We show that nitrative stress was markedly elevated whereas endothelial Caveolin-1 expression was suppressed in the lungs of Egln1Tie2Cre mice. Treatment with a superoxide dismutase mimetic, manganese (III) tetrakis (1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin pentachloride (MnTmPyP) or endothelial Nos3 knockdown using endothelial cell-targeted nanoparticle delivery of CRISPR-Cas9/gRNA plasmid DNA inhibited obliterative pulmonary vascular remodeling and attenuated severe PH in Egln1Tie2Cre mice. Genetic restoration of Cav1 expression in Egln1Tie2Cre mice normalized nitrative stress, reduced PH and improved right heart function. These data suggest that suppression of Caveolin-1 expression secondary to PHD2 deficiency augments nitrative stress through eNOS activation, which contributes to obliterative vascular remodeling and severe PH.
https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2022/07/01/13993003.02643-2021