Impaired myogenic constriction of the renal afferent arteriole in a mouse model of reduced βENaC expression

Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2012 Jun 1;302(11):F1486-93. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00638.2011. Epub 2012 Mar 14.

Abstract

Previous studies demonstrate a role for β epithelial Na(+) channel (βENaC) protein as a mediator of myogenic constriction in renal interlobar arteries. However, the importance of βENaC as a mediator of myogenic constriction in renal afferent arterioles, the primary site of development of renal vascular resistance, has not been determined. We colocalized βENaC with smooth muscle α-actin in vascular smooth muscle cells in renal arterioles using immunofluorescence. To determine the importance of βENaC in myogenic constriction in renal afferent arterioles, we used a mouse model of reduced βENaC (βENaC m/m) and examined pressure-induced constrictor responses in the isolated afferent arteriole-attached glomerulus preparation. We found that, in response to a step increase in perfusion pressure from 60 to 120 mmHg, the myogenic tone increased from 4.5 ± 3.7 to 27.3 ± 5.2% in +/+ mice. In contrast, myogenic tone failed to increase with the pressure step in m/m mice (3.9 ± 0.8 to 6.9 ± 1.4%). To determine the importance of βENaC in myogenic renal blood flow (RBF) regulation, we examined the rate of change in renal vascular resistance following a step increase in perfusion pressure in volume-expanded animals. We found that, following a step increase in pressure, the rate of myogenic correction of RBF is inhibited by 75% in βENaC m/m mice. These findings demonstrate that myogenic constriction in afferent arterioles is dependent on normal expression of βENaC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Actins / physiology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Arterioles / physiology*
  • Blood Pressure / genetics
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / genetics
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / physiology*
  • Kidney Glomerulus / blood supply
  • Kidney Glomerulus / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Muscle Tonus / genetics
  • Muscle Tonus / physiology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiology*
  • Renal Circulation / genetics
  • Renal Circulation / physiology*
  • Vascular Resistance / genetics
  • Vascular Resistance / physiology
  • Vasoconstriction / genetics
  • Vasoconstriction / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels
  • Scnn1b protein, mouse