Lisinopril和Losartan对乳鼠心脏成纤维细胞AT1受体基因表达水平和ACE活力的影响

为了解两种降压药物 -血管紧张素转换酶 (angiotensin converting enzyme,ACE)抑制剂(lisinopril)和血管紧张素 型受体 (AT1 R)拮抗剂 (losartan)在心脏间质组织中的作用 ,进行了药物对乳鼠心脏成纤维细胞 AT1 R基因表达和血管紧张素转换酶活力影响的实验 .用 RT- PCR方法检测体外培养乳鼠心脏成纤维细胞 AT1 R基因的表达 .结果显示 ,losartan在 1 0 -7～ 1 0 -4 mol/L浓度范围内对心肌成纤维细胞 AT1 R基因表达有激活作用 ,其中 1 0 -5mol/L浓度激活作用最强 ;1 0 -5mol/L losartan对 AT1 R基因表达呈现明显的时间依赖性变化 ,当加入 1 h后 ,AT1 R基因表达量增加 2倍 ,随后出现一过性下降 ,2 4 h时回升并维持在一较高水平 .与 losartan相比 ,lisinopril对 AT1 R基因的表达无明显影响 .酶活实验结果显示 ,lisinopril明显抑制心肌成纤维细胞中的ACE活力 ,随时间延长 ,酶活力逐渐恢复 (1 2 .6× 1 0 -3 U/mg) ;而 losartan则对酶活力的影响不明显 ,仅是在 1 2 h后 ,ACE活力才略有升高 .实验结果证明 ,在心脏成纤维细胞中存在有 ACE和AT1 R,并且后者受 losartan以浓度和时间依赖方式的调节 .     

血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导心肌成纤维细胞表达上调基因的分离和鉴定

为了对成年大鼠心肌成纤维细胞（cardiac fibroblasts,CF）受血管紧张素Ⅱ（angiotensin Ⅱ,AngⅡ）刺激后上调基因表达谱进行筛选及分析,以受AngⅡ刺激CF为实验方,未刺激CF为驱动方,进行抑制消减杂交（suppression subtractive hybridization,SSH）,建立消减cDNA文库。经斑点杂交筛选文库后将表达变化显著的部分阳性克隆测序及同源性分析,共获得19个上调表达的基因,分别与细胞外基质、细胞周期、胞内信号转导、细胞骨架及细胞代谢等功能相关,并克隆到7个新的基因表达序列标签（expressed sequence tags,EST）。我们的数据证实了SSH可以有效地克隆成年大鼠CF受AngⅡ刺激后上调表达基因,对这些基因的研究将有助于阐明心肌重塑的分子机制。     

增龄引起复制性衰老细胞胞内钙信号转导的变化

为了观察血管紧张素Ⅱ (AngⅡ )引起复制性衰老细胞胞内游离钙的变化以及衰老对其的影响 ,初步阐明衰老引起胞内游离钙变化的机制 .选用人胚肺二倍体成纤维细胞WI 38细胞株 ,利用逆转录PCR(RT PCR)技术及Northern杂交技术检测衰老细胞血管紧张素Ⅱ 1型受体 (AT1R)、血管紧张素Ⅱ 2型受体 (AT2R)mRNA水平的表达 ;利用激光共聚焦显微成像技术 (LSCM )观察WI 38细胞在AngⅡ刺激 ,Valsartan阻断条件下细胞内钙离子荧光强度的改变 .AngⅡ通过AT1受体介导增加WI 38细胞内游离钙的水平 ,并随着WI 38细胞传代增加至衰老状态 ,AT2受体高表达 ,AT1受体介导的钙离子信号转导的活性逐渐降低 .提示WI 38细胞衰老过程中钙离子信号的转导活性降低 ,并且AT1R和AT2R在血管紧张素Ⅱ介导的细胞内钙信号活性中具有不同的作用与机制 .为探讨WI 38衰老细胞内钙信号变化机制提供了实验依据     

miR-152靶向AT1R对AngⅡ诱导的心肌成纤维细胞增殖及胶原合成的影响

目的:探讨微小RNA-152(mi R-152)靶向血管紧张素受体(AT1R)对血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导的大鼠心肌成纤维细胞增殖及胶原合成的影响。方法:采用1μmol/L AngⅡ刺激体外培养的大鼠心肌成纤维细胞,通过噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测细胞增殖情况,蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)检测成纤维细胞中胶原蛋白I(Collagen I)、胶原蛋白I(Collagen Ⅲ)以及AT1R蛋白表达的影响,实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)检测成纤维细胞中mi R-152和AT1R m RNA的表达。在AngⅡ诱导的心肌成纤维细胞中分别转染mi R-152 mimic和mimic control、AT1R si RNA和si RNA control以及共转染mi R-152 mimic和AT1R过表达载体,以同样的方法检测细胞增殖和胶原合成情况。双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测mi R-152和AT1R靶向结合关系。结果:AngⅡ刺激能够促进心肌成纤维细胞增殖,上调成纤维细胞中胶原蛋白Collagen I和Collagen Ⅲ的表达,同时能够抑制mi R-152的表达,促进AT1R m RNA和蛋白的表达。在AngⅡ诱导的心肌成纤维细胞中,过表达mi R-152或沉默AT1R均能够上调细胞增殖活力,促进胶原合成。双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测结果显示AT1R是mi R-152靶基因,mi R-152能够负向调控AT1R的表达。在AngⅡ诱导的心肌成纤维细胞中,同时过表达mi R-152和AT1R能够逆转单独过表达mi R-152导致的细胞增殖抑制作用,回调胶原蛋白Collagen I和Collagen Ⅲ合成抑制作用。结论:mi R-152能够抑制AngⅡ诱导的心肌成纤维细胞增殖和胶原合成,其作用机制可能是通过靶向AT1R的表达实现的。     

缓激肽B1受体在卡托普利抑制心脏成纤维细胞增殖中的作用

目的：探讨缓激肽（BK）B1受体在ACEI类药物卡托普利（captopril）抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）诱导的新生大鼠心脏成纤维细胞（CR）增殖中的作用及其可能机制。方法：经差速贴壁法培养新生大鼠CFs,随机给予AngⅡ、captopfil、B2受体阻断剂icatibant和BJ受体阻断剂des-Arg^10,Leu^9-kallidin进行干预。采用四氮唑盐（MTT）比色法测细胞数目,流式细胞仪技术（FCM）检测细胞周期,硝酸还原酶法和放射免疫分析技术分别测定培养CR细胞上清液中NO含量和细胞内cGMP水平。结果：与空白对照组比较,AngⅡ10^-7mol／L孵育细胞48h后可显著升高CRS期细胞百分率和MTT比色法测定的CFs吸光度（A490nm）值（P〈0．01）;Captopril 10^-5mol／L可明显降低AngⅡ刺激的CFsS期细胞百分率和A490nm值升高（均P〈0．05）,显著促进CFsNO和cGMP生成,该作用可被icatibant（10^-6mol／L）部分阻断,同时阻断B1和B2受体可进一步减弱captopril的作用。结论：Captopril抑制AngⅡ诱导的CFs增殖作用部分是由BK经其B2受体介导的;同时阻断BK B1和B2受体可进一步减弱captopril抗CR增殖效应,B1受体在B2受体阻断情况下可能起部分代偿作用,抑制CFs生长,该作用与NO、cGMP生成有关。     

β-CM7干预对糖尿病大鼠心肌肾素-血管紧张素系统的影响及其保护机制

本文旨在探究β-CM7对糖尿病大鼠心肌组织肾素-血管紧张素系统(Renin angiotensin system,RAS)的影响及其保护机制。32只雄性SD大鼠通过相应处理被分为正常对照组、模型对照组、胰岛素治疗组(3.7×10~(–8) mol/d)及β-CM7干预组(7.5×10~(–8) mol/d)。连续饲养30 d后,处死大鼠取心肌。β-CM7在干预糖尿病模型后,组织中AngⅡ含量显著降低,Ang1-7含量极显著升高;AT1受体和Mas受体mRNA表达均显著升高;ACE和ACE2的mRNA表达均显著升高,且酶活均显著升高。综上可得,β-CM7可以通过激活RAS的负性调节通路"ACE2-Ang1-7-Mas轴"显著抑制大鼠心肌ACE mRNA和蛋白的强表达,缓解AngⅡ对心肌组织的损伤,提示β-CM7抑制心肌损伤的作用可能与ACE/ACE2通路有关。     

AT1受体在脑胆碱能刺激引起的蓝斑TH免疫反应活性变化中的作用

目的：探讨大鼠侧脑室注射胆碱能激动剂氨甲酰胆碱（carbachol,CBC）后蓝斑儿茶酚胺能神经元活性和血管紧张素能AT1受体表达的变化以及阻断ATl受体对上述变化的影响。方法：选用SD雄性大鼠,利用免疫组织化学方法,观察侧脑室注射氨甲酰胆碱（0．5μg）和／或losartan（20μg）后40min,蓝斑的酪氨酸羟化酶（tyrosine hydroxylase,TH）及AT1受体免疫反应活性的变化。结果：侧脑室注射氨甲酰胆碱（0．5pg）后40min,蓝斑的TH及ATl受体免疫反应阳性神经元数目明显增多（P〈0．05）,免疫染色强度明显增强（P〈0．05）。losartan预处理后蓝斑的TH免疫反应活性和AT1受体表达明显下降（P〈0．05）。结论：侧脑室注射胆碱能激动剂氨甲酰胆碱对蓝斑儿茶酚胺能神经元具有兴奋作用,AT1受体表达增强;阻断脑血管紧张素能AT1受体可下调氨甲酰胆碱在蓝斑诱导的上述变化。     

心梗后心肌重构过程中AT1A，AT2受体表达的变化

为探讨AT1,AT2受体在心肌重构演变过程中的作用,本实验应用免疫组化,电镜技术和图像分析方法,观察了大鼠心梗后心肌重构过程中非醒,AT1,AT2受体表达的动态变化,结果显示,心梗术后3d,电镜显示非梗塞区心肌细胞肌原纤维横纹消失,线粒体肿胀,成纤维细胞增多,免疫组化显示AT1A受体在非梗塞区心肌组织表达明显升高（P＜0．001）,AT2受体表达无明显变化（P＞0．05）,心梗术后14天,可见心肌细胞肌原纤维模纹,心肌细胞间胶原纤维明显增多。同时AT1A受本在心肌的表达比心梗术后3天时减弱,但仍高于对照组（P＜0．05）,AT2受体表达明显增加（P＜0．001）,结果提示：心梗后非梗塞区心肌AT1A,AT2受体表达先后上调,可能参与介导心肌重构过程。     

肠淋巴液引流对失血性休克小鼠心肌组织ACE/ACE2的作用

目的：观察失血性休克后小鼠心肌组织血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）/ACE2平衡的变化及肠淋巴液引流（PHSML）的作用。方法：BALB/c雄性小鼠24只,随机分为对照组、假手术组、休克组、休克+引流组（n=6）。建立失血性休克模型,行液体复苏;休克+引流组液体复苏后,引流肠淋巴液。在液体复苏后6 h或假手术组相应时间点、对照组于麻醉后,留取心肌组织,qRT-PCR法检测ACE、ACE2、血管紧张素Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）1型受体（AT1R）、Mas相关G蛋白偶联受体（Mas1R）的mRNA表达,ELISA方法检测Ang Ⅱ和Ang （1-7）含量。结果：休克组小鼠心肌组织ACE与AT1R mRNA表达、Ang Ⅱ水平均显著高于对照组与假手术组,ACE2与Mas1R mRNA表达显著低于对照组与假手术组、Ang （1-7）含量显著低于对照组,ACE/ACE2、Ang Ⅱ/Ang （1-7）、AT1R/Mas1R显著高于对照组与假手术组;PHSML引流显著抑制了失血性休克对这些指标的作用。结论：失血性休克上调心肌ACE-Ang Ⅱ-AT1R轴、下调ACE2-Ang （1-7）-Mas1R轴表达,引起ACE/ACE2失衡;PHSML引流下调ACE-Ang Ⅱ-AT1R轴、上调ACE2-Ang （1-7）-Mas1R轴表达,在一定程度上维持了ACE/ACE2平衡。     

白细胞介素-1通过JNK信号通路调控Schlafen2基因的表达

目的：在多效生长因子（Ptn）基因稳定沉默的小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞Ptn-siRNA B/MEF241中,研究白细胞介素-1（IL-1）调控Schlafen2（Slfn2）基因表达的机制。方法：应用Northernblot检测Ptn沉默细胞Ptn-siRNAB/MEF241处于不同生长密度时Slfn2基因的表达变化,以确定Ptn沉默细胞中Slfn2基因的表达是否受到某种分泌性细胞因子的调控;用不同浓度的IL-1α中和抗体及IL-1受体拮抗剂处理Ptn沉默细胞,通过Northern blot检测细胞内Slfn2表达的抑制情况;用不同浓度的IL-1α中和抗体及IL-1受体拮抗剂处理Ptn沉默细胞不同时间,通过Western blot检测细胞中JNK磷酸化水平;Northern blot检测SP600125（JNK/MAPK通路抑制剂）对Ptn沉默细胞中Slfn2基因表达的影响。结果：Ptn沉默细胞中Slfn2基因的表达水平同细胞密度相关;用中和抗体和受体拮抗剂阻断IL-1通路,Slfn2表达受到显著抑制;IL-1受到抑制会影响JNK通路的活化;阻断JNK通路,Slfn2的表达受到显著抑制。结论：IL-1可以通过JNK通路诱导Slfn2的表达。     

Angiotensin II regulates phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt cascade via a negative crosstalk between AT1 and AT2 receptors in skin fibroblasts of human hypertrophic scars

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation has been shown to regulate proliferation of skin fibroblasts and production of extracellular matrix, which are very important process in skin wound healing and scarring; however, the signaling pathways involved in this process, especially in humans, are less explored. In the present study, we used skin fibroblasts of human hypertrophic scar, which expressed both AT1 and AT2 receptors, and observed that Ang II increased Akt phosphorylation and phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI 3-K) activity. In addition, the Ang II-induced Akt phosphorylation was blocked by wortmannin, a PI 3-K inhibitor. This Ang II-activated PI 3-K/Akt cascade was markedly inhibited by valsartan, an AT(1) receptor-specific blocker, whereas it was enhanced by PD123319, an AT(2) receptor antagonist. On the other hand, the Ang II- or EGF-induced activation of PI 3-K/Akt was strongly attenuated by AG1478, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor kinase. Moreover, Ang II stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF receptor and p85alpha subunit of PI 3-K accompanied by an increase in their association, which was inhibited by valsartan, and enhanced by PD123319. The Ang II-induced transactivation of EGF receptor resulted in activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) that was also inhibited by valsartan, and enhanced by PD123319. Taken together, our results showed that AT(1) receptor-mediated activation of PI 3-K/Akt cascades occurs at least partially via the transactivation of EGF receptor, which is under a negative control by AT(2) receptor in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. These findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of human hypertrophic scar formation.     

Differential response of human cardiac fibroblasts to angiotensin I and angiotensin II

The vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (Ang II) has been implicated as a mediator of myocardial fibrosis. We carried out a comparative investigation of the effects of Ang II and its precursor Ang I on collagen metabolism and proliferation in cultured human cardiac fibroblasts. Cardiac fibroblasts responded to both Ang I and Ang II with concentration-dependent increases in collagen synthesis but no proliferation. The stimulatory effect of Ang II was abolished by the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan but not the AT(2) receptor antagonist PD123319. The response to Ang I was not affected by either antagonist, nor by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril. In conclusion, Both Ang I and Ang II stimulate collagen synthesis of human cardiac fibroblasts, the effect of Ang II occurring via the AT(1) receptor whilst Ang I appears to exert a direct effect through non-Ang II-dependent mechanisms. These results suggest distinct roles for angiotensin peptides in the development of cardiac fibrosis.     

Inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate signal triggers a receptor-mediated ATP release

Intracellular signal transduction pathways involved in ATP release evoked by angiotensin II (Ang II) were investigated in cultured guinea pig Taenia coli smooth muscle cells. Ang II (0.3-1 microM) elicited substantial release of ATP from the cells, but not from a human fibroblast cell line. However, Ang II even at 10 microM failed to cause a leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the smooth muscle cells. The release of ATP by Ang II was suppressed by 10 microM SC52458, an AT1 receptor antagonist, not by 10 microM PD123319, an AT2 receptor antagonist. The evoked release of ATP was almost completely inhibited in the presence of 10 microM U73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, and 0.5 microM thapsigargin, a Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor. Furthermore, the release was hampered by 50 microM BAPTA/AM, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, but not by 0.1 microM nifedipine, a voltage gated Ca2+ channel inhibitor. The basal release of ATP was increased by BAPTA/AM, but was reduced by U-73122. Ang II enhanced instantaneously inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) accumulation in the cells. The enhancing effect was perfectly antagonized by SC52458. These findings suggest that intracellular Ca2+ signals activated via stimulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor are involved in the release of ATP evoked by Ang II.     

Selective down-regulation of AT2 receptors in uterine arteries from pregnant ewes given 24-h intravenous infusions of angiotensin II

Previously, we showed that uterine arteries from late gestation pregnant ewes infused intravenously with angiotensin II (Ang II) for 24 h, displayed heightened responsiveness to Ang II in vitro. Furthermore, we found that a small population of ewes with a "preeclampsia-like" disorder also displayed this. Therefore, we have investigated the density and affinity of Ang II receptor subtypes in the uterine arteries from these groups. Ang II receptor binding was measured using 125I [Sar1Ile8] Ang II. Proportions of AT1 and AT2 receptors were determined by inhibiting 125I [Sar1Ile8] Ang II with losartan (AT1 antagonist) or PD 123319 (AT2 antagonist). Uterine arteries from 24-h Ang II-infused ewes had a lower proportion of AT2 receptors (56.2+/-2.3%) than control (saline-infused) ewes (84.1+/-1.0%; P<0.05). The density of AT2 receptors was reduced (P<0.05) while the density of AT1 receptors was not different. Thus, 24-h infusions of Ang II selectively down-regulated AT2 receptors in the uterine artery, resulting in heightened Ang II reactivity. By contrast, the binding properties of Ang II receptor subtypes in uterine arteries from ewes with the "preeclampsia-like" disorder were not different from control ewes.     

Angiotensin-II mediates nonmuscle myosin II activation and expression and contributes to human keloid disease progression

Aberrant fibroblast migration in response to fibrogenic peptides plays a significant role in keloid pathogenesis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an octapeptide hormone recently implicated as a mediator of organ fibrosis and cutaneous repair. Ang II promotes cell migration but its role in keloid fibroblast phenotypic behavior has not been studied. We investigated Ang II signaling in keloid fibroblast behavior as a potential mechanism of disease. Primary human keloid fibroblasts were stimulated to migrate in the presence of Ang II and Ang II receptor 1 (AT?), Ang II receptor 2 (AT?) or nonmuscle myosin II (NMM II) antagonists. Keloid and the surrounding normal dermis were immunostained for NMM IIA, NMM IIB, AT? and AT? expression. Primary human keloid fibroblasts were stimulated to migrate with Ang II and the increased migration was inhibited by the AT? antagonist EMD66684, but not the AT? antagonist PD123319. Inhibition of the promigratory motor protein NMM II by addition of the specific NMM II antagonist blebbistatin inhibited Ang II-stimulated migration. Ang II stimulation of NMM II protein expression was prevented by AT? blockade but not by AT? antagonists. Immunostaining demonstrated increased NMM IIA, NMM IIB and AT? expression in keloid fibroblasts compared with scant staining in normal surrounding dermis. AT? immunostaining was absent in keloid and normal human dermal fibroblasts. These results indicate that Ang II mediates keloid fibroblast migration and possibly pathogenesis through AT? activation and upregulation of NMM II.     

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade attenuates renal fibrogenesis in an immune-mediated nephritic kidney through counter-activation of angiotensin II type 2 receptor

The relative roles of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) and Ang II type 2 receptor (AT(2)R) in immune-mediated nephritis are unknown, and the effect of the blockade of AT(1)R and its indirect counter-activation of AT(2)R relative to the anti-fibrotic action in this disease is unclear. To address this question, we studied the role of AT(1)R and AT(2)R in anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis in SJL mice. Groups of mice were treated with either an AT(1)R antagonist (CGP-48933; CGP group), an AT(2)R antagonist (PD-123319; PD group), both (CGP/PD group), or a vehicle (PCt group) from Day 29 to 56. At Day 56 post-treatment, fibrosis-related parameters such as interstitial matrix deposition, and the expression of genes of TGF-beta1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and type I collagen were significantly reduced in the kidney in the CGP group. There were no significant effects on these parameters in the PD group. However, this anti-fibrotic action by CGP-48933 was totally abolished by co-treatment with PD-123319 in the CGP/PD group. The gene expression of renin was significantly increased in the kidneys in the CGP and CGP/PD groups, suggesting that CGP-48933 had increased Ang II generation in those groups. In conclusion, counter-activation of AT(2)R by increased Ang II under AT(1)R blockade likely conferred an anti-fibrotic protection in this model.     

Angiotensin II activation of focal adhesion kinase and pp60c-Src in relation to mitogen-activated protein kinases in hepatocytes

We have investigated signaling pathways leading to angiotensin II (Ang II) activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in hepatocytes. MAPK activation by Ang II was abolished by the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan, but not by the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist PD123319. Ang II (100 nM) induced a rapid phosphorylation of Src (peak approximately 2 min) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK, peak approximately 5 min) followed by a decrease to basal levels in 30 min. An increased association between FAK and Src in response to Ang II was detected after 1 min, which declined to basal levels after 30 min. Treatment with the Src kinase inhibitor PP-1 inhibited FAK phosphorylation. Downregulation of PKC, intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA or inhibitors of PKC, Src kinase, MAPK kinase (MEK), Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase all blocked Ang II-induced MAPK phosphorylation. In contrast to other cells, there was no evidence for the role of EGF receptor transactivation in the activation of MAPK by Ang II. However, PDGF receptor phosphorylation is involved in the Ang II stimulated MAPK activation. Furthermore, Src/FAK and Ca/CaM kinase activation serve as potential links between the Ang II receptor and MAPK activation. These studies offer insight into the signaling network upstream of MAPK activation by AT1 receptor in hepatocytes.     

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.     

Role of angiotensin II receptor subtypes in porcine basilar artery: functional, radioligand binding, and cell culture studies

We aimed to clarify responsiveness to angiotensin (Ang) II in the porcine basilar artery and the role of Ang II receptor subtypes by functional, radioligand binding, and cell culture studies. Ang II induced more potent contractions in the proximal part than in the distal part of isolated porcine basilar arteries. The contraction induced by Ang II was inhibited by the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan, but the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist PD123319 enhanced it. After removal of the endothelium, the effect of losartan remained but the effect of PD123319 was abolished. The specific binding site of [3H]Ang II on the smooth muscle membrane was inhibited by losartan, but not by PD123319. Stimulation of angiotensin II increased nitric oxide (NO) production in cultured basilar arterial endothelial cells. This production was inhibited by PD123319 and the NO synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine. These results suggest that the contraction induced by Ang II might be mediated via the activation of AT1 receptors on the basilar arterial smooth muscle cells and be modulated via the activation of AT2 receptors on the endothelial cells, followed by NO production.