scholarly journals A new mechanism for the sex differences in angiotensin II-induced hypertension: the role of macula densa NOS1β-mediated tubuloglomerular feedback

2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (5) ◽  
pp. F908-F919
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Larry Qu ◽  
Jin Wei ◽  
Shan Jiang ◽  
Lan Xu ◽  
...  

Females are protected against the development of angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertension compared with males, but the mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we hypothesized that the effect of ANG II on the macula densa nitric oxide (NO) synthase 1β (NOS1β)-mediated tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) mechanism is different between males and females, thereby contributing to the sexual dimorphism of ANG II-induced hypertension. We used microperfusion, micropuncture, clearance of FITC-inulin, and radio telemetry to examine the sex differences in the changes of macula densa NOS1β expression and activity, TGF response, natriuresis, and blood pressure (BP) after a 2-wk ANG II infusion in wild-type and macula densa-specific NOS1 knockout mice. In wild-type mice, ANG II induced higher expression of macula densa NOS1β, greater NO generation by the macula densa, and a lower TGF response in vitro and in vivo in females than in males; the increases of glomerular filtration rate, urine flow rate, and Na+ excretion in response to an acute volume expansion were significantly greater and the BP responses to ANG II were significantly less in females than in males. In contrast, these sex differences in the effects of ANG II on TGF, natriuretic response, and BP were largely diminished in knockout mice. In addition, tissue culture of human kidney biopsies (renal cortex) with ANG II resulted in a greater increase in NOS1β expression in females than in males. In conclusion, macula densa NOS1β-mediated TGF is a novel and important mechanism for the sex differences in ANG II-induced hypertension.

Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J Fehrenbach ◽  
Meena S Madhur

Hypertension, or an elevated blood pressure, is the primary modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of mortality worldwide. We previously demonstrated that Th17 activation and interleukin 17A (IL-17A)/IL-21 production is integral for the full development of a hypertensive phenotype as well as the renal and vascular damage associated with hypertension. Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein Kinase 2 (ROCK2) serves as a molecular switch upregulating Th17 and inhibiting regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. We hypothesize that hypertension is characterized by excessive T cell ROCK2 activation leading to increased Th17/Treg ratios and ultimately end-organ damage. We first showed in vitro that KD025, an experimental orally bioavailable ROCK2 inhibitor inhibits Th17 cell proliferation and IL-17A/IL-21 production. To determine if hypertensive stimuli such as endothelial stretch increases T cell ROCK2 expression, we cultured human aortic endothelial cells exposed to 5% (normotensive) or 10% (hypertensive) stretch with circulating human T cells and HLA-DR+ antigen presenting cells. Hypertensive stretch increased T cell ROCK2 expression 2-fold. We then tested the effect of ROCK2 inhibition with KD025 (50mg/kg i.p. daily) in vivo on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension. Treatment with KD025 significantly attenuated the hypertensive response within 1 week of Ang II treatment (systolic blood pressure: 139± 8 vs 108±7mmHg) and this persisted for the duration of the 4 week study reaching blood pressures 20 mmHg lower (135±13mmHg) than vehicle treated mice (158±4mmHg p<0.05 effect of treatment 2-way Repeated Measures ANOVA). Flow cytometric analysis of tissue infiltrating leukocytes revealed that KD025 treatment increased Treg/Th17 ratios in the kidney (0.61±0.03 vs 0.79±0.08, p<0.05 student’s t-test). Thus, T cell ROCK2 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension.


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra B Haudek ◽  
Jeff Crawford ◽  
Erin Reineke ◽  
Alberto A Allegre ◽  
George E Taffet ◽  
...  

Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) plays a key role in the development of cardiomyopathies, as it is associated with many conditions involving heart failure and pathologic hypertrophy. Using a murine model of Ang-II infusion, we found that Ang-II induced the synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) that mediated the uptake of CD34 + /CD45 + monocytic cells into the heart. These precursor cells differentiated into collagen-producing fibroblasts and were responsible for the Ang-II-induced development of reactive fibrosis. Preliminary in vitro data using our monocyte-to-fibroblast differentiation model, suggested that Ang-II required the presence of TNF to induce fibroblast maturation from monocytes. In vivo, they indicated that in mice deficient of both TNF receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2), Ang-II-induced fibrosis was absent. We now assessed the hypothesis that specific TNFR1 signaling is necessary for Ang-II-mediated cardiac fibrosis. Mice deficient in either TNFR1 (TNFR1-KO) or TNFR2 (TNFR2-KO) were subjected to continuous infusion of Ang-II for 1 to 6 weeks (n=6-8/group). Compared to wild-type, we found that in TNFR1-KO, but not in TNFR2-KO mouse hearts, collagen deposition was attenuated, as was cardiac α-smooth muscle actin protein (a marker for activated fibroblasts). When we isolated viable cardiac fibroblasts and characterized them by flow cytometry, we found that Ang-II infusion in TNFR1-KO, but not in TNFR2-KO, resulted in a marked decrease of CD34 + /CD45 + cells. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated a striking reduction of type 1 and 3 collagen, as well of MCP-1 mRNA expression in TNFR1-KO mouse hearts. Further measurements of cardiovascular parameters indicated that TNFR1-KO animals developed lesser Ang-II-mediated LV remodeling, smaller changes in E-linear deceleration times/rates over time, and displayed a lower Tei index (a heart rate independent marker of cardiac function), indicating less stiffness in TNFR1-KO hearts compared to wild-type and TNFR2-KO hearts. The data suggest that Ang-II-dependent cardiac fibrosis requires TNF and its signaling through TNFR1 which enhances the induction of MCP-1 and uptake of monocytic fibroblast precursors that are associated with reactive fibrosis and cardiac remodeling and function.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Oliverio Leite ◽  
Xiao Chun Li ◽  
Ruman Hassan ◽  
Xiaowen Zheng ◽  
Barbara T Alexander ◽  
...  

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that there are significant sex differences in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and kidney injury using male and female wild-type and proximal tubule-specific AT1a receptor knockout mice (PT-Agtr1a-/-). Twelve groups (n=8-12 per group) of adult male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice were infused with a pressor dose of Ang II via osmotic pump for 2 weeks (1.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and simultaneously treated with or without losartan (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) to determine the respective roles of AT1a receptors in the proximal tubules versus systemic tissues. Basal systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were approximately 13 ± 3 mmHg lower (P&lt;0.01), while basal 24 h urinary Na+, K+, and Cl- excretion were significantly higher in both male and female PT-Agtr1a-/- mice than wild-type controls (P&lt;0.01) without significant sex differences between different strains. Both male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice developed hypertension (P&lt;0.01), and the magnitudes of the pressor responses to Ang II were similar between male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice (n.s.). Likewise, Ang II-induced hypertension was significantly attenuated in both male and female PT-Agtr1a-/- mice (P&lt;0.01). Furthermore, losartan attenuated the hypertensive responses to Ang II to similar extents in both male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice. Finally, Ang II-induced kidney injury was attenuated in PT-Agtr1a-/- mice (P&lt;0.01). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that deletion of AT1a receptors in the proximal tubules of the kidney attenuates Ang II-induced hypertension and kidney injury without revealing significant sex differences.


2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (7) ◽  
pp. C781-C789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine J. Massey ◽  
Nancy J. Hong ◽  
Jeffrey L. Garvin

Angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulates production of superoxide (O2−) by NADPH oxidase (NOX) in medullary thick ascending limbs (TALs). There are three isoforms of the catalytic subunit (NOX1, 2, and 4) known to be expressed in the kidney. We hypothesized that NOX2 mediates ANG II-induced O2− production by TALs. To test this, we measured NOX1, 2, and 4 mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and Western blot in TAL suspensions from rats and found three catalytic subunits expressed in the TAL. We measured O2− production using a lucigenin-based assay. To assess the contribution of NOX2, we measured ANG II-induced O2− production in wild-type and NOX2 knockout mice (KO). ANG II increased O2− production by 346 relative light units (RLU)/mg protein in the wild-type mice ( n = 9; P < 0.0007 vs. control). In the knockout mice, ANG II increased O2− production by 290 RLU/mg protein ( n = 9; P < 0.007 vs. control). This suggests that NOX2 does not contribute to ANG II-induced O2− production ( P < 0.6 WT vs. KO). To test whether NOX4 mediates the effect of ANG II, we selectively decreased NOX4 expression in rats using an adenovirus that expresses NOX4 short hairpin (sh)RNA. Six to seven days after in vivo transduction of the kidney outer medulla, NOX4 mRNA was reduced by 77%, while NOX1 and NOX2 mRNA was unaffected. In control TALs, ANG II stimulated O2− production by 96%. In TALs transduced with NOX4 shRNA, ANG II-stimulated O2− production was not significantly different from the baseline. We concluded that NOX4 is the main catalytic isoform of NADPH oxidase that contributes to ANG II-stimulated O2− production by TALs.


