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Einen Aspekt dieser Arbeit stellt die Analyse der Stimulation von Ratten-Calvaria-Osteoblasten (RCA) mit den beiden Wachstumsfaktoren TGF-b1 und BMP-4 während der Proliferations- sowie Differenzierungs- und Mineralisierungsphase dar. Hierfür soll die Phosphorylierung und Aktivierung von Erk1 und Erk2, sowie von Smad1 und Smad2 mit Hilfe eines Kinase-Aktivitätsassays sowie der Westernblot-Analyse untersucht werden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit soll weiterhin untersucht werden, welche Bedeutung die Wachstumsfaktoren TGF-b1 und BMP-4 auf die Aktivität der alkalischen Phosphatase (ALP), einem wichtigen Differenzierungsmarker in Osteoblasten, ausüben. Enzymatische Aktivitätsbestimmungen und zytochemische Färbung aktiver ALP sollen darüber Aufschluss geben. Weiterhin soll der Gehalt an ALP-mRNA durch PCR bestimmt werden. Ein weiteres wichtiges Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Analyse der Bedeutung von Erk1, Erk2, Smad1 und Smad2 auf die Aktivität der ALP. Dafür sollen Inhibitoren eingesetzt werden. Die enzymatische Aktivitätsbestimmung soll darüber aufklären. Außerdem soll mit Hilfe von kurzen, doppelsträngigen RNA-Molekülen (siRNA) ein knock down der Kinasen herbeigeführt werden und dessen Auswirkung auf die Aktivität der ALP enzymatisch bestimmt werden. Dafür muss zunächst die Wirksamkeit der siRNA auf RNA-Ebene mittels PCR und auf Proteinebene mittels Westernblot-Analysen überprüft werden. Zusätzlich soll die Bedeutung der Wachstumsfaktoren und der Kinasen Erk1 und Erk2 auf die Mineralisierung der RCA analysiert werden. Dafür wird die Menge des zellassoziierten Kalziums und Phosphats experimentell bestimmt, wodurch der Mineralisationsgrad der Zellen wiedergegeben werden kann.

No description available.

No description available.

Signal transduction by transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) cytokines is mediated by an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that depends on the Smad proteins to transduce an extracellular stimulus into the nucleus. In the unstimulated state, Smads spontaneously shuttle across the nuclear envelope and distribute throughout the cell. Upon TGF-β or bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) stimulation, the receptor-activated Smads are phosphorylated, assemble into complexes with Smad4, and become mostly localized in the nucleus. Such signal-induced nuclear translocation of activated Smads is essential for TGF-β–dependent gene regulation that is critical for embryonic development and homeostasis. The molecular machinery responsible for this process, especially how the activated Smads are imported as complexes, is not entirely clear. Thus, I became interested in investigating the molecular requirements for nuclear targeting of Smads upon stimulation. Recently, whole-genome RNAi screening offers a complementary cell-based approach to functionally identify molecules that mediate nuclear accumulation of Smads in response to TGF-β. In the first part of this dissertation, I performed a genome-wide RNAi screen that uncovered the importin moleskin (Msk) required in nuclear import of Dpp-activated MAD. Both genetic and biochemical studies further confirmed this finding. I also investigated Smad interactions with the Msk mammalian orthologues, Importin7 and 8 and validated that Smads are bona fide cargos of Imp7/8. Besides the importin Msk, the screen also uncovered a subset of nucleoporins as required factors in signal-induced nuclear accumulation of MAD. Thus in the second part of this thesis, I focused on how the NPC mediates this Msk-dependent nuclear import of activated MAD. Most of these nucleoporins, including Sec13, Nup75, Nup93 and Nup205, were thought to be structural nucleoporins without known cargo-specific functions. We, however, demonstrated that this subset of nucleoporins was specifically used in the Msk-dependent nuclear import of activated MAD but not the constitutive import of cargos containing a classic nuclear localization signal (cNLS). I also uncovered novel pathway-specific functions of Sec13 and Nup93. Regulation of TGF-β signaling can be achieved not only by modulating Smad nuclear translocation but also by modifying Smad phosphorylation status. Previously we identified a kinase, Misshapen (Msn), that caused the linker phosphorylation of MAD, resulting in negative regulation of Dpp signaling (Drosophila BMP). In the third part of this thesis, I investigated the biological relevance of Msn kinase to Dpp signaling in Drosophila wings. Both over-expression and RNAi studies suggest that Msn is a negative regulator of the Dpp/MAD pathway in vivo. As a whole, my findings delineated two critical requirements for MAD nuclear import: the importin Msk and a unique subset of nucleoporins. For the first time, structural Nups are implicated in the direct involvement of cargo import, providing a unique trans-NPC mechanism.

T lymphocytes are distinguished by the expression of αβ TCR or γδ TCR on their cell surface. The kinetic differences in the effector functions classifies γδ T cells as innate-like lymphocytes and αβ T cells as adaptive lymphocytes. Although distinct, αβ and γδ T cell lineages produce a common array of cytokines to mount an effective immune response against a pathogen. The production of cytokine IL-17 is a shared characteristic between the γδ T (Tγδ17) cells and the CD4 T (Th17) cells. γδ T cells develop into Tγδ17 cells in the thymus whereas CD4 T cells differentiate into Th17 cells in response to antigens in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. γδ T cells exported from the thymus, as pre-made effectors, are the early IL-17 producers compared with the late IL-17 producing Th17 cells. In this thesis we describe how TGFβ-SMAD2 dependent pathway selectively regulates Th17 cell differentiation but not Tγδ17 cells generation. We further illustrate the requirement of WNT-HMG box transcription factor (TF) signaling for the thymic programming of Tγδ17 cells. Cytokine TGFβ in co-operation with IL-6 induces the differentiation of Th17 cells. Conversely, TGFβ signaling also regulates the differentiation and maintenance of CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. The mechanism by which TGFβ signals synergize with IL-6 to generate inflammatory versus immunosuppressive T cell subsets is unclear. TGFβ signaling activates receptor SMADs, SMAD2 and SMAD3, which associate with a variety of nuclear factors to regulate gene transcription. Defining relative contributions of distinct SMAD molecules for CD4 T cell differentiation is critical for mapping the versatile intracellular TGFβ signaling pathways that tailor TGFβ activities to the state of host interaction with pathogens. We show here that SMAD2 is essential for Th17 cell differentiation and that it acts in part by modulating the expression of IL-6R on T cells. While mice lacking SMAD2 specifically in T cells do not develop spontaneous lymphoproliferative autoimmunity, Smad2-/- T cells are impaired in their response to TGFβ in vitro and in vivo and they are more pathogenic than controls when transferred into lymphopenic mice. These results demonstrate that SMAD2 is essential for TGFβ signaling in CD4+ T effector cell differentiation and that it possesses functional capabilities distinct from SMAD3. Although SMAD2 is essential for the differentiation of Th17 cells, TGFβ signaling via SMAD2 is not required for the thymic programming of innate Tγδ17 cells. Among different γδ T cells, Vγ2+ (V2) γδ T cells are the major IL-17 producing subsets. We demonstrate that Sry-high mobility group (HMG) box TFs regulate the development of V2 Tγδ17 cells. We show that the HMG box TF, SOX13 functions in a positive loop for the intrathymic generation of V2 Tγδ17 cells. SOX13 regulates the programming of Tγδ17 cells by controlling the expression of B-lymphoid kinase (BLK) in developing immature V2 γδ T cells. BLK is an Src-family kinase expressed by all Tγδ17 cells. Furthermore, we show another HMG box TF, TCF1, the nuclear effector of canonical WNT signaling, is the primary negative regulator of IL-17 production by all γδ T cells. We propose that the antagonism of SOX13 and TCF1 determines the generation of IL-17 producing γδ T cells. We also show that extrinsic cues from αβ T cells do not affect the generation of IL-17 producing γδ T cells. Using OP9-DL1 culture system, we demonstrate that the progenitors of V2 Tγδ17 cells are the c-Kit+ early thymic precursors.

