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Zhang X, Zhang S, Wang M, Chen H, Liu H. Advances in the allostery of angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:110. [PMID: 37330563 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. Compared with orthosteric ligands, allosteric modulators attract considerable attention for drug development due to their unique advantages of high selectivity and safety. However, no allosteric modulators of AT1R have been applied in clinical trials up to now. Except for the classical allosteric modulators of AT1R such as antibody, peptides and amino acids, cholesterol and biased allosteric modulators, there are non-classical allosteric modes including the ligand-independent allosteric mode, and allosteric mode of biased agonists and dimers. In addition, finding the allosteric pockets based on AT1R conformational change and interaction interface of dimers are the future of drug design. In this review, we summarize the different allosteric mode of AT1R, with a view to contribute to the development and utilization of drugs targeting AT1R allostery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Suli Zhang
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Meili Wang
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Huirong Liu
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 10 Xitoutiao, You An Men Street, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Deer E, Herrock O, Campbell N, Cornelius D, Fitzgerald S, Amaral LM, LaMarca B. The role of immune cells and mediators in preeclampsia. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023; 19:257-270. [PMID: 36635411 PMCID: PMC10038936 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-022-00670-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of major concern in pregnancy than can lead to intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption and stillbirth. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is multifactorial, including not only kidney dysfunction but also endothelial dysfunction, as the maternal endothelium becomes exposed to placental factors that are released into the circulation and increase systemic levels of vasoconstrictors, oxidative stress, anti-angiogenic factors and inflammatory mediators. Importantly, inflammation can lead to insufficient placental perfusion and low birthweight in offspring. Various innate and adaptive immune cells and mediators have been implicated in the development of preeclampsia, in which oxidative stress is associated with activation of the maternal inflammatory response. Immune cells such as regulatory T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, and neutrophils are known to have major causative roles in the pathology of preeclampsia, but the contributions of additional immune cells such as B cells, inflammatory cytokines and anti-angiotensin II type 1 receptor autoantibodies are also now recognized. Immunological interventions, therefore, have therapeutic potential in this disease. Here, we provide an overview of the immune responses that are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, including the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangeline Deer
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Owen Herrock
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Nathan Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Denise Cornelius
- Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Sarah Fitzgerald
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Lorena M Amaral
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Babbette LaMarca
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
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Wang X, Liu X, Wang X, Wu L, Zhang S, Liu H. Identification the main molecular mechanism of AT1R Non-desensitization. INT J BIOMATH 2020. [DOI: 10.1142/s1793524520500527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Autoantibodies (AT1-AA) as a functional receptor activator can persistently activate Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor (AT1R) by causing AT1R non-desensitization which is one of the important pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). However, the molecular mechanisms of AT1-AA results AT1R non-desensitization remain unknown. In order to explore the background molecular mechanisms of AT1R non-desensitization induced by AT1-AA, we construct dynamical models which are composed of control model (based on the body of healthy pregnant women) and experimental group models (based on the body of pregnant women with PE) in this paper. We also consider the effect of membrane fluidity on the reaction when building the dynamical models. In the experiment group models, we establish two models that caused AT1R non-desensitization: endocytosis disorder model and conformational change model. We write C++ and MATLAB programs to do the data fitting. By comparing the data fitting results and analyzing the images of models and corresponding Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values, we conclude that conformational changes may be the key molecular mechanism of AT1R non-desensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Wang
- College of Mathematics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030024, P. R. China
| | - Xiangrong Liu
- College of Mathematics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030024, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqiang Wang
- Department of Scientific computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Liqing Wu
- College of Mathematics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030024, P. R. China
| | - Suli Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P. R. China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P. R. China
| | - Huirong Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P. R. China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P. R. China
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Mejia-Vilet JM, López-Hernández YJ, Santander-Vélez JI, Trujeque-Matos M, Cruz C, Carranza de la Torre CA, Espinosa-Cruz V, Espinosa-González R, Uribe-Uribe NO, Morales-Buenrostro LE. Angiotensin II receptor agonist antibodies are associated with microvascular damage in lupus nephritis. Lupus 2020; 29:371-378. [PMID: 32041505 DOI: 10.1177/0961203320904787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor agonist antibodies (AT1R-AAs) have been associated with hypertension, atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation in human diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of AT1R-AAs in active lupus nephritis (LN) patients and their association with vascular damage. One hundred and seven active LN patients underwent a complete clinical examination, measurement of AT1R-AAs, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, carotid intima-media thickness measurement and morphometric analysis of subintimal fibrosis and medial hyperplasia of the vessels in the kidney tissue. Plasma AT1R-AAs were positive in 58 (54.2%) patients. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score, complement C3 and C4 levels and titers of anti-dsDNA antibodies were higher in the group with positive AT1R-AAs compared with those with negative AT1R-AAs. The AT1R-AA titers correlated with anti-dsDNA antibody titers and with complement C3 and C4 serum levels. In the kidney biopsy, the percentage of subintimal fibrosis and the area of medial hyperplasia were greater in the AT1R-AA-positive patients. No differences in arterial pressure, carotid intima-media thickness and response to therapy were detected. In conclusion, AT1R-AAs are prevalent in active LN patients and are associated with histologic features of microvascular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Mejia-Vilet
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Y J López-Hernández
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J I Santander-Vélez
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M Trujeque-Matos
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - C Cruz
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - C A Carranza de la Torre
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - V Espinosa-Cruz
- Department of Radiology and Imaging "Adan Pitol", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Espinosa-González
- Department of Pathology and Pathologic Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - N O Uribe-Uribe
- Department of Pathology and Pathologic Anatomy, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L E Morales-Buenrostro
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
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Li SC, Wang QH, Chen LF, Feng SY, Wu YX, Yan XW. High Sodium Intake Impairs Small Artery Vasoreactivity in vivo in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats. J Vasc Res 2019; 56:65-76. [PMID: 31079107 DOI: 10.1159/000498895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of high sodium intake on the functionality of resistance arteries have been repeatedly studied in vitro, but no study has focused on salt-sensitive hypertension in vivo. We studied the in vivo reactivity of mesenteric small arteries (MSAs) to vasoactive agents in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats with various sodium diets. Twenty-four male DS rats were randomized into 3 groups: LS (0.3% NaCl diet), NS (0.6% NaCl diet), and HS (8% NaCl diet). After a 12-week intervention, the diameter changes of the MSAs after noradrenaline (NA) and acetylcholine (ACh) exposure were detected by a microscope, and changes in blood perfusion through the MSAs were measured by full-field laser perfusion imaging. HS enhanced the constrictive response of the MSAs to NA and attenuated the relaxing response to ACh. Low sodium intake reduced the response of the MSAs to NA and promoted ACh-induced vasodilatation. HS also aggravated NA-induced blood perfusion reduction and impaired ACh-induced hyperperfusion of the MSAs. Pathologically, HS was associated with arteriolar structural damage and fibrosis of the MSAs. We conclude that sodium intake affects the responsiveness of the MSAs to vasoactive agents in DS rats and might play important roles in modulating blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Cheng Li
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Hai Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China
| | - Lian-Feng Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Yi Feng
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Xiang Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China,
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Gannon OJ, Robison LS, Custozzo AJ, Zuloaga KL. Sex differences in risk factors for vascular contributions to cognitive impairment & dementia. Neurochem Int 2018; 127:38-55. [PMID: 30471324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is the second most common cause of dementia. While males overall appear to be at a slightly higher risk for VCID throughout most of the lifespan (up to age 85), some risk factors for VCID more adversely affect women. These include female-specific risk factors associated with pregnancy related disorders (e.g. preeclampsia), menopause, and poorly timed hormone replacement. Further, presence of certain co-morbid risk factors, such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, also may more adversely affect women than men. In contrast, some risk factors more greatly affect men, such as hyperlipidemia, myocardial infarction, and heart disease. Further, stroke, one of the leading risk factors for VCID, has a higher incidence in men than in women throughout much of the lifespan, though this trend is reversed at advanced ages. This review will highlight the need to take biological sex and common co-morbidities for VCID into account in both preclinical and clinical research. Given that there are currently no treatments available for VCID, it is critical that we understand how to mitigate risk factors for this devastating disease in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- O J Gannon
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
| | - L S Robison
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
| | - A J Custozzo
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
| | - K L Zuloaga
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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Xue W, Li Y, Li J, Yan L, Yang F. Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by etomidate in the aortas of insulin-resistant rats. Arch Med Sci 2018; 14:1155-1162. [PMID: 30154900 PMCID: PMC6111356 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2018.77256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Few reports have mentioned the effect of etomidate on the aortas of insulin-resistant (IR) rats. In this study, we investigated the effect of etomidate on isolated IR aortas of rats, and explored its underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS The IR rat model was established through feeding with a high-fructose diet. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by the tail-cuff method before grouping and at the end of the 8-week feeding; blood samples were also obtained for analysis. Thoracic aorta rings of IR rats were isolated and suspended in a tissue bath. The tensile force was recorded isometrically. The effect of etomidate on provoked contraction of the rings was assessed with or without a potassium channel blocker or NO synthase inhibitor. RESULTS Etomidate-induced relaxation in IR rings was greater than normal control (NC) rings (all p < 0.001 with etomidate log M of -4 to -6). NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, an NO synthase inhibitors) inhibited etomidate-induced relaxation in NC rings, but had no effect on the IR rings (all p < 0.001 with etomidate log M of -4 to -6). Pre-incubation with glibenclamide (Gli, a potassium channel blocker) significantly inhibited etomidate-induced relaxation in NC and IR rings (all p < 0.001 with etomidate log M of -4 to -6), and had no inhibited effect on endothelial denuded aortic rings. CONCLUSIONS Insulin resistance increased etomidate-induced relaxation in rat aortas. Etomidate causes vasodilation in IR rat aortas via both endothelium-dependent and independent ways; impaired NO-mediated relaxation was disrupted and ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel-mediated relaxation may be involved in the endothelium-dependent relaxation of etomidate in IR rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, Meitan General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiwen Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Meitan General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Meitan General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Meitan General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Angiotensin II responsiveness after preeclampsia: translational data from an experimental rat model and early-onset human preeclampsia. J Hypertens 2018; 35:2468-2478. [PMID: 28708773 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000001474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Formerly preeclamptic women have an increased risk for cardiovascular and renal disease later in life. It is unknown which mechanisms contribute to this increased risk and whether this is induced by preeclampsia or by prepregnancy factors. We hypothesized that the increased risk for cardiovascular disease is partly due to an increased angiotensin II (ang II) responsiveness postpartum and that preeclampsia itself is involved in inducing this increased ang II responsiveness. METHODS In never-pregnant, formerly healthy pregnant rats and rats with former experimental preeclampsia [experimental preeclampsia model induced by low-dose endotoxin infusion on day 14 of pregnancy; endotoxin-infused pregnant rats (EP-rats)], ang II responsiveness was studied by measuring changes in blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria after chronic ang II infusion with osmotic minipumps (200 ng/kg per min). In addition, we measured BP and responses to ang II (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 ng/kg per min) in 18 formerly early-onset preeclamptic, without comorbidities, and 18 formerly healthy pregnant women (controls). RESULTS In rats, a significantly higher systolic BP at termination was observed in formerly EP-rats vs. never-pregnant rats after ang II infusion (159.5 ± 29.5 vs. 136.7 ± 16.8; P = 0.049). In response to ang II, there was a significant increase in proteinuria in formerly EP-rats vs. healthy pregnant and never-pregnant rats (P < 0.01 for both). In humans, 1.0 ng/kg per min ang II showed a trend towards an increased mean arterial BP response in formerly preeclamptic women vs. controls (P = 0.057). CONCLUSION Our data show an increased ang II responsiveness following (experimental) preeclampsia and support a role for preeclampsia itself in altered ang II responsiveness postpartum.
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Role and mechanism of AT1-AA in the pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome. Sci Rep 2018; 8:279. [PMID: 29321548 PMCID: PMC5762787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
HELLP syndrome remains a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, which symptoms include hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. The objective of this study was to determine whether HELLP is associated with AT1-AA. The positive rate and titer of AT1-AA in plasma from pregnant women were determined, and the correlation of AT1-AA titer with the grade of HELLP was analyzed. A HELLP rat model established by intravenous injection of AT1-AA. Our experimental results show the AT1-AA titer and positive rate were significantly higher in HELLP group, and AT1-AA titer were positively correlated with the level of TNF-α and ET-1 in plasma and the grade of HELLP syndrome. The results of animal experiments showed that the typical features of HELLP in the pregnant rats after AT1-AA injection. The levels of TNF-α and ET-1 in plasma and liver tissue were significantly increased in AT1-AA-treated rats compared with control rats. The HELLP syndrome induced by AT1-AA was attenuated markedly after administration of losartan. These data support the hypothesis that one the potential pathway that AT1-AA induce damage to capillary endothelial cells and liver during pregnancy is through activation of TNF-α and ET-1.
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Role of agonistic autoantibodies against type-1 angiotensin II receptor in the pathogenesis of retinopathy in preeclampsia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29036. [PMID: 27381670 PMCID: PMC4933922 DOI: 10.1038/srep29036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the mechanism underlying AT1-AA-induced retinopathy in severe preeclampsia by measuring the positive rate and titer of AT1-AA in plasma from women with severe preeclampsia and normal pregnant women to see whether AT1-AA titer was correlated with the grade of retinopathy. A preeclampsia rat model was also established by intravenous injection of AT1-AA extracted from the plasma of patient suffering from severe preeclampsia. The results showed that the plasma titer and positive rate of AT1-AA were significantly higher in women with severe preeclampsia than normal pregnant women. The antibody titer in cases of severe preeclampsia was associated with the grade of retinopathy, and positively correlated with the level of TNF-α and VEGF. The animal experiment results showed that the modeled rats presented symptoms very similar to symptoms of human preeclampsia, including retinopathy. Ocular fundus examination showed retinal microvascular abnormalities, hemorrhaging and leakage in the severe preeclampsia. Morphological changes included edema, thickening of the INL and ONL, and pigment atrophy. TNF-α and VEGF levels were increased in the vitreous humor and retina of the model rats. Our studies results suggest that abnormal expression of AT1-AA could induce damage to retinal capillary endothelial cells and increase vascular permeability, resulting in retinopathy.
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