scholarly journals Activation of a local renin angiotensin system in podocytes by glucose

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (4) ◽  
pp. F830-F839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghu V. Durvasula ◽  
Stuart J. Shankland

ANG II is a critical mediator of diabetic nephropathy. Pharmacologic inhibition of ANG II slows disease progression beyond what could be predicted by the blood pressure lowering effects alone, suggesting the importance of nonhemodynamic pathways of ANG II in mediating disease. Podocyte injury and loss are cardinal features of diabetic nephropathy. Mounting evidence suggests that the podocyte is a direct target of ANG II-mediated signaling in diabetic renal disease. We have tested the hypothesis that high glucose leads to the activation of a local angiotensin system in podocytes and delineated the underlying pathways involved. Cultured podocytes were exposed to standard glucose (5 mM), high glucose (40 mM), or mannitol as an osmotic control. ANG II levels in cell lysates were measured in the presence or absence of inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (captopril), chymase (chymostatin), and renin (aliskiren) activity. The effects of glucose on renin and angiotensin subtype 1 receptor expression and protein levels were determined. Exposure to high glucose resulted in a 2.1-fold increase ANG II levels mediated through increased renin activity, as exposure to high glucose increased renin levels and preincubation with Aliskiren abrogated glucose-induced ANG II production. Relevance to the in vivo setting was demonstrated by showing glomerular upregulation of the prorenin receptor in a podocyte distribution early in the course of experimental diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, high glucose increased angiotensin subtype 1 receptor levels by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Taken together, the resultant activation of a local renin angiotensin system by high glucose may promote progressive podocyte injury and loss in diabetic nephropathy.

2006 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic Lefebvre ◽  
Annick Préfontaine ◽  
Angelino Calderone ◽  
Alexandre Caron ◽  
Jean-François Jasmin ◽  
...  

Lung structural remodelling, characterized by myofibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, contributes to impaired functional capacity in CHF (congestive heart failure). As the lung is the primary site for the formation of Ang II (angiotensin II), local modifications of this system could contribute to lung remodelling. Rats with CHF, induced following myocardial infarction (MI) via coronary artery ligation, were compared with sham-operated controls. The MI group developed lung remodelling as confirmed by morphometric measurements and immunohistochemistry. Pulmonary Ang II concentrations increased more than 6-fold (P<0.01), and AT1 (Ang II type 1) receptor expression was elevated by 3-fold (P<0.01) with evidence of distribution in myofibroblasts. AT2 (Ang II type 2) receptor expression was unchanged. In isolated lung myofibroblasts, AT1 and AT2 receptors were expressed, and Ang II stimulated proliferation as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. In normal rats, chronic intravenous infusion of Ang II (0.5 mg·kg−1 of body weight·day−1) for 28 days significantly increased mean arterial pressure (P<0.05), without pulmonary hypertension, lung remodelling or a change in AT1 receptor expression. We conclude that there is a modification of the pulmonary renin–angiotensin system in CHF, with increased Ang II levels and AT1 receptor expression on myofibroblasts. Although this may contribute to lung remodelling, the lack of effect of increased plasma Ang II levels alone suggests the importance of local pulmonary Ang II levels combined with the effect of other factors activated in CHF.


2008 ◽  
Vol 197 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Gálvez-Prieto ◽  
J Bolbrinker ◽  
P Stucchi ◽  
A I de las Heras ◽  
B Merino ◽  
...  

Recent studies have demonstrated that the rat adipose tissue expresses some of the components necessary for the production of angiotensin II (Ang II) and the receptors mediating its actions. The aim of this work is to characterize the expression of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) components in perivascular adipose tissue and to assess differences in the expression pattern depending on the vascular bed and type of adipose tissue. We analyzed Ang I and Ang II levels as well as mRNA levels of RAS components by a quantitative RT-PCR method in periaortic (PAT) and mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) of 3-month-old male Wistar–Kyoto rats. PAT was identified as brown adipose tissue expressing uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1). It had smaller adipocytes than those from MAT, which was identified as white adipose tissue. All RAS components, except renin, were detected in both PAT and MAT. Levels of expression of angiotensinogen, Ang-converting enzyme (ACE), and ACE2 were similar between PAT and MAT. Renin receptor expression was five times higher, whereas expression of chymase, AT1a, and AT2 receptors were significantly lower in PAT compared with MAT respectively. In addition, three isoforms of the AT1a receptor were found in perivascular adipose tissue. The AT1b receptor was found at very a low expression level. Ang II levels were higher in MAT with no differences between tissues in Ang I. The results show that the RAS is differentially expressed in white and brown perivascular adipose tissues implicating a different role for the system depending on the vascular bed and the type of adipose tissue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (5) ◽  
pp. H958-H970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robson Augusto Souza Santos ◽  
Gavin Y. Oudit ◽  
Thiago Verano-Braga ◽  
Giovanni Canta ◽  
Ulrike Muscha Steckelings ◽  
...  

