Functional cross-talk between aldosterone and angiotensin-(1-7) in ventricular myocytes

Hypertension. 2013 Feb;61(2):425-30. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.199539. Epub 2012 Dec 10.

Abstract

High serum levels of aldosterone have been linked to the development of cardiac disease. In contrast, angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) was extensively shown to possess cardioprotective effects, including the attenuation of cardiac dysfunction induced by excessive mineralocorticoid activation in vivo, suggesting possible interactions between these 2 molecules. Here, we investigated whether there is cross-talk between aldosterone and Ang-(1-7) and its functional consequences for calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling in ventricular myocytes. Short-term effects of aldosterone on Ca(2+) transient were assessed in Fluo-4/AM-loaded myocytes. Confocal images showed that Ang-(1-7) had no effect on Ca(2+) transient parameters, whereas aldosterone increased the magnitude of the Ca(2+) transient. Quite unexpectedly, addition of Ang-(1-7) to aldosterone-treated myocytes further enhanced the amplitude of the Ca(2+) transient suggesting a synergistic effect of these molecules. Aldosterone action on Ca(2+) transient amplitude was mediated by protein kinase A, and was related to an increase in Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) density. Both changes were not altered by Ang-(1-7). When cardiomyocytes were exposed to aldosterone, increased Ca(2+) spark rate was measured. Ang-(1-7) prevented this change. In addition, a NO synthase inhibitor restored the effect of aldosterone on Ca(2+) spark rate in Ang-(1-7)-treated myocytes and attenuated the synergistic effect of these 2 molecules on Ca(2+) transient. These results indicate that NO plays an important role in this cross-talk. Our results bring new perspectives in the understanding of how 2 prominent molecules with supposedly antagonist cardiac actions cross-talk to synergistically amplify Ca(2+) signals in cardiomyocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldosterone / metabolism*
  • Aldosterone / pharmacology
  • Angiotensin I / metabolism*
  • Angiotensin I / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Aldosterone
  • Angiotensin I
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • angiotensin I (1-7)
  • Calcium