Research Group: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Right Heart (Group Leader: Dr. Sarah Costantino)

PAH is characterized by constant remodeling of the pulmonary artery by increased proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), fibroblasts (FBs) and endothelial cells (ECs). Such adverse remodeling eventually leads to increased pressure in the right ventricle with subsequent right ventricular hypertrophy and failure. Although inborn genetic variation plays an important role in PAH, several factors including drugs and environmental cues can significantly contribute to its pathogenesis. While much attention was drawn into investigating and developing therapies related to the most well understood signaling pathways in PAH, in the last decade, a shift towards understanding the gene-environment interaction driving the disease occurred. The Costantino lab investigates the transcriptional regulation, cell-cell interaction and phenotypic changes underpinning PAH development. These experimental and translational aims will be accomplished by state-of-the-art molecular biology, conditional mouse models and unique biobanks of PAH patients (Figure).

Figure. Translational approach to PAH

Specific research lines

• Characterize the mechanisms of microvascular endothelial dysfunction in PAH by leveraging a multi-omic approach
• Study the role of epigenetic signals (DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs) in orchestrating transcriptional programs underlying PAH phenotypes
• Investigate the cross-talk among different cells in experimental models of pre- and post-capillary PAH
• Develop novel PAH biomarkers

Research Team

• Alessandro Mengozzi, MD, PhD
• Marialucia Telesca (Post Doc)
• Jacopo Spezzini (PhD Student)
• Valeria Masciovecchio (Master Student)

Funding

• Swiss Heart Foundation
• Gebauer Stiftung
• Swiss Life Foundation
• Holcim Stiftung