Interorgan Insights: Preclinical insights into the pathophysiology of hepatopulmonary syndrome

In this podcast, author Maïté Verstraeten discusses the recently published review, ‘Preclinical Insights Into the Pathophysiology of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome’. The article examines the current preclinical understanding of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), a serious pulmonary complication of liver disease characterized by abnormal pulmonary vascular remodeling, impaired gas exchange, and hypoxemia for which liver transplantation remains the only effective treatment. Drawing largely from findings in the common bile duct ligation rodent model, it highlights how complex liver–lung–gut interactions drive vasodilatation, angiogenesis, and alveolar dysfunction through inflammatory and angiogenic signaling pathways, while underscoring the significant gaps in knowledge that continue to limit therapeutic development.

Preclinical Insights Into the Pathophysiology of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

Maïté Verstraeten, Wouter Busselot, Sander Lefere, Hans Van Vlierberghe, Sarah Raevens

Comprehensive Physiology 2025 16:4, e70223

https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70223