Novel peptide for attenuation of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension via modulation of nitric oxide release and phosphodiesterase -5 activity

► Peptide therapy attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension and vascular remodeling. ► The effect was found to be mediated by increased NO-release and inhibition of cGMP-specific PDE-5. ► Dual action of the peptide that enhance NO release and diminished PDE-5 activity resulted in sustained elevation of cGMP. ► This novel peptide has therapeutic potential for NO/cGMP-dependent modulation of hemodynamic and structural changes in the pulmonary circulation.