Camille Bourgeois

Angiotensin II–Independent Upregulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 by Activation of the (Pro)Renin Receptor in Rat Renal Inner Medullary Cells

During renin–angiotensin system activation, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived prostaglandins attenuate the pressor and antinatriuretic effects of angiotensin II (AngII) in the renal medulla. The (pro)renin receptor (PRR) is abundantly expressed in the collecting ducts (CD) and its expression is augmented by AngII. PRR overexpression upregulates COX-2 via mitogen-activated kinases/extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 in renal tissues; however, it is not clear whether this effect occurs independently or in concert with AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R) activation. We hypothesized that PRR activation stimulates COX-2 expression independently of AT1R in primary cultures of rat renal inner medullary cells. The use of different cell-specific immunomarkers (aquaporin-2 for principal cells, anion exchanger type 1 for intercalated type-A cells, and tenascin C for interstitial cells) and costaining for AT1R, COX-2, and PRR revealed that PRR and COX-2 were colocalized in intercalated and interstitial cells whereas principal cells did not express PRR or COX-2. In normal rat kidney sections, PRR and COX-2 were colocalized in intercalated and interstitial cells. In rat renal inner medullary cultured cells, treatment with AngII (100 nmol/L) increased COX-2 expression via AT1R. In addition, AngII and rat recombinant prorenin (100 nmol/L) treatments increased extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 phosphorylation, independently. Importantly, rat recombinant prorenin upregulated COX-2 expression in the presence of AT1R blockade. Inhibition of mitogen-activated kinases/extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 suppressed COX-2 upregulation mediated by either AngII or rat recombinant prorenin. Furthermore, PRR knockdown using PRR-short hairpin RNA blunted the rat recombinant prorenin-mediated upregulation of COX-2. These results indicate that COX-2 expression is upregulated by activation of either PRR or AT1R via mitogen-activated kinases/extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 in rat renal inner medullary cells.

Renal medullary cyclooxygenase-2 and (pro)renin receptor expression during angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

The (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR] upregulates cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells through ERK1/2. Intrarenal COX-2 and (P)RR are upregulated during chronic ANG II infusion. However, the duration of COX-2 and (P)RR upregulation has not been determined. We hypothesized that during the early phase of ANG II-dependent hypertension, membrane-bound (P)RR and COX-2 are augmented in the renal medulla, serving to buffer the hypertensinogenic and vasoconstricting effects of ANG II. In Sprague-Dawley rats infused with ANG II (0.4 μg·min(-1)·kg(-1)), systolic blood pressure (BP) increased by day 7 (162 ± 5 vs. 114 ± 10 mmHg) and continued to increase by day 14 (198 ± 15 vs. 115 ± 13 mmHg). Membrane-bound (P)RR was augmented at day 3 coincident with phospho-ERK1/2 levels, COX-2 expression, and PGE2 in the renal medulla. In contrast, membrane-bound (P)RR was reduced and COX-2 protein levels were not different from controls by day 14. In cultured IMCD cells, ANG II increased secretion of the soluble (P)RR. In anesthetized rats, COX-2 inhibition decreased the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF) during the early phase of ANG II infusion without altering BP. However, at 14 days of ANG II infusions, COX-2 inhibition decreased mean arterial BP (MABP), RBF, and GFR. Thus, during the early phase of ANG II-dependent hypertension, the increased (P)RR and COX-2 expression in the renal medulla may contribute to attenuate the vasoconstrictor effects of ANG II on renal hemodynamics. In contrast, at 14 days the reductions in RBF and GFR caused by COX-2 inhibition paralleled the reduced MABP, suggesting that vasoconstrictor COX-2 metabolites contribute to ANG II hypertension.

PKC-α-dependent augmentation of cAMP and CREB phosphorylation mediates the angiotensin II stimulation of renin in the collecting duct

In contrast to the negative feedback of angiotensin II (ANG II) on juxtaglomerular renin, ANG II stimulates renin in the principal cells of the collecting duct (CD) in rats and mice via ANG II type 1 (AT1R) receptor, independently of blood pressure. In vitro data indicate that CD renin is augmented by AT1R activation through protein kinase C (PKC), but the exact mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesize that ANG II stimulates CD renin synthesis through AT1R via PKC and the subsequent activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. In M-1 cells, ANG II increased cAMP, renin mRNA (3.5-fold), prorenin, and renin proteins, as well as renin activity in culture media (2-fold). These effects were prevented by PKC inhibition with calphostin C, PKC-α dominant negative, and by PKA inhibition. Forskolin-induced increases in cAMP and renin expression were prevented by calphostin C. PKC inhibition and Ca2+ depletion impaired ANG II-mediated CREB phosphorylation and upregulation of renin. Adenylate cyclase 6 (AC) siRNA remarkably attenuated the ANG II-dependent upregulation of renin mRNA. Physiological activation of AC with vasopressin increased renin expression in M-1 cells. The results suggest that the ANG II-dependent upregulation of renin in the CD depends on PKC-α, which allows the augmentation of cAMP production and activation of PKA/CREB pathway via AC6. This study defines the intracellular signaling pathway involved in the ANG II-mediated stimulation of renin in the CD. This is a novel mechanism responsible for the regulation of local renin-angiotensin system in the distal nephron.

