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Liang YF, You QX, Chen SY, Ni L, Meng XL, Gao JX, Ren YB, Song HJ, Su JL, Teng Y, Gu QY, Lv C, Yuan BY, Wang X, Zheng YT, Zhang DD. The Impact of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Paraventricular Nucleus on the MAPK Pathway in High Salt-Induced Hypertension. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2024; 84:468-478. [PMID: 39115898 PMCID: PMC11446517 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a central role in regulating cardiovascular activity and blood pressure. We administered hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HA), a cystathionine-β-synthase inhibitor, into the PVN to suppress endogenous hydrogen sulfide and investigate its effects on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in high salt (HS)-induced hypertension. We randomly divided 40 male Dahl salt-sensitive rats into 4 groups: the normal salt (NS) + PVN vehicle group, the NS + PVN HA group, the HS + PVN vehicle group, and the HS + PVN HA group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the NS groups were fed a NS diet containing 0.3% NaCl, while the HS groups were fed a HS diet containing 8% NaCl. The mean arterial pressure was calculated after noninvasive measurement using an automatic sphygmomanometer to occlude the tail cuff once a week. HA or vehicle was infused into the bilateral PVN using Alzet osmotic mini pumps for 6 weeks after the hypertension model was successfully established. We measured the levels of H 2 S in the PVN and plasma norepinephrine using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, we assessed the parameters of the MAPK pathway, inflammation, and oxidative stress through western blotting, immunohistochemical analysis, or real-time polymerase chain reaction. In this study, we discovered that decreased levels of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in the PVN contributed to the onset of HS-induced hypertension. This was linked to the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress in the PVN, as well as the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Feng Liang
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Qing-Xin You
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Shu-Yue Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Lei Ni
- First Affiliated Hospital, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Xiang-Lian Meng
- School of Computer Information and Engineering, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Jian-Xiang Gao
- Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, Shaanxi, China ; and
| | - Yong-Bo Ren
- First Affiliated Hospital, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Han-Jun Song
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Jia-Lu Su
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Yang Teng
- School of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Qing-Yun Gu
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Chao Lv
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Bo-Yang Yuan
- First Affiliated Hospital, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Yong-Tai Zheng
- First Affiliated Hospital, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Dong-Dong Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
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Alexander BT, South AM, August P, Bertagnolli M, Ferranti EP, Grobe JL, Jones EJ, Loria AS, Safdar B, Sequeira-Lopez MLS. Appraising the Preclinical Evidence of the Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Antenatal Programming of Maternal and Offspring Cardiovascular Health Across the Life Course: Moving the Field Forward: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Hypertension 2023; 80:e75-e89. [PMID: 36951054 PMCID: PMC10242542 DOI: 10.1161/hyp.0000000000000227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the long-term cardiovascular health of women with complicated pregnancies and their affected offspring. Emerging antenatal risk factors such as preeclampsia appear to increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease across the life course in both the offspring and women after pregnancy. However, the antenatal programming mechanisms responsible are complex and incompletely understood, with roots in alterations in the development, structure, and function of the kidney, heart, vasculature, and brain. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a major regulator of maternal-fetal health through the placental interface, as well as kidney and cardiovascular tissue development and function. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system dysregulation plays a critical role in the development of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and programming of long-term adverse cardiovascular health in both the mother and the offspring. An improved understanding of antenatal renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system programming is crucial to identify at-risk individuals and to facilitate development of novel therapies to prevent and treat disease across the life course. Given the inherent complexities of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, it is imperative that preclinical and translational research studies adhere to best practices to accurately and rigorously measure components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This comprehensive synthesis of preclinical and translational scientific evidence of the mechanistic role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in antenatal programming of hypertension and cardiovascular disease will help (1) to ensure that future research uses best research practices, (2) to identify pressing needs, and (3) to guide future investigations to maximize potential outcomes. This will facilitate more rapid and efficient translation to clinical care and improve health outcomes.
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Xue B, Johnson AK. Sensitization of Hypertension: The Impact of Earlier Life Challenges: Excellence Award for Hypertension Research 2021. Hypertension 2023; 80:1-12. [PMID: 36069195 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.122.18550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension affects over 1 billion individuals worldwide. Because the cause of hypertension is known only in a small fraction of patients, most individuals with high blood pressure are diagnosed as having essential hypertension. Elevated sympathetic nervous system activity has been identified in a large portion of hypertensive patients. However, the root cause for this sympathetic overdrive is unknown. A more complete understanding of the breadth of the functional capabilities of the sympathetic nervous system may lead to new insights into the cause of essential hypertension. By employing a unique experimental paradigm, we have recently discovered that the neural network controlling sympathetic drive is more reactive after rats are exposed to mild challenges (stressors) and that the hypertensive response can be sensitized (ie, hypertensive response sensitization [HTRS]). We have also found that the induction of HTRS involves plasticity in the neural network controlling sympathetic drive. The induction and maintenance of the latent HTRS state also require the functional integrity of the brain renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the presence of several central inflammatory factors. In this review, we will discuss the induction and expression of HTRS in adult animals and in the progeny of mothers with prenatal obesity/overnutrition or with maternal gestational hypertension. Also, interventions that reverse the effects of stressor-induced HTRS will be reviewed. Understanding the mechanisms underlying HTRS and identifying the beneficial effects of maternal or offspring early-life interventions that prevent or reverse the sensitized state can provide insights into therapeutic strategies for interrupting the vicious cycle of transgenerational hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojian Xue
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (B.X., A.K.J.), University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Alan Kim Johnson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (B.X., A.K.J.), University of Iowa, Iowa City.,Neuroscience and Pharmacology (A.K.J.), University of Iowa, Iowa City.,Health and Human Physiology (A.K.J.), University of Iowa, Iowa City.,François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center (A.K.J.), University of Iowa, Iowa City
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Chao YM, Tain YL, Lee WC, Wu KLH, Yu HR, Chan JYH. Protection by -Biotics against Hypertension Programmed by Maternal High Fructose Diet: Rectification of Dysregulated Expression of Short-Chain Fatty Acid Receptors in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus of Adult Offspring. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14204306. [PMID: 36296991 PMCID: PMC9609147 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the brain on the developmental programming of hypertension is poorly understood. The present study explored dysregulated tissue levels of SCFAs and expression of SCFA-sensing receptors in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a key forebrain region engaged in neural regulation of blood pressure of offspring to maternal high fructose diet (HFD) exposure. We further investigated the engagement of SCFA-sensing receptors in PVN in the beneficial effects of -biotics (prebiotic, probiotic, synbiotic, and postbiotic) on programmed hypertension. Maternal HFD during gestation and lactation significantly reduced circulating butyrate, along with decreased tissue level of butyrate and increased expression of SCFA-sensing receptors, GPR41 and olfr78, and tissue oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in PVN of HFD offspring that were rectified by oral supplement with -biotics. Gene silencing of GPR41 or olfr78 mRNA in PVN also protected adult HFD offspring from programmed hypertension and alleviated the induced oxidative stress and inflammation in PVN. In addition, oral supplement with postbiotic butyrate restored tissue butyrate levels, rectified expressions of GPR41 and olfr78 in PVN, and protected against programmed hypertension in adult HFD offspring. These data suggest that alterations in tissue butyrate level, expression of GPR41 and olfr78, and activation of SCFA-sensing receptor-dependent tissue oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in PVN could be novel mechanisms that underlie hypertension programmed by maternal HFD exposure in adult offspring. Furthermore, oral -biotics supplementation may exert beneficial effects on hypertension of developmental origin by targeting dysfunctional SCFA-sensing receptors in PVN to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Mei Chao
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - You-Lin Tain
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chia Lee
- Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Kay L. H. Wu
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Ren Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Julie Y. H. Chan
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +886-7733-8415
