Enhanced osmotic responsiveness in angiotensin AT1a receptor deficient mice: evidence for a role for AT1b receptors

ANG II receptor subtype 1a gene knockdown in the subfornical organ prevents increased drinking behavior in bile duct-ligated rats

Bile duct ligation (BDL) causes congestive liver failure that initiates hemodynamic changes, resulting in dilutional hyponatremia due to increased water intake and vasopressin release. This project tested the hypothesis that angiotensin signaling at the subfornical organ (SFO) augments drinking behavior in BDL rats. A genetically modified adeno-associated virus containing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for ANG II receptor subtype 1a (AT1aR) gene was microinjected into the SFO of rats to knock down expression. Two weeks later, BDL or sham surgery was performed. Rats were housed in metabolic chambers for measurement of fluid and food intake and urine output. The rats were euthanized 28 days after BDL surgery for analysis. A group of rats was perfused for immunohistochemistry, and a second group was used for laser-capture microdissection for analysis of SFO AT1aR gene expression. BDL rats showed increased water intake that was attenuated in rats that received SFO microinjection of AT1aR shRNA. Among BDL rats treated with scrambled (control) and AT1aR shRNA, we observed an increased number of vasopressin-positive cells in the supraoptic nucleus that colocalized with ΔFosB staining, suggesting increased vasopressin release in both groups. These results indicate that angiotensin signaling through the SFO contributes to increased water intake, but not dilutional hyponatremia, during congestive liver failure.

Role of blood pressure in mediating the influence of salt intake on renin expression in the kidney

The salt intake of an organism controls the number of renin-producing cells in the kidney by yet undefined mechanisms. This study aimed to assess a possible mediator role of preglomerular blood pressure in the control of renin expression by oral salt intake. We used wild-type (WT) mice and mice lacking angiotensin II type 1a receptors (AT1a−/−) displaying an enhanced salt sensitivity to renin expression. In WT kidneys, we found renin-expressing cells at the ends of all afferent arterioles. A low-salt diet (0.02%) led to a moderate twofold increase in renin-expressing cells along afferent arterioles. In AT1a−/− mice, lowering of salt content led to a 12-fold increase in renin expression. Here, the renin-expressing cells were distributed along the preglomerular vascular tree in a typical distal-to-proximal distribution gradient which was most prominent at high salt intake and was obliterated at low salt intake by the appearance of renin-expressing cells in proximal parts of the preglomerular vasculature. While lowering of salt intake produced only a small drop in blood pressure in WT mice, the marked reduction of systolic blood pressure in AT1a−/− mice was accompanied by the disappearance of the distribution gradient from afferent arterioles to arcuate arteries. Unilateral renal artery stenosis in AT1a−/− mice on a normal salt intake produced a similar distribution pattern of renin-expressing cells as did low salt intake. Conversely, increasing blood pressure by administration of the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester or of the adrenergic agonist phenylephrine in AT1a−/− mice kept on low salt intake produced a similar distribution pattern of renin-producing cells as did normal salt intake alone. These findings suggest that changes in preglomerular blood pressure may be an important mediator of the influence of salt intake on the number and distribution of renin-producing cells in the kidney.

Stimulation of the AT2 receptor reduced atherogenesis in ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) double knock out mice

AT1 receptor blockers (ARB) and in part ACE inhibitors (ACI) potentially exert beneficial effects on atherogenesis independent of AT1 receptor inhibition. These pleiotropic effects might be related to angiotensin II mediated activation of the AT2 receptor. To analyze this hypothesis we investigated the development of atherosclerosis and the role of ACIs and ARBs in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice and in ApoE/AT1A receptor double knockout mice (ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-)). ApoE(-/-) mice and ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) mice were fed cholesterol-rich diet for 7 weeks. Vascular oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerotic lesion formation were evident in ApoE(-/-) mice, but were markedly reduced in ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) mice. Concomitant treatment of ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) mice with either telmisartan or ramipril had no additional effect on blood pressure, vascular oxidative stress, AT2 receptor expression, and endothelial function. Remarkably, atherosclerotic lesion formation was increased in ramipril treated ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) mice compared to untreated ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) mice whereas pharmacological AT1 receptor inhibition with telmisartan had no additional effect on atherogenesis. Moreover, chronic AT2 receptor inhibition with PD123,319 significantly increased plaque development in ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) mice. In additional experiments, direct AT2 receptor stimulation reduced atherogenesis in ApoE(-/-)/AT1A(-/-) mice. Taken together, our data demonstrate a relevant antiatherosclerotic role of the AT2 receptor in atherosclerotic mice and provide novel insight in RAS-physiology.

Protective role of angiotensin II type 2 receptor signaling in a mouse model of pancreatic fibrosis

The renin-angiotensin system contributes to pathological processes in a variety of organs. In the pancreas, blocking the angiotensin II (AII) type 1 receptor (AT1) attenuates pancreatic fibrogenesis in animal models of pancreatitis. Because the role of the AII type 2 receptor (AT2) in modulating pancreatic injury is unknown we investigated the role of AT2 in pancreatic injury and fibrosis. Pancreatic fibrosis was induced by repetitive cerulein administration in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) or AT2-deficient (AT2-/-) mice and assessed by morphology and gene expression at 10 days. There was no difference between WT and AT2-/- mice in the degree of acute pancreatic injury as assessed by amylase release at 9 and 12 h and by histological examination of the pancreas at 12 h. In contrast, parenchymal atrophy and fibrosis were more pronounced in AT2-/- mice compared with WT mice at 10 days. Fibrosis was accompanied by activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) evaluated by Western blot analysis for alpha-smooth muscle actin and by immunocytochemistry; PSC activation was further increased in AT2-/- mice compared with WT mice. The level of pancreatic transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA and protein after repetitive cerulein treatment was higher in AT2-/- mice than in WT mice. Our results demonstrate that, in contrast to AT1 receptor signaling, AT2 receptor signaling modulates protective antifibrogenic effects in a mouse model of cerulein-induced pancreatic fibrogenesis. We propose that the effects of AII on injury-induced pancreatic fibrosis may be determined by the balance between AT1 and AT2 receptor signaling.

Deficiency in angiotensin AT1a receptors prevents diabetes-induced hypertension

The renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in the etiology of the cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Our studies extend these findings to show a specific role for angiotensin AT1a receptors in mediating diabetes-induced hypertension. Male angiotensin AT1a knockout (AT1aKO) and wild-type (AT1aWT) mice with arterial telemetric catheters were injected with streptozotocin (STZ; 150 mg/kg ip). The STZ dose was selected on the basis of a dose-response experiment in C57/BL mice. Blood glucose, water intake, body weight, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) were measured over a 2-wk period. Estimates of BP and HR variance (BPV and HRV) and their low- and high-frequency domains were also determined. STZ induced similar levels of hyperglycemia and polydypsia in the groups. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was increased from 100 ± 6 to 124 ± 6 mmHg in diabetic AT1aWT. MAP was unchanged in AT1aKO (80 ± 4 vs. 85 ± 5 mmHg, basal vs. STZ). Treatment with an ACE inhibitor, captopril, produced a greater reduction in MAP (−18%) in diabetic AT1aWT than in AT1aKO (−3.4%). BPV was lower in AT1aKO (19 ± 0.5 vs. 9 ± 2 mmHg2, AT1aWT vs. AT1aKO). Diabetes reduced BPV but only in AT1aWT (19 ± 0.5 vs. 8 ± 1 mmHg2, basal vs. STZ). There were no changes in HR in either group. In AT1aKO, STZ increased HRV and its high-frequency domain with no changes seen in AT1aWT. Results document that ANG AT1a receptors are critical in diabetes-induced hypertension and in cardiac autonomic responses.

