Abstract 142: Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Autoantibody Inhibition Improves Blood Pressure and Markers of Neurological Damage and Oxidative Stress in Brains of Placental Ischemic Rats During Pregnancy
Preeclampsia (PE), hypertension in response to placental ischemia, is associated with angiotensin II type 1 receptor agonistic autoantibodies (AT1-AA), oxidative stress, and neurological complications, such as headaches, blurred vision, and seizures which could lead to stroke and death. We hypothesize that AT1AAs play a role in the cerebral pathology of PE. The objective of this study was to determine if administration of a specific peptide sequence to inhibit the AT1-AA from binding to the AT1 receptor, will improve blood pressure (MAP) and cerebral oxidative stress in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of PE. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: RUPP (n=5) and RUPP+AT1-AA inhibitory peptide (7AA) (n=3). RUPP surgery was performed on gestational day (GD) 14 and the 7AA was administered (2ug/μl saline) via mini-osmotic pumps. On GD 19, MAP was determined and brains collected. Western blots were stained for Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS and NADPH oxidase activity was determined using chemilumenescence. MAP was decreased in RUPP+7AA vs. RUPP (95±2 vs. 130±6 mmHg). Brain/body weight ratio, which is indicative of edema, was reduced in RUPP+7AA (5.8±0.25 vs. 6.5±0.25 grams) vs. RUPP. NADPH oxidase activity was lower in RUPP+7AA (33275±3122 vs. 57408±10508 RLU/min/mg protein). Phosphorylated eNOS was 2 fold higher in the RUPP+7AA vs. RUPP (0.4±0.1 vs. 0.2±0.04 AU) and the phosphorylated eNOS/eNOS ratio was elevated (0.4±0.12 vs. 0.2±0.04 AU). GFAP a marker for activated astrocytes that increases during neurologic injury and serves as a compensatory mechanism for brain injury recovery was elevated in RUPP+7AA vs. RUPP (3.2±1.3 vs. 0.5±0.2 AU). Administration of AT1-AA inhibitory peptide to RUPP rats decreased blood pressure and improved markers of NO bioavailability, injury (GFAP), and cerebral swelling. In conclusion, our preliminary data suggests that AT1-AA inhibition could be a potential therapy to improve peripheral and neurological complications during PE. Research Supported by T32HL105324 (Cunningham), RO1HD067541-06 (LaMarca), DK-104184 (Roman), 050049 (Fan), P20-GM-104357 (cores B and C-Roman; Pilot-Fan) and AHA 16GRNT31200036 (Fan).