Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Oct 17;19(10):3203. doi: 10.3390/ijms19103203.

Abstract

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterised by multisystemic vascular dysplasia. Heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) is a rare but severe complication of HHT. Both diseases can be the result of genetic mutations in ACVLR1 and ENG encoding for proteins involved in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily, a signalling pathway that is essential for angiogenesis. Changes within this pathway can lead to both the proliferative vasculopathy of HPAH and arteriovenous malformations seen in HHT. Clinical signs of the disease combination may not be specific but early diagnosis is important for appropriate treatment. This review describes the molecular mechanism and management of HPAH and HHT.

Keywords: ACVRL1; ENG; hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia; pulmonary arterial hypertension; pulmonary hypertension.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension / complications*
  • Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension / genetics
  • Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension / therapy
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Inheritance Patterns / genetics
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / complications*
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / genetics