Elastin metabolism in the vessel wall during pulmonary hypertension

The elastic fibre is critical for lung gas exchange and circulation. The compliant properties of elastin provide recoil both to restore normal alveolar structure after inspiration and to maintain vascular pressure in the face of pulsatile flow. Elastin destruction is characteristic of pulmonary emphysema, while elastin accumulation is evident in clinical and experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH). The predominant source of elastin in the …