Sex-specific sequels of early life stress on serine/threonine kinase activity in visceral adipose tissue from obese mice

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are an established independent risk factor for chronic disease including obesity and hypertension; however, only women exposed to multiple ACEs show a positive relationship with BMI. Our lab has reported that maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a mouse model of early life stress, induces sex-specific mechanisms underlying greater blood pressure response to a chronic high fat diet (HF). Specifically, female MSEW mice fed a HF display exacerbated perigonadal white adipose tissue (pgWAT) expansion and a metabolic syndrome-like phenotype compared to control counterparts, whereas hypertension is caused by sympathoactivation in male MSEW mice. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether there is a sex-specific serine/threonine kinase (STKA) activity in pgWAT adipose tissue associated with early life stress. Frozen pgWAT was collected from MSEW and control, male and female mice fed a HF to assess STKA activity using the Pamstation12 instrument. Overall, MSEW induces significant reduction of 7 phosphokinases (|Z| >=1.5) in females (QIK, MLK, PKCH, MST, STE7, PEK, FRAY) and 5 in males (AKT, SGK, P38, MARK, CDK), while 15 were downregulated in both sexes (DMPK, PKA, PKG, RSK, PLK, DYRK, NMO, CAMK1, JNK, PAKA, RAD53, ERK, PAKB, PKD, PIM, AMPK). This data provides new insights into the sex-specific dysregulation of the molecular network controlling cellular phosphorylation signals in visceral adipose tissue and identifies possible target phosphokinases implicated in adipocyte hypertrophy as a result of exposure to early life stress. Identifying functional metabolic signatures is critical to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms behind the sex-specific obesity risk associated with early life stress.

Human soluble prorenin receptor expressed in mouse renal collecting duct shows sex-specific effect on cardiorenal function

Soluble prorenin receptor (sPRR), a component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), has been identified as a plasma biomarker for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in humans. Despite studies showing that sPRR in the kidney is produced by tubular cells in the renal collecting duct (CD), its biological actions modulating cardiorenal function in physiological conditions remain unknown. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate whether CD-derived human sPRR (HsPRR) expression influences cardiorenal function and examine sex and circadian differences. Thus, we investigated the status of the intrarenal RAS, water and electrolyte balance, renal filtration capacity, and blood pressure (BP) regulation in CD-HsPRR and control (CTL) mice. CD-HsPRR mice were generated by breeding human sPRR-Myc-tag mice with Hoxb7/Cre mice. Renal sPRR expression increased in CD-HsPRR mice, but circulating sPRR and RAS levels were unchanged compared with CTL mice. Only female littermates expressing CD-HsPRR showed 1) increased 24-h BP, 2) an impaired BP response to an acute dose of losartan and attenuated angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertension, 3) reduced angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and ANG II content in the renal cortex, and 4) decreased glomerular filtration rate, with no changes in natriuresis and kaliuresis despite upregulation of the β-subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel in the renal cortex. These cardiorenal alterations were displayed only during the active phase of the day. Taken together, these data suggest that HsPRR could interact with ANG II type 1 receptors mediating sex-specific, ANG II-independent renal dysfunction and a prohypertensive phenotype in a sex-specific manner.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We successfully generated a humanized mouse model that expresses human sPRR in the collecting duct. Collecting duct-derived human sPRR did not change circulating sPRR and RAS levels but increased daytime BP in female mice while showing an attenuated angiotensin II-dependent pressor response. These findings may aid in elucidating the mechanisms by which women show uncontrolled BP in response to antihypertensive treatments targeting the RAS, improving approaches to reduce uncontrolled BP and chronic kidney disease incidences in women.

Obese Male Mice Exposed to Early Life Stress Display Sympathetic Activation and Hypertension Independent of Circulating Angiotensin II

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported that male mice exposed to maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a model of early life stress, show sympathetic activation and increased blood pressure in response to a chronic high-fat diet. The goal of this study was to investigate the contribution of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to the mechanism by which MSEW increases blood pressure and vasomotor sympathetic tone in obese male mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mice were exposed to MSEW during postnatal life. Undisturbed litters served as controls. At weaning, both control and MSEW offspring were placed on a low-fat diet or a high-fat diet for 20 weeks. Angiotensin peptides in serum were similar in control and MSEW mice regardless of the diet. However, a high-fat diet induced a similar increase in angiotensinogen levels in serum, renal cortex, liver, and fat in both control and MSEW mice. No evidence of renin-angiotensin system activation was found in adipose tissue and renal cortex. After chronic treatment with enalapril (2.5 mg/kg per day, drinking water, 7 days), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor that does not cross the blood-brain barrier, induced a similar reduction in blood pressure in both groups, while the vasomotor sympathetic tone remained increased in obese MSEW mice. In addition, acute boluses of angiotensin II (1, 10, 50 μg/kg s.c.) exerted a similar pressor response in MSEW and control mice before and after enalapril treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, elevated blood pressure and vasomotor sympathetic tone remained exacerbated in MSEW mice compared with controls after the peripheral inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme, suggesting a mechanism independent of angiotensin II.

Glucocorticoids, their uses, sexual dimorphisms, and diseases: new concepts, mechanisms, and discoveries

The normal stress response in humans is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through heightened mechanisms during stress, raising blood levels of the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol. Glucocorticoids are quintessential compounds that balance the proper functioning of numerous systems in the mammalian body. They are also generated synthetically and are the preeminent therapy for inflammatory diseases. They act by binding to the nuclear receptor transcription factor glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which has two main isoforms (GRα and GRβ). Our classical understanding of glucocorticoid signaling is from the GRα isoform, which binds the hormone, whereas GRβ has no known ligands. With glucocorticoids being involved in many physiological and cellular processes, even small disruptions in their release via the HPA axis, or changes in GR isoform expression, can have dire ramifications on health. Long-term chronic glucocorticoid therapy can lead to a glucocorticoid-resistant state, and we deliberate how this impacts disease treatment. Chronic glucocorticoid treatment can lead to noticeable side effects such as weight gain, adiposity, diabetes, and others that we discuss in detail. There are sexually dimorphic responses to glucocorticoids, and women tend to have a more hyperresponsive HPA axis than men. This review summarizes our understanding of glucocorticoids and critically analyzes the GR isoforms and their beneficial and deleterious mechanisms and the sexual differences that cause a dichotomy in responses. We also discuss the future of glucocorticoid therapy and propose a new concept of dual GR isoform agonist and postulate why activating both isoforms may prevent glucocorticoid resistance.

Appraising the Preclinical Evidence of the Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Antenatal Programming of Maternal and Offspring Cardiovascular Health Across the Life Course: Moving the Field Forward: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

There is increasing interest in the long-term cardiovascular health of women with complicated pregnancies and their affected offspring. Emerging antenatal risk factors such as preeclampsia appear to increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease across the life course in both the offspring and women after pregnancy. However, the antenatal programming mechanisms responsible are complex and incompletely understood, with roots in alterations in the development, structure, and function of the kidney, heart, vasculature, and brain. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a major regulator of maternal-fetal health through the placental interface, as well as kidney and cardiovascular tissue development and function. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system dysregulation plays a critical role in the development of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and programming of long-term adverse cardiovascular health in both the mother and the offspring. An improved understanding of antenatal renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system programming is crucial to identify at-risk individuals and to facilitate development of novel therapies to prevent and treat disease across the life course. Given the inherent complexities of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, it is imperative that preclinical and translational research studies adhere to best practices to accurately and rigorously measure components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This comprehensive synthesis of preclinical and translational scientific evidence of the mechanistic role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in antenatal programming of hypertension and cardiovascular disease will help (1) to ensure that future research uses best research practices, (2) to identify pressing needs, and (3) to guide future investigations to maximize potential outcomes. This will facilitate more rapid and efficient translation to clinical care and improve health outcomes.

Prenatal Morphine Exposure Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Programs Neurogenic Hypertension in the Adult Offspring

BACKGROUND

The opioid overdose and opioid use disorder epidemics are concomitant with increased metabolic and CVD risk. Although opioid use disorder causes adverse pregnancy outcomes, the offspring's cardiovascular health is understudied. We hypothesized that offspring exposed to morphine in utero would show increased CVD risk factors and endogenous opioid system dysregulation.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley dams were treated with saline (vehicle, n=10) or escalating doses of morphine (5-20 mg/kg per day, SC, n=10) during gestation. Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were assessed in adult offspring.

RESULTS

Litter size and pups' birth weight were not different in response to morphine exposure. Female and male morphine-exposed offspring showed reduced body length at birth (P<0.05) and body weight from weeks 1 to 3 of life (P<0.05), followed by a catch-up growth effect. By week 16, female and male morphine-exposed rats showed reduced tibia length (P<0.05) and fat mass. In utero morphine exposure increases the mean arterial pressure and the depressor response to mecamylamine (5 mg/kg per day, IP) increases were abolished by a chronic treatment with an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker (prazosin; 1 mg/kg per day, IP). Although circulating levels of angiotensin peptides were similar between groups, in utero morphine exposure exacerbated maximal ex vivo Ang (angiotensin) II-induced vasoconstriction (P<0.05) and induced endothelial dysfunction in a sex-specific manner (P<0.05). Proenkephalin, an endogenous opioid peptide that lowers blood pressure and sympathetic-mediated vasoconstriction, showed reduced mRNA expression in the heart, aorta, and kidneys from morphine versus vehicle group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Among the effects of in utero morphine exposure, neurogenic hypertension, vascular dysfunction, and metabolic dysfunction could be associated with the dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system.

Endothelial-Specific Expression of CIDEC Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Vascular and Metabolic Dysfunction

Cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector C (CIDEC), originally identified to be a lipid droplet-associated protein in adipocytes, positively associates with insulin sensitivity. Recently, we discovered that it is expressed abundantly in human endothelial cells and regulates vascular function. The current study was designed to characterize the physiological effects and molecular actions of endothelial CIDEC in the control of vascular phenotype and whole-body glucose homeostasis. To achieve this, we generated a humanized mouse model expressing endothelial-specific human CIDEC (E-CIDECtg). E-CIDECtg mice exhibited protection against high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Moreover, these mice displayed improved insulin signaling and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation, enhanced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation, and improved vascularization of adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and heart. Mechanistically, we identified a novel interplay of CIDEC-vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) that reduced VEGFA and VEGFR2 degradation, thereby increasing VEGFR2 activation. Overall, our results demonstrate a protective role of endothelial CIDEC against obesity-induced metabolic and vascular dysfunction, in part, by modulation of VEGF signaling. These data suggest that CIDEC may be investigated as a potential future therapeutic target for mitigating obesity-related cardiometabolic disease.

Abstract 066: Renal-derived Human Sprr Induces Hypernatremia And Water Retention In Male Mice But Not Female Mice

The soluble prorenin receptor (sPRR) plays an important role in fluid and electrolyte balance. In rodent models, sPRR contributes to aquaporin2(AQP2)-dependent antidiuretic action. However, there is a gap of knowledge concerning the functional role of locally produced human sPRR from the kidney. Hence, we evaluated the role of renal-derived human sPRR in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.Human sPRR-Myc-tag transgenic mice were bred with mice expressing Hoxb7/Cre to selectively express human sPRR in the collecting duct (RHsPRR). RHsPRR and control (CTL) male and female mice were fed a standard diet for 10 months (n=8-11/group). Body weight was examined weekly, body composition monthly and water balance at study endpoint. Western blot analysis depicted the presence of human sPRR-Myc-tag (28 KDa) in the cortex and medulla of RHsPRR male and female mice validating the humanized mouse model.Renal-derived human sPRR did not change body weight in male or female mice (Male: CTL: 34±1, RHsPRR: 33±1 g; Female: CTL: 28±1, RHsPRR: 30±1 g) nor kidney function assessed by GFR (Male: CTL: 817±83, RHsPRR: 1088±163 μl/min/100gBW; Female: CTL: 1057±75, RHsPRR: 875±89 μl/min/100gBW). In male mice, renal-derived human sPRR significantly elevated plasma sodium (Male: CTL: 115±4, RHsPRR: 127±3 mmol/L; P<0.05) and ENaC gene expression (M: 1.7±0.7 and 3.7±0.9 2 -ΔΔCT , P<0.05). Urine flow rate was decreased (Male: CTL: 1.0±0.2, RHsPRR: 0.6±0.2 ml; P<0.05) and AQP2 protein expression was increased in male RHsPRR mice compared to CTL (M: 0.13±0.05 and 0.44±0.12 AU, P<0.05), suggesting that renal-derived human sPRR elicits hypernatremia by stimulating sodium reabsorption via ENaC-dependent mechanism and water reabsorption by AQP2 expression.In female mice, renal-derived human sPRR did not change plasma sodium (Female: CTL: 120±7, RHsPRR: 118±5 mmol/L), ENaC gene expression (F: 1.2±0.2 and 1.4±0.1 2 -ΔΔCT ), urine flow rate (Female: CTL: 0.4±0.1, RHsPRR: 0.5±0.1 ml) or AQP2 protein expression (F: 0.20±0.03 and 0.20±0.06 AU, P<0.05).Our data suggest that renal cortical and medullary human sPRR regulates water and electrolyte balance in a sex specific-manner. Translationally, human sPRR could be a promising therapeutic target to treat hypernatremia in men.

Early life stress exacerbates obesity in adult female mice via mineralocorticoid receptor-dependent increases in adipocyte triglyceride and glycerol content

Previously, we have shown that Maternal Separation and Early Weaning (MSEW) exacerbates high fat diet (HF)-induced visceral obesity in female offspring compared to normally reared female mice. Stress hormones such as glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are critical mediators in the process of fat expansion, and both can activate the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in the adipocyte. Therefore, this study aimed to, comprehend the specific effects of MSEW on adipose tissue basic homeostatic function, and investigate whether female MSEW mice show an exacerbated obesogenic response mediated by MR. Gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT), a type of visceral fat, was collected to assess lipidomics, transcriptomics, and in vitro lipolysis assay. Obese female MSEW mice showed increased adiposity, elevated 44:2/FA 18:2 + NH4 lipid class and reduced mitochondrial DNA density compared to obese control counterparts. In addition, single-cell RNA sequencing in isolated pre- and mature adipocytes showed a ~9-fold downregulation of aquaglycerolporin 3 (Aqp3), a channel responsible for glycerol efflux in adipocytes. Obese MSEW mice showed high levels of circulating aldosterone and gWAT-derived corticosterone compared to controls. Further, the MR blocker spironolactone (Spiro, 100 mg/kg/day, 2 weeks) normalized the elevated intracellular glycerol levels, the greater in vitro lipolysis response, and the number of large size adipocytes in MSEW mice compared to the controls. Our data suggests that MR plays a role promoting adipocyte hypertrophy in female MSEW mice by preventing lipolysis via glycerol release in favor of triglyceride formation and storage.

Abstract 041: Renal-derived Human Sprr Increases Blood Pressure In Female Mice But Not In Male Mice

The soluble prorenin receptor (sPRR) plays an important role in blood pressure regulation. In rodent models, sPRR contributes to Ang II production by increasing renin activity and systolic blood pressure (SBP). However, there is a gap of knowledge concerning the functional role of locally produced human sPRR from the kidney in blood pressure regulation. Therefore, we evaluated the role of renal-derived human sPRR in SBP control.Human sPRR-Myc-tag transgenic mice were bred with mice expressing Hoxb7/Cre to selectively express human sPRR in the collecting duct (RHsPRR). RHsPRR and control (CTL) male and female mice were fed a standard diet for 10 months (n=8-11/group). Body weight was examined weekly and SBP measured by radio-telemetry. Western blot analysis depicted the presence of human sPRR-Myc-tag (28 KDa) in the cortex and medulla of RHsPRR male mice which validated the humanized mouse model. Renal-derived human sPRR did not change body weight in male or female mice (M: CTL: 34±1, RHsPRR: 33±1 g; F: CTL: 28±1, RHsPRR: 30±1 g). Circulating sPRR was also unchanged in male and female mice (M: 3995±643 and 4342±500pg/ml, F: 3479±194 and 3948±238pg/ml). SBP increased significantly in female RHsPRR mice compared to CTL (F: 118.7±2 and 127.2±3 mmHg, P<0.05) but not in male mice (M: 123.8±2 and 119.9±6 mmHg). In female mice, renal-derived human sPRR increased significantly renal AT1R gene expression (F: 1.7±0.5 and 2.6±0.4 2 -ΔΔCT , P<0.05) and stimulated ERK1/2 (F: 0.3±0.0 and 0.6±0.1 AU, P<0.05) suggesting that human sPRR increases blood pressure in female mice likely via AT1R-ERK1/2 pathway activation. In contrast, in male mice, AT1R-ERK1/2 pathway was not up-regulated and renal ACE2 gene expression was significantly increased in RHsPRR males (M: 1.0±0.2 and 3.3±1.1 2 -ΔΔCT , P<0.05). Mechanistically, in male mice, our results indicated that the lack of activation of AT1R-ERK1/2 pathway combined with the increase of ACE2 could have prevented RHsPRR-induced increase in SBP. Together, our data highlighted the contribution of renal human sPRR to blood pressure control in a sex-dependent manner and a new mechanism of blood pressure control that involved the renin angiotensin system.

Abstract 106: In Utero Morphine Exposure Dysregulates The Endogenous Opioid System (EOS) And Increases Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease In The Adulthood Offspring

Chronic opioid exposure and opioid use disorder are associated with nearly a 2-fold increased risk of CVD and 16% increase in coronary artery disease. Opioid abuse during pregnancy increases 5 fold the incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) and is associated with low birth weight; however, the effect of OUD among pregnant women on their offspring health is understudied. Previously, we have shown that both male and female offspring from dams exposed to mu-opioid receptor agonist morphine (MOR) during the whole pregnancy are smaller and display high blood pressure. This study aimed to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms associated with increased blood pressure in MOR- exposed offspring. Sprague Dawley dams were treated with escalating doses of MOR (5-20 mg/kg/day, s.c) or saline (VEH) from gestational day 1 to 18, and pups were weaned on standard diet. Lipid profile was assessed as a risk factor for coronary artery disease using FPLC. MOR exposed offspring showed increased LDL (F-MOR vs. VEH ~2 fold; M-MOR vs. VEH ~1.5 fold mg/dL; n=6-8, p<0.05). Leptin levels, normalized to body fat, were not different between groups (F-MOR 219.8±35 vs F-VEH 181.4±15.8 pg/g fat; M-MOR 207.2±26.7 vs M-VEH 200.3±23.3 pg/g fat, n=7-8). Although proteinuria was not different in MOR exposed rats vs. VEH (F-MOR 4.6±0.8 vs F-VEH 5.5±1mg/ml; M-MOR 29.1±1.4 vs M-VEH 37.5±2.95 mg/mL; n=7-8), creatinine clearance was reduced in MOR-exposed males but not females (M-MOR 0.51±0.1 vs M-VEH 0.87±0.3 mL/min, n=7-8). MOR-exposed offspring showed a greater reduction in the pressor response to mecamylamine (F-MOR -46.25±6 vs F-VEH -18.3±1.3, M-MOR -50.5±0.28 vs M-VEH -25±5.1 delta mmHg, p<0.05). Proenkephalin, an endogenous opioid peptide that has been shown to inhibit the beta adrenergic receptor signaling, showed a ~3-fold reduction in heart and a ~7.5-fold reduction in the kidney cortex and outer medulla mRNA expression vs. VEH (-2ddCt, n=6-8, p<0.05). Maternal MOR exposure increases the sympathetic tone, which could be associated with increased sympathetic outflow to the kidney and the heart. Reduced proenkephalin could be involved in potential crosstalk between adrenergic and opioid receptor signaling exacerbating the actions of catecholamines.

Abstract P3003: Endothelial-Specific Expression Of Cidec Improves High-Fat Diet-induced Vascular And Metabolic Dysfunction

Cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector C (CIDEC), originally identified to be a lipid-droplet associated protein in adipocytes, positively associates with insulin sensitivity. Recently, we discovered that it is expressed abundantly in human endothelial cells (ECs) and regulates vascular function in obesity. The present study was designed to characterize the physiological effects and molecular actions of endothelial CIDEC in the control of vascular phenotype and whole-body glucose homeostasis. To achieve this, we generated a humanized mouse model expressing endothelial-specific human CIDEC (E-CIDECtg). E-CIDECtg mice exhibited protection against HFD-impaired glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Moreover, these mice displayed improved insulin signaling and eNOS activation, enhanced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation and improved vascularization of adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and heart. Mechanistically, we identified a novel interplay of CIDEC-VEGFA-VEGFR2 that reduced VEGFA and VEGFR2 ubiquitin-mediated degradation thereby increasing VEGFR2 activation. Overall, our results demonstrate a protective role of endothelial CIDEC against obesity-induced metabolic and vascular dysfunction, in part, by modulation of VEGF signaling. These data suggests that CIDEC may be considered as a potential future therapeutic target for mitigating obesity-related cardiometabolic disease.

Sex and race define the effects of adverse childhood experiences on self-reported BMI and metabolic health biomarkers

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are an independent risk factor for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, stroke and ischemic heart disease. However, the effect of ACEs considering sex and race are not often reported in cohorts showing multiracial composition, with power to evaluate effects on underrepresented populations.

AIM

To determine how sex and race affected the association of combined and individual ACEs with metabolic health biomarkers in the Southern Community Cohort Study (2012-2015).

METHODS

Self-reported data were analyzed from ACE surveys performed during the second follow-up of a cohort comprised by over 60% of Black subjects and with an overall mean age of 60 years.

RESULTS

BMI steadily increased with cumulative ACEs among Black and White women, but remained relatively stable in White men with ≥ 4 ACEs. Contrary, Black men showed an inverse association between ACE and BMI. Secondary analysis of metabolic outcomes showed that physical abuse was correlated with a 4.85 cm increase in waist circumference in Black subjects. Total cholesterol increased among individuals with more than 4 ACEs. In addition, increases in HbA1c were associated with emotional and maternal abuse in Black women and sexual abuse in White women.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI is strongly associated with cumulative ACEs in women regardless the race, while waist circumference is strongly associated with ACEs in Black individuals, which combined with reduced BMI may indicate increased central adiposity in Black men. Our study suggests that sex and race influence the contribution of certain ACEs to impair metabolic health.

Epididymal Fat-Derived Sympathoexcitatory Signals Exacerbate Neurogenic Hypertension in Obese Male Mice Exposed to Early Life Stress

[Figure: see text].

Abstract P197: Increased Serotonin In Visceral Adipose Tissue May Contribute To Stimulate Sensory Neurons Mediating Obesity Hypertension In Mice Exposed To Early Life Stress

Male C57BL/6J mice exposed to maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a mouse model of early life stress, display increased blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic activation compared to obese controls when fed a high fat diet (HF). Moreover, HF-fed MSEW males display exacerbated BP responses to the acute stimulation of the adipose afferent reflex (AAR) in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of endogenous factors that could stimulate fat sensory neurons. MSEW and control (C) mice (n=8/group) were placed on a LF or HF (10% and 60% Kcal from fat, respectively) for 16 weeks. Then, serum obtained by decapitation and adipose tissue samples were collected to measure mRNA and protein expression of 15 factors and receptors known to activate sensory neurons. No differences were found across measurements on LF. Plasma AGT and AngII were decreased in HF-fed MSEW compared to C (AGT: 760±48 vs. 1267±161 ng/ml, p<0.05; AngII; 413±57 vs. 1082±340 pmol/l, p<0.07, Attoquant) and no differences were found in leptin (103±6 vs. 104±4 ng/ml, p<0.87). In eWAT, MSEW and C showed similar AGT (2.1±0.4 vs. 1.9±0.3 ng/ml per g tissue), AngII (1.7±0.2 vs. 2.3±0.5 pg AngII/mg tissue), ACE 1 activity (21.5±1.2 vs. 20.0±0.9 RFU/min/μg protein, p<0.33) and leptin (102.8±6.1 vs. 104.5±6.8 ng/mg of tissue, p<0.87). However, HF-fed MSEW showed increased eWAT mRNA expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1), the rate limiting enzyme in serotonin (5-HT) synthesis (10.2±2.9 vs. 1.6±0.3 2 -ΔΔct , p<0.03). SERT-Tph1-MAO signaling pathway protein expression was activated, and fat serotonin concentration was also increased in eWAT from obese MSEW mice compared to C (16.58±1.5 vs. 8.5±2.1 ug/mg of tissue, p<0.01). Acute stimulation of eWAT with serotonin (10-6 M, 4 sites, 2 ul/site) tend to increase pressor response in MSEW mice (p<0.066, n=2-3). Unlike in female MSEW mice, our study demonstrates that MSEW does not increase circulating and tissue AGT, Ang II and leptin in male mice. Taken together, these data suggest that increased local serotonin could be endogenously sensitizing the sensory neurons in obese MSEW mice contributing to chronic AAR stimulation, directly via TRPV1 channels, or indirectly, via acid-sensing ion channels.

Abstract MP34: Collecting Duct Cells-derived Human Sprr Impairs The Antihypertensive Effects Of Losartan And Upregulates Erk1/2 And Aqp2 Expression

Recent studies showed that soluble prorenin receptor (sPRR) plays an important role in blood pressure regulation and in water balance. In rodent models, sPRR contributes to AngII production by increasing renin activity, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and aquaporin2 (AQP2)-dependent antidiuretic action. However, there is a gap of knowledge concerning the functional role of locally produced sPRR from the kidney. Therefore, we evaluated the kidney-derived human sPRR role in SBP control and fluid homeostasis. Human sPRR-Myc-tag transgenic mice were bred with mice expressing Hoxb7/Cre to selectively express human sPRR in the collecting duct (RHsPRR). RHsPRR and control (CTL) male mice were fed a standard diet for 10 months (n=8-11/group). Body weight and urine volume were examined and SBP measured by radiotelemetry. Western blot analysis depicted the presence of human sPRR-Myc-tag (28 KDa) in the cortex and medulla of RHsPRR male mice validating the humanized mouse model. Body weight did not change and 24hr-SBP was similar between CLT and RHsPRR mice (128±2 and 