Hypotension, autonomic failure, and cardiac hypertrophy in transgenic mice overexpressing the alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor.
alpha(1)-Adrenergic receptors (alpha(1A), alpha(1B), and alpha(1D)) are regulators of systemic arterial blood pressure and blood flow. Whereas vasoconstrictory action of the alpha(1A) and alpha(1D) subtypes is thought to be mainly responsible for this activity, the role of the alpha(1B)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1B)AR) in this process is controversial. We have generated transgenic mice that overexpress either wild type or constitutively active alpha(1B)ARs. Transgenic expression was under the control of the isogenic promoter, thus assuring appropriate developmental and tissue-specific expression. Cardiovascular phenotypes displayed by transgenic mice included myocardial hypertrophy and hypotension. Indicative of cardiac hypertrophy, transgenic mice displayed an increased heart to body weight ratio, which was confirmed by the echocardiographic finding of an increased thickness of the interventricular septum and posterior wall. Functional deficits included an increased isovolumetric relaxation time, a decreased heart rate, and cardiac output. Transgenic mice were hypotensive and exhibited a decreased pressor response. Vasoconstrictory regulation by alpha(1B)AR was absent as shown by the lack of phenylephrine-induced contractile differences between ex vivo mesenteric artery preparations. Plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol levels were also reduced in transgenic mice, suggesting a loss of sympathetic nerve activity. Reduced catecholamine levels together with basal hypotension, bradycardia, reproductive problems, and weight loss suggest autonomic failure, a phenotype that is consistent with the multiple system atrophy-like neurodegeneration that has been reported previously in these mice. These results also suggest that this receptor subtype is not involved in the classic vasoconstrictory action of alpha(1)ARs that is important in systemic regulation of blood pressure.
Department of Molecular Cardiology, The Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
M J
MJ
Zuscik
D
D
Chalothorn
D
D
Hellard
C
C
Deighan
A
A
McGee
C J
CJ
Daly
D J
DJ
Waugh
S A
SA
Ross
R J
RJ
Gaivin
A J
AJ
Morehead
J D
JD
Thomas
E F
EF
Plow
J C
JC
McGrath
M T
MT
Piascik
D M
DM
Perez
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics; D001835:Body Weight; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000235:genetics; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000235:genetics*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004452:Echocardiography; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007022:Hypotension / Q000235:genetics*; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D009929:Organ Size; D010641:Phenotype; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000097:blood; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D013997:Time Factors
C547716:ADRA1B protein, human; C547717:Adra1b protein, mouse; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D010656:Phenylephrine; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine