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Article
Expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Thick Ascending Loop of Henle Attenuates Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension
Biochemistry and Microbiology
  • David E. Stec
  • Heather A. Drummond
  • Moneete U. Gousette
  • Megan V. Storm
  • Nader G. Abraham, Marshall University
  • Eva Csongradi
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-9-2012
Abstract

Kidney-specific induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) attenuates the development of angiotensin II (Ang II) -dependent hypertension, but the relative contribution of vascular versus tubular induction of HO-1 is unknown. To determine the specific contribution of thick ascending loop of Henle (TALH) -derived HO-1, we generated a transgenic mouse in which the uromodulin promoter controlled expression of human HO-1. Quantitative RT-PCR and confocal microscopy confirmed successful localization of the HO-1 transgene to TALH tubule segments. Medullary HO activity, but not cortical HO activity, was significantly higher in transgenic mice than control mice. Enhanced TALH HO-1 attenuated the hypertension induced by Ang II delivered by an osmotic minipump for 10 days (139 ± 3 versus 153 ±2 mmHg in the transgenic and control mice, respectively; P<0.05). The lower blood pressure in transgenic mice associated with a 60% decrease in medullary NKCC2 transporter expression determined by Western blot. Transgenic mice also exhibited a 36% decrease in ouabain-sensitive sodium reabsorption and a significantly attenuated response to furosemide in isolated TALH segments. In summary, these results show that increased levels of HO-1 in the TALH can lower blood pressure by a mechanism that may include alterations in NKCC2-dependent sodium reabsorption.

Comments

The copy of record is available from the publisher at http://dx.doi.org/10.1681/ASN.2011050455. Copyright © 2012 by the American Society of Nephrology. All rights reserved.

Citation Information
Stec DE, Drummond HA, Gousette MU, Storm MV, Abraham NG, Csongradi E. Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in thick ascending loop of Henle attenuates angiotensin II-dependent hypertension. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2012;23(5):834-41.