The sodium-activated sodium channel is expressed in the rat kidney thick ascending limb and collecting duct cells and is upregulated during high salt intake

Increased dietary salt triggers oxidative stress and kidney injury in salt-sensitive hypertension; however, the mechanism for sensing increased extracellular Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)]) remains unclear. A Na(+)-activated Na(+) channel (Na sensor) described in the brain operates as a sensor of extracellular fluid [Na(+)]; nonetheless, its presence in the kidney has not been established. In the present study, we demonstrated the gene expression of the Na sensor by RT-PCR and Western blotting in the Sprague-Dawley rat kidney. Using immunofluorescence, the Na sensor was localized to the luminal side in tubular epithelial cells of collecting ducts colocalizing with aquaporin-2, a marker of principal cells, and in thick ascending limb, colocalizing with the glycoprotein Tamm-Horsfall. To determine the effect of a high-salt diet (HSD) on Na sensor gene expression, we quantified its transcript and protein levels primarily in renal medullas from control rats and rats subjected to 8% NaCl for 7 days (n = 5). HSD increased Na sensor expression levels (mRNA: from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 5.1 ± 1.3 au; protein: from 0.98 ± 0.15 to 1.74 ± 0.28 au P < 0.05) in the kidney medulla, but not in the cortex. These data indicate that rat kidney epithelial cells of the thick ascending limb and principal cells of the collecting duct possess a Na sensor that is upregulated by HSD, suggesting an important role in monitoring changes in tubular fluid [Na(+)].

Bradykinin/B2 receptor activation regulates renin in M‐1 cells via protein kinase C and nitric oxide

In the collecting duct (CD), the interactions of renin angiotensin system (RAS) and kallikrein‐kinin system (KKS) modulate Na+ reabsorption, volume homeostasis, and blood pressure. In this study, we used a mouse kidney cortical CD cell line (M‐1 cells) to test the hypothesis that in the CD, the activation of bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R) increases renin synthesis and release. Physiological concentrations of bradykinin (BK) treatment of M‐1 cells increased renin mRNA and prorenin and renin protein contents in a dose‐dependent manner and increased threefold renin content in the cell culture media. These effects were mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) independently of protein kinase A (PKA) because B2R antagonism with Icatibant and PKC inhibition with calphostin C, prevented these responses, but PKA inhibition with H89 did not modify the effects elicited by the B2R activation. BK‐dependent stimulation of renin gene expression in CD cells also involved nitric oxide (NO) pathway because increased cGMP levels and inhibition of NO synthase with L‐NAME prevented it. Complementary renin immunohistochemical studies performed in kidneys from mice with conventional B2R knockout and conditional B2R knockout in the CD, showed marked decreased renin immunoreactivity in CD, regardless of the renin presence in juxtaglomerular cells in the knockout mice. These results indicate that the activation of B2R increases renin synthesis and release by the CD cells through PKC stimulation and NO release, which support further the interactions between the RAS and KKS.

Nebivolol has a beneficial effect in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare disorder that, without treatment, is progressive and fatal within 3-4 years. Current treatment involves a diverse group of drugs that target the pulmonary vascular bed. In addition, strategies that increase nitric oxide (NO) formation have a beneficial effect in rodents and patients. Nebivolol, a selective β1 adrenergic receptor-blocking agent reported to increase NO production and stimulate β3 receptors, has vasodilator properties suggesting that it may be beneficial in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. The present study was undertaken to determine whether nebivolol has a beneficial effect in monocrotaline-induced (60 mg/kg) pulmonary hypertension in the rat. These results show that nebivolol treatment (10 mg/kg, once or twice daily) attenuates pulmonary hypertension, reduces right ventricular hypertrophy, and improves pulmonary artery remodeling in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. This study demonstrates the presence of β3 adrenergic receptor immunoreactivity in pulmonary arteries and airways and that nebivolol has pulmonary vasodilator activity. Studies with β3 receptor agonists (mirabegron, BRL 37344) and antagonists suggest that β3 receptor-mediated decreases in systemic arterial pressure occur independent of NO release. Our results suggest that nebivolol, a selective vasodilating β1 receptor antagonist that stimulates β3 adrenergic receptors and induces vasodilation by increasing NO production, may be beneficial in treating pulmonary hypertensive disorders.