title: Autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of hypertension.
abstract: Hypertension affects more than one-third of the adult population of the world. However, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown in the vast majority of patients, classified as patients with essential hypertension. Evidence accumulated over the past decade supports the participation of inflammation in the development of experimental hypertension. Investigations have also demonstrated that immune reactivity to overexpressed heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is involved in the pathogenesis of salt-induced hypertension. This article reviews, first, the role of T cell-induced inflammation in the arteries, kidney and central nervous system in hypertension and the amelioration of hypertension induced by regulatory T cells. Second, experiments showing that autoimmunity directed to HSP70 in the kidney impairs the pressure natriuresis relationship and has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of salt sensitive hypertension. Finally, we highlight the clinical evidence that supports the participation of autoimmunity in essential hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Renal Service, Hospital Universitario and Laboratorio de Inmunobiología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC)-Zulia, Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, Ave Goajira s/n, Maracaibo, Estado Zulia 4001-A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Iturbe
authors.affiliation: Centro de Medicina Experimental, Universidad del Zulia, Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, Ave Goajira s/n, Maracaibo, Estado Zulia 4001-A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.affiliation: Renal Service, Hospital Universitario and Laboratorio de Inmunobiología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC)-Zulia, Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, Ave Goajira s/n, Maracaibo, Estado Zulia 4001-A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Yasmir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Quiroz
authors.affiliation: Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, 12700 East 19th Avenue, University of Colorado, Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lanaspa
authors.affiliation: Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, 12700 East 19th Avenue, University of Colorado, Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology