VEGFA and pulmonary arterial hypertension: SCD-associated inflammation and hypoxia elevate angiogenic mediators like VEGF-A, VEGF-D, PlGF, and Ang-2, driving abnormal angiogenesis, vascular permeability and complications such as pulmonary hypertension (Conran and Belcher, 2018; Eddy et al., 2018; Brittain et al., 2010; Niu et al., 2009; Duits et al., 2006).