A vaccine for hypertension based on peptide AngI-R: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to modulate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by active immunization against angiotensin I/II, potentially by a novel type of peptide--'AngI-R' for the treatment of hypertension.


METHODS
27 spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=9). Effect of AngI-R on systolic blood pressure of SHRs was determined by its subcutaneous injection into SHRs with anti-angiotensin peptide AngI-R, captopril, physiological salt solution in the same schedule. Systolic blood pressure was monitored by tail-cuff arterial blood pressure measurement method and then calculated from the average of three measurements in each animal at a desired time (0, 4, 8, 16W). AngI, AngII and anti-AngI antibody were detected by ELISA and western blotting method. At the end, the pathologic changes in different organs of SHRs were observed.


RESULTS
The results exhibited a marked effect to lower the systolic blood pressure (-15 mmHg) of SHRs after subcutaneous injection with peptide AngI-R. The anti-hypertensive effect lasted for over 1 month. The level of AngI and AngII in the vaccinated group, after administration of AngI-R was lower than the one in the control group and the pre-administered group. The anti-AngI/II antibody titre in the experiment group significantly increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The peptide AngI-R was able to decrease the blood pressure of SHRs. The peptide AngI-R induced an immune response to inhibit AngI and AngII, resulting in the decrease in blood pressure in SHRs.
Hong
Fang
F
Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China. de_61@yahoo.com.cn
Quan
Wu Yong
WY
Pandey
Rabindra
R
Yi
Shen
S
Chi
Liu
L
Xia
Li Zhan
LZ
Yuan
Ma
M
Ming
Lou
L
D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007518:Isoantibodies; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D000804:Angiotensin II; D000803:Angiotensin I