High intraluminal pressure via H2O2 upregulates arteriolar constrictions to angiotensin II by increasing the functional availability of AT1 receptors

Previously, we found that high intraluminal pressure leads to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and also upregulates several components of the renin-angiotensin system in the wall of small arteries. We hypothesized that acute exposure of arterioles to high intraluminal pressure in vitro via increasing ROS production enhances the functional availability of type 1 angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors (AT1 receptors), resulting in sustained constrictions. In arterioles ( approximately 180 mum) isolated from rat skeletal muscle, Ang II elicited dose-dependent constrictions, which decreased significantly by the second application [maximum (max.): from 59% +/- 4% to 26% +/- 5% at 10(-8) M; P < 0.05] in the presence of 80 mmHg of intraluminal pressure. In contrast, if the arterioles were exposed to high intraluminal pressure (160 mmHg for 30 min), Ang II-induced constrictions remained substantial on the second application (max.: 51% +/- 3% at 10(-8) M). In the presence of Tiron and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-catalase, known to reduce the level of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), second applications of Ang II evoked similarly reduced constrictions, even after high-pressure exposure (29% +/- 4% at 10(-8) M). Furthermore, when arterioles were exposed to H(2)O(2) (for 30 min, 10(-7) M, at normal 80 mmHg pressure), Ang II-induced constrictions remained substantial on second applications (59% +/- 5% at 10(-8) M). These findings suggest that high pressure, likely via inducing H(2)O(2) production, increases the functional availability of AT1 receptors and thus enhances Ang II-induced arteriolar constrictions. We propose that in hypertension-regardless of etiology-high intraluminal pressure, via oxidative stress, enhances the functional availability of AT1 receptors augmenting Ang II-induced constrictions.     

Coexpression of AT1 and AT2 receptors by human fibroblasts is associated with resistance to angiotensin II

Angiotensin II (AngII) is considered as a cytokine-like factor displaying a variety of proinflammatory and profibrotic cellular effects. Most of these effects seem mediated by AT1 signaling, whereas AT2 expression and function in adult human cells remain unclear. We have studied AT1 and AT2 expression in different human adult fibroblasts types and analyze their response to AngII. AngII did not induce thymidine incorporation, apoptosis nor collagen gene or protein expression in human fibroblasts. Specific AT1 or AT2 inhibitors did not modify this apparent resistance to AngII. We found abundant expression of both AT1 and AT2 receptors in all human fibroblasts studied, whereas vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) which only expressed AT1 receptor, displayed a clear AT1-dependent proliferative response to AngII. These data demonstrate that cultured human adult fibroblasts express both AT1 and AT2 receptor types and this phenomenon is associated with a lack of growth or collagen synthesis responses to AngII.     

Exercise-induced apoptosis in rat kidney is mediated by both angiotensin II AT1 and AT2 receptors

Excessive physical exercise may lead to disturbance of the entire homeostasis in the body, including damage not only in skeletal muscles but also in many distant organs. The mechanisms responsible for the exercise-induced changes could include oxidative stress or angiotensin II. We previously showed that acute exercise led to apoptosis in kidney but not as a result of oxidative stress. In this study, we examined the role of angiotensin II and its AT1 and AT2 receptors in mediation of exercise-induced apoptosis in kidney. We clearly demonstrated that acute physical exercise induced apoptosis in renal cells of distal convoluted tubuli and cortical and medullary collecting ducts. Moreover, the cells displayed an increased expression of both AT1 and AT2 angiotensin II receptors and of p53 protein. The results suggest that angiotensin II could upregulate p53 expression in renal distal convoluted tubular cells and in the cells collecting ducts via both AT1 and AT2 receptors, which might be the crucial apoptosis-mediating mechanism in kidneys after excessive exercise.     

Estrogen upregulates renal angiotensin II AT1 and AT2 receptors in the rat

We studied renal AT1 and AT2 receptors in male, female, ovariectomized and ovariectomized-estrogen-treated Wistar-Hanover and Wistar-Kyoto rats. AT1 receptors and AT1A receptor mRNA predominated, with no significant differences between males and females. AT2 receptor expression was restricted in female rats to the capsule, the transition zone between outer and inner medulla, the endothelium lining the papilla, and arcuate arteries and veins. There were no AT2 receptors in male rats, while male mice express substantial numbers of estrogen-dependent AT2 receptors. Arcuate arteries and veins expressed AT1B mRNA in males and females, and AT2 mRNA in females only. AT1 receptor and AT2 receptor expression were estrogen-dependent, with increases in AT1 and AT2 receptor expression after estrogen treatment in ovariectomized rats. Estrogen treatment increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cGMP concentrations in the renal medulla, and eNOS expression in cortical arteries. In rodents, expression of renal Angiotensin II receptor types is estrogen-dependent, with significant species, strain and area differences. Our results support an important role for AT2 receptors in the regulation of renal function and in the protective effects of estrogen in the kidney.     

12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid participates in angiotensin II afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction by activating L-type calcium channels

The lipoxygenase (LO) metabolite, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12(S)-HETE], constricts renal vessels, contributes to the vascular response to angiotensin, and has been implicated in cardiovascular and renal diseases. The current studies were performed to determine if renal microvascular 12(S)-HETE production is stimulated by angiotensin and the contribution of L-type calcium channels to the vasoconstriction elicited by 12(S)-HETE. Angiotensin increased renal microvascular 12(S)-HETE production by 64%, whereas cyclooxygenase metabolite production was not altered. Renal microvessels also expressed platelet-type 12-LO and leukocyte-type 12-LO. In the juxtamedullary preparation, afferent arteriolar diameter averaged 21 +/- 1 microm and 12(S)-HETE caused a graded decrease in vessel caliber. The afferent arteriolar response to 12(S)-HETE was abolished during L-type calcium channel inhibition. Renal microvascular smooth muscle cells were studied using fluorescence microscopy. Renal myocyte [Ca2+]i averaged 93 +/- 5 nmol/l. The 12(S)-HETE (5 micromol/l) increased myocyte [Ca2+]i to a peak value of 340 +/- 55 nmol/l. The peak [Ca2+]i response following exposure to 12(S)-HETE was greatly attenuated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ or calcium channel blockade. These results demonstrate that renal microvascular 12(S)-HETE production is increased in response to angiotensin, and activation of L-type calcium channels is an important mechanism responsible for the afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction elicited by 12(S)-HETE.     

The angiotensin II AT2 receptor is an AT1 receptor antagonist

The vasopressor angiotensin II activates AT(1) and AT(2) receptors. Most of the known in vivo effects of angiotensin II are mediated by AT(1) receptors while the biological functions of AT(2) receptors are less clear. We report here that the AT(2) receptor binds directly to the AT(1) receptor and thereby antagonizes the function of the AT(1) receptor. The AT(1)-specific antagonism of the AT(2) receptor was independent of AT(2) receptor activation and signaling, and it was effective on different cells and on human myometrial biopsies with AT(1)/AT(2) receptor expression. Thus, the AT(2) receptor is the first identified example of a G-protein-coupled receptor which acts as a receptor-specific antagonist.     

Sarcosine1,glycine8 angiotensin II is an AT1 angiotensin II receptor subtype selective antagonist

Studies predating the discovery of the two major subtypes of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors, AT1 and AT2, revealed anomalous characteristics of sarcosine1,glycine8 Ang II (Sar1,Gly8 Ang II). It competed poorly for 125I-Ang II binding in bovine brain but potently antagonized dipsogenic responses to intracerebroventricularly administered Ang II. Subsequent recognition that bovine brain contains AT(2) receptors, while dipsogenic responses to Ang II are mediated by AT1 receptors, suggests that Sar1,Gly(8) Ang II is AT1 selective. Sar1,Gly8 Ang II competed for 125I-sarcosine1,isoleucine8 Ang II binding to AT1 receptors in pituitary, liver and adrenal (the latter with the AT2 selective antagonist PD 123,319) with Ki's of 0.66, 1.40 and 1.36 nM, respectively. In contrast, the Ki of Sar1,Gly8 Ang II for AT2 receptors in rat adrenal (with the selective AT1 antagonist losartan) was 52 nM. 125I-Sar1,Gly8 Ang II (0.5-3 nM) bound to AT1 receptors in pituitary, liver, heart, adrenal, and hypothalamic membranes with high affinity (Kd=0.43, 1.6, 2.3, 0.96 and 1.8 nM, respectively), but showed no saturable binding to the adrenal AT2 receptor. 125I-Sar1,Gly8 Ang II selectively labeled AT1 receptors in sections of adrenal using receptor autoradiography. Thus, binding studies reveal Sar1,Gly8 Ang II to be the first angiotensin peptide analog to show AT1 receptor selectivity. 125I-Sar1,Gly8 Ang II offers a new means to selectively radiolabel AT1 receptors and may help to characterize ligand docking sites and agonist switches for AT1 versus AT2 receptors.     

Angiotensin IV is a potent agonist for constitutive active human AT1 receptors. Distinct roles of the N-and C-terminal residues of angiotensin II during AT1 receptor activation

The octapeptide hormone, angiotensin II (Ang II), exerts its major physiological effects by activating AT(1) receptors. In vivo Ang II is degraded to bioactive peptides, including Ang III (angiotensin-(2-8)) and Ang IV (angiotensin-(3-8)). These peptides stimulate inositol phosphate generation in human AT(1) receptor expressing CHO-K1 cells, but the potency of Ang IV is very low. Substitution of Asn(111) with glycine, which is known to cause constitutive receptor activation by disrupting its interaction with the seventh transmembrane helix (TM VII), selectively increased the potency of Ang IV (900-fold) and angiotensin-(4-8), and leads to partial agonism of angiotensin-(5-8). Consistent with the need for the interaction between Arg(2) of Ang II and Ang III with Asp(281), substitution of this residue with alanine (D281A) decreased the peptide's potency without affecting that of Ang IV. All effects of the D281A mutation were superseded by the N111G mutation. The increased affinity of Ang IV to the N111G mutant was also demonstrated by binding studies. A model is proposed in which the Arg(2)-Asp(281) interaction causes a conformational change in TM VII of the receptor, which, similar to the N111G mutation, eliminates the constraining intramolecular interaction between Asn(111) and TM VII. The receptor adopts a more relaxed conformation, allowing the binding of the C-terminal five residues of Ang II that switches this "preactivated" receptor into the fully active conformation.     

Baroreceptor reflex modulation by circulating angiotensin II is mediated by AT1 receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius

Circulating ANG II modulates the baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate (HR), at least partly via activation of ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptors on neurons in the area postrema. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the effects of circulating ANG II on the baroreflex also depend on AT1 receptors within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). In confirmation of previous studies in other species, increases in arterial pressure induced by intravenous infusion of ANG II had little effect on HR in urethane-anesthetized rats, in contrast to the marked bradycardia evoked by equipressor infusion of phenylephrine. In the presence of a continuous background infusion of ANG II, the baroreflex control of HR was shifted to higher levels of HR but had little effect on the baroreflex control of renal sympathetic activity. The modulatory effects of circulating ANG II on the cardiac baroreflex were significantly reduced by microinjection of candesartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist, into the area postrema and virtually abolished by microinjections of candesartan into the medial NTS. After acute ablation of the area postrema, a background infusion of ANG II still caused an upward shift of the cardiac baroreflex curve, which was reversed by subsequent microinjection of candesartan into the medial NTS. The results indicate that AT1 receptors in the medial NTS play a critical role in modulation of the cardiac baroreflex by circulating ANG II via mechanisms that are at least partly independent of AT1 receptors in the area postrema.     

Endogenous angiotensin II suppresses stretch-induced ANP secretion via AT1 receptor pathway

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is released by stretch of cardiac myocytes and has paracrine and autocrine effects on cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. However, the direct effect of Ang II on the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is unclear. The aim of the present study is to test whether Ang II affects stretch-induced ANP secretion. The isolated perfused beating atria were used from control and two-kidney one-clip hypertensive (2K1C) rats. The volume load was achieved by elevating the height of outflow catheter connected with isolated atria from 5 cmH₂O to 7.5 cmH₂O. Atrial stretch by volume load caused increases in atrial contractility by 60% and in ANP secretion by 100%. Ang II suppressed stretch-induced ANP secretion and tended to increase atrial contractility whereas losartan stimulated stretch-induced ANP secretion. Neither PD123319 nor A779 had direct effect on stretch-induced ANP secretion. The suppressive effect of Ang II on stretch-induced ANP secretion was blocked by the pretreatment of losartan but not by the pretreatment of PD123319 or A779. In hypertrophied atria from 2K1C rats, stretch-induced ANP concentration attenuated and atrial contractility augmented. The response of stretch-induced ANP secretion to Ang II and losartan augmented. The expression of AT1 receptor protein and mRNA increased but AT2 and Mas receptor mRNA did not change in 2K1C rat atria. Therefore, we suggest that Ang II generated endogenously by atrial stretch suppresses stretch-induced ANP secretion through the AT1 receptor and alteration of Ang II effect in 2K1C rat may be due to upregulation of AT1 receptor.     

Vascular response to angiotensin II is exaggerated through an upregulation of AT1 receptor in AT2 knockout mice

Blood pressure is elevated and pressor response to angiotensin II (Ang II) is exaggerated in AT2 null mice. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism for the increased responsiveness to Ang II in the mice. The contraction of aortic strips generated by Ang II was significantly greater in the AT2 gene-deleted mice than the control, which was completely abolished by AT1 antagonist losartan. The aortic content of AT1 receptor was significantly increased (P < 0.05, n = 5) in the AT2 null mice (212 +/- 58.2 fmol/mg protein) compared with the control (98.2 +/- 55.9 fmol/mg protein). While both AT1 and AT2 mRNAs were expressed in the aorta of the control mice, only AT1 mRNA was expressed in the AT2 knockout mice. The expression of AT1 mRNA in the AT2 knockout mice was significantly higher (1.5-fold, P < 0.05, n = 5) than that in the control. The present study clearly demonstrated that the increased vascular reactivity to Ang II in AT2 knockout mice is at least partly due to an increased vascular AT1 receptor expression and suggested that AT2 counteracts AT1-mediated vascular action of Ang II through downregulation of AT1 receptor by a crosstalk between these receptors by some as yet unknown mechanisms.     

Evolutionary information helps understand distinctive features of the angiotensin II receptors AT1 and AT2 in amniota

In vertebrates, the octopeptide angiotensin II (AngII) is an important in vivo regulator of the cardiovascular system. It acts mainly through two G protein-coupled receptors, AT1 and AT2. To better understand distinctive features of these receptors, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis that revealed a mirror evolution of AT1 and AT2, each one split into two clades, separating fish from terrestrial receptors. It also revealed that hallmark mutations occurred at, or near, the sodium binding site in both AT1 and AT2. Electrostatics computations and molecular dynamics simulations support maintained sodium binding to human AT1 with slow ingress from the extracellular side and an electrostatic component of the binding free energy around -3kT, to be compared to around -2kT for human AT2 and the δ opioid receptor. Comparison of the sodium binding modes in wild type and mutated AT1 and AT2 from humans and eels indicates that the allosteric control by sodium in both AT1 and AT2 evolved during the transition from fish to amniota. The unusual S7.46N mutation in AT1 is mirrored by a L3.36M mutation in AT2. In the presence of sodium, the N7.46 pattern in amniota AT1 stabilizes the inward orientation of N3.35 in the apo receptor, which should contribute to efficient N3.35 driven biased signaling. The M3.36 pattern in amniota AT2 favours the outward orientation of N3.35 and the receptor promiscuity. Both mutations have physiological consequences for the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system.     

Differential beta-arrestin binding of AT1 and AT2 angiotensin receptors

Agonist stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors causes receptor activation, phosphorylation, beta-arrestin binding and receptor internalization. Angiotensin II (AngII) causes rapid internalization of the AT1 receptors, whereas AngII-bound AT2 receptors do not internalize. Although the activation of the rat AT1A receptor with AngII causes translocation of beta-arrestin2 to the receptor, no association of this molecule with the AT2 receptor can be detected after AngII treatment with confocal microscopy or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer. These data demonstrate that the two subtypes of angiotensin receptors have different mechanisms of regulation.     

Coupling of angiotensin II AT1 receptors to neuronal NHE activity and carrier-mediated norepinephrine release in myocardial ischemia

In ischemia, cardiac sympathetic nerve endings (cSNE) release excessive amounts of norepinephrine (NE) via the nonexocytotic Na(+)-dependent NE transporter (NET). NET, normally responsible for NE reuptake into cSNE, reverses in myocardial ischemia, releasing pathological amounts of NE. This carrier-mediated NE release can be triggered by elevated intracellular Na(+) levels in the axoplasm. The fact that ischemia activates the intracellular pH regulatory Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) in cSNE is pivotal in increasing intraneuronal Na(+) and thus activating carrier-mediated NE release. Angiotensin (ANG) II levels are also significantly elevated in the ischemic heart. However, the effects of ANG II on cSNE, which express the ANG II receptor, AT(1)R, are poorly understood. We hypothesized that ANG II-induced AT(1)R activation in cSNE may be positively coupled to NHE activity and thereby facilitate the pathological release of NE associated with myocardial ischemia. We tested this hypothesis in a cSNE model, human neuroblastoma cells stably transfected with rat recombinant AT(1A) receptor (SH-SY5Y-AT(1A)). SH-SY5Y-AT(1A) constitutively expresses amiloride-sensitive NHE and the NET. NHE activity was assayed in BCECF-loaded SH-SY5Y-AT(1A) as the rate of the Na(+)-dependent alkalinization in response to an acute acidosis. ANG II activation of AT(1)R markedly increased NHE activity in SH-SY5Y-AT(1A) via a Ca(2+)-dependent pathway and promoted carrier-mediated NE release. In addition, in guinea pig cSNE expressing native AT(1)R, ANG II elicited carrier-mediated NE release. In SH-SY5Y-AT(1A) and cSNE, amiloride inhibited the ANG II-mediated release of NE. Our results provide a link between AT(1)R and NHE in cSNE, which can exacerbate carrier-mediated NE release during protracted myocardial ischemia.     

Genetic depletion of glutathione peroxidase-1 potentiates nephrotoxicity induced by multiple doses of cocaine via activation of angiotensin II AT1 receptor

We investigated the possible roles of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and oxidative stress responsive nuclear factor κB (NFκB) in renal damage caused by multiple doses of cocaine in glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-1 gene-depleted mice. Treatment with cocaine resulted in significant increases in malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and pro-apoptotic Bax expression and decreases in the ratio of glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form (GSSG), GSH-dependent enzymes, and anti-apoptotic factors in the kidney. These alterations were more pronounced in GPx-1 knockout (?/?) mice than in wild type (WT) mice. Notably, the AT1R antagonist losartan protected against the renal toxicity induced by cocaine, whereas the NFκB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was not protective. The toxicity was more pronounced in GPx-1 (?/?) mice than in WT mice. The protective effect afforded by losartan against cocaine toxicity appeared to be more sensitive in GPx-1 (?/?) mice than that in WT mice. These losartan-mediated protective effects were inhibited by the phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, indicating that losartan provides significant protection from cocaine-induced renal toxicity through PI3K/Akt signaling. Our results suggest that genetic inhibition of GPx-1 potentiates cocaine-induced renal damage via activation of AT1R by inhibition of PI3K-Akt signaling, and that AT1R can be a therapeutic target against renal toxicity induced by cocaine.     

Immunohistochemical detection of angiotensin receptors AT1 and AT2 in adrenal tumors

Angiotensin II is well known to affect the adrenal cell growth and function. Angiotensin receptors AT1 and AT2 were found to be present in the normal adrenal gland. However, the data on the expression of the angiotensin receptors in the adrenal tumors are very scarce. To overcome this gap, the paraffin sections of the adrenal cortical tumors and of pheochromocytomas from the archival material were immunostained with antibodies raised against AT1 (sc-1173) and AT2 (sc-9040) receptor proteins. In hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex and in benign adrenocortical adenomas, both functioning and non-functioning, the AT1 immunostaining was present mainly in the cell membranes. A positive immunoreaction was also found in the subpopulation of cell nuclei and within the cytoplasm. In the adrenal cancer, as well as in pheochromocytomas, neither cell membranes nor cell nuclei were immunostained with anti-AT1 antibody. However, a weak AT1 immunostaining was present within the cytoplasm of tumoral cells. With anti-AT2 antibody, in all tumors investigated, the tumoral cells were immunonegative but moderate to strong AT2 immunostaining was observed in the walls of intratumoral blood vessels and in the interstitial tissue. Our data indicates that the expression of AT1 receptors is altered in adrenal cancer and in pheochromocytomas. The expression of AT2 receptors, in turn, may be connected with the process of tumoral neo-angiogenesis.     

Angiotensin II induced increase in frequency of cytosolic and nuclear calcium waves of heart cells via activation of AT1 and AT2 receptors

The aim of this work is to verify if Angiotensin II (Ang II) affects the frequency of spontaneous cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ waves in chick embryonic cardiomyocytes and if this effect is mediated via the activation of AT1 and/or AT2 receptors. Using the rapid scan technique of confocal microscopy, we observed that Ang II (10(-8)M) increases the frequency of cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ waves. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in the amplitude of nuclear Ca2+ waves and an absence of effect on the amplitude of cytosolic Ca2+ waves. The effect of the octapeptide on both frequency and amplitude of the nuclear waves was prevented by the AT1 receptor antagonist L158809. However, blockade of the AT2 receptor using the antagonist PD123319 (10(-7)M) only prevented the effect of Ang II on the frequency of Ca2+ waves. Furthermore, the effect was prevented by both a PKC inhibitor (bisindolylmaleimide) and a PKC activator (phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate). In addition, the Ang II effect was not prevented by the blocker of the pacemaker current If. These results demonstrate that Ang II, via the activation of its receptors AT1 and AT2, affects the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ waves and this effect seems to be mediated by the PKC pathway.     

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 mmHg(2), AT1aWT vs. AT1aKO). Diabetes reduced BPV but only in AT1aWT (19 +/- 0.5 vs. 8 +/- 1 mmHg(2), 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.     

Angiotensin AT1 receptor-associated protein Arap1 in the kidney vasculature is suppressed by angiotensin II

Arap1 is a protein that interacts with angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptors and facilitates increased AT(1) receptor surface expression in vitro. In the present study, we assessed the tissue localization and regulation of Arap1 in vivo. Arap1 was found in various mouse organs, with the highest expression in the heart, kidney, aorta, and adrenal gland. Renal Arap1 protein was restricted to the vasculature and to glomerular mesangial cells and was absent from tubular epithelia. A similar localization was found in human kidneys. To test the hypothesis that angiotensin II may control renal Arap1 expression, mice were subjected to various conditions to alter the activity of the renin-angiotensin system. A high-salt diet (4% NaCl, 7 days) upregulated Arap1 expression in mice by 47% compared with controls (0.6% NaCl, P = 0.03). Renal artery stenosis (7 days) or water restriction (48 h) suppressed Arap1 levels compared with controls (-64 and -62% in the clipped and contralateral kidney, respectively; and -50% after water restriction, P < 0.01). Angiotensin II infusion (2 μg·kg(-1)·min(-1), 7 days) reduced Arap1 mRNA levels compared with vehicle by 29% (P < 0.01), whereas AT(1) antagonism (losartan, 30 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1), 7 days) enhanced Arap1 mRNA expression by 52% (P < 0.01); changes in mRNA were paralleled by Arap1 protein abundance. Experiments with hydralazine and epithelial nitric oxide synthase-/- mice further suggested that Arap1 expression changed in parallel with angiotensin II, rather than with blood pressure per se. Similar to in vivo, Arap1 mRNA and protein were suppressed by angiotensin II in a time- and dose-dependent manner in cultured mesangial cells. In summary, Arap1 is highly expressed in the renal vasculature, and its expression is suppressed by angiotensin II. Thus Arap1 may serve as a local modulator of vascular AT(1) receptor function in vivo.