New insights from murine lupus: disassociation of autoimmunity and end organ damage and the role of T cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harini Bagavant ◽  
Shu Man Fu
Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Ramil C Montaniel ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Matthew R Bersi ◽  
Liang Xiao ◽  
Hana A Itani ◽  
...  

We and others have shown that hypertension (HTN) is associated with a striking deposition of collagen in the vascular adventitia. This causes vascular stiffening, which increases pulse wave velocity and contributes to end-organ damage. Through a screen of vascular microRNAs (miRNAs), we found that miR-762 is the most upregulated miRNA in mice with angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced HTN. qRT-PCR confirmed that miR-762 is upregulated 6.35±1.22 (p=0.03) fold in aortas of Ang II-infused mice compared with controls. This was a direct effect of Ang II, as miR-762 upregulation was not eliminated by lowering blood pressure with hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide and was increased only 2-fold in DOCA salt HTN. To study the role of miR-762 in HTN, we administered a locked nucleic acid inhibitor of miR-762 (antagomiR-762). AntagomiR-762 administration did not alter the hypertensive response to Ang II, yet it normalized stress-strain relationships and aortic energy storage that occurs in systole (Table). Further studies showed that antagomiR-762 dramatically affected vascular matrix proteins, reducing mRNA for several collagens and fibronectin and dramatically upregulating collagenases MMP1a, 8 and 13 (Table). Thus, miR-762 has a major role in modulating vascular stiffening and its inhibition dramatically inhibits pathological fibrosis, enhances matrix degradation and normalizes aortic stiffness. AntagomiR-762 might represent a new approach to prevent aortic stiffening and its consequent end-organ damage.


Biomolecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Gorini ◽  
Vincenzo Marzolla ◽  
Caterina Mammi ◽  
Andrea Armani ◽  
Massimiliano Caprio

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) was first identified as a blood pressure regulator, modulating renal sodium handling in response to its principal ligand aldosterone. The mineralocorticoid receptor is also expressed in many tissues other than the kidney, such as adipose tissue, heart and vasculature. Recent studies have shown that MR plays a relevant role in the control of cardiovascular and metabolic function, as well as in adipogenesis. Dysregulation of aldosterone/MR signaling represents an important cause of disease as high plasma levels of aldosterone are associated with hypertension, obesity and increased cardiovascular risk. Aldosterone displays powerful vascular effects and acts as a potent pro-fibrotic agent in cardiovascular remodeling. Mineralocorticoid receptor activation regulates genes involved in vascular and cardiac fibrosis, calcification and inflammation. This review focuses on the role of novel potential biomarkers related to aldosterone/MR system that could help identify cardiovascular and metabolic detrimental conditions, as a result of altered MR activation. Specifically, we discuss: (1) how MR signaling regulates the number and function of different subpopulations of circulating and intra-tissue immune cells; (2) the role of aldosterone/MR system in mediating cardiometabolic diseases induced by obesity; and (3) the role of several MR downstream molecules as novel potential biomarkers of cardiometabolic diseases, end-organ damage and rehabilitation outcome.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey I Dikalov ◽  
Vladimir Mayorov ◽  
Daniel Fehrenbach ◽  
Mingfang Ao ◽  
Alexander Panov ◽  
...  

We have previously reported that depletion Cyclophilin D (CypD), a regulatory subunit of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, improves vascular function and attenuates hypertension, however, specific regulation of CypD in hypertension is not clear. Analysis of human arterioles from hypertensive patients did not reveal alterations in CypD levels but showed 3-fold increase in CypD acetylation. We hypothesized that CypD-K166 acetylation promotes vascular oxidative stress and hypertension, and measures to reduce CypD acetylation can improve vascular function and reduce hypertension. Essential hypertension and animal models of hypertension are linked to inactivation of mitochondrial deacetylase Sirt3 by highly reactive lipid oxidation products, isolevuglandins (isoLGs), and supplementation of mice with mitochondria targeted scavenger of isoLGs, mito2HOBA, improves CypD deacetylation. To test the specific role of CypD-K166 acetylation, we developed CypD-K166R deacetylation mimic mutant mice. Mitochondrial respiration, vascular function and systolic blood pressure in CypD-K166R mice was similar to wild-type C57Bl/6J mice. Meanwhile, angiotensin II-induced hypertension was substantially attenuated in CypD-K166R mice (144 mmHg) compared with wild-type mice (161 mmHg). Angiotensin II infusion in wild-type mice significantly increased mitochondrial superoxide, impaired endothelial dependent relaxation, and reduced the level of endothelial nitric oxide which was prevented in angiotensin II-infused CypD-K166R mice. Hypertension is linked to increased levels of inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-17A promoting vascular oxidative stress and end-organ damage. We have tested if CypD-K166R mice are protected from cytokine-induced oxidative stress. Indeed, ex vivo incubation of aorta with the mixture of angiotensin II, TNFα and IL-17A (24 hours) increased mitochondrial superoxide by 2-fold in wild-type aortas which was abrogated in CypD-K166R mice. These data support the pathophysiological role of CypD acetylation in inflammation, oxidative stress and hypertensive end-organ damage. We propose that targeting CypD acetylation may have therapeutic potential in treatment of vascular dysfunction and hypertension.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (3) ◽  
pp. H368-H374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kala B. Dixon ◽  
Sean S. Davies ◽  
Annet Kirabo

Hypertension is the major risk factor for morbidity and mortality from myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Despite its importance, the pathogenesis of essential hypertension is poorly understood. During the past several years, it has become evident that T cells contribute to hypertension. Activated T cells accumulate in the perivascular space and the kidney and release cytokines that promote vascular dysfunction and end-organ damage. Although dendritic cells play a pivotal role in initiating adaptive immune responses, T cells have taken center stage in studies implicating the immune system in the genesis of hypertension. The mechanisms by which T cells are activated and the antigens involved are poorly understood. We recently showed that hypertension is associated with increased dendritic cell production of the TH17 polarizing cytokines, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-23. This occurs in part by increased superoxide production via NADPH oxidase and protein modification by highly reactive isolevuglandins (IsoLGs). IsoLGs are produced via the isoprostane pathway of free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation and, when adducted to proteins, have the potential to act as neoantigens. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the role of antigen-presenting dendritic cells in the pathophysiology of hypertension and highlight potential neoantigens that may contribute to this disease.


Hepatology ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 798-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Day ◽  
Rumaisa Bashir ◽  
Oliver F. W. James ◽  
Margaret F. Bassendine ◽  
David W. Crabb ◽  
...  

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelika Rose ◽  
Caroline von Spee-Mayer ◽  
Lutz Kloke ◽  
Kaiyin Wu ◽  
Anja Kühl ◽  
...  

An acquired deficiency of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and related disturbances in regulatory T cell (Treg) homeostasis play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Low-dose IL-2 therapy was shown to restore Treg homeostasis in patients with active SLE and its clinical efficacy is currently evaluated in clinical trials. Lupus nephritis (LN), a challenging organ manifestation in SLE, is characterized by the infiltration of pathogenic CD4+ T cells into the inflamed kidney. However, the role of the Treg-IL-2 axis in the pathogenesis of LN and the mode of action of IL-2 therapy in the inflamed kidneys are still poorly understood. Using the (NZB × NZW) F1 mouse model of SLE we studied whether intrarenal Treg are affected by a shortage of IL-2 in comparison with lymphatic organs and whether and how intrarenal T cells and renal inflammation can be influenced by IL-2 therapy. We found that intrarenal Treg show phenotypic signs that are reminiscent of IL-2 deprivation in parallel to a progressive hyperactivity of intrarenal conventional CD4+ T cells (Tcon). Short-term IL-2 treatment of mice with active LN induced an expansion the intrarenal Treg population whereas long-term IL-2 treatment reduced the activity and proliferation of intrarenal Tcon, which was accompanied by a clinical and histological amelioration of LN. The association of these immune pathologies with IL-2 deficiency and their reversibility by IL-2 therapy provides important rationales for an IL-2-based immunotherapy of LN.


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