A rare genetic variant of BPIFB4 predisposes to high blood pressure via impairment of nitric oxide signaling

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 29;7(1):9706. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-10341-x.

Abstract

BPIFB4 is associated with exceptional longevity: four single-nucleotide polymorphisms distinguish the wild-type form from a longevity-associated variant conferring positive effects on blood pressure. The effect of a rare variant (RV; allele frequency, 4%) on blood pressure is unknown. Here, we show that overexpression of RV-BPIFB4 in ex-vivo mouse vessels impairs phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), blunting acetylcholine-evoked vasorelaxation; in vivo, virally mediated overexpression of RV-BPIFB4 increases blood pressure, an action absent in eNOS-deficient mice. In humans, we found RV carriers to have increased diastolic blood pressure, a finding that was more marked in subjects on anti-hypertensive medication; moreover, recombinant RV-BPIFB4 protein impaired eNOS function in ex-vivo human vessels. Thus, RV-BPIFB4 acts directly on blood pressure homeostasis and may represent a novel biomarker of vascular dysfunction and hypertension.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Pressure / genetics*
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / genetics*
  • Hypertension / metabolism*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*
  • Phosphoproteins / pharmacology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • BPIFB4 protein, human
  • Biomarkers
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Nitric Oxide