Einleitung: Osteoarthrose (OA) ist eine der häufigsten muskuloskelettalen Erkrankungen beim Hund und wird definiert durch einen fortschreitenden Verlust der Knorpelschicht auf den Gelenksflächen. Therapeutika erster Wahl, wie nichtsteroidale Antiphlogistika, wirken rein palliativ und haben insbesondere bei der Langzeitgabe schädliche Nebenwirkungen. Bei der Suche nach Alternativen rückten Ergänzungsfuttermittel in den Focus der Forschung. Dabei zeigten mehreren Studien, dass eine Fütterung von Fischöl die klinischen Symptome von OA bei Hunden verbessert. Der dahinterliegende Wirkmechanismus ist jedoch beim Hund nicht erforscht. Ziele der Untersuchungen: Ziel dieser Studie war demnach, den genauen Wirkmechanismus von mehrfach ungesättigten Fettsäuren (PUFA) auf ausgewählte Schlüsselfaktoren der Knorpeldegeneration in einem Modellsystem der caninen OA zu untersuchen. Material und Methoden: Wir etablierten ein Protokoll zur Isolierung von caninen Chondrozyten, kultivierten die Zellen erfolgreich bis zur Konfluenz und kryokonservierten sie für die weiteren Versuche. Um die Ansprechbarkeit der Zellen auf verschiedene Zytokine zu untersuchen, wurden die Zellen über 24 h mit 10 ng/ml Interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β) und mit 1 bis 10 ng/ml Transforming Growth Faktor‑β (TGF‑β) stimuliert und die Genexpression von Matrixproteinasen, induzierbarer Stickstoffmonoxid Synthase (iNOS) und Cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) sowie die Produktion von Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) und Prostaglandin E (PGE) gemessen (4 Spender, N=3). Auf Basis des etablierten Models wurden in einer zweiten Versuchsreihe die Zellen über 6 Tage mit n-3 Eicosapentaensäure (EPA), n-3 Docosahexaensäure (DHA) oder n-6 Arachidonsäure (AA) kultiviert und anschließend über 48 h mit IL‑1β stimuliert. Die Veränderung der IL‑induzierte Genexpression von Matrixproteinasen, iNOS und COX‑2 sowie die Produktion von PGE und NO unter Einfluss der Fettsäuren wurde analysiert (6 Spender, N=4). Darüber hinaus wurde die Fettsäureaufnahme und der Fettsäuremetabolismus via Gaschromatographie überprüft. Um die Wirkungen der Fettsäuren und Stimulantien zu verifizieren, wurden die Daten einer zweifachen Varianzanalyse (AV) unterzogen. Bei signifikanten Einflüssen der Faktoren folgte ein Post-hoc-Test (Dunnett’s Test für die PUFA bzw. ein Bonferroni Test für die Stimulanzien). Die Signifikanzniveaus für AV- und die Post-hoc Tests wurden auf α = 0,01 eingestellt. Ergebnisse: Unter der Stimulation mit IL‑1β kam es zu einem signifikanten Anstieg von degenerativen und entzündlichen Markern. Das Muster der Marker entsprach dabei dem Muster, welches unter natürlichen Bedingungen in erkrankten Gelenken vorzufinden ist. Somit haben wir ein simples und dennoch repräsentatives Modell für die canine OA etabliert. Im Gegensatz zu IL‑1β reduzierte TGF‑β konzentrationsabhängig signifikant den von IL‑1β induzierten Anstieg der inflammatorischen Marker und stellt sich somit als Gegenspieler zu diesem proinflammatorischen Zytokin dar. Die gegensätzliche Antwort der Zellen auf beide Zytokine bewies, dass die Chondrozyten in unserem Modell Charakteristika von differenzierten Zellen aufweisen. Alle Fettsäuren wurden konzentrationsabhängig in die Zellen aufgenommen und metabolisiert. EPA reduzierte die IL‑induzierte Expression von iNOS und die damit im Zusammenhang stehende Produktion von NO signifikant. AA reduzierte ebenfalls iNOS und NO und außerdem die Expression von Matrixmetalloproteinase‑3 signifikant. Auf der anderen Seite steigerte AA signifikant die Produktion von PGE und die Expression von Aggrecanase ADAMTS‑5. DHA hatte auf keinen der untersuchten Marker einen Effekt. Schlussfolgerungen: Zusammenfassend bestätigen die Ergebnisse dieser Studie die in Fütterungsversuchen dokumentierte positive Wirkung von n-3 PUFAs bei der caninen OA und bieten zudem eine Erklärung für die dahinterliegenden Mechanismen. Hervorzuheben ist, dass in dieser Studie nicht nur EPA, sondern auch AA eine positive Wirkung auf einzelne Marker erzielen. EPA scheint von allen untersuchten Fettsäuren die höchste Effektivität zu haben. Eine geringe Dosis an Fettsäuren über einen längeren Zeitraum führte nicht zu einer Akkumulation der Fettsäuren und hatte daher auf einige untersuchte