Overexpression of HGF transgene attenuates renal inflammatory mediators, Na(+)-ATPase activity and hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Renal inflammation and oxidative stress are constantly present in experimental hypertension. Since the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has reduced levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which suppresses the activation of the proinflammatory nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB), we speculated that HGF deficiency could play a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in the SHR. To test this hypothesis we increased HGF in the SHR by HGF gene delivery. We found that kidneys of 15-week-old SHR had an important reduction in HGF mRNA and protein expression. Adult SHRs were randomly assigned to receive weekly hydrodynamic injection (1mg/kg) of a naked plasmid containing human HGF (hHGF) gene associated with a cytomegalovirus promoter (pCMV-HGF) or empty vector (pcDNA3.1) during 6weeks. WKY rats treated with pcDNA3.1 and pCMV-HGF served as controls. The kidneys in the hypertensive SHR untreated and treated with the empty vector had increased NF-κB activation, elevated mRNA and protein expression of RANTES, MCP-1 and IL-6 and increased oxidative stress. Activity of Na(+)-ATPase was increased while activity of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase was normal. hHGF gene therapy normalized renal NF-κB activity, proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidant status (GSH, SOD and CAT), Na(+)-ATPase activity, reduced renal injury and ameliorated hypertension. Our results suggest that reduction in HGF production plays a major role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in the SHR and increasing HGF is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of hypertension.
Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, IVIC-Zulia, Venezuela. frromero@ivic.gob.ve
Freddy
F
Romero-Vásquez
Maribel
M
Chávez
Mariela
M
Pérez
José L
JL
Arcaya
Alberto J
AJ
García
Jaimar
J
Rincón
Bernardo
B
Rodríguez-Iturbe
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D019076:Transgenes
D000975:Antioxidants; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; C491766:Ccl2 protein, rat; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; C066855:HGF protein, human; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C021838:sodium-translocating ATPase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase