Keratin 1: A negative regulator of inflammation and potential treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

This study by Zhang et al. entitled "Keratin 1 attenuates hypoxic pulmonary artery hypertension through suppressing pulmonary artery media smooth muscle expansion" is presented in a recent edition of Acta Physiologica [1]. Leading up to this research were at least three key ideas: 1) that keratin 1 (Krt1) is considered the gatekeeper of the skin's innate immune response for its important regulatory role of both local and systemic inflammation [2], 2) that inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) [3], and 3) that keratins can promote apoptosis of smooth muscle cells derived from human atherosclerotic lesions [4].