A γGT-AT1A receptor transgene protects renal cortical structure in AT1 receptor-deficient mice

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thu H. Le ◽  
Michael I. Oliverio ◽  
Hyung-Suk Kim ◽  
Harmony Salzler ◽  
Rajesh C. Dash ◽  
...  

To understand the physiological role of angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors in the proximal tubule of the kidney, we generated a transgenic mouse line in which the major murine AT1 receptor isoform, AT1A, was expressed under the control of the P1 portion of the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) promoter. In transgenic mice, this promoter has been shown to confer cell-specific expression in epithelial cells of the renal proximal tubule. To avoid random integration of multiple copies of the transgene, we used gene targeting to produce mice with a single-copy transgene insertion at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase ( Hprt) locus on the X chromosome. The physiological effects of the γGT-AT1A transgene were examined on a wild-type background and in mice with targeted disruption of one or both of the murine AT1 receptor genes ( Agtr1a and Agtr1b). On all three backgrounds, γGT-AT1A transgenic mice were healthy and viable. On the wild-type background, the presence of the transgene did not affect development, blood pressure, or kidney structure. Despite relatively low levels of expression in the proximal tubule, the transgene blunted the increase in renin expression typically seen in AT1-deficient mice and partially rescued the kidney phenotype associated with Agtr1a−/− Agtr1b−/− mice, significantly reducing cortical cyst formation by more than threefold. However, these low levels of cell-specific expression of AT1 receptors in the renal proximal tubule did not increase the low blood pressures or abolish sodium sensitivity, which are characteristic of AT1 receptor-deficient mice. Although our studies do not clearly identify a role for AT1 receptors in the proximal tubules of the kidney in blood pressure homeostasis, they support a major role for these receptors in modulating renin expression and in maintaining structural integrity of the renal cortex.

2011 ◽  
Vol 208 (8) ◽  
pp. 1683-1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Wei ◽  
P’ng Loke ◽  
Xingxing Zang ◽  
James P. Allison

B7x, an inhibitory member of the B7/CD28 superfamily, is highly expressed in a broad range of nonhematopoietic organs, suggesting a role in maintaining peripheral tolerance. As endogenous B7x protein is expressed in pancreatic islets, we investigated whether the molecule inhibits diabetogenic responses. Transfer of disease-inducing BDC2.5 T cells into B7x-deficient mice resulted in a more aggressive form of diabetes than in wild-type animals. This exacerbation of disease correlated with higher frequencies of islet-infiltrating Th1 and Th17 cells. Conversely, local B7x overexpression inhibited the development of autoimmunity, as crossing diabetes-susceptible BDC2.5/B6g7 mice to animals overexpressing B7x in pancreatic islets abrogated disease induction. This protection was caused by the inhibition of IFN-γ production by CD4 T cells and not to a skewing or expansion of Th2 or regulatory T cells. The suppressive function of B7x was also supported by observations from another autoimmune model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, in which B7x-deficient mice developed exacerbated disease in comparison with wild-type animals. Analysis of central nervous system–infiltrating immune cells revealed that the loss of endogenous B7x resulted in expanded Th1 and Th17 responses. Data from these two autoimmune models provide evidence that B7x expression in the periphery acts as an immune checkpoint to prevent tissue-specific autoimmunity.


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (4) ◽  
pp. F1230-F1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Mi Kim ◽  
Christoph Eisner ◽  
Robert Faulhaber-Walter ◽  
Diane Mizel ◽  
Susan M. Wall ◽  
...  

NKCC1 is a widely expressed isoform of the Na-2Cl-K cotransporter that mediates several direct and indirect vascular effects and regulates expression and release of renin. In this study, we used NKCC1-deficient (NKCC1−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice to assess day/night differences of blood pressure (BP), locomotor activity, and renin release and to study the effects of high (8%) or low (0.03%) dietary NaCl intake on BP, activity, and the renin/aldosterone system. On a standard diet, 24-h mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate determined by radiotelemetry, and their day/night differences, were not different in NKCC1−/− and WT mice. Spontaneous and wheel-running activities in the active night phase were lower in NKCC1−/− than WT mice. In NKCC1−/− mice on a high-NaCl diet, MAP increased by 10 mmHg in the night without changes in heart rate. In contrast, there was no salt-dependent blood pressure change in WT mice. MAP reductions by hydralazine (1 mg/kg) or isoproterenol (10 μg/mouse) were significantly greater in NKCC1−/− than WT mice. Plasma renin (PRC; ng ANG I·ml−1·h−1) and aldosterone (aldo; pg/ml) concentrations were higher in NKCC1−/− than WT mice (PRC: 3,745 ± 377 vs. 1,245 ± 364; aldo: 763 ± 136 vs. 327 ± 98). Hyperreninism and hyperaldosteronism were found in NKCC1−/− mice during both day and night. High Na suppressed PRC and aldosterone in both NKCC1−/− and WT mice, whereas a low-Na diet increased PRC and aldosterone in WT but not NKCC1−/− mice. We conclude that 24-h MAP and MAP circadian rhythms do not differ between NKCC1−/− and WT mice on a standard diet, probably reflecting a balance between anti- and prohypertensive factors, but that blood pressure of NKCC1−/− mice is more sensitive to increases and decreases of Na intake.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. E876-E888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Reisz-Porszasz ◽  
Shalender Bhasin ◽  
Jorge N. Artaza ◽  
Ruoqing Shen ◽  
Indrani Sinha-Hikim ◽  
...  

Mutations in the myostatin gene are associated with hypermuscularity, suggesting that myostatin inhibits skeletal muscle growth. We postulated that increased tissue-specific expression of myostatin protein in skeletal muscle would induce muscle loss. To investigate this hypothesis, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress myostatin protein selectively in the skeletal muscle, with or without ancillary expression in the heart, utilizing cDNA constructs in which a wild-type (MCK/Mst) or mutated muscle creatine kinase (MCK-3E/Mst) promoter was placed upstream of mouse myostatin cDNA. Transgenic mice harboring these MCK promoters linked to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expressed the reporter protein only in skeletal and cardiac muscles (MCK) or in skeletal muscle alone (MCK-3E). Seven-week-old animals were genotyped by PCR of tail DNA or by Southern blot analysis of liver DNA. Myostatin mRNA and protein, measured by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, were significantly higher in gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and tibialis anterior of MCK/Mst-transgenic mice compared with wild-type mice. Male MCK/Mst-transgenic mice had 18–24% lower hind- and forelimb muscle weight and 18% reduction in quadriceps and gastrocnemius fiber cross-sectional area and myonuclear number (immunohistochemistry) than wild-type male mice. Male transgenic mice with mutated MCK-3E promoter showed similar effects on muscle mass. However, female transgenic mice with either type of MCK promoter did not differ from wild-type controls in either body weight or skeletal muscle mass. In conclusion, increased expression of myostatin in skeletal muscle is associated with lower muscle mass and decreased fiber size and myonuclear number, decreased cardiac muscle mass, and increased fat mass in male mice, consistent with its role as an inhibitor of skeletal muscle mass. The mechanism of gender specificity remains to be clarified.


2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (15) ◽  
pp. 5275-5285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hal E. Broxmeyer ◽  
Sarita Sehra ◽  
Scott Cooper ◽  
Lisa M. Toney ◽  
Saritha Kusam ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe BAZF (BCL-6b) protein is highly similar to the BCL-6 transcriptional repressor. While BCL-6 has been characterized extensively, relatively little is known about the normal function of BAZF. In order to understand the physiological role of BAZF, we created BAZF-deficient mice. Unlike BCL-6-deficient mice, BAZF-deficient mice are healthy and normal in size. However, BAZF-deficient mice have a hematopoietic progenitor phenotype that is almost identical to that of BCL-6-deficient mice. Compared to wild-type mice, both BAZF-deficient and BCL-6-deficient mice have greatly reduced numbers of cycling hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) in the BM and greatly increased numbers of cycling HPC in the spleen. In contrast to HPC from wild-type mice, HPC from BAZF-deficient and BCL-6-deficient mice are resistant to chemokine-induced myelosuppression and do not show a synergistic growth response to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus stem cell factor. Depletion of CD8 T cells in BAZF-deficient mice reverses several of the hematopoietic defects in these mice. Since both BAZF- and BCL-6-deficient mice have defects in CD8 T-cell differentiation, we hypothesize that both BCL-6 and BAZF regulate HPC homeostasis by an indirect pathway involving CD8 T cells.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Wang ◽  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Laureano D Asico ◽  
Crisanto Escano ◽  
Pedro A Jose

Author(s):  
Xiao Chun Li ◽  
Ana Paula Oliveira Leite ◽  
Xiaowen Zheng ◽  
Chunling Zhao ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
...  

The present study used a novel mouse model with proximal tubule-specific knockout of AT 1a receptors in the kidney, PT- Agtr1a −/− , to test the hypothesis that intratubular Ang II (angiotensin II) and AT 1a receptors in the proximal tubules are required for maintaining normal blood pressure and the development of Ang II–induced hypertension. Twenty-six groups (n=6–15 per group) of adult male wild-type, global Agtr1a −/− , and PT- Agtr1a −/− mice were infused with Ang II (1.5 mg/kg per day, IP), or overexpressed an intracellular Ang II fusion protein in the proximal tubules for 2 weeks. Basal telemetry blood pressure were ≈15±3 mm Hg lower in PT- Agtr1a −/− than wild-type mice and ≈13±3 mm Hg higher than Agtr1a −/− mice ( P <0.01). Basal glomerular filtration was ≈23.9% higher ( P <0.01), whereas fractional proximal tubule Na + reabsorption was lower in PT- Agtr1a −/− mice ( P <0.01). Deletion of AT 1a receptors in the proximal tubules augmented the pressure-natriuresis response ( P <0.01) and natriuretic responses to salt loading or Ang III infusion ( P <0.01). Ang II induced hypertension in wild-type, PT- Agtr1a −/− and PT- Nhe3 −/− mice, but the pressor response was ≈16±2 mm Hg lower in PT- Agtr1a −/− and PT- Nhe3 −/− mice ( P <0.01). Deletion of AT 1a receptors or NHE3 (Na + /H + exchanger 3) in the proximal tubules attenuated ≈50% of Ang II–induced hypertension in wild-type mice ( P <0.01), but blocked intracellular Ang II fusion protein-induced hypertension in PT- Agtr1a −/− mice ( P <0.01). Taken together, the results of the present study provide new insights into the critical role of intratubular Ang II/AT 1 (AT 1a )/NHE3 pathways in the proximal tubules in normal blood pressure control and the development of Ang II–induced hypertension.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (2) ◽  
pp. F586-F593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao C. Li ◽  
L. Gabriel Navar ◽  
Yuan Shao ◽  
Jia L. Zhuo

We and others have previously shown that high levels of ANG II are accumulated in the rat kidney via a type 1 (AT1) receptor-mediated mechanism, but it is not known which AT1 receptor is involved in this process in rodents. We tested the hypothesis that AT1a receptor-deficient mice (Agtr1a−/−) are unable to accumulate ANG II intracellularly in the kidney because of the absence of AT1a receptor-mediated endocytosis. Adult male wild-type (Agtr1a+/+), heterozygous (Agtr1a+/−), and Agtr1a−/− were treated with vehicle, ANG II (40 ng/min ip via osmotic minipump), or ANG II plus the AT1 antagonist losartan (10 mg·kg−1·day−1 po) for 2 wk. In wild-type mice, ANG II induced hypertension (168 ± 4 vs. 113 ± 3 mmHg, P < 0.001), increased kidney-to-body weight ratio ( P < 0.01), caused pressure natriuresis ( P < 0.05), and elevated plasma and whole kidney ANG II levels ( P < 0.001). Concurrent administration of ANG II with losartan attenuated these responses to ANG II. In contrast, Agtr1a−/− mice had lower basal systolic pressures ( P < 0.001), smaller kidneys with much fewer AT1b receptors ( P < 0.001), higher basal 24-h urinary sodium excretion ( P < 0.01), as well as basal plasma and whole kidney ANG II levels ( P < 0.01). However, intracellular ANG II levels in the kidney were lower in Agtr1a−/− mice. In Agtr1a−/− mice, ANG II slightly increased systolic pressure ( P < 0.05) but had no effect on the kidney weight, urinary sodium excretion, and whole kidney ANG II levels. Losartan restored systolic pressure to basal levels and decreased whole kidney ANG II levels by ∼20% ( P < 0.05). These results demonstrate a predominant role of AT1a receptors in blood pressure regulation and in the renal responses to long-term ANG II administration, that AT1b receptors may play a limited role in blood pressure control and mediating intrarenal ANG II accumulation in the absence of AT1a receptors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy Jackson ◽  
Jaideep Singh ◽  
Yen Zhi Ng ◽  
Cheng Peng ◽  
Anida Velagic ◽  
...  

