Activation of Central Angiotensin Type 2 Receptors Suppresses Norepinephrine Excretion and Blood Pressure in Conscious Rats

Abstract Aims These studies evaluate whether angiotensin type-2 receptors (AT2Rs) that are expressed on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) represent a novel endogenous blood pressure-lowering mechanism. Methods and results Experiments combined advanced genetic and neuroanatomical techniques, pharmacology, electrophysiology, and optogenetics in mice to define the structure and cardiovascular-related function of NTS neurons that contain AT2R. Using mice with Cre-recombinase directed to the AT2R gene, we discovered that optogenetic stimulation of AT2R-expressing neurons in the NTS increases GABA release and blood pressure. To evaluate the role of the receptor, per se, in cardiovascular regulation, we chronically delivered C21, a selective AT2R agonist, into the brains of normotensive mice and found that central AT2R activation reduces GABA-related gene expression and blunts the pressor responses induced by optogenetic excitation of NTS AT2R neurons. Next, using in situ hybridization, we found that the levels of Agtr2 mRNAs in GABAergic NTS neurons rise during experimentally induced hypertension, and we hypothesized that this increased expression may be exploited to ameliorate the disease. Consistent with this, final experiments revealed that central administration of C21 attenuates hypertension, an effect that is abolished in mice lacking AT2R in GABAergic NTS neurons. Conclusion These studies unveil novel hindbrain circuits that maintain arterial blood pressure, and reveal a specific population of AT2R that can be engaged to alleviate hypertension. The implication is that these discrete receptors may serve as an access point for activating an endogenous depressor circuit.

Download Full-text

Activation of angiotensin type 2 receptor attenuates testosterone-induced hypertension and uterine vascular resistance in pregnant rats

Biology of Reproduction ◽

10.1093/biolre/ioab051 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jay S Mishra ◽

Sathish Kumar

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Uterine Artery ◽

Artery Blood Flow ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor ◽

Enos Protein ◽

Angiotensin Type

Abstract Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder with unclear mechanisms. While hypersensitivity to angiotensin II via vasoconstrictive angiotensin type-1 receptor (AT1R) is observed in preeclampsia, the importance of vasodilatory angiotensin type-2 receptor (AT2R) in the control of vascular dysfunction is less clear. We assessed whether AT1R, AT2R and eNOS expression is altered in placental vessels of preeclamptic women and tested if ex vivo incubation with AT2R agonist Compound 21 (C21; 1 μM) could restore AT1R, AT2R and eNOS balance. Further, using a rat model of gestational hypertension induced by elevated testosterone, we examined whether C21 (1 μg·kg−1·day−1, oral) could preserve AT1R and AT2R balance and improve blood pressure, uterine artery blood flow, and vascular function. Western blots revealed that AT1R protein level was higher while AT2R and eNOS protein were reduced in preeclamptic placental vessels, and AT2R agonist C21 decreased AT1R and increased AT2R and eNOS protein levels in preeclamptic vessels. In testosterone-dams, blood pressure was higher, and uterine artery blood flow was reduced, and C21 treatment reversed these levels similar to those in controls dams. C21 attenuated the exaggerated Ang II contraction and improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in uterine arteries of testosterone-dams. These C21-mediated vascular effects were associated with decreased AT1R and increased AT2R and eNOS protein levels. C21 also increased serum nitrate/nitrite and bradykinin production in testosterone-dams and attenuated the feto-placental growth restriction. Thus, AT1R upregulation and AT2R downregulation is observed in preeclampsia and testosterone-model, and increasing AT2R activity could help restore AT1R and AT2R balance and improve gestational vascular function.

Download Full-text

Abstract 081: Reporter Mouse Strain Provides a Novel Look at Angiotensin Type-2 Receptor Distribution in Central Nervous System Cardiovascular Control Centers

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.64.suppl_1.081 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Annette D de Kloet ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Jacob A Ludin ◽

Helmut Hiller ◽

Justin A Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Fluid Balance ◽

Hypothalamic Nucleus ◽

Reporter Mouse ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Egfp Reporter ◽

Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor ◽

The Brain ◽

Angiotensin Type

It is established that angiotensin-II acts at its type-1 receptor (AT1R) in the brain to increase sympathetic outflow and blood pressure, and modulate fluid balance. However, the role of the angiotensin type-2 receptor (AT2R) in the neural control of these processes has received far less attention, largely because of an inability to effectively localize these receptors at a cellular level in the brain. The present studies combine the use of a bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic AT2R-eGFP reporter mouse with recent advances in in situ hybridization (ISH) to circumvent this obstacle. Dual IHC/ ISH studies validated the AT2R-eGFP reporter mice by determining that eGFP and AT2R mRNA were highly co-localized within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS; 98.0 ± 0.18 %; 125 ± 3.6 of 127 ± 3.9 cells; n = 4). Analysis of eGFP immunoreactivity in the brain revealed localization to neurons within nuclei that regulate blood pressure and fluid balance (e.g., NTS and median preoptic nucleus [MnPO]). Additional IHC/ISH studies uncovered the phenotype of specific AT2R-eGFP cells. For example, within the NTS, AT2R-eGFP neurons primarily express glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GABAergic; 80 ± 2.8 %; 225 ± 12.5 of 280 ± 8.4 cells; n = 4), while only a subset express vesicular glutamate transporter-2 (glutamatergic; 18.2 ± 2.9 %; 50.8 ± 7.7 of 280 ± 8.4 cells) or AT1R (8.7 ± 1.0 %; 22 ± 2.2 of 256 ± 11.7 cells). No co-localization was observed with tyrosine hydroxylase in the NTS. Although AT2R-eGFP neurons were not observed within the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), eGFP was localized to efferents terminating in the PVN and to GABAergic neurons surrounding this nucleus. Retrograde neuronal tract tracing studies revealed that many eGFP-positive efferents to the PVN arise from neurons in the MnPO. Based on these neuroanatomical results, we hypothesized that activation of central AT2R would decrease blood pressure. Consistent with this hypothesis, chronic administration of the selective AT2R agonist, compound 21 (7.5 ng/h into the lateral cerebral ventricle) reduced baseline mean arterial blood pressure relative to control mice (103 ± 1.65 v. 110 ± 1.70 mmHg; n = 16; p = 0.02). These studies demonstrate that central AT2R are positioned to regulate blood pressure.

Download Full-text

Abstract 476: Renal AT2 Receptor Activation Prevents Sodium Retention And Lowers Blood Pressure In Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.64.suppl_1.476 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shetal H Padia ◽

Nancy L Howell ◽

Brandon A Kemp ◽

John J Gildea ◽

Susanna R Keller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Receptor Activation ◽

Pressure Probe ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Induced Hypertension ◽

Group 5 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Angiotensin Type

A major proposed mechanism for the initiation of hypertension involves a primary increase in renal tubular sodium (Na+) reabsorption. Activation of intrarenal angiotensin type-2 receptors (AT2R) increases Na+ excretion; however, the role of intrarenal angiotensin type-2 receptors (AT2R) in the development of hypertension is unknown. Sprague-Dawley rats (N=36) underwent uninephrectomy and telemetric blood pressure probe implantation. Following a 72h recovery, two osmotic minipumps were inserted in each rat, one for chronic systemic delivery of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) or angiotensin II (Ang II, 200 ng/kg/min), and one for chronic intrarenal delivery of D5W (0.25 μL/h x 7d), highly selective AT2R agonist Compound 21 (C-21; 60 ng/kg/min x 7d), or specific AT2R antagonist PD-1223319 (PD; 10 ng/kg/min x 7d). Five groups of rats were studied: Group 1 (Control; N=10): systemic D5W + intrarenal D5W; Group 2 (Ang II-induced hypertension; N=8): systemic Ang II + intrarenal D5W; Group 3 (N=6): systemic Ang II + intrarenal C-21; Group 4 (N=6): systemic Ang II + 48h lead-in intrarenal C-21; Group 5 (N=6): systemic Ang II + intrarenal PD. Systemic Ang II infusion increased mean systolic blood pressure from 126±5 to 190±3 mm Hg over a 7d period in Group 2 (ANOVA F=73; P<1 X 10-6). Intrarenal administration of AT2R agonist C-21 (Groups 3 and 4) markedly inhibited the pressor effect of systemic Ang II (P<0.0001). Intrarenal AT2R antagonist PD (Group 5) augmented the pressor action of Ang II (P<0.0001). Consecutive 24h urinary Na+ excretion (UNaV) was reduced from 0.95±0.04 to 0.34±0.07 μmol/min (P<0.0001) on day 1 of Ang II infusion; Ang II-induced antinatriuresis was inhibited by intrarenal C-21 (P<0.0001) and augmented by intrarenal PD (P<0.0001) during the entire 7d infusion, demonstrating that one of the mechanisms to prevent Ang II-induced hypertension during intrarenal AT2R activation is the abolition of the initial increase in Na+ reabsorption that triggers the hypertensive cascade in this model. Thus, renal AT2Rs represent a novel therapeutic target for the prevention of hypertension.

Download Full-text