scholarly journals Renin knockout rat: control of adrenal aldosterone and corticosterone synthesis in vitro and adrenal gene expression

2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (1) ◽  
pp. R73-R77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hershel Raff ◽  
Ashley Gehrand ◽  
Eric D. Bruder ◽  
Matthew J. Hoffman ◽  
William C. Engeland ◽  
...  

The classic renin-angiotensin system is partly responsible for controlling aldosterone secretion from the adrenal cortex via the peptide angiotensin II (ANG II). In addition, there is a local adrenocortical renin-angiotensin system that may be involved in the control of aldosterone synthesis in the zona glomerulosa (ZG). To characterize the long-term control of adrenal steroidogenesis, we utilized adrenal glands from renin knockout (KO) rats and compared steroidogenesis in vitro and steroidogenic enzyme expression to wild-type (WT) controls (Dahl S rat). Adrenal capsules (ZG; aldosterone production) and subcapsules [zona reticularis/fasciculata (ZFR); corticosterone production] were separately dispersed and studied in vitro. Plasma renin activity and ANG II concentrations were extremely low in the KO rats. Basal and cAMP-stimulated aldosterone production was significantly reduced in renin KO ZG cells, whereas corticosterone production was not different between WT and KO ZFR cells. As expected, adrenal renin mRNA expression was lower in the renin KO compared with the WT rat. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analysis showed a significant decrease in P450aldo ( Cyp11b2) mRNA and protein expression in the ZG from the renin KO rat. The reduction in aldosterone synthesis in the ZG of the renin KO adrenal seems to be accounted for by a specific decrease in P450aldo and may be due to the absence of chronic stimulation of the ZG by circulating ANG II or to a reduction in locally released ANG II within the adrenal gland.

1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (5) ◽  
pp. F874-F881 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. el-Dahr ◽  
J. Gee ◽  
S. Dipp ◽  
B. G. Hanss ◽  
R. C. Vari ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to delineate the effects of prolonged (1 and 5 wk) unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) on the intrarenal renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems in the rat. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and plasma angiotensin (ANG) II levels were significantly higher at 1 and 5 wk of obstruction than in sham-operated groups. Also, plasma renin activity and ANG I levels were elevated at 1 wk (P < 0.05), and plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-kininase II activity was elevated at 5 wk (P < 0.05). Blockade of ANG II receptors with losartan (Dup 753) prevented the rise in SBP after UUO and normalized SBP in chronically hypertensive UUO rats. Renin mRNA levels and ANG II content were elevated in the obstructed kidneys at 1 and 5 wk compared with sham-operated kidneys (P < 0.05). ACE-kininase II activity was elevated in both the obstructed and contralateral kidneys at 5 wk compared with sham-operated kidneys (P < 0.05). In marked contrast to renin, total immunoreactive kallikrein contents and tissue kallikrein mRNA levels in the obstructed kidneys were reduced to 25% of sham-operated kidneys both at 1 and 5 wk (P < 0.001). The results indicate that urinary obstruction activates renin and suppresses kallikrein gene expression. Activation of ACE-kininase II by UUO also serves to enhance intrarenal ANG II generation and kinin degradation. The results implicate ANG II overproduction and kinin deficiency in the pathogenesis of UUO-induced hypertension and intrarenal vasoconstriction.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (5) ◽  
pp. H968-H979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeru M. Sharma ◽  
Shyam S. Nandi ◽  
Hong Zheng ◽  
Paras K. Mishra ◽  
Kaushik P. Patel

