Progress in research of molecular mechanisms of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation

Pulmonary hypertension (PAH) is a common clinical syndrome characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. The pathological changes in PAH include increased vasoconstrictor tone, thrombosis in situ and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation is a hallmark of pulmonary vascular remodeling, and exploration of the molecular mechanisms of PASMC proliferation and intervention of the involved signaling pathways is therefore of great importance for prevention and treatment of PAH. This review focus primarily on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the proliferation of PASMCs.