Marker nur eine geringe Wirkung. Insgesamt lässt sich schlussfolgern, dass eine ausreichende Menge und ausgewogenes Verhältnis von n‑3 und n‑6 PUFA als unterstützende Therapie bei chronischen Gelenkserkrankungen beim Hund von großer Wichtigkeit ist. Besonders ein hoher Gehalt an EPA scheint dabei eine hohe Bedeutung für die Effektivität zu haben.:INHALTSVERZEICHNIS 1 Einleitung 1 2 Literaturübersicht 3 2.1 Physiologie und Anatomie des hyalinen Knorpels 3 2.1.1 Feinstruktur des Gewebes 3 2.1.2 Bedeutung der Chondrozyten 4 2.1.3 Aufbau der Extrazellulären Matrix (ECM) 5 2.2 Osteoarthrose (OA) 6 2.2.1 Pathogenese 6 2.2.1.1 Kausale Pathogenese 6 2.2.1.2 Formale Pathogenese 7 2.2.2 Die Rolle der Zytokine 9 2.2.2.1 Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) 9 2.2.2.2 Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) 10 2.2.3 Rolle der Matrixproteinasen MMP und ADAMTS 12 2.2.4 Rolle der Entzündungsmediatoren 14 2.2.4.1 Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) 14 2.2.4.2 Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 15 2.3 Zellkulturmodelle für OA 16 2.4 Die canine OA 17 2.4.1 Ätiologie und Diagnose 17 2.4.2 Therapieansätze in der caninen OA 18 2.5 Mehrfach ungesättigte Fettsäuren (PUFAs) als Ergänzungsfuttermittel 20 2.5.1 Grundlagen des Fettsäurestoffwechsels 20 2.5.2 Fettsäurestoffwechsel im Knorpelgewebe 21 2.5.3 n-3 PUFAs als Therapieoption bei caniner OA 22 3 Ziel der Arbeit 25 4 Ergebnisse 26 4.1 Publikation 1 26 4.2 Publikation 2 36 5 Diskussion 47 5.1 Isolation und Anzucht von caninen Chondrozyten 47 5.2 IL-stimulierte canine Chondrozyten als Osteoarthrosemodell 51 5.3 TGF‑β als Gegenspieler von IL-1β 52 5.4 Fettsäuremetabolismus der Chondrozyten 54 5.5 Fettsäuren als Therapieoption bei der caninen OA 59 6 Schlussfolgerung 65 7 Zusammenfassung 66 8 Summary 68 9 Literaturverzeichnis 70 10 Danksagung 90 / Introduction: Osteoarthrosis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in dogs and is defined by the progressive loss of the protective joint cartilage layer. First-choice treatments, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, act palliative only and are known to have harmful side effects especially in long-term usage. The urge to find alternative treatments moved nutraceuticals into the focus of research. In multiple trials, feeding fish oil improved the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been investigated in dogs. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was therefore to further clarify how polyunsaturated fatty acids affect key factors of cartilage degeneration in a cell culture model for canine OA. Materials and methods: We established a protocol for the isolation of canine chondrocytes, cultivated them successfully until confluency and cryoconservated them for further experiments. To examine the response of the cells to different cytokines, cells were stimulated for 24 h with 10 ng/ml Interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β) or 1 to 10 ng/ml Transforming Growth Factor‑β (TGF‑β). The gene expression of matrix proteinases, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2), the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E (PGE) were measured (4 donors, N=3). Using the established model, cells in the second trial were incubated with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) for 6 days and subsequently stimulated with IL‑1β for another 48 h. The change in IL‑induced gene expression of matrix proteinases, iNOS and COX‑2 as well as the production of NO and PGE under the influence of n‑3 EPA, n‑3 DHA and n‑6 AA was analysed (6 donors, N=4). To verify the effects of the fatty acids and the stimulants, data were analysed with a two‑factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA). When there was a significant effect of the factors, a post-hoc test was performed (Dunnett’s test for PUFA, Bonferroni test for stimulants). Significance level for ANOVA- and the post hoc test was set at α = 0.01. Results: Stimulation with IL-1β led to a significant increase of degenerative and inflammatory markers. This pattern of responsiveness was comparable to the events in naturally occurring OA. We therefore have established a simple yet representative model for canine OA. In contrast to IL‑1β, TGF‑β significantly decreased