Genetic and Environmental Determinants That Control Metabolism in Pulmonary Hypertension

The investigators are performing this research study to determine whether having low iron-sulfur cluster levels can cause a disease known as pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH is defined as abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

Usually, small specialized structures inside each human cell called mitochondria are in charge of generating energy within lung arteries for normal function. During situations of disease or stress, lung arteries undergo a change in the function of mitochondria, resulting in the development of PH. In studies on mice, investigators have learned that alterations in the production of specific metal complexes called iron-sulfur clusters are responsible for these changes. This makes it more likely that mice will develop PH.

In this study, the investigators want to find out if alteration of iron-sulfur cluster formation leads to increased likelihood of developing PH in humans.