Researchers at National Jewish Health have identified estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) as a key protector of the right side of the heart in pulmonary hypertension. The study shows that ERα helps preserve the survival and movement of endothelial cells, the cells that line blood vessels.
These preclinical findings suggest that the receptor is important for maintaining the right heart's cellular integrity under the stress of pulmonary hypertension. The protective mechanism appears to hinge on keeping endothelial cells alive and mobile.
Because the results are preclinical, they do not yet apply directly to patient care. However, they point to ERα as a potential target for future therapies aimed at protecting the right heart in this disease.