Abstract 095: Human (Pro)renin Receptor Activation Induces an Angiotensin II-Independent Pressor Response Mediated by NADPH Oxidase 4 Activity

Abstract

The binding of prorenin to the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) induces non-proteolytic activation of prorenin and generation of angiotensin II (Ang II). PRR activation can also induce Ang II-independent signaling pathways. However, whether Ang II-independent signaling pathways are critical for blood pressure (BP) regulation is not known. To address this question, we created transgenic mice that overexpress the human PRR (hPRR) selectively in neurons (Syn-hPRR). Activated human prorenin (hPRO) cannot cleave endogenous mouse angiotensinogen to generate Ang II. Therefore, administration of hPRO to Syn-hPRR mice can be used to examine Ang II-independent PRR signaling in BP regulation. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of hPRO increases BP in Syn-hPRR mice (ΔMAP 23 ± 4.6, n = 4) but has no effect on wildtype (WT) mice (ΔMAP 2 ± 0.8, n = 6). The hPRO-induced pressor response in Syn-hPRR mice is unaffected by co-infusion with the Ang II type 1 receptor blocker losartan (ΔMAP 19 ± 5.2, n = 8), suggesting that the response is independent of Ang II. Interestingly, co-infusion with an inhibitor of the reactive oxygen species-generating enzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX), diphenyleneiodonium, nearly abolishes the hPRO-induced pressor response in Syn-hPRR mice (ΔMAP 4.7 ± 1.0, n = 4), indicating that NOX activity is required. Additionally, we find that basal NOX activity is enhanced in the Syn-hPRR hypothalamus relative to WT mice (1.4 fold change). We next examined which NOX isoform is responsible for the hPRO-induced pressor response and enhanced activity. NOX4 mRNA levels are greater (2.7 ± 0.6 fold change), but NOX1 (1.2 ± 0.3 fold change) and NOX2 (1.2 ± 0.3 fold change) mRNA levels are not different, in the hypothalamus of Syn-hPRR compared to WT mice (n = 3). Adenovirus-mediated delivery of NOX2, NOX4, or a scrambled sequence shRNA was ICV injected in Syn-hPRR mice. After 7 days, we found that treatment with NOX2 (ΔMAP 20 ± 5.2) or scrambled (ΔMAP 23 ± 3.2) shRNA had no effect on the hPRO-induced pressor response (n = 5). However, the hPRO-induced increase in BP is attenuated in Syn-hPRR mice injected with NOX4 shRNA (ΔMAP 5.9 ± 2.8). Together, these data indicate that NOX4 mediates the Ang II-independent pressor response to activation of the human (pro)renin receptor in Syn-hPRR mice.