Abstract
The hormone renin plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis. Normally, renin is synthesized by juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, a specialized group of myoepithelial cells located near the entrance to the kidney glomeruli. In response to low blood pressure and/or a decrease in extracellular fluid volume (as it occurs during dehydration, hypotension, or septic shock) JG cells respond by releasing renin to the circulation to reestablish homeostasis. Interestingly, renin-expressing cells also exist outside of the kidney, where their function has remained a mystery. We discovered a unique type of renin-expressing B-1 lymphocyte that may have unrecognized roles in defending the organism against infections. These cells synthesize renin, entrap and phagocyte bacteria and control bacterial growth. The ability of renin-bearing lymphocytes to control infections—which is enhanced by the presence of renin—adds a novel, previously unsuspected dimension to the defense role of renin-expressing cells, linking the endocrine control of circulatory homeostasis with the immune control of infections to ensure survival.
Highlights
The hormone renin plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis
To investigate if renin facilitates bacterial killing as part of a local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by enzymatically cleaving angiotensinogen to angiotensin, we looked for other components of the RAS within B-1 cells
We have previously shown that deletion of RBP-J in the mouse kidney alters the fate of renin cells
Summary
The hormone renin plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis. We discovered a unique type of renin-expressing B-1 lymphocyte that may have unrecognized roles in defending the organism against infections These cells synthesize renin, entrap and phagocyte bacteria and control bacterial growth. Renin-expressing cells emerged in nature over 400 million years ago[1,2] Throughout evolution, they have acquired numerous defensive functions that rendered them as perfect machines to ensure our survival in response to a variety of homeostatic threats[3]. We report here the discovery of a primitive type of renin-expressing cell within hematopoietic organs that persists throughout adulthood and may have hitherto unrecognized roles in defending the organism against infections These cells possess unique capabilities to trap and phagocyte bacteria and control bacterial growth. The ability of renin-bearing lymphocytes to control infections adds a novel and unsuspected dimension to the defense role of renin-expressing cells
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