the IL‑induced inflammatory markers in a dose-dependent manner and therefore could counteract IL‑1β. The response of the cells to the cytokines indicates, that in our model, the chondrocytes have characteristics of differentiated cells. All fatty acids were incorporated in a dose-dependent manner and metabolized. EPA decreased the IL-induced gene expression of iNOS and reduced the concomitant production of NO significantly. AA also decreased iNOS and NO significantly and downregulated the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase‑3 significantly. On the other hand, AA significantly increased the production of PGE and the gene expression of the aggrecanase ADAMTS‑5. DHA had no effect on any of the markers. Conclusions: Taking together, the results of this study add further weight to the beneficial effect of n‑3 PUFAs in canine OA and furthermore provide an explanation for the underlying mechanism. It is of importance, that not only the n‑3 fatty acid EPA but also the n‑6 fatty acid AA could provide beneficial effects on several markers. EPA seems to be the most effective of all fatty acids included in this study. A low concentration of fatty acids over a long period of time did not lead to an accumulation of fatty acids and therefore had a rather small impact on some of the investigated markers. Therefore, an optimal ratio between n‑3 and n‑6 and the adequate amount of fatty acids seems to be of high importance when treating chronic degenerative joint disease in dogs. However, a high content of EPA seems to be particularly effective.:INHALTSVERZEICHNIS 1 Einleitung 1 2 Literaturübersicht 3 2.1 Physiologie und Anatomie des hyalinen Knorpels 3 2.1.1 Feinstruktur des Gewebes 3 2.1.2 Bedeutung der Chondrozyten 4 2.1.3 Aufbau der Extrazellulären Matrix (ECM) 5 2.2 Osteoarthrose (OA) 6 2.2.1 Pathogenese 6 2.2.1.1 Kausale Pathogenese 6 2.2.1.2 Formale Pathogenese 7 2.2.2 Die Rolle der Zytokine 9 2.2.2.1 Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) 9 2.2.2.2 Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) 10 2.2.3 Rolle der Matrixproteinasen MMP und ADAMTS 12 2.2.4 Rolle der Entzündungsmediatoren 14 2.2.4.1 Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) 14 2.2.4.2 Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 15 2.3 Zellkulturmodelle für OA 16 2.4 Die canine OA 17 2.4.1 Ätiologie und Diagnose 17 2.4.2 Therapieansätze in der caninen OA 18 2.5 Mehrfach ungesättigte Fettsäuren (PUFAs) als Ergänzungsfuttermittel 20 2.5.1 Grundlagen des Fettsäurestoffwechsels 20 2.5.2 Fettsäurestoffwechsel im Knorpelgewebe 21 2.5.3 n-3 PUFAs als Therapieoption bei caniner OA 22 3 Ziel der Arbeit 25 4 Ergebnisse 26 4.1 Publikation 1 26 4.2 Publikation 2 36 5 Diskussion 47 5.1 Isolation und Anzucht von caninen Chondrozyten 47 5.2 IL-stimulierte canine Chondrozyten als Osteoarthrosemodell 51 5.3 TGF‑β als Gegenspieler von IL-1β 52 5.4 Fettsäuremetabolismus der Chondrozyten 54 5.5 Fettsäuren als Therapieoption bei der caninen OA 59 6 Schlussfolgerung 65 7 Zusammenfassung 66 8 Summary 68 9 Literaturverzeichnis 70 10 Danksagung 90

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating respiratory disorder that is characterized by a progressive decline in lung function. Originating through unknown etiology, it is essentially an unchecked wound healing response that causes the build-up of excessive scar tissue in the lung interstitial tissue with a heavy toll on the patient’s respiratory capacity. Pro-fibrotic alternatively activated macrophages (M2) have been linked as an important contributor to the fibrotic remodeling of the lung. Previous Ask research indicates that targeting M2 macrophages is possible through the use of the Dectin-1 receptor, a transmembrane cell surface receptor found in high abundance on M2 macrophages. Activating the Dectin-1 receptor through the use of beta-glucan, a ligand the receptor has a high affinity for, initiates a pro-inflammatory response within the naturally immunosuppressive macrophage and can alter its activity to be less fibrogenic. Our data suggest that M2 polarization of naïve macrophages can be inhibited in vitro by beta-glucan microparticles. Additionally, we have found that polarized M2 macrophages adopt M1-like characteristics when treated with beta-glucan microparticles, in a process