Marta Gomes, PhD

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure affecting the arteries in the lungs, which has an unknown cause. In PAH, the small pulmonary arteries thicken and narrow in a process called vascular remodeling, where there is increased cell growth, reduced cell death and changes in cell metabolism. These modifications constitute the main disease-causing features of PAH. Our study focuses on WWOX, a protein with diverse roles in cellular activities like growth, death, and differentiation. The absence of WWOX is linked to diseases such as cancer and metabolic disorders. We will determine whether the loss of WWOX may contribute to increased cell growth and metabolic changes in the arteries, leading to vascular remodeling in PAH. Our goal is to understand the role of WWOX in PAH and define it as a target for therapeutic strategies.

Update: We have found that WWOX plays an important role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In patients with PAH, WWOX levels are lower in the lungs, which leads to increased cell growth, invasion, and changes in how cells use energy. These changes are linked to higher levels of harmful oxidative molecules that may help drive the disease. We are now continuing our research in cells and animal models to confirm whether WWOX could be a useful target for new PAH treatments.