Irina Petrache MD

@irinapetrache.bsky.social

Physician scientist, chief PCCSM National Jewish Health, Prof University of Colorado PSCCM, ATS President.

An excellent review on endothelial cell subtypes, novel pathways, and mechanisms that contribute to aberrant pulmonary vascular remodeling by Massad et al, with @irinapetrache.bsky.social @timlahm.bsky.social @cu-psccm.bsky.social 🧪 journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1...

Lung Endothelial Cell Heterogeneity in Health and Pulmonary Vascular Disease | American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Lung endothelial cells (ECs) are essential for maintaining organ function and homeostasis. Despite sharing some common features with ECs from organ systems, lung ECs exhibit significant heterogeneity in morphology, function, and gene expression. This heterogeneity is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the development of pulmonary diseases like pulmonary hypertension (PH). In this mini-review, we explore the evolving understanding of lung EC heterogeneity, particularly through the lens of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies. These advances have provided unprecedented insights into the diverse EC subpopulations, their specific roles, and the disturbances in their homeostatic functions that contribute to PH pathogenesis. In particular, these studies identified novel and functionally distinct cell types such as aerocytes and general capillary ECs that are critical for maintaining lung function in health and disease. In addition, multiple novel pathways and mechanisms have been identified that contribute to aberrant pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH. Emerging techniques like single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics have further pushed the field forward by discovering novel disease mediators. As research continues to leverage these advanced techniques, the field is poised to uncover novel EC subtypes and disease mechanisms, paving the way for new therapeutic targets in PH and other lung diseases.

journals.physiology.org

ABC, NBC & CBS dedicated about 16 minutes of airtime last night to the California wildfires without once mentioning climate change. Since the news failed do it's job, here's a short summary of the role of climate change and wildfire risk: www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfir...

Wildfire climate connection

Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States during the last ...

noaa.gov