiation and progression of PAH. The EC-specific role in PAH is multi-faceted and impacts upon numerous pathophysiological processes including vasoconstriction, inflammation, metabolism, and oxidative/nitrative stress, as well as cell viability, growth. We describe how EC dysfunction and cell signaling regulate the pathogenesis of PAH.

We have included handouts of relevant papers as well as the following link for additional references: https://joeytai2010.wixsite.com/dailab/publications

Biography

Dr. Dai is an Assistant Professor at University of Arizona. He received his Ph.D. from Sun Yat-sen University, China and completed his postdoctoral training in lung vascular biology at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University. The research interest in his laboratory is studying endothelial cells mediated severe pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension and the identification of novel targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The lab is funded by NIH R01, Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00), AHA Career Development Award, ATS Foundation Research Program.