Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Define the Microvascular Injury Driven by Neuroinflammation in the Brain of a Mouse Model of Hypertension.

Background: Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for dementia and cognitive impairment.

Methods: We used the model of transverse aortic constriction to induce chronic pressure overload in mice. We characterized brain injury by advanced translational applications of magnetic resonance imaging.

Celiac Vagus Nerve Stimulation Recapitulates Angiotensin II-Induced Splenic Noradrenergic Activation, Driving Egress of CD8 Effector Cells.

Angiotensin II (AngII) is a peptide hormone that affects the cardiovascular system, not only through typical effects on the vasculature, kidneys, and heart, but also through less understood roles mediated by the brain and the immune system. Here, we address the hard-wired neural connections within the autonomic nervous system that modulate splenic immunity. Chronic AngII infusion triggers burst firing of the vagus nerve celiac efferent, an effect correlated with noradrenergic activation in the spleen and T cell egress.

Deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension activates placental growth factor in the spleen to couple sympathetic drive and immune system activation.

Aims: Chronic increase of mineralocorticoids obtained by administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) results in salt-dependent hypertension in animals. Despite the lack of a generalized sympathoexcitation, DOCA-salt hypertension has been also associated to overdrive of peripheral nervous system in organs typically targeted by blood pressure (BP), as kidneys and vasculature. Aim of this study was to explore whether DOCA-salt recruits immune system by overactivating sympathetic nervous system in lymphoid organs and whether this is relevant for hypertension.