Agonistic antibodies directed at the angiotensin II, AT1 receptor in preeclampsia.

Immune mechanisms and circulating mediators may be important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. We review our findings on agonistic antibodies against the angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor (AT1-AA) and their possible role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. AT1-AA appear in the course of preeclampsia and are largely gone by 6 weeks after delivery.

Mendelian forms of human hypertension and mechanisms of disease.

Mendelian forms of hypertension have ushered in a revolution in our knowledge of blood pressure and volume regulation. If we include information on syndromes involving low blood pressure, this knowledge base is doubled. Glucocorticoid remediable aldosteronism, apparent mineralocorticoid excess, and mutations in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene have given us brilliant insights into mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension.

Activating auto-antibodies against the AT1 receptor in preeclampsia.

Immune mechanisms have been shown to be important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Here, we review our studies of agonistic antibodies against the AT1 receptor in the pathogenesis as well as a pathologic phenotype of this disorder, focusing on observations in our laboratory. We have demonstrated their specificity of the binding by Western blotting, co-localization, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments.

Inducible NOS inhibition, eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation, and angiotensin II-induced renal damage.

Background: Cytochrome P450(CYP)-dependent hydroxylation and epoxygenation metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) influence renal vascular tone, salt excretion, and inflammation. Transgenic rats over expressing both human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGR) feature angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced organ damage, increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), decreased AA hydroxylation, and epoxygenation. As nitric oxide production via iNOS can inhibit CYP AA metabolism, we tested the hypothesis that by blocking iNOS or by supplementing eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), which can serve as an alternative CYP substrate, Ang II-induced vasculopathy could be ameliorated.

AT1 receptor agonistic antibodies, hypertension, and preeclampsia.

Immunologic mechanisms and putatively circulating mediators of preeclampsia are not a new idea, but are nevertheless compelling. Here we review studies relating to the role of agonistic antibodies that bind the second extracellular loop of the angiotensin II (AII) AT1 receptor in the pathogenesis as well as a pathologic phenotype of this disorder, focusing on observations in our laboratory. These agonistic autoantibodies (AT1-AA) appear with the development of preeclampsia and mostly are gone by 6 weeks after delivery.

Insights into angiotensin II receptor function through AT2 receptor knockout mice.

Angiotensin II signals via at least two receptors termed AT1 and AT2. The function of the AT1 receptor is well defined, while that of the AT2 receptor is still shrouded in uncertainty. AT2 gene-deficient (-/-) mice have been helpful in unravelling the function of the AT2 receptor.

A woman with postoperative hyponatremia related to desmopressin acetate.

A patient was referred to the intensive care unit with sudden delirium and a serum sodium level of 111 mEq/L (mmol/L). A computerized tomographic scan revealed marked cerebral edema. Laboratory values were highly consistent with the action of the antidiuretic hormone.

Agonistic autoantibodies directed against the angiotensin II AT1 receptor in patients with preeclampsia.

We showed that sera from patients with preeclampsia contain autoantibodies directed against the angiotensin II AT1 receptor. The antibodies recognize an epitope on the second extracellular loop of the receptor and are immunoglobulins of the IgG3 subclass. The antibodies accelerate the beating rate of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Recent developments in the treatment of obesity-related hypertension.

Purpose Of Review: Obesity is a major public health issue, and hypertension is one of the most common associated co-morbidities. Here, recent developments in the treatment of obesity-related hypertension, published during the past year, are reviewed.

Recent Findings: Several recent studies have examined the effect of dietary and lifestyle changes on hypertension.