Obesity is a major global health concern and is directly linked to the development of hypertension. Although a number of factors may contribute, accumulating evidence from humans and animal models indicate that excessive central sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) plays a pathogenic role in obesity-associated hypertension. However, the mechanisms by which cellular stressors, such as nutritional excess, translate into sympathetic overactivity and sustained elevations in arterial blood pressure remain unclear. A potential means is by evoking long-term changes in gene expression in central nervous system (CNS) cardiovascular neurons through the activation of inducible transcription factors, including nuclear factor kappa-B (NF?B). In this regard, there is mounting evidence that angiotensinergic signaling and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) within the brain are key mechanisms in diet-induced obesity (DIO); however the downstream molecular effectors remain unclear. Our key preliminary findings show that DIO-hypertension is mediated by angiotensinergic and ER stress mediated CNS mechanisms. We also provide exciting preliminary evidence that high fat diet (HFD) feeding in mice induces ER stress and NF?B activation in critical CNS neuro- cardioregulatory areas, including the subfornical organ (SFO) and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Using an approach that combines genomic interventions, innovative imaging techniques and integrative cardiovascular physiological analysis in mice, we will test the overall hypothesis that Ang-II- induced ER stress-mediated activation of NF?B in the SFO-PVN axis mediates neurogenic hypertension induced by DIO.
In Specific Aim 1 we will comprehensively profile NF?B in the SFO-PVN axis during high fat diet (HFD) feeding in mice. We will additionally examine a role for Ang-II-mediated mechanisms in driving NF?B activation during the development of DIO-induced hypertension. Based on evidence that ER stress pathways intersect directly with NF?B activation, in Specific Aim 2, we will examine a role for ER stress in mediating NF?B activation in the SFO and PVN during HFD. Finally in Specific Aim 3, during the independent portion of this proposal, the PI, Dr. Colin Young, will examine a functional role for NF?B in the SFO-PVN axis in mediating DIO sympathetic overactivity and hypertension. These studies have direct translation relevance to the setting of obesity-induced hypertension and build logically upon the PI's background in cardiovascular physiology and sympathetic neural recordings in humans. Furthermore, the findings from these investigations have the potential to significantly advance our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms driving DIO neurogenic hypertension, and may provide novel therapeutic target(s) for the treatment of hypertensive disease states. In addition, these studies have the potential to establish and advance a novel area of research, while at the same time providing a strong training and future research framework for the PI. The PI has extensive training in human neuro-cardiovascular regulation and is currently acquiring the knowledge and skills for applying genomic tools to investigate molecular integrative cardiovascular/autonomic function in mouse models of hypertension. As such, the mentored portion of this proposal (Aims 1 and 2) will uniquely position the PI to pursue future independent investigations (Aim 3) at the crossroads of basic molecular and integrative human translational research. The laboratory of Dr. Robin Davisson is the premier venue for the PI to pursue additional mentored training and perform the proposed studies, having been at the forefront of neural regulation and hypertension research over the past decade. In addition to advanced training in genomics, molecular biology and whole animal cardiovascular and autonomic physiology, the mentored guidance of Dr. Davisson and Cornell University provide a superb opportunity for the progression of career development and training in the responsible conduct of research. In addition to maintaining a strong research focus, the PI will pursue a number of exciting opportunities at the laboratory and institutional level to enhance his maturation as an independent scientist; including further development of leadership qualities, advancement of teaching skills and mentoring of trainees. Overall, this novel and exciting proposal has the potential to lay a strong foundation for the next independent phase of the PI.

Public Health Relevance

Obesity-induced hypertension and sympathetic overactivity is a major global health challenge, although the underlying mechanism(s) remain undefined. The central nervous system is directly implicated and understanding the molecular mechanisms in the brain, including transcription factor activation, will greatly advance our understanding of neuro-cardiovascular dysregulation in obese hypertensive conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Transition Award (R00)
Project #
5R00HL116776-05
Application #
9211367
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Galis, Zorina S
Project Start
2015-02-15
Project End
2018-01-31
Budget Start
2017-02-01
Budget End
2018-01-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$249,000
Indirect Cost
$91,902
Name
George Washington University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
043990498
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20052
Young, Colin N (2017) Endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Exp Physiol 102:869-884
Simonyan, Hayk; Hurr, Chansol; Young, Colin N (2016) A synthetic luciferin improves in vivo bioluminescence imaging of gene expression in cardiovascular brain regions. Physiol Genomics 48:762-770
Holwerda, Seth W; Vianna, Lauro C; Restaino, Robert M et al. (2016) Arterial baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate in patients with type 2 diabetes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 311:H1170-H1179
Hurr, Chansol; Young, Colin N (2016) Neural Control of Non-vasomotor Organs in Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 18:30
Young, Colin N; Li, Anfei; Dong, Frederick N et al. (2015) Endoplasmic reticulum and oxidant stress mediate nuclear factor-?B activation in the subfornical organ during angiotensin II hypertension. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 308:C803-12
Young, Colin N; Morgan, Donald A; Butler, Scott D et al. (2015) Angiotensin type 1a receptors in the forebrain subfornical organ facilitate leptin-induced weight loss through brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Mol Metab 4:337-43
Young, Colin N; Davisson, Robin L (2015) Angiotensin-II, the Brain, and Hypertension: An Update. Hypertension 66:920-6