2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (4) ◽  
pp. F1059-F1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magali Araujo ◽  
William J. Welch

Prostaglandins (PGs), produced by two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX), COX-1 and COX-2, are important modulators of renal hemodynamics. COX-1 and COX-2 are expressed in the kidney often at distinct sites. Thromboxane (TxA2), PGE2, and prostacyclin (PGI2) are the major PGs in the renal cortex of mice. Acute infusion of the vasoconstrictor ANG II increases COX-2-dependent PGE2 and PGI2. COX-2 is primarily expressed in the macula densa (MD), where several PG synthases are also expressed. We previously showed that MD COX-2 products modulate tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) in the rat. Genetic deletion of COX-1 enhances COX-2 production of PGs, decreases renal and urinary PGs, and attenuates ANG II-induced hypertension. The present study tested the effects of chronic ANG II infusion on TGF in COX-1 knockout (KO) mice. Basal TGF was similar in COX-1 KO and wild-type (WT) mice. Chronic ANG II infusion increased TGF in WT mice (WT: 9.3 ± 0.7 vs. WT + ANG II: 12.2 ± 1.6 mmHg, P < 0.02). However, chronic ANG II decreased TGF in COX-1 KO mice (KO: 11.4 ± 1.1 vs. KO + ANG II: 8.3 ± 0.6 mmHg, P < 0.01). Pretreatment with the COX-2 inhibitor SC-58,236 in COX-1 KO mice prevented the ANG II-associated reduction in TGF (11.4 ± 1.0 vs. 11.5 ± 0.28 mmHg, not significant). Excretion of 6-keto-PGF2α, the metabolite of PGI2, was increased by ANG II infusion, whereas excretion of TxB2, the stable metabolite of TxA2, was not changed. ANG II infusion increased mean arterial pressure similarly in both WT and KO mice (WT: 93 ± 2 vs. KO: 92 ± 3 mmHg), but not in KO mice pretreated with SC-58,236 (85 ± 2 mmHg). This study shows that COX-1-generated PGs partially mediate ANG II increases in TGF and that COX-2 PGs offset that effect.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 578-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Jin Wei ◽  
Shan Jiang ◽  
Lan Xu ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
...  

BackgroundGlomerular hyperfiltration is common in early diabetes and is considered a risk factor for later diabetic nephropathy. We propose that sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) senses increases in luminal glucose at the macula densa, enhancing generation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1)–dependent nitric oxide (NO) in the macula densa and blunting the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) response, thereby promoting the rise in GFR.MethodsWe used microperfusion, micropuncture, and renal clearance of FITC–inulin to examine the effects of tubular glucose on NO generation at the macula densa, TGF, and GFR in wild-type and macula densa–specific NOS1 knockout mice.ResultsAcute intravenous injection of glucose induced hyperglycemia and glucosuria with increased GFR in mice. We found that tubular glucose blunts the TGF response in vivo and in vitro and stimulates NO generation at the macula densa. We also showed that SGLT1 is expressed at the macula densa; in the presence of tubular glucose, SGLT1 inhibits TGF and NO generation, but this action is blocked when the SGLT1 inhibitor KGA-2727 is present. In addition, we demonstrated that glucose increases NOS1 expression and NOS1 phosphorylation at Ser1417 in mouse renal cortex and cultured human kidney tissue. In macula densa–specific NOS1 knockout mice, glucose had no effect on NO generation, TGF, and GFR.ConclusionsWe identified a novel mechanism of acute hyperglycemia–induced hyperfiltration wherein increases in luminal glucose at the macula densa upregulate the expression and activity of NOS1 via SGLT1, blunting the TGF response and promoting glomerular hyperfiltration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 1049-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Divorty ◽  
Graeme Milligan ◽  
Delyth Graham ◽  
Stuart A Nicklin

