Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference

Pulmonary Vascular Disease: The Vascular Niche and its Interactions in Lung Homeostasis and Disease

Due to advances in diagnostic tools and increased exposure to risk factors that impact pathogenesis, the prevalence of pulmonary vascular disease is increasing. Understanding the effect of these factors on the clinical manifestation of different pulmonary vascular pathologies and pursing novel advances in lung vascular and right remodeling after injury will have a significant impact on lung vascular and right heart health. By highlighting emerging concepts in lung vascular and right heart biology and by addressing strategies to improve translation of scientific advances to reduce the burden of diseases of the cardiopulmonary axis, the 2026 Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference will promote scientific advances in lung vascular and right heart remodeling after injury as well as novel therapeutic interventions targeting this, ultimately improving lung vascular and right heart health.

With an emphasis on the integration of basic, translational and clinical approaches, the 68th Annual Aspen Lung Conference (June 9th – 12th, 2026) will focus on answering a central question: Are current advancements in understanding the mechanisms of lung vascular cell dysfunction and lung vascular remodeling sufficient to develop effective strategies for the treatment of pulmonary vascular disease in conditions like pulmonary hypertension, chronic lung disease, environmental inhalational exposures, sepsis, and acute lung injury. To explore this central question, we structured the program into a series of six thematic sessions, each beginning with an opening keynote address:

1. Novel insights into pulmonary hypertension phenotypes and vascular remodeling in the pulmonary circulation;
2. The vascular niche in the pulmonary circulation: Modifying resident cell function to treat pulmonary vascular disease;
3. The vascular niche in the pulmonary circulation: Modifying circulating and recruited cell function to treat pulmonary vascular disease;
4. Understanding cellular interactions in the pulmonary circulation in chronic lung disease and inhalational exposures: Towards a cure for Group 3 pulmonary hypertension;
5. Mechanisms of cardiac adaptation and maladaptation and their effects on heart-lung interactions in pulmonary vascular disease;
6. Current and emerging diagnostic and treatment strategies for pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular disease.

By addressing these topics, we seek to accomplish the following: a) Provide a forum for leading basic, translational, and clinical researchers to exchange ideas regarding the current state of the field; b) Stimulate interactions between scientific fields to identify emerging and shared interests leading to more efficient and productive research; c) Enhance the likelihood of success in translation of preclinical scientific advances into direct patient benefit; and d) Challenge and stimulate the scientific interests of trainees and attract a new generation of early career investigators into the fields of pulmonary vascular disease and right heart failure.

Finally, the varied scientific themes and therapeutic strategies that emerge during the conference will be reconciled in the Conference Summary presented by Dr. Serpil Erzurum, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.