An activated renin-angiotensin system (RAS) within the central nervous system has been implicated in sympathoexcitation during various disease conditions including congestive heart failure (CHF). In particular, activation of the RAS in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus has been recognized to augment sympathoexcitation in CHF. We observed a 2.6-fold increase in angiotensinogen (AGT) in the PVN of CHF. To elucidate the molecular mechanism for increased expression of AGT, we performed in silico analysis of the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of AGT and found a potential binding site for microRNA (miR)-133a. We hypothesized that decreased miR-133a might contribute to increased AGT in the PVN of CHF rats. Overexpression of miR-133a in NG108 cells resulted in 1.4- and 1.5-fold decreases in AGT and angiotensin type II (ANG II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) mRNA levels, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay performed on NG108 cells confirmed miR-133a binding to the 3′-UTR of AGT. Consistent with these in vitro data, we observed a 1.9-fold decrease in miR-133a expression with a concomitant increase in AGT and AT1R expression within the PVN of CHF rats. Furthermore, restoring the levels of miR-133a within the PVN of CHF rats with viral transduction resulted in a significant reduction of AGT (1.4-fold) and AT1R (1.5-fold) levels with a concomitant decrease in basal renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). Restoration of miR-133a also abrogated the enhanced RSNA responses to microinjected ANG II within the PVN of CHF rats. These results reveal a novel and potentially unique role for miR-133a in the regulation of ANG II within the PVN of CHF rats, which may potentially contribute to the commonly observed sympathoexcitation in CHF. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Angiotensinogen (AGT) expression is upregulated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus through posttranscriptional mechanism interceded by microRNA-133a in heart failure. Understanding the mechanism of increased expression of AGT in pathological conditions leading to increased sympathoexcitation may provide the basis for the possible development of new therapeutic agents with enhanced specificity.


1992 ◽  
Vol 262 (5) ◽  
pp. E651-E657 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kohara ◽  
K. B. Brosnihan ◽  
C. M. Ferrario ◽  
A. Milsted

We investigated whether angiotensin (ANG) II has the potential to regulate expression of genes of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in peripheral and central tissues. ANG II (0.1 or 6.0 nmol/h) was infused by osmotic minipump into male Sprague-Dawley rats (225-250 g) for 5 days, either intravenously or intracerebroventricularly. We measured angiotensinogen mRNA in liver, adrenal glands, and brain (hypothalamus and lower brain stem), renin mRNA in the kidney, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) mRNA in the lung and testis by Northern blot analysis. We demonstrated that plasma ANG II increases the levels of liver angiotensinogen mRNA, decreases kidney renin mRNA, and decreases lung ACE mRNA. Intracerebroventricular administration of ANG II resulted in a different pattern of responses of the peripheral RAS components. Liver angiotensinogen mRNA was increased, and kidney renin mRNA was decreased by both doses of ANG II, whereas lung ACE mRNA remained unresponsive at either dose. Centrally mediated influences of ANG II are most likely indirect since plasma ANG II concentration was not changed. This study has revealed that ANG II has profound diverse effects that influence the regulation of its formation. Further, results indicate that genes of the RAS responded to exogenous ANG II in both tissue- and route-specific ways.


1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (1) ◽  
pp. H144-H148 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nakamaru ◽  
E. K. Jackson ◽  
T. Inagami

Essential components of the renin-angiotensin system such as renin enzymes, angiotensinogen, converting enzyme, and angiotensin receptors have been found in vascular tissues. Locally generated angiotensin (ANG) II may regulate vascular tone by contracting vascular smooth muscle or potentiating sympathetic activity. Recently it was suggested that beta-adrenoceptor-induced enhancement of noradrenergic neurotransmission is mediated by the vascular renin-angiotensin system. The present study was designated to obtain direct evidence for the release of ANG II from the vasculature by beta-adrenoceptor activation. Isolated rat mesenteric arteries were perfused in vitro with Krebs-Ringer solution, and released ANG II was concentrated in a Sep-Pak C-18 cartridge connected to the perfusion system. High-pressure liquid chromatography combined with radioimmunoassay clearly demonstrated the presence of ANG I, II, and a small amount of ANG III in the perfusate. Isoproterenol (10(-9) - 10(-6) M) induced the enhancement of pressor responses to nerve stimulation. This effect was markedly suppressed by propranolol (5 X 10(-7) M), captopril (2 X 10(-6) M), or [Sar1-Ile8]ANG II (10(-6) M). Isoproterenol (10(-9) - 10(-6) M) caused increase in the release of ANG II from mesenteric arteries. The increase in ANG II release during isoproterenol (10(-6) M) infusion was blocked by propranolol (10(-6) M). Captopril (2 X 10(-6) M) also inhibited the increase in ANG II induced by isoproterenol. These results indicate that locally generated ANG II is released from isolated perfused rat mesenteric arteries and its release is mediated by beta-adrenoceptors.