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Correa BHM, Becari L, Peliky Fontes MA, Simões-e-Silva AC, Kangussu LM. Involvement of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Stress: State of the Art and Research Perspectives. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1212-1228. [PMID: 34554902 PMCID: PMC9886820 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210719142300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Along with other canonical systems, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has shown important roles in stress. This system is a complex regulatory proteolytic cascade composed of various enzymes, peptides, and receptors. Besides the classical (ACE/Ang II/AT1 receptor) and the counter-regulatory (ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor) RAS axes, evidence indicates that nonclassical components, including Ang III, Ang IV, AT2 and AT4, can also be involved in stress. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS This comprehensive review summarizes the current knowledge on the participation of RAS components in different adverse environmental stimuli stressors, including air jet stress, cage switch stress, restraint stress, chronic unpredictable stress, neonatal isolation stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION In general, activation of the classical RAS axis potentiates stress-related cardiovascular, endocrine, and behavioral responses, while the stimulation of the counter-regulatory axis attenuates these effects. Pharmacological modulation in both axes is optimistic, offering promising perspectives for stress-related disorders treatment. In this regard, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are potential candidates already available since they block the classical axis, activate the counter-regulatory axis, and are safe and efficient drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo H. M. Correa
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil;
| | - Luca Becari
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil;
| | - Marco Antônio Peliky Fontes
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics - Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil;
| | - Ana Cristina Simões-e-Silva
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lucas M. Kangussu
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil; ,Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute – Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Tel: (+55-31) 3409-2772; E-mail:
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Xue B, Yu Y, Beltz TG, Guo F, Felder RB, Wei SG, Kim Johnson A. Maternal Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension Sensitizes Postweaning High-Fat Diet-Elicited Hypertensive Response Through Increased Brain Reactivity in Rat Offspring. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e022170. [PMID: 34482712 PMCID: PMC8649524 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.022170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Prenatal and postnatal insults can induce a physiological state that leaves offspring later in life vulnerable to subsequent challenges (stressors) eliciting cardiometabolic diseases including hypertension. In this study, we investigated whether maternal angiotensin II–induced hypertension in rats sensitizes postweaning high‐fat diet (HFD)‐elicited hypertensive response and whether this is associated with autonomic dysfunction and altered central mechanisms controlling sympathetic tone in offspring. Methods and Results When eating a low‐lard‐fat diet, basal mean arterial pressure of male offspring of normotensive or hypertensive dams were comparable. However, HFD feeding significantly increased mean arterial pressure in offspring of normotensive and hypertensive dams, but the elevated mean arterial pressure induced by HFD was greater in offspring of hypertensive dams, which was accompanied by greater sympathetic tone and enhanced pressor responses to centrally administrated angiotensin II or leptin. HFD feeding also produced comparable elevations in cardiac sympathetic activity and plasma levels of angiotensin II, interleukin‐6, and leptin in offspring of normotensive and hypertensive dams. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses in key forebrain regions implicated in the control of sympathetic tone and blood pressure indicated that HFD feeding led to greater increases in mRNA expression of leptin, several components of the renin‐angiotensin system and proinflammatory cytokines in offspring of hypertensive dams when compared with offspring of normotensive dams. Conclusions The results indicate that maternal hypertension sensitized male adult offspring to HFD‐induced hypertension. Increased expression of renin‐angiotensin system components and proinflammatory cytokines, elevated brain reactivity to pressor stimuli, and augmented sympathetic drive to the cardiovascular system likely contributed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojian Xue
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City IA
| | - Yang Yu
- Internal Medicine University of Iowa Iowa City IA
| | - Terry G Beltz
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City IA
| | - Fang Guo
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City IA
| | - Robert B Felder
- Internal Medicine University of Iowa Iowa City IA.,the François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research CenterUniversity of Iowa Iowa City IA
| | - Shun-Guang Wei
- Internal Medicine University of Iowa Iowa City IA.,the François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research CenterUniversity of Iowa Iowa City IA
| | - Alan Kim Johnson
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City IA.,Neuroscience and Pharmacology University of Iowa Iowa City IA.,Health and Human Physiology University of Iowa Iowa City IA.,the François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research CenterUniversity of Iowa Iowa City IA
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Xu T, Fan X, Zhao M, Wu M, Li H, Ji B, Zhu X, Li L, Ding H, Sun M, Xu Z, Gao Q. DNA Methylation-Reprogrammed Ang II (Angiotensin II) Type 1 Receptor-Early Growth Response Gene 1-Protein Kinase C ε Axis Underlies Vascular Hypercontractility in Antenatal Hypoxic Offspring. Hypertension 2020; 77:491-506. [PMID: 33342239 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.16247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As the most common clinical stress during mid and late pregnancy, antenatal hypoxia has profound adverse effects on individual's vascular health later in life, but the underlying mechanisms are still not understood. The purpose of this study was to reveal the mechanisms of the acquired vascular dysfunction in offspring imposed by antenatal hypoxia. Pregnant rats were housed in a normoxic or hypoxic (10.5% oxygen) chamber from gestation day 10 to 21. Male offspring were euthanized at gestational day 21 (fetus) or postnatal 16 weeks old (adult offspring). Mesenteric arteries were collected for examining Ang II (angiotensin II)-mediated vascular contractility, gene expression, and promoter methylation. Antenatal hypoxia increased vascular sensitivity to Ang II, which was resulted by an upregulated AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor). The increased AT1R was correlated with a hypomethylation-mediated activated transcription of Agtr1a (alpha subtype of AT1R). In addition, we presented evidences that there was an AT1R-Egr1 (early growth response gene 1)-PKCε (ε isoform of protein kinase C) axis in vasculature; AT1R could modulate PKCε expression via upregulating Egr1; Egr1 mediated transcription activation of PKCε via Egr1 binding sites in PKCε gene promoter. Overall, antenatal hypoxia activated AT1R-Egr1-PKCε axis in vasculature, eventually predisposed offspring to vascular hypercontractility. This is the first description that antenatal hypoxia resulted in vascular adverse outcomes in postnatal offspring, was strongly associated with reprogrammed gene expression via a DNA methylation-mediated epigenetic mechanism, advancing understanding toward the influence of adverse antenatal factors in early life on long-term vascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xu
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaorong Fan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (X.F.)
| | - Meng Zhao
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Meng Wu
- Institutes of Biological and Medical Sciences, Soochow University Medical School, Suzhou, China (M.W.)
| | - Huan Li
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bingyu Ji
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhu
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hongmei Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (H.D.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Miao Sun
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhice Xu
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qinqin Gao
- From the Institute for Fetology (T.X., M.Z., H.L., B.J., X.Z., L.L., M.S., Z.X., Q.G.), First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Xue B, Zhang Y, Johnson AK. Interactions of the Brain Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS) and Inflammation in the Sensitization of Hypertension. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:650. [PMID: 32760236 PMCID: PMC7373760 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that the renin-angiotensin (RAS) and immune systems interact with one another in the central nervous system (CNS) and that they are importantly involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Components comprising the classic RAS were first identified in the periphery, and subsequently, similar factors were found to be generated de novo in many different organs including the brain. There is humoral-neural coupling between the systemic and brain RASs, which is important for controlling sympathetic tone and the release of endocrine factors that collectively determine blood pressure (BP). Similar to the interactions between the systemic and brain RASs is the communication between the peripheral and brain immune systems. Systemic inflammation activates the brain’s immune response. Importantly, the RAS and inflammatory factors act synergistically in brain regions involved in the regulation of BP. This review presents evidence of how such interactions between the brain RAS and central immune mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Emphasis focuses on the role of these interactions to induce neuroplastic changes in a central neural network resulting in hypertensive response sensitization (HTRS). Neuroplasticity and HTRS can be induced by challenges (stressors) presented earlier in life such as a low-dose of angiotensin II or high fat diet (HFD) feeding in adults. Similarly, the offspring of mothers with gestational hypertension or of mothers ingesting a HFD during pregnancy are reprogrammed and manifest HTRS when exposed to new stressors as adults. Consideration of the actions and interactions of the brain RAS and inflammatory mediators in the context of the induction and expression of HTRS will provide insights into the etiology of high BP that may lead to new strategies for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojian Xue
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Alan Kim Johnson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Neuroscience and Pharmacology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,The François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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