The serotonin receptor and transporter as potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) results from compromised pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine/5-HT) is one of the important vasomotor agents, and its importance in the pathogenesis of PHT is currently being investigated. In most mammalian species, PHT can result from numerous serotonergic drugs, demonstrating that various 5-HT receptor subtypes and the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) contribute to PHT. Both are therefore potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disorder. This review describes current awareness of the roles of 5-HT, the 5-HT receptor and the 5-HTT in PHT.