Introduction: We have previously demonstrated that the naturally-occurring anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving protein Annexin-A1 (Anx-A1) limits the acute inflammatory response post myocardial infarction, but its impact on chronic inflammation, such as hypertension, has not been explored. This study aims to investigate the role of Anx-A1 in a preclinical model of hypertension, induced by angiotensin-II (Ang-II). Methods: 15-week-old male C57BL/6 or ANXA1 -/- were anesthetized (isoflurane, 2-4% v/v) and implanted with an osmotic minipump randomly assigned to receive Ang-II (0.7mg/kg/day) or vehicle (saline). Radiotelemetry recordings of blood pressure were taken at 10 intermittent timepoints from baseline to the end of the 29-day infusion period. Animals were euthanized with pentobarbitone (100mg/kg; i.p.) at endpoint and organ weights recorded and normalized to bodyweight. Left ventricle (LV) samples were stained with picrosirius red to assess total LV collagen deposition. Results: Ang II-induced mice at the end of the study had elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis compared to normotensive mice (Table). Anx-A1 deficient mice given Ang II had an even greater increase in MAP and cardiac remodeling compared to WT. Interestingly, MAP of Anx-A1 deficient mice at baseline is significantly higher compare to C57BL/6 counterparts (Table). Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate that deficiency of Anx-A1 exaggerates cardiac remodeling in AngII-induced hypertension, suggesting that endogenous Anx-A1 might play previously unappreciated physiological role in regulating blood pressure. This supports the development of Anx-A1 based pharmacotherapy against hypertension-induced cardiac damage.


Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao C Li ◽  
Manoocher Soleimani ◽  
Hoang Nguyen ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
Jia L Zhuo

An intracrine mitochondrial renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has recently been identified in various animal and human tissues, but whether the mitochondrial RAS plays a physiological role in the regulation of blood pressure remains unknown. The present study tested whether overexpression of an intracellular angiotensin II fusion protein, ECFP/ANG II, selectively in the mitochondria of the proximal tubules alters blood pressure, and whether the effects may involve AT 1a receptors and the Na + /H + exchanger 3 (NHE3). An adenoviral vector encoding ECFP/ANG II, a mitochondria targeting sequence, and the sglt2 promoter, Ad-sglt2-mito-ECFP/ANG II, was constructed for proximal tubule- and mitochondria-specific overexpression for 2 weeks. In adult male C57BL/6J mice, overexpression of mito-ECFP/ANG II in the mitochondria of the proximal tubules increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly (Control: 116 ± 3 vs. mito-ECFP/ANG II: 128 ± 3 mmHg; p <0.01, n=15). The blood pressure-increasing effect of Ad-sglt2-mito-ECFP/ANG II was blocked in proximal tubule-specific AT 1a -KO mice (Control: 105 ± 2 vs. mito-ECFP/ANG II: 104 ± 4 mmHg; n.s ., n=7), or in proximal tubule-specific NHE3-KO mice (Control: 108 ± 3 vs. mito-ECFP/ANG II: 107 ± 3 mmHg; n.s ., n=13), respectively. In further experiments, mouse proximal tubule cells were transfected with Ad-sglt2-mito-ECFP/ANG II for 48 h and treated with the AT 1 blocker losartan (10 μM) or the AT 2 blocker PD123319 (10 μM) to measure mitochondrial respiratory and glycolytic function using Seahorse XF Cell Mito and XF Glycolysis Stress Tests. The mito-ECFP/ANG II expression was robust and colocalized with MitoTracker® Red FM. Overexpression of mito-ECFP/ANG II markedly increased oxygen consumption rate (OCR) (Control: 139.4 ± 9.2 vs. mito-ECFP/ANG II: 236.3 ± 12.6 pmol/min; p <0.01, n=12) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) (Control: 8.8 ± 0.6 vs. mito-ECFP/ANG II: 11.8 ± 1.2 mpH/min; p <0.01, n=12), respectively. Losartan blocked the effects of mito-ECFP/ANG II on OCR and ECAR, whereas PD123319 had no effect. We conclude that intracellular ANG II may activate AT 1 receptors in the mitochondria of the proximal tubules to alter mitochondrial respiratory and glycolytic function and arterial blood pressure.


Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John J Gildea ◽  
Nancy L Howell ◽  
Robert E Van Sciver ◽  
Brandon A Kemp ◽  
Robert M Carey ◽  
...  

Dopamine-1 receptors (D1R) are necessary for kidney proximal tubule-dependent natriuresis and maintenance of normal blood pressure, especially under high salt conditions. G-protein coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) is a negative regulator of D1R function and single nucleotide polymorphisms in GRK4 have been associated with both hypertension and salt sensitivity in humans. Caveolin-1 (CAV1) directly binds to GRK4 and decreases kinase activity. We hypothesized that CAV1 knockout mice (CAV1KO) would have increased GRK4 kinase activity due to lack of physical interaction and inhibition of GRK4; thus overactive GRK4 would inactivate the D1R. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, in mmHg ±SEM) measured over 5 days was not significantly different for Wild-type mice (WT, 128.9±4.2 mmHg, n=4) vs CAV1KO (129.5±3.5 mmHg, n=4) on normal chow (0.3% sodium). However, on a 4% high sodium diet, the MAP of CAV1KO mice increased in just 2 days by 20.1±4.2 mmHg (p<0.05 vs either Day 0 CAV1KO or Day 2 WT, n=4). The CAV1KO MAP increased by 25.9±6.6 mmHg by day 7 (p<0.05 vs either Day 0 CAV1KO or Day 7 WT, n=4). Hyperphosphorylation and inactivation of the D1R in renal cortex was examined by looking at phospho-serine D1R by immuno-precipitation and Western dot blotting. A 92.5% ± 18.8 SEM increase in phospho-D1R was found in the CAV1KO renal cortex (n=4, p<0.01 vs WT; 14,574/7570 RFU). Cortical slices were made and incubated for 30 minutes with fenoldopam (FEN, 10 μM) with or without LE300 (D1R-like antagonist, 10 μM) or vehicle (VEH). Cyclic AMP was measured by TR-FRET (Lance, Perkin Elmer). FEN significantly increased cAMP 5.6 fold ± 1.2 SEM (n=4, p<0.01 vs VEH; 7.84/1.4 pmole/mg protein) in WT but not in CAV1KO slices, and this effect was completely blocked by LE300. Primary mouse CAV1KO and WT renal proximal tubule cell lines were established and monensin (sodium ionophore, 5 μM, 30 minutes)-induced plasma membrane D1R recruitment increased as measured by confocal microscopy in WT (30.4% ± 7.4 SEM, n=11, p<0.01 vs VEH; 8990/6894 RFU) but not in CAV1KO proximal tubule cells. In summary, CAV1 is necessary in high salt conditions for maintaining normal blood pressure in mice and for preserving normal D1R function in kidney cortex and in mouse renal proximal tubule cells.


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