Alterations in Mitochondrial Function in Pulmonary Vascular Diseases

TL;DR

The study finds that mitochondrial function is altered in all types of pulmonary hypertension, with unique changes in a specific group linked to survival outcomes.

Contribution

The study identifies a unique mitochondrial phenotype in group 1 PAH associated with fatty acid metabolism and survival.

Findings

Global arginine bioavailability is consistently lower in all PH groups compared to controls.

Mitochondrial superoxide is higher in group 1 PAH and lowest in group 3.

Lower transmembrane potential in group 1 PAH is associated with transplant-free survival.

Abstract

Alterations of mitochondrial bioenergetics and arginine metabolism are universally present and mechanistically linked to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but there is little knowledge of arginine metabolism and mitochondrial functions across the different pulmonary hypertension (PH) groups. We hypothesize that abnormalities in mitochondrial functions are present across all PH groups and associated with clinical phenotypes. We test the hypothesis in PH patients and healthy controls from the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Phenomics Program cohort, who had comprehensive clinical phenotyping and follow-up for at least 4 years for death or transplant status. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential, superoxide production, and mass were measured by flow cytometry in fresh platelets. Metabolomics analysis was performed on plasma samples. Global arginine bioavailability was calculated as the ratio of arginine/(ornithine+citrulline).

Global arginine bioavailability is consistently lower than controls in all PH groups. Although the mitochondrial mass is similar across all PH groups and controls, superoxide production and transmembrane potential vary across groups. Mitochondrial superoxide is higher in group 1 PAH and lowest in group 3 compared with other groups, while transmembrane potential is lower in group 1 PAH than controls or group 3. The alterations in mitochondrial functions of group 1 PAH are associated with changes in fatty acid metabolism. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential in group 1 PAH is associated with transplant-free survival.

While alterations in mitochondrial function are found in all PH groups, group 1 PAH has a unique mitochondrial phenotype with greater superoxide and lower transmembrane potential linked to fatty acid metabolism, and clinically to survival. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 42, 361–377.

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