Abstract BACKGROUND The orphan receptor G protein–coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) has been associated with a range of diseases, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure. To assess the potential for GPR35 as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease, this study investigated the cardiovascular phenotype of a GPR35 knockout mouse under both basal conditions and following pathophysiological stimulation. METHODS Blood pressure was monitored in male wild-type and GPR35 knockout mice over 7–14 days using implantable telemetry. Cardiac function and dimensions were assessed using echocardiography, and cardiomyocyte morphology evaluated histologically. Two weeks of angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion was used to investigate the effects of GPR35 deficiency under pathophysiological conditions. Gpr35 messenger RNA expression in cardiovascular tissues was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS There were no significant differences in blood pressure, cardiac function, or cardiomyocyte morphology in GPR35 knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. Following Ang II infusion, GPR35 knockout mice were protected from significant increases in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure or impaired left ventricular systolic function, in contrast to wild-type mice. There were no significant differences in Gpr35 messenger RNA expression in heart, kidney, and aorta following Ang II infusion in wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS Although GPR35 does not appear to influence basal cardiovascular regulation, these findings demonstrate that it plays an important pathological role in the development of Ang II–induced hypertension and impaired cardiac function. This suggests that GPR35 is a potential novel drug target for therapeutic intervention in hypertension.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Roman

Recent studies have indicated that arachidonic acid is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes in the brain, lung, kidney, and peripheral vasculature to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and that these compounds play critical roles in the regulation of renal, pulmonary, and cardiac function and vascular tone. EETs are endothelium-derived vasodilators that hyperpolarize vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells by activating K+channels. 20-HETE is a vasoconstrictor produced in VSM cells that reduces the open-state probability of Ca2+-activated K+channels. Inhibitors of the formation of 20-HETE block the myogenic response of renal, cerebral, and skeletal muscle arterioles in vitro and autoregulation of renal and cerebral blood flow in vivo. They also block tubuloglomerular feedback responses in vivo and the vasoconstrictor response to elevations in tissue Po2both in vivo and in vitro. The formation of 20-HETE in VSM is stimulated by angiotensin II and endothelin and is inhibited by nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Blockade of the formation of 20-HETE attenuates the vascular responses to angiotensin II, endothelin, norepinephrine, NO, and CO. In the kidney, EETs and 20-HETE are produced in the proximal tubule and the thick ascending loop of Henle. They regulate Na+transport in these nephron segments. 20-HETE also contributes to the mitogenic effects of a variety of growth factors in VSM, renal epithelial, and mesangial cells. The production of EETs and 20-HETE is altered in experimental and genetic models of hypertension, diabetes, uremia, toxemia of pregnancy, and hepatorenal syndrome. Given the importance of this pathway in the control of cardiovascular function, it is likely that CYP metabolites of arachidonic acid contribute to the changes in renal function and vascular tone associated with some of these conditions and that drugs that modify the formation and/or actions of EETs and 20-HETE may have therapeutic benefits.


2005 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna CASTOLDI ◽  
Serena REDAELLI ◽  
Willy M. M. van de GREEF ◽  
Cira R. T. di GIOIA ◽  
Giuseppe BUSCA ◽  
...  

Ang II (angiotensin II) has multiple effects on vascular smooth muscle cells through the modulation of different classes of genes. Using the mRNA differential-display method to investigate gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture in response to 3 h of Ang II stimulation, we observed that Ang II down-regulated the expression of a member of the family of transmembrane receptors for Wnt proteins that was identified as Fzd2 [Fzd (frizzled)-2 receptor]. Fzds are a class of highly conserved genes playing a fundamental role in the developmental processes. In vitro, time course experiments demonstrated that Ang II induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression after 30 min, whereas it caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression at 3 h. A similar rapid up-regulation after Ang II stimulation for 30 min was evident for TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1; P<0.05). To investigate whether Ang II also modulated Fzd2 expression in vivo, exogenous Ang II was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats (200 ng·kg−1 of body weight·min−1; subcutaneously) for 1 and 4 weeks. Control rats received normal saline. After treatment, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (P<0.01), whereas plasma renin activity was suppressed (P<0.01) in Ang II- compared with the saline-treated rats. Ang II administration for 1 week did not modify Fzd2 expression in aorta of Ang II-treated rats, whereas Ang II administration for 4 weeks increased Fzd2 mRNA expression (P<0.05) in the tunica media of the aorta, resulting in a positive immunostaining for fibronectin at this time point. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Ang II modulates Fzd2 expression in aortic smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.


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