Thirty years ago, a novel axis of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was unveiled by the discovery of angiotensin-(1−7) [ANG-(1−7)] generation in vivo. Later, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was shown to be the main mediator of this reaction, and Mas was found to be the receptor for the heptapeptide. The functional analysis of this novel axis of the RAS that followed its discovery revealed numerous protective actions in particular for cardiovascular diseases. In parallel, similar protective actions were also described for one of the two receptors of ANG II, the ANG II type 2 receptor (AT2R), in contrast to the other, the ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1R), which mediates deleterious actions of this peptide, e.g., in the setting of cardiovascular disease. Very recently, another branch of the RAS was discovered, based on angiotensin peptides in which the amino-terminal aspartate was replaced by alanine, the alatensins. Ala-ANG-(1−7) or alamandine was shown to interact with Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor D, and the first functional data indicated that this peptide also exerts protective effects in the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the presentations given at the International Union of Physiological Sciences Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2017, during the symposium entitled “The Renin-Angiotensin System: Going Beyond the Classical Paradigms,” in which the signaling and physiological actions of ANG-(1−7), ACE2, AT2R, and alatensins were reported (with a focus on noncentral nervous system-related tissues) and the therapeutic opportunities based on these findings were discussed.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (5) ◽  
pp. H2082-H2089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphne Merkus ◽  
David B. Haitsma ◽  
Oana Sorop ◽  
Frans Boomsma ◽  
Vincent J. de Beer ◽  
...  

The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis by contributing to the regulation of blood volume, blood pressure, and vascular tone. Because AT1 receptors have been described in the coronary microcirculation, we investigated whether ANG II contributes to the regulation of coronary vascular tone and whether its contribution is altered during exercise. Since the renin-angiotensin system is activated after myocardial infarction, resulting in an increase in circulating ANG II, we also investigated whether the contribution of ANG II to the regulation of vasomotor tone is altered after infarction. Twenty-six chronically instrumented swine were studied at rest and while running on a treadmill at 1–4 km/h. In 13 swine, myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left circumflex coronary artery. Blockade of AT1 receptors (irbesartan, 1 mg/kg iv) had no effect on myocardial O2 consumption but resulted in an increase in coronary venous O2 tension and saturation both at rest and during exercise, reflecting coronary vasodilation. Despite increased plasma levels of ANG II after infarction and maintained coronary arteriolar AT1 receptor levels, the vasodilation evoked by irbesartan was significantly reduced both at rest and during exercise. In conclusion, despite elevated plasma levels, the vasoconstrictor influence of ANG II on the coronary circulation in vivo is reduced after myocardial infarction. This reduction in ANG II-induced coronary vasoconstriction may serve to maintain perfusion of the remodeled myocardium.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (5) ◽  
pp. H1791-H1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Zhang ◽  
D. E. Dostal ◽  
K. Reiss ◽  
W. Cheng ◽  
J. Kajstura ◽  
...  

To date, the demonstration that the molecular components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are present in adult ventricular myocytes is lacking. In addition, whether the RAS is upregulated under conditions of overload and myocyte hypertrophy in vivo remains to be determined. By employing an in vivo model of ischemic cardiomyopathy in rats, we document that adult myocytes express genes for renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors. Moreover, renin, ACE, and ANG II receptor mRNAs increased in stressed myocytes undergoing cellular hypertrophy. At the protein level, the percentage of myocytes containing renin, ANG I, and ANG II was significantly increased in the overloaded heart. The number of binding sites for ANG II per myocyte also markedly increased under this setting. These results provide direct evidence of the existence of a myocyte RAS, which may be activated in pathological states of the heart to support myocyte growth and contractile function.


2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (3) ◽  
pp. H506-H515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Gatineau ◽  
Dianne M. Cohn ◽  
Marko Poglitsch ◽  
Analia S. Loria ◽  
Ming Gong ◽  
...  

Deletion of the prorenin receptor (PRR) in adipose tissue elevates systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the circulating soluble form of PRR (sPRR) in male mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet. However, sex differences in the contribution of adipose-PRR and sPRR to the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in key organs for blood pressure control are undefined. Therefore, we assessed blood pressure and the systemic and intrarenal RAS status in adipose-PRR knockout (KO) female mice. Blockade of RAS with losartan blunted SBP elevation in HF diet-fed adipose-PRR KO mice. ANG II levels were significantly increased in the renal cortex of HF diet-fed adipose-PRR KO female mice, but not systemically. HF diet-fed adipose-PRR KO mice exhibited higher vasopressin levels, water retention, and lower urine output than wild-type (WT) mice. The results also showed that deletion of adipose-PRR increased circulating sPRR and total hepatic sPRR contents, suggesting the liver as a major source of elevated plasma sPRR in adipose-PRR KO mice. To mimic the elevation of circulating sPRR and define the direct contribution of systemic sPRR to the regulation of the RAS and vasopressin, C57BL/6 female mice fed a standard diet were infused with recombinant sPRR. sPRR infusion increased plasma renin levels, renal and hepatic angiotensinogen expression, and vasopressin. Together, these results demonstrate that the deletion of adipose-PRR induced an elevation of SBP likely mediated by an intrarenal ANG II-dependent mechanism and that sPRR participates in RAS regulation and body fluid homeostasis via its capacity to activate the RAS and increase vasopressin levels. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The elevation of systolic blood pressure appears to be primarily mediated by cortical ANG II in high-fat diet-fed adipose-prorenin receptor knockout female mice. In addition, our data support a role for soluble prorenin receptor in renin-angiotensin system activation and vasopressin regulation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (4) ◽  
pp. H1675-H1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek P. Singh ◽  
Kenneth M. Baker ◽  
Rajesh Kumar

The occurrence of a functional intracellular renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has emerged as a new paradigm. Recently, we and others demonstrated intracellular synthesis of ANG II in cardiac myocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells that was dramatically stimulated in high glucose conditions. Cardiac fibroblasts significantly contribute to diabetes-induced diastolic dysfunction. The objective of the present study was to determine the existence of the intracellular RAS in cardiac fibroblasts and its role in extracellular matrix deposition. Neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts were serum starved and exposed to isoproterenol or high glucose in the absence or presence of candesartan, which was used to prevent receptor-mediated uptake of ANG II. Under these conditions, an increase in ANG II levels in the cell lysate represented intracellular synthesis. Both isoproterenol and high glucose significantly increased intracellular ANG II levels. Confocal microscopy revealed perinuclear and nuclear distribution of intracellular ANG II. Consistent with intracellular synthesis, Western analysis showed increased intracellular levels of renin following stimulation with isoproterenol and high glucose. ANG II synthesis was catalyzed by renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), but not chymase, as determined using specific inhibitors. High glucose resulted in increased transforming growth factor-β and collagen-1 synthesis by cardiac fibroblasts that was partially inhibited by candesartan but completely prevented by renin and ACE inhibitors. In conclusion, cardiac fibroblasts contain a functional intracellular RAS that participates in extracellular matrix formation in high glucose conditions, an observation that may be helpful in developing an appropriate therapeutic strategy in diabetic conditions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (8) ◽  
pp. F932-F937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Okabe ◽  
Yoichi Miyazaki ◽  
Fumio Niimura ◽  
Ira Pastan ◽  
Akira Nishiyama ◽  
...  

The renal tissue renin-angiotensin system is activated in chronic kidney diseases. We previously demonstrated that intrarenal ANG II is synthesized primarily from liver-derived angiotensinogen filtered through the glomerulus and that podocyte injury increases the passage of angiotensinogen into the tubular lumen and generation of ANG II. In the present study, we tested the effect of cessation of glomerular filtration by ureteral obstruction on renal ANG II generation in kidneys with podocyte injury under two experimental conditions. Ureteral obstruction is known to activate the renin-angiotensin system in nonproteinuric kidneys. Transgenic mice expressing hCD25 in podocyte (NEP25) were injected with 1.25 or 10 ng/g body wt of LMB2, a hCD25-targeted immunotoxin, subjected to unilateral ureteral ligation on the following day, and euthanized 7 and 4 days later, respectively. In both experiments, compared with the kidney in untreated wild-type mice, renal angiotensinogen protein, as assessed by immunostaining and Western blot analysis, was increased in the contralateral unobstructed kidney. However, it was markedly decreased in the obstructed kidney. Whereas intrarenal ANG II content was increased in the contralateral kidney compared with the untreated kidney (248 ± 83 vs. 106 ± 21 and 298 ± 185 vs. 64.8 ± 20 fmol/g kidney, respectively), this increase was suppressed in the obstructed kidney (161 ± 75 and 113 ± 34 fmol/g kidney, respectively), a pattern opposite to what we expected in obstructed kidneys without podocyte injury. Thus, our study indicates that the major source of increased renal ANG II in podocyte injury is filtered angiotensinogen.


2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (3) ◽  
pp. H849-H854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Flavahan ◽  
Fumin Chang ◽  
Nicholas A. Flavahan

Aging impairs endothelium-dependent NO-mediated dilatation, which results from increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The local generation of angiotensin II (ANG II) is increased in aging arteries and contributes to inflammatory and fibrotic activity of smooth muscle cells and arterial wall remodeling. Although prolonged in vivo ANG II inhibition improves the impaired endothelial dilatation of aging arteries, it is unclear whether this reflects inhibition of intravascular or systemic ANG II systems. Experiments were therefore performed on isolated tail arteries from young (3–4 mo) and old (22–24 mo) F344 rats to determine if a local renin-angiotensin system contributes to the endothelial dilator dysfunction of aging. Aging impaired dilatation to the endothelial agonist acetylcholine but did not influence responses to a nitric oxide (NO) donor (DEA NONOate). Dilatation to acetylcholine was greatly reduced by NO synthase inhibition [nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)] in young and old arteries. In isolated arteries, acute inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (perindoprilat), renin (aliskiren), or AT1 receptors (valsartan, losartan) did not influence dilatation to acetylcholine in young arteries but increased responses in old arteries. After ANG II inhibition, the dilator response to acetylcholine was similar in young and old arteries. ROS activity, which was increased in endothelium of aging arteries, was also reduced by inhibiting ANG II (perindoprilat, losartan). Renin expression was increased by 5.6 fold and immunofluorescent levels of ANG II were confirmed to be increased in aging compared with young arteries. Exogenous ANG II inhibited acetylcholine-induced dilatation. Therefore, aging-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent dilatation in aging is caused by a local intravascular renin-angiotensin system. Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/angii-and-aging-induced-endothelial-dysfunction/ .


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (5) ◽  
pp. F930-F937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Wall ◽  
Michael P. Fischer ◽  
Dawn M. Glapion ◽  
Mae De La Calzada

In rat outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD), the mechanism(s) and regulation of H+ secretion are not understood fully. The effect of changes in acid-base balance and the renin-angiotensin system on net H+ secretion was explored. Rats received NaCl, NaHCO3, NH4Cl, or nothing in their drinking water for 7 days. Total ammonia and total CO2 ( JtCO2) fluxes were measured in OMCD tubules perfused in vitro from rats in each treatment group. JtCO2 was reduced in tubules from rats drinking NH4Cl relative to those drinking NaHCO3. Because NH4Cl intake increases plasma renin and aldosterone, we asked if upregulation of the renin-angiotensin system reduces net H+ secretion. Deoxycorticosterone pivalate administered in vivo did not affect JtCO2. However, ANG II given in vivo at 0.1 ng/min reduced JtCO2 by 35%. To determine if ANG II has a direct effect on acid secretion, JtCO2 was measured with ANG II applied in vitro. ANG II (10-8 M) present in the bath solution reduced JtCO2 by 35%. This ANG II effect was not observed in the presence of the AT1 receptor blocker candesartan. In conclusion, in rat OMCD, JtCO2 is paradoxically reduced with NH4Cl ingestion. Increased circulating ANG II, as occurs during metabolic acidosis, reduces JtCO2.


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