MAPK8 and pulmonary arterial hypertension: In PAH patients, SIRT7 is upregulated in PASMCs, where it activates Akt through JNK.375 Akt activation then stimulates key adipogenic enzymes, including ACL and ACC, promoting glycolysis-dependent adipogenesis, which supports cell proliferation and survival.375 Additionally, Akt is involved in PDGF-induced aerobic glycolysis in PASMCs.180 Hypoxia triggers Akt phosphorylation, which enhances HIF-1α expression.