Journal article
Activation of the Central Renin-Angiotensin System Causes Local Cerebrovascular Dysfunction
Stroke (1970), Vol.52(7), pp.2404-2413
07/01/2021
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.034984
PMCID: PMC8262118
PMID: 34107734
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and loss of brain health. While the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contributes to hypertension, its potential impact on the local vasculature is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that activation of the brain RAS would alter the local vasculature using a modified deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) model. Methods: C57BL/6 mice treated with DOCA (50 mg SQ; or shams) were given tap H2O and H2O with 0.9% NaCl for 1 to 3 weeks. Results: In isolated cerebral arteries and parenchymal arterioles from DOCA-treated male mice, endothelium- and nitric oxide-dependent dilation was progressively impaired, while mesenteric arteries were unaffected. In contrast, cerebral endothelial function was not significantly affected in female mice treated with DOCA. In males, mRNA expression of renal Ren1 was markedly reduced while RAS components (eg, Agt and Ace) were increased in both brain and cerebral arteries with central RAS activation. In NZ44 reporter mice expressing GFP (green fluorescent protein) driven by the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (Agtr1a) promoter, DOCA increased GFP expression approximate to 3-fold in cerebral arteries. Impaired endothelial responses were restored to normal by losartan, an AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor) antagonist. Last, DOCA treatment produced inward remodeling of parenchymal arterioles. Conclusions: These findings suggest activation of the central and cerebrovascular RAS impairs endothelial (nitric oxide dependent) signaling in brain through expression and activation of AT1R and sex-dependent effects. The central RAS may be a key contributor to vascular dysfunction in brain in a preclinical (low renin) model of hypertension. Because the brain RAS is also activated during aging and other diseases, a common mechanism may promote loss of endothelial and brain health despite diverse cause.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Activation of the Central Renin-Angiotensin System Causes Local Cerebrovascular Dysfunction
- Creators
- T. Michael De Silva - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of MedicineMary L. Modrick - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of MedicineJustin L. Grobe - Medical College of WisconsinFrank M. Faraci - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Stroke (1970), Vol.52(7), pp.2404-2413
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- DOI
- 10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.034984
- PMID
- 34107734
- PMCID
- PMC8262118
- ISSN
- 0039-2499
- eISSN
- 1524-4628
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- 18EIA33890055 / American Heart Association Fondation Leducq (Transatlantic Network of Excellence); Leducq Foundation BX001399 / Department of Veterans Affairs; US Department of Veterans Affairs NS-096465; NS-108409; HL-134850; HL-084207 / National Institutes of Health; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Cardiovascular Medicine; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984303858502771
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