This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 41/4/984    most recent 01.HYP.0000062466.38314.B7v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jöhren, O. Articles by Dominiak, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jöhren, O. Articles by Dominiak, P. Related Collections ACE/Angiotension receptors Gene expression Hypertension - basic studies

(Hypertension. 2003;41:984.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.

Scientific Contributions

Differential Expression of AT₁ Receptors in the Pituitary and Adrenal Gland of SHR and WKY

Olaf Jöhren; Claudia Golsch; Andreas Dendorfer; Fatimunnisa Qadri; Walter Häuser; Peter Dominiak

From the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.

Correspondence to Olaf Jöhren, PhD, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany. E-mail Joehren{at}medinf.mu-luebeck.de

The renin-angiotensin (ANG) system has been implicated in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Because SHR are more susceptible to stress than normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), we measured the mRNA expression of AT_1A, AT_1B, and AT₂ receptors in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (stress) axis of male SHR in comparison to age-matched WKY at prehypertensive (3 to 4 weeks), developing (7 to 8 weeks), and established (12 to 13 weeks) stages of hypertension. AT_1A receptor mRNA was mainly expressed in the hypothalamus and adrenal gland. AT_1B receptor mRNA was detected in the pituitary and adrenal gland. AT₂ receptor mRNA was prominent only in the adrenal gland. When compared with WKY, SHR showed increased AT_1A receptor mRNA levels in the pituitary gland at all ages in contrast to reduced pituitary AT_1B receptor mRNA levels. In the adrenal gland of SHR, AT_1B receptor mRNA levels were decreased at the hypertensive stages when compared with WKY. The reduced expression of adrenal AT_1B receptor mRNA was localized selectively in the zona glomerulosa by in situ hybridization. No differences were observed between WKY and SHR in the expression of hypothalamic ANG receptors. ANG significantly increased plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone in dexamethasone-treated SHR but not in WKY. The aldosterone response to ANG was similar in SHR and WKY. Our results suggest a differential gene expression of AT_1A and AT_1B receptors in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis of SHR and normotensive WKY and imply the participation of AT₁ receptors in an exaggerated endocrine stress response of SHR to ANG.

Key Words: receptors, angiotensin • rats, spontaneously hypertensive • pituitary gland • adrenal gland

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Muller, J. Kroger, O. Johren, S. Szymczak, M. Bader, P. Dominiak, and W. Raasch Stress sensitivity is increased in transgenic rats with low brain angiotensinogen J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2010; 204(1): 85 - 92. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. C. Li and J. L. Zhuo Intracellular ANG II directly induces in vitro transcription of TGF-{beta}1, MCP-1, and NHE-3 mRNAs in isolated rat renal cortical nuclei via activation of nuclear AT1a receptors Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, April 1, 2008; 294(4): C1034 - C1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Roberge, A. C. Carpentier, M.-F. Langlois, J.-P. Baillargeon, J.-L. Ardilouze, P. Maheux, and N. Gallo-Payet Adrenocortical dysregulation as a major player in insulin resistance and onset of obesity Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, December 1, 2007; 293(6): E1465 - E1478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Bogdarina, S. Welham, P. J. King, S. P. Burns, and A. J.L. Clark Epigenetic Modification of the Renin-Angiotensin System in the Fetal Programming of Hypertension Circ. Res., March 2, 2007; 100(4): 520 - 526. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Zeng, Y. Liu, Z. Wang, D. He, L. Huang, P. Yu, S. Zheng, J. E. Jones, L. D. Asico, U. Hopfer, et al. Activation of D3 Dopamine Receptor Decreases Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Expression in Rat Renal Proximal Tubule Cells Circ. Res., September 1, 2006; 99(5): 494 - 500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Raasch, C. Wittmershaus, A. Dendorfer, I. Voges, F. Pahlke, C. Dodt, P. Dominiak, and O. Johren Angiotensin II Inhibition Reduces Stress Sensitivity of Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Endocrinology, July 1, 2006; 147(7): 3539 - 3546. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Johren, A. Dendorfer, and P. Dominiak Cardiovascular and renal function of angiotensin II type-2 receptors Cardiovasc Res, June 1, 2004; 62(3): 460 - 467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. J. Chaves, D. Corella, J. V. Sorli, P. Marin-Garcia, M. Guillen, and J. Redon Polymorphisms of the Renin-Angiotensin System Influence Height in Normotensive Women in a Spanish Population J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2004; 89(5): 2301 - 2305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Aguilar, M. Lo, B. Claustrat, J. M. Saez, J. Sassard, and J. Y. Li Hypersensitivity of the Adrenal Cortex to Trophic and Secretory Effects of Angiotensin II in Lyon Genetically-Hypertensive Rats Hypertension, January 1, 2004; 43(1): 87 - 93. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]