The present study used a novel mouse model with proximal tubule-specific knockout of AT 1a receptors in the kidney, PT- Agtr1a −/− , to test the hypothesis that intratubular Ang II (angiotensin II) and AT 1a receptors in the proximal tubules are required for maintaining normal blood pressure and the development of Ang II–induced hypertension. Twenty-six groups (n=6–15 per group) of adult male wild-type, global Agtr1a −/− , and PT- Agtr1a −/− mice were infused with Ang II (1.5 mg/kg per day, IP), or overexpressed an intracellular Ang II fusion protein in the proximal tubules for 2 weeks. Basal telemetry blood pressure were ≈15±3 mm Hg lower in PT- Agtr1a −/− than wild-type mice and ≈13±3 mm Hg higher than Agtr1a −/− mice ( P <0.01). Basal glomerular filtration was ≈23.9% higher ( P <0.01), whereas fractional proximal tubule Na + reabsorption was lower in PT- Agtr1a −/− mice ( P <0.01). Deletion of AT 1a receptors in the proximal tubules augmented the pressure-natriuresis response ( P <0.01) and natriuretic responses to salt loading or Ang III infusion ( P <0.01). Ang II induced hypertension in wild-type, PT- Agtr1a −/− and PT- Nhe3 −/− mice, but the pressor response was ≈16±2 mm Hg lower in PT- Agtr1a −/− and PT- Nhe3 −/− mice ( P <0.01). Deletion of AT 1a receptors or NHE3 (Na + /H + exchanger 3) in the proximal tubules attenuated ≈50% of Ang II–induced hypertension in wild-type mice ( P <0.01), but blocked intracellular Ang II fusion protein-induced hypertension in PT- Agtr1a −/− mice ( P <0.01). Taken together, the results of the present study provide new insights into the critical role of intratubular Ang II/AT 1 (AT 1a )/NHE3 pathways in the proximal tubules in normal blood pressure control and the development of Ang II–induced hypertension.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that there are significant sex differences in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and kidney injury using male and female wild-type and proximal tubule-specific AT1a receptor knockout mice (PT-Agtr1a-/-). Twelve groups (n=8-12 per group) of adult male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice were infused with a pressor dose of Ang II via osmotic pump for 2 weeks (1.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and simultaneously treated with or without losartan (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) to determine the respective roles of AT1a receptors in the proximal tubules versus systemic tissues. Basal systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were approximately 13 ± 3 mmHg lower (P&lt;0.01), while basal 24 h urinary Na+, K+, and Cl- excretion were significantly higher in both male and female PT-Agtr1a-/- mice than wild-type controls (P&lt;0.01) without significant sex differences between different strains. Both male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice developed hypertension (P&lt;0.01), and the magnitudes of the pressor responses to Ang II were similar between male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice (n.s.). Likewise, Ang II-induced hypertension was significantly attenuated in both male and female PT-Agtr1a-/- mice (P&lt;0.01). Furthermore, losartan attenuated the hypertensive responses to Ang II to similar extents in both male and female wild-type and PT-Agtr1a-/- mice. Finally, Ang II-induced kidney injury was attenuated in PT-Agtr1a-/- mice (P&lt;0.01). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that deletion of AT1a receptors in the proximal tubules of the kidney attenuates Ang II-induced hypertension and kidney injury without revealing significant sex differences.

The sodium (Na+)/hydrogen (H+) exchanger 3 (NHE3) is one of the most important Na+/H+ antiporters in the small intestines of the gastrointestinal tract and the proximal tubules of the kidney. The roles of NHE3 in the regulation of intracellular pH and acid–base balance have been well established in cellular physiology using in vitro techniques. Localized primarily on the apical membranes in small intestines and proximal tubules, the key action of NHE3 is to facilitate the entry of luminal Na+ and the extrusion of intracellular H+ from intestinal and proximal tubule tubular epithelial cells. NHE3 is, directly and indirectly, responsible for absorbing the majority of ingested Na+ from small and large intestines and reabsorbing &gt;50% of filtered Na+ in the proximal tubules of the kidney. However, the roles of NHE3 in the regulation of proximal tubular Na+ transport in the integrative physiological settings and its contributions to the basal blood pressure regulation and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension have not been well studied previously due to the lack of suitable animal models. Recently, novel genetically modified mouse models with whole-body, kidney-specific, or proximal tubule-specific deletion of NHE3 have been generated by us and others to determine the critical roles and underlying mechanisms of NHE3 in maintaining basal body salt and fluid balance, blood pressure homeostasis, and the development of Ang II-induced hypertension at the whole-body, kidney, or proximal tubule levels. The objective of this invited article is to review, update, and discuss recent findings on the critical roles of intestinal and proximal tubule NHE3 in maintaining basal blood pressure homeostasis and their potential therapeutic implications in the development of angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension.

Aim: We investigated the kidney morphofunctional consequences of high-fat diet intake since post-weaning in adult rats. Main Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: ND (normal diet; n = 10) and HD (high-fat diet; n = 10). The high-fat diet was introduced post-weaned and animals were followed for 8 weeks. Key Findings: HD group did not change body weight gain even though food consumption has decreased with no changes in caloric consumption. The HD group showed glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was decreased in vivo (ND: 2.8 ± 1.01; HD: 1.1 ± 0.14 ml/min) and in the isolated perfusion method (34% of decrease). Renal histological analysis showed a retraction in glomeruli and an increase in kidney lipid deposition (ND: 1.5 ± 0.17 HD: 5.9 ± 0.06%). Furthermore, the high-fat diet consumption increased the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (ND: 1,276 ± 203; HD: 1,982 ± 47 pg/mL/mg) and IL-1b (ND: 97 ± 12 HD: 133 ± 5 pg/mL/mg) without changing anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Significance: Our study provides evidence that high-fat diet consumption leads to renal lipid accumulation, increases inflammatory cytokines, induces glomeruli retraction, and renal dysfunction. These damages observed in the kidney could be associated with an increased risk to advanced CKD in adulthood suggesting that reduction of high-fat ingestion during an early period of life can prevent metabolic disturbances and renal lipotoxicity.