This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) 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 Charchar, F. J. Articles by Harrap, S. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Charchar, F. J. Articles by Harrap, S. B.

(Hypertension. 1998;32:705-709.)
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.

Scientific Contributions

Nerve Growth Factor Gene Locus Explains Elevated Renal Nerve Growth Factor mRNA in Young Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Fadi J. Charchar; Miroslav K. Kapuscinski; ; Stephen B. Harrap

From the Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville (F.J.C., S.B.H.), and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Alfred Hospital, Prahran (M.K.K.), Victoria, Australia.

Correspondence to Professor S.B. Harrap, Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. E-mail s.harrap{at}physiology.unimelb.edu.au

Abstract—Nerve growth factor (NGF) controls the growth of sympathetic nerves and is increased in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The NGF gene has been linked genetically with hypertension in the SHR strain and may explain high NGF mRNA levels. To test for genetic linkage between the NGF gene and its expression in vivo, we examined renal NGF mRNA levels in male SHR, control Donryu rats (DRY), and F₂ rats derived from SHR and DRY at ages 2, 4, 10, and 20 weeks. Tail-cuff blood pressure was measured at 4, 10, and 20 weeks of age. NGF mRNA levels in SHR (NGF genotype: SS) were higher than those in DRY (NGF genotype: DD) at 2, 4, and 10 weeks of age (P<0.0001) but the same at 20 weeks of age. In the F₂ generation, the S allele was associated with significantly (P=0.01) higher renal NGF mRNA levels at 2 weeks of age. Mean NGF mRNA levels fell (P=0.01) with age in F₂ rats, and the difference between SS and DD genotype F₂ rats diminished at older ages and was not significant. In F₂ rats there was a positive correlation between the number of NGF S alleles inherited and tail-cuff pressure (P<0.007). Our findings indicate that the NGF locus is an important regulator of NGF mRNA levels. It is likely that mutations in or near the NGF gene explain in part high early NGF gene expression in SHR.

Key Words: growth substances • hypertension • rats, inbred SHR • gene expression • kidney

This article has been cited by other articles:

				O. Grisk and R. Rettig Interactions between the sympathetic nervous system and the kidneys in arterial hypertension Cardiovasc Res, February 1, 2004; 61(2): 238 - 246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Ruijtenbeek, F. A. C. le Noble, G. M. J. Janssen, C. G. A. Kessels, G. E. Fazzi, C. E. Blanco, and J. G. R. De Mey Chronic Hypoxia Stimulates Periarterial Sympathetic Nerve Development in Chicken Embryo Circulation, December 5, 2000; 102(23): 2892 - 2897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]