Endothelial dysfunction and elevated blood pressure in MAS gene-deleted mice

Hypertension. 2008 Feb;51(2):574-80. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.102764. Epub 2008 Jan 7.

Abstract

Mas codes for a G protein-coupled receptor that is implicated in angiotensin-(1-7) signaling. We studied the cardiovascular phenotype of Mas-deficient mice backcrossed onto the FVB/N genetic background using telemetry and found that they exhibit higher blood pressures compared with controls. These Mas(-/-) mice also had impaired endothelial function, decreased NO production, and lower endothelial NO synthase expression. Reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase catalytic subunit gp91(phox) protein content determined by Western blotting was higher in Mas(-/-) mice than in controls, whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were reduced. The superoxide dismutase mimetic, Tempol, decreased blood pressure in Mas(-/-) mice but had a minimal effect in control mice. Our results show a major cardiovascular phenotype in Mas(-/-) mice. Mas-deletion results in increased blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction, and an imbalance between NO and reactive oxygen species. Our animals represent a promising model to study angiotensin-(1-7)-mediated cardiovascular effects and to evaluate Mas agonistic compounds as novel cardioprotective and antihypertensive agents based on their beneficial effects on endothelial function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Biological Availability
  • Blood Pressure* / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cyclic N-Oxides / pharmacology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NADPH Oxidase 2
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Phenotype
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / deficiency*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / deficiency*
  • Spin Labels
  • Vasodilation*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cyclic N-Oxides
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Spin Labels
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Cybb protein, mouse
  • NADPH Oxidase 2
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • tempol