that is largely Dectin-1 dependent. M2 cell surface marker CD206, increased levels of which are associated with rapidly progressing IPF, shows significantly decreased frequency of expression in M2 macrophages treated with beta-glucan microparticles. Our assessment for cell-specific uptake of beta-glucan microparticles suggests an important role of the Dectin-1 receptor for significantly increased uptake in murine wild-type M2 macrophages relative to their Dectin-1 knockout counterpart. The use of beta-glucan microparticles as a potential anti-fibrotic therapeutic was assessed in the bleomycin model of fibrotic lung disease. Mice given bleomycin and treated with beta-glucan displayed decreased soluble collagen content and TGFB expression within lung homogenate relative to fibrotic bleomycin control mice. Overall, these results provide insight into the use of beta-glucan as a potential activity modulator of macrophage function in IPF and the possibility of its use as a therapeutic. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No / BMP signaling has a crucial role in skin development and homeostasis, whereas molecular mechanisms underlying its involvement in regulating gene expression programs in keratinocytes and fibroblasts remain largely unknown. We show here that several BMP ligands, all BMP receptors, and BMP-associated Smad1/5/8 are expressed in human primary epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Treatment of both cell types by BMP-4 resulted in the activation of the BMP-Smad, but not BMP-MAPK pathways. Global microarray analysis revealed that BMP-4 treatment induces distinct and cell type-specific changes in gene expression programs in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which are far more complex than the effects of BMPs on cell proliferation/differentiation described earlier. Furthermore, our data suggest that the potential modulation of cell adhesion, extracellular matrix remodeling, motility, metabolism, signaling, and transcription by BMP-4 in keratinocytes and fibroblasts is likely to be achieved by the distinct and cell-type-specific sets of molecules. Thus, these data provide an important basis for delineating mechanisms that underlie the distinct effects of the BMP pathway on different cell populations in the skin, and will be helpful in further establishing molecular signaling networks regulating skin homeostasis in health and disease.

Vascular remodelling due to excessive proliferation and apoptosis resistance of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle (PASMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) has been attributed to the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It is an incurable cardiovascular disorder, which leads to right heart failure and death, if left untreated. Heterozygous germline mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR2) have been linked with the majority (~75%) of the familial form of the disease (HPAH). Mutations in the BMPR2 gene impinge upon the BMP signalling which perturbs the balance between BMP and TGF-β pathways leading to the clinical course of the disease. Current therapies were discovered prior to the knowledge that PAH has substantial genetic components. Hence, this study aims to identify novel therapeutic intervention and provide novel insights into how the dysfunctional BMPRII signalling contributes to the pathogenesis of PAH. This work demonstrates that cryptolepines and FDA approved drugs (doxorubicin, taxol, digitoxin and podophyllotoxin) inhibit the excessive proliferation and induce apoptosis in BMPR2 mutant PASMCs by modulating the BMP and TGF-β pathways. Moreover, established drug PTC124 has also been tested but has failed to promote translational readthrough. I have also shown that dysregulated apoptosis of PASMCs and HPAECs is mediated through the BMPRII-ALK1-BclxL axis. Finally, the siRNA screen targeting approximately 1000 genes has identified novel proteins including PPP1CA, IGF-1R, MPP1, MCM5 and SRC each capable of modulating the BMPRII signalling. Taken together, this study for the very first time has identified novel compounds with pro-BMP and anti-TGFβ activities which may provide therapeutic intervention prior to or after the onset of PAH. / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK