Functions of serotonin in hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling

In lung vasculature, reversible constriction of smooth muscle cells exists in response to acute decrease in oxygen levels (hypoxia). Progressive and irreversible structural remodeling that reduces blood vessel lumen takes place in response to chronic hypoxia and results in pulmonary hypertension. Several studies have shown a role of serotonin in regulating acute and chronic hypoxic responses. In this review the contribution of serotonin, its receptors and transporter in lung hypoxic responses is discussed. Hypoxic conditions modify plasma levels of serotonin, serotonin transporter activity, and expression of 5-HT1B and 5-HT2B receptors. These appear to be required for pulmonary vascular cell proliferation, which depends on the ratio between reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide. A heterozygous mutation was identified in the 5-HT2B receptor gene of a patient who developed pulmonary hypertension after fenfluramines anorexigen treatment. This C-terminus truncated 5-HT2B mutant receptor presents lower nitric oxide coupling, and higher cell proliferation capacity than the wild-type receptor. Under low oxygen tension, cells increase the transcription of specific genes via stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1. Factors such as angiotensin II or thrombin that can also control HIF-1 pathway contribute to pulmonary vascular remodeling. The 5-HT2B receptor via phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt activates nuclear factor-κB, which is involved in the regulation of HIF-1 expression. A control of HIF-1 by 5-HT2B receptors explains why expression of pulmonary vascular remodeling factors, such as endothelin-1 or transforming growth factor-β, which is HIF-1-α regulated, is not modified in hypoxic 5-HT2B receptor mutant mice. Understanding the detailed mechanisms involved in lung hypoxic responses may provide general insight into pulmonary hypertension pathogenesis.