P3, O'CONNOR Hypertension affects ~33% of adults in the U.S. and regardless of sex, fewer than 40% of hypertensive patients taking medication achieve blood pressure (BP) control to recommended levels. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are released by injured cells and immune cells. High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a DAMP, and circulating HMGB1 levels are increased in patients with hypertension. A critical barrier to improving BP control rates is lack of understanding how activation of the innate immune system alters renal function. The goal of P3 is to determine whether DAMPs act on the renal medullary circulation to cause a pro-hypertensive shift in pressure-natriuresis. Studies are based on the novel concept that spontaneously occurring rhythmic contractions of descending vasa recta (DVR) pericytes help prevent red blood cell (RBC) blockage of these long, low pressure capillaries. Our central hypothesis is that is that HMGB1 stimulates inappropriate nitric oxide (NO) production by DVR endothelial cells in low sheer states, which is detrimental as it inhibits spontaneous rhythmic contractions of DVR pericytes that normally act to prevent RBC aggregations. Further, elevated levels of circulating HMGB1 in SHR may stimulate chronic inflammation and activation of the DVR endothelial cells by acting on TLR4 receptors. This would also promote vascular clogging by slowing the movement of immune cells or by increasing vessel hematocrit secondary to plasma leakage. RBC occlusion of DVR then leads to rarefaction of surrounding medullary vasculature, impaired pressure-natriuresis and hypertension. We will test our hypothesis via three specific aims: 1) Test the hypothesis that low flow stimulates rhythmic pericyte contractility and that this is inhibited by HMGB1-induced NO production, 2) Test the hypothesis that elevated levels of circulating DAMPS in SHR promotes chronic activation of vasa-recta endothelial cells and vascular inflammation, and 3) Test the hypothesis that DAMPs promote RBC aggregation in DVR and that this contributes to rarefaction of the medullary capillaries, a pro- hypertensive shift in intrinsic renal pressure natriuresis and hypertension. Project 3 is highly synergistic with the other Projects and is dependent on all Cores for the successful completion of our aims. P1 will utilize renal vessels from experiments in P3. P2 and P3 will collaborate to investigate the role of adhesion molecules and circulating immune cells on the medullary circulation as well as whether apoptosis of medullary microvessels contributes to greater Tregs in females. The proposed studies utilize a highly integrative approach incorporating in vivo whole animal studies and ex vivo measurements of the medullary circulation to rigorously test our hypothesis. Our results will provide a mechanistic link between the seemingly disparate processes thought to be critical in the development of hypertension; activation of the innate immune system and renal medullary ischemia and have the potential to impact the treatment, not only of hypertension, but a number of diseases in which DVR blockage occurs.

Public Health Relevance

P3, O'CONNOR Uncontrolled hypertension increases the risk of chronic kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, heart failure and peripheral artery disease and despite available therapeutic options, BP control rates remain below 40%. The kidney has long been recognized as important in the development of hypertension. In particular, loss of the renal microvasculature and medullary ischemia leading to decreases in overall renal function are thought to be important initiating events in the development of hypertension, although the cause of these changes remain unknown. Project 3 will improve scientific knowledge by advancing our understanding of the mechanisms through which activation of the innate immune system impacts the renal medulla to promote a pro-hypertensive shift in renal function.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01HL134604-05
Application #
10094232
Study Section
Heart, Lung, and Blood Initial Review Group (HLBP)
Program Officer
Varagic, Jasmina
Project Start
2017-02-01
Project End
2022-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Augusta University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Augusta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30912
Wenceslau, Camilla F; McCarthy, Cameron G; Webb, R Clinton (2018) To Be, or Nox to Be, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Hypertension. Hypertension 72:59-60
McCarthy, Cameron G; Wenceslau, Camilla F (2018) Adopting an Orphan: How Could GRP35 Contribute to Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension? Am J Hypertens 31:973-975
Bressan, Alecsander F; Fonseca, Gisele A; Tostes, Rita C et al. (2018) Interleukin-10 negatively modulates extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 in aorta from hypertensive mouse induced by angiotensin II infusion. Fundam Clin Pharmacol :
Abdul, Yasir; Abdelsaid, Mohammed; Li, Weiguo et al. (2018) Inhibition of Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR-4) Improves Neurobehavioral Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke in Diabetic Rats: Possible Role of Vascular Endothelial TLR-4. Mol Neurobiol :
Ray, Sarah C; Baban, Babak; Tucker, Matthew A et al. (2018) Oral NaHCO3 Activates a Splenic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway: Evidence That Cholinergic Signals Are Transmitted via Mesothelial Cells. J Immunol 200:3568-3586
McCarthy, Cameron G; Wenceslau, Camilla F; Ogbi, Safia et al. (2018) Toll-Like Receptor 9-Dependent AMPK? Activation Occurs via TAK1 and Contributes to RhoA/ROCK Signaling and Actin Polymerization in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 365:60-71
Martinez-Quinones, Patricia; McCarthy, Cameron G; Watts, Stephanie W et al. (2018) Hypertension Induced Morphological and Physiological Changes in Cells of the Arterial Wall. Am J Hypertens 31:1067-1078
Komic, Amel; Martinez-Quinones, Patricia; McCarthy, Cameron G et al. (2018) Increase in soluble protein oligomers triggers the innate immune system promoting inflammation and vascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Clin Sci (Lond) 132:1433-1438
Gonçalves, Tiago Tomazini; Lazaro, Carolina M; De Mateo, Fernanda G et al. (2018) Effects of glucosyl-hesperidin and physical training on body weight, plasma lipids, oxidative status and vascular reactivity of rats fed with high-fat diet. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 11:321-332
Wynne, Brandi M; McCarthy, Cameron G; Szasz, Theodora et al. (2018) Protein kinase C? deletion causes hypotension and decreased vascular contractility. J Hypertens 36:510-519

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