Comparative Analysis of Hypertensive Tubulopathy in Animal Models of Hypertension and Its Relevance to Human Pathology

Assessment of hypertensive tubulopathy for more than fifty animal models of hypertension in experimental pathology employs criteria that do not correspond to lesional descriptors for tubular lesions in clinical pathology. We provide a critical appraisal of experimental hypertension with the same approach used to estimate hypertensive renal tubulopathy in humans. Four models with different pathogenesis of hypertension were analyzed-chronic angiotensin (Ang) II-infused and renin-overexpressing (TTRhRen) mice, spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and Goldblatt two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) rats. Mouse models, SHR, and the nonclipped kidney in 2K1C rats had no regular signs of hypertensive tubulopathy. Histopathology in animals was mild and limited to variations in the volume density of tubular lumen and epithelium, interstitial space, and interstitial collagen. Affected kidneys in animals demonstrated lesion values that are significantly different compared with healthy controls but correspond to mild damage if compared with hypertensive humans. The most substantial human-like hypertensive tubulopathy was detected in the clipped kidney of 2K1C rats. For the first time, our study demonstrated the regular presence of chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) in relatively young mice and rats with induced hypertension. Because CPN may confound the assessment of rodent models of hypertension, proliferative markers should be used to verify nonhypertensive tubulopathy.

Comparative analysis of hypertensive nephrosclerosis in animal models of hypertension and its relevance to human pathology. Glomerulopathy

Current research on hypertension utilizes more than fifty animal models that rely mainly on stable increases in systolic blood pressure. In experimental hypertension, grading or scoring of glomerulopathy in the majority of studies is based on a wide range of opinion-based histological changes that do not necessarily comply with lesional descriptors for glomerular injury that are well-established in clinical pathology. Here, we provide a critical appraisal of experimental hypertensive glomerulopathy with the same approach used to assess hypertensive glomerulopathy in humans. Four hypertensive models with varying pathogenesis were analyzed–chronic angiotensin II infused mice, mice expressing active human renin in the liver (TTRhRen), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and Goldblatt two-kidney one-clip rats (2K1C). Analysis of glomerulopathy utilized the same criteria applied in humans–hyalinosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), ischemic, hypertrophic and solidified glomeruli, or global glomerulosclerosis (GGS). Data from animal models were compared to human reference values. Kidneys in TTRhRen mice, SHR and the nonclipped kidneys in 2K1C rats had no sign of hyalinosis, FSGS or GGS. Glomerulopathy in these groups was limited to variations in mesangial and capillary compartment volumes, with mild increases in collagen deposition. Histopathology in angiotensin II infused mice corresponded to mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, but not hypertensive glomerulosclerosis. The number of nephrons was significantly reduced in TTRhRen mice and SHR, but did not correlate with severity of glomerulopathy. The most substantial human-like glomerulosclerotic lesions, including FSGS, ischemic obsolescent glomeruli and GGS, were found in the clipped kidneys of 2K1C rats. The comparison of affected kidneys to healthy control in animals produces lesion values that are numerically impressive but correspond to mild damage if compared to humans. Animal studies should be standardized by employing the criteria and classifications established in human pathology to make experimental and human data fully comparable for comprehensive analysis and model improvements.

A novel method for comparison of arterial remodeling in hypertension: Quantification of arterial trees and recognition of remodeling patterns on histological sections

Remodeling of spatially heterogeneous arterial trees is routinely quantified on tissue sections by averaging linear dimensions, with lack of comparison between different organs and models. The impact of experimental models or hypertension treatment modalities on organ-specific vascular remodeling remains undefined. A wide variety of arterial remodeling types has been demonstrated for hypertensive models, which include differences across organs. The purpose of this study was to reassess methods for measurement of arterial remodeling and to establish a morphometric algorithm for standard and comparable quantification of vascular remodeling in hypertension in different vascular beds. We performed a novel and comprehensive morphometric analysis of terminal arteries in the brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, stomach, intestine, skin, skeletal muscle, and adrenal glands of control and Goldblatt hypertensive rats on routinely processed tissue sections. Mean dimensions were highly variable but grouping them into sequential 5 μm intervals permitted creation of reliable linear regression equations and complex profiles. Averaged arterial dimensions demonstrated seven remodeling patterns that were distinct from conventional inward-outward and hypertrophic-eutrophic definitions. Numerical modeling predicted at least nineteen variants of arterial spatial conformations. Recognition of remodeling variants was not possible using averaged dimensions, their ratios, or the remodeling and growth indices. To distinguish remodeling patterns, a three-dimensional modeling was established and tested. The proposed algorithm permits quantitative analysis of arterial remodeling in different organs and may be applicable for comparative studies between animal hypertensive models and human hypertension. Arterial wall tapering is the most important factor to consider in arterial morphometry, while perfusion fixation with vessel relaxation is not necessary. Terminal arteries in organs undergo the same remodeling pattern in Goldblatt rats, except for organs with hemodynamics affected by the arterial clip. The existing remodeling nomenclature should be replaced by a numerical classification applicable to any type of arterial remodeling.

[Dose-dependent effects of dexamethasone on functional activity of T-lymphocytes different grade of differentiation]

Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents which have pleiotropic effects on growth, differentiation and functional activity of T-lymphocytes. Under experimental conditions in vitro carried out a comprehensive assessment of the dexamethasone influence on the functional activity of T-cells with different differentiation degrees. It was established that the influence of dexamethasone on the functional activity of CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ T-lymphocytes, in general, has depressing character. It was revealed that in the population of naive (CD45RA+) T-cells dexamethasone exerts a more pronounced inhibitory effect on early (IL-2-dependent, associated with the CD25 expression and IL-2 production) activation stages, whereas in the culture primed memory cells (CD45RO+)--for later (IL-2-independent, associated with the expression of proliferation molecule CD71). Multidirectional effects of dexamethasone on the expression level of telomerase catalytic unit (hTERT) mRNA are associated with the degree of T cells differentiation. It isproposed, that the role of glucocorticoid hormones in immunogenesis is primarily aimed at suppression of excessive T cells growth and on the maintainance of the clonal balance in lymphoid tissue.

[Dose-response effect of steroid hormones on the Gfi1 and U2afil4 gene expression in T lymphocytes at different stages of differentiation]

Alternative splicing of Ptprc gene is a key event in memory T cell differentiation. This gene encodes transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase CD45. One of potential mechanisms of alternative splicing regulation is based on antagonistic effects of auxiliary splicing factor U2AF26 and transcription factor Gfi1. These two proteins regulate antigen-dependent T cell activation. We have shown that steroid hormones have different effects on U2af1l4 and Gfi1 transcription regulation in dissimilar differentiation stage cell culture, subjected to antigen-independent stimulation. Low concentrations of glucocorticoid (Dex) and female sex hormone (Est) can activate expression of U2af1l4 in re-stimulated cells that probably induce terminal receptor CD45 isoforms formation mechanism, whereas high doses of hormones inhibit the process. In the same conditions Dex in a wide range of concentrations (10(-5)-10(-7) M) and Est (10(-6) and 10(-7) M) activate U2af1l4 gene expression that probably leads to "surrogate memory T cells" formation. Dose dependent testosterone (Test) effect is opposite to Est and Dex effect on priming (CD45RO+) and naive (CD45RA+) lymphocytes. The role of steroid hormones in memory T cell differentiation in antigen-independent stimulation conditions is of great interest for the understanding of chronic hormonal and immune disbalance mechanisms.

[The influence of testosterone and β-estradiol on T-lymphocytes activation associated with IL-2 production and expression of CD25 (IL-2Rα) molecules]

We have shown that testosterone and β-estradiol in vitro have effects on naïve (CD45RA+) and priming (CD45RO+) T-lymphocytes, which associated with the production of IL-2 and CD25/IL-2Rα expression. Testosterone can inhibit naïve and priming T-cell function activity in our study. Moreover it was shown that naïve lymphocytes are more sensitive to testosterone than primed. We have found dose dependent suppressive β-estradiol effect on IL-2 production by activated CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ lymphocytes which leads to uniform decreasing CD25-positive T-cells number.

[Influence of immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15) in vitro upon activation, proliferation and apoptosis of immune memory T-cells]

Under the experimental conditions in vitro the effects of immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15) on the activation, proliferation and apoptosis of different subpopulations of immune memory T-cell (Cd45RO+) were investigated in healthy donors. It was demonstrated that the effects of rlL-2 in vitro equally affect the activation and proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations of memory T cells. It has been shown that high concentrations of rIL-2 lead to an increase in the number of CD8+ memory cells expressing apoptotic molecule CD95. Different effect of rIL-7 and rIL-15 on the activation and proliferation of cytotoxic CD8+ memory ells has been revealed in vitro. CD4+ memory lymphocytes have relative resistance to the activation and proliferative effect of rlL-7 and rlL-15, if compared with the effects of rIL-2, which can provide their relative resistance to the activation apoptosis as well as create the necessary conditions for the accelerated implementation of their functional capacity in the development of a secondary immune response.

[Effects of a cardiac peptide preparation on the myocardium in ischemia]

Based on experimental studies the possibility of cordialin use in acute ischemia is being substantiated. On the first day of the animals' mortality and increased life duration of cells in ischemia zone, delaying the injury region expansion. But later in rats, that were given cordialin, slowing down of injury zone recovery and scar tissue formation was demonstrated. Cordialin use in early stages of myocardial infarction is suggested. In experiments on isolated heart cordialin is reported to decrease the intensity of processes of lipids' peroxide oxidation in intact and ischemic myocardium. But in reperfusion cordialin activates LPO, that is associated with heart contracting activity inhibition. The results of the study may serve as an experimental basis for cordialin use on the first day of MI development. Its further use needs the correction of its ability to slow down the processes of necrotic tissue recovery.