1984 ◽  
Vol 247 (1) ◽  
pp. R15-R23 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Cipolle ◽  
J. E. Zehr

Studies were conducted in freshwater turtles Pseudemys scripta to define some characteristics of the renin-angiotensin system in this reptile. Dialyzed acid-treated kidney extract (1 g tissue per ml water) produced a prolonged pressor response in unanesthetized turtles, which was eliminated by boiling the extract or by pretreating the turtle with [Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II. A rat pressor assay was employed because turtle angiotensin (ANG) was bound poorly by the anti-[Asp1, Ile5, His9]ANG I used in our radioimmunoassay. Kidney extract incubated with homologous plasma (pH 5.5 and 25 degrees C) produced a time-dependent pressor response in rats. The pressor activity of the product was eliminated by dialysis or by pretreating the rats with [Sar1, Ile8]ANG II. The pressor response in anesthetized turtles to ANG I was significantly reduced by captopril, whereas the ANG II response remained unchanged, thus demonstrating the presence of ANG-converting enzyme activity in these animals. We determined the velocity of turtle ANG formation at various dilutions of enzyme (kidney extract) or substrate (plasma). Turtle kidney extract incubated with homologous plasma displayed typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Finally we conducted experiments to determine whether a portion of turtle plasma renin exists in an inactive form. Trypsinization caused a slight increase in plasma renin activity (PRA), whereas acidification to pH 3.3 yielded a fourfold increase in PRA.


1968 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 630-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. Steinacker ◽  
P. Vecsei ◽  
D. Lommer ◽  
H. P. Wolff

ABSTRACT After bilateral nephrectomy, adrenal sections of uraemic rats were incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate glucose solution. The in vitro production of 18-OH-corticosterone, aldosterone, 18-OH-deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone from 4-14C-progesterone, 1,2-3H-deoxycorticosterone and the in vitro production of aldosterone and corticosterone from endogenous precursors were investigated. The biosynthesis of corticosterone from endogenous precursors was diminished, while the percentage conversion of labelled progesterone and deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone remained unchanged. Aldosterone production from endogenous precursors was not reduced and the incorporation of precursor radioactivity into aldosterone, 18-OH-corticosterone and 18-OH-deoxycorticosterone was increased. It was concluded that in the rat, aldosterone biosynthesis can also be maintained in the absence of the renin angiotensin system and that metabolic changes, possibly hyperpotassaemia or a decrease in the Na/K ratio, may have caused a specific activation of C18-hydroxylating enzymes.


1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (1) ◽  
pp. E84-E88
Author(s):  
C. D. Simon ◽  
T. W. Honeyman ◽  
J. C. Fray

The mechanisms whereby the pituitary gland maintains arterial pressure were investigated in rats. The arterial pressure in hypophysectomized rats was 30 mmHg below normal. Saralasin or captopril caused a further fall of 25 and 30 mmHg, respectively, suggesting that the renin-angiotensin system plays a role in blood pressure maintenance in hypophysectomized rats. Growth hormone administration to hypophysectomized rats increased the arterial pressure, but pretreatment with captopril prevented the effect. Plasma renin activity and basal renin secretion (in vitro) was normal in hypophysectomized rats despite a twofold greater renal renin content. Secretory responsiveness to isoproterenol and calcium omission was lower in hypophysectomized rats. It is concluded that the renin-angiotensin system plays a role in maintaining arterial blood pressure in hypophysectomized rats although the responsiveness of the system may be decreased.


1999 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kobori ◽  
A Ichihara ◽  
Y Miyashita ◽  
M Hayashi ◽  
T Saruta

We have reported previously that thyroid hormone activates the circulating and tissue renin-angiotensin systems without involving the sympathetic nervous system, which contributes to cardiac hypertrophy in hyperthyroidism. This study examined whether the circulating or tissue renin-angiotensin system plays the principal role in hyperthyroidism-induced cardiac hypertrophy. The circulating renin-angiotensin system in Sprague-Dawley rats was fixed by chronic angiotensin II infusion (40 ng/min, 28 days) via mini-osmotic pumps. Daily i.p. injection of thyroxine (0.1 mg/kg per day, 28 days) was used to mimic hyperthyroidism. Serum free tri-iodothyronine, plasma renin activity, plasma angiotensin II, cardiac renin and cardiac angiotensin II were measured with RIAs. The cardiac expression of renin mRNA was evaluated by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Plasma renin activity and plasma angiotensin II were kept constant in the angiotensin II and angiotensin II+thyroxine groups (0.12+/-0.03 and 0.15+/-0.03 microgram/h per liter, 126+/-5 and 130+/-5 ng/l respectively) (means+/-s.e.m.). Despite stabilization of the circulating renin-angiotensin system, thyroid hormone induced cardiac hypertrophy (5.0+/-0.5 vs 3.5+/-0.1 mg/g) in conjunction with the increases in cardiac expression of renin mRNA, cardiac renin and cardiac angiotensin II (74+/-2 vs 48+/-2%, 6.5+/-0.8 vs 3.8+/-0.4 ng/h per g, 231+/-30 vs 149+/-2 pg/g respectively). These results indicate that the local renin-angiotensin system plays the primary role in the development of hyperthyroidism-induced cardiac hypertrophy.


1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (3) ◽  
pp. F510-F514
Author(s):  
R. Morishita ◽  
J. Higaki ◽  
H. Okunishi ◽  
F. Nakamura ◽  
M. Nagano ◽  
...  

To investigate the molecular pathology of two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) rats, we examined the gene expressions of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and angiotensin II (ANG II) concentration in various tissues in the early (4 wk) and chronic (16 wk) phases of hypertension. Four weeks after clipping, the brain renin mRNA level was lower in 2K-1C rats than in control rats (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the levels of brain and renal angiotensinogen mRNA were not significantly different in the two groups. The brain and adrenal ANG II concentrations were significantly higher in 2K-1C rats than in control rats. Sixteen weeks after clipping, there was no significant difference in the brain renin mRNA levels in the two groups, and renal and brain angiotensinogen mRNA levels were normal. Moreover, the ANG II concentrations in the adrenals and brain (except the cortex) of 2K-1C rats were not significantly higher than those in control rats. These results show a differential pattern of tissue RAS gene expression in rats during the development of 2K-1C hypertension, which is regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, the data suggest that brain ANG II may be affected by circulating ANG II, but not by the brain renin angiotensin system, and may regulate brain renin, probably by negative feedback through its own receptor.


1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (4) ◽  
pp. F477-F486 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Anderson ◽  
F. F. Jung ◽  
J. R. Ingelfinger

Recent evidence indicates a role for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the pathogenesis of glomerular injury in diabetes. To further explore the RAS in diabetes, studies were conducted in nondiabetic control rats and in moderately hyperglycemic diabetic (DM) rats. In DM rats, both acute and chronic therapy with the specific angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor antagonist losartan did not affect glomerular hyperfiltration or hyperperfusion but selectively normalized the glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure and ultrafiltration coefficient. To determine the basis of intrarenal hemodynamic responsiveness to RAS inhibition, we conducted biochemical, molecular biological, and immunohistochemical studies to assess endogenous RAS activity. Values for plasma renin concentration and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in DM rats were normal. In contrast, intrarenal renin protein content, and renin and angiotensinogen mRNAs, were increased in DM rats, suggesting disproportionate activation of the intrarenal RAS. Total renal ACE activity was significantly reduced in DM rats, but immunohistochemical studies indicated redistribution of ACE in the diabetic kidney. Proximal tubule ACE activity was reduced, but ACE immunostaining intensity was enhanced in glomeruli and renal vasculature. Together, these observations indicate increased RAS activity in those sites (glomeruli and vasculature) most likely to regulate hemodynamic function, potentially explaining the prominent responses to pharmacological blockade of ANG II formation and/or action.


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