Salt consumption increases blood pressure and abolishes the light/dark rhythm in angiotensin AT1a receptor deficient mice

Experiments were performed to study the role of angiotensin (Ang) AT1a receptors in dietary sodium-induced changes in blood pressure (BP). We measured light/dark rhythms in BP, heart rate (HR) and drinking behavior in Ang AT1a deficient (AT1a -/-) and wild type (AT1a +/+) mice with arterial telemetric catheters. Mice were given ad libitum access to a high salt diet (8% NaCl, HSD for 8 days) and tap water. The major finding was that the Ang AT1a -/- mice showed enhanced sodium sensitivity. This was seen by a greater percentage increase in BP (+21% vs. +12%) and an earlier onset of BP change (increase on day 5 vs. day 8) in AT1a -/- vs. AT1a +/+. The normal light/dark BP rhythm was abolished in AT1a -/- after 5 days of HSD. HSD produced an increase in water intake (drinking activity and volume consumed) in both groups with no difference in the percentage increase or the light/dark drinking rhythm. HSD produced no changes in plasma osmolality, hematocrit or body weight in either group. Evidence shows that a deficiency of Ang AT1a receptors results in an enhancement in sodium sensitivity along with a disruption of the normal light/dark BP rhythm. The data combined with previous findings suggests that activation of other components of the renin angiotensin system and/or sympathetic pathways may be responsible for the cardiovascular changes in AT1a deficient mice.

Adenovirus-mediated small-interference RNA for in vivo silencing of angiotensin AT1a receptors in mouse brain

Because of the lack of pharmacological approaches, molecular genetic methods have been required to differentiate between angiotensin type 1(AT1) receptor subtypes AT1a and AT1b. RNA interference is a new tool for the study of gene function, producing specific downregulation of protein expression. In this study, we used the small hairpin RNA (shRNA) cassette method to screen target sites for selectively silencing AT1a or AT1b receptor subtypes in cultured Neuro-2a cells using real-time RT-PCR. For in vivo functional studies, we used C57BL mice with arterial telemetric probes and computerized licking monitors to test the effect of adenovirus carrying the DNA sequence coding AT1a shRNA (Ad-AT1a-shRNA). Ad-AT1a-shRNA was injected into the lateral ventricle (intracerebroventricular) or the brain stem nucleus tractus solitaries/dorsal vagal nucleus (NTS/DVN) with measurement of water intake, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) for up to 20 days after injection. Tissue culture studies verified the specificity and the efficiency of the constructs. In animal studies, beta-galactosidase staining and Ang receptor binding assays showed expression of shRNA and downregulation of Ang AT1 receptors in the subfornical organ and NTS/DVN by >70%. Intracerebroventricular injection of Ad-AT1a-shRNA increased water intake with no effect on BP or HR. In contrast, microinjection of Ad-AT1a-shRNA into NTS/DVN caused a decrease in BP with no effect on HR or water intake. Results demonstrate the use of the RNA interference method in site-directed silencing of gene expression and provide a method for the in vivo study of Ang AT1 receptor function.

Physiological regulation of brain angiotensin receptor mRNA in AT1a deficient mice

Experiments were performed to study the physiological regulation of angiotensin (Ang) AT1b receptors using Ang AT1a knockout mice (AT1aKO). Ang AT1b mRNA was analyzed in forebrain, hypothalamus, and brainstem using in situ hybridization (ISH) under baseline and water-restricted conditions. Plasma was analyzed for osmolality, vasopressin, and corticosterone. Dehydration (24 h) increased osmolality and corticosterone and decreased body weight with no difference between groups. Plasma vasopressin was not different between the groups and was not stimulated by dehydration. Under water ad libitum conditions, there were no differences in AT1b mRNA expression in medial periventricular, anterior third ventricle (AV3V), and subfornical organ (SFO) between controls and AT1aKO. In contrast, there was higher expression in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) of AT1aKO vs. Controls (0.6 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.1 microCi/g, Control vs. AT1aKO in water ad libitum group). Dehydration increased AT1b expression in SFO in AT1aKO, but not in controls (0.6 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.06 microCi/g; water ad libitum vs. dehydrated). Emulsion autoradiography documents the detailed pattern of AT1b expression in brainstem of controls and AT1aKO. There was labeling in DMV, locus coeruleus, inferior olive, lateral reticular nucleus, and caudalis spinal trigemius. In conclusion, deletion of AT1a receptors produces a compensatory increase in AT1b receptor mRNA expression in brainstem, but not in hypothalamus or rostral forebrain. In addition, AT1aKO mice showed an enhanced response to dehydration in terms of AT1b mRNA expression in SFO.