Epigenetic regulation of insulin-like growth factor signaling: A novel insight into the pathophysiology of neonatal pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Burdened by high morbidity and mortality, neonatal pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening pathophysiological condition that progressively elevates the mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction are recognized pathophysiological features of the disease. Neonatal PH is a serious pathological condition in which persistent PH of the newborn causes hypoxemia and right-to-left extrapulmonary shunting of blood flow, leading to right heart failure and serious life-threatening complications. Recently, the role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of neonatal PH has attracted much attention. Here we provide an update on the ongoing research regarding the epigenetic regulation of the insulin growth factor (IGF)-1/IGF-1 receptor pathway, with insight into the potential regulatory role such regulation in the pathogenesis of neonatal PH.

Keywords: Epigenetics; IGF-1; Insulin growth factor; Neonatal pulmonary arterial hypertension; Newborn.