Angiotensin-[1-7] attenuates kidney injury in experimental Alport syndrome

Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 6;10(1):4225. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61250-5.

Abstract

Angiotensin-[1-7] (Ang-[1-7]) antagonize the actions of the renin-angiotensin-system via the Mas receptor and thereby exert renoprotective effects. Murine recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 was reported to show renoprotective effects in an experimental Alport syndrome model; however, the protective effect of direct administration of Ang-[1-7] is unknown. Here, we used Col4a3-/- mice as a model of Alport syndrome, which were treated with saline or Ang- [1-7]; saline-treated wild-type mice were used as a control group. The mice were continuously infused with saline or Ang-[1-7] (25 μg/kg/h) using osmotic mini-pumps. Col4a3-/- mice showed increased α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), collagen, and fibronectin expression levels, which were attenuated by Ang-[1-7] treatment. Moreover, Ang-[1-7] alleviated activation of transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling, and attenuated the protein expression of ED-1 and heme oxygenase-1, indicating reduction of renal inflammation. Ang-[1-7] treatment further reduced the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules and attenuated apoptosis in human kidney cells. Finally, Ang-[1-7] downregulated TNF-α converting enzyme and upregulated ACE2 expression. Thus, treatment with Ang-[1-7] altered the ACE2-Ang-[1-7]-Mas receptor axis in the kidneys of Col4a3-/- mice to attenuate the nephropathy progression of Alport syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / drug therapy*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / pathology
  • Angiotensin I / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis
  • Autoantigens / physiology*
  • Collagen Type IV / physiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nephritis, Hereditary / complications*
  • Nephritis, Hereditary / pathology
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Autoantigens
  • Collagen Type IV
  • Peptide Fragments
  • type IV collagen alpha3 chain
  • Angiotensin I
  • angiotensin I (1-7)