Prostacyclin receptor agonists induce DUSP1 to inhibit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation

This study showed that the p38/DUSP1 negative feedback loop is impaired in PAH, contributing to unregulated p38 activation and PA-SMC hyperplasia. IP receptor agonist MRE-269 increases DUSP1 expression and inhibit p38-mediated PA-SMC proliferation. Future elucidation of the detailed mechanism underlying reduced DUSP1 expression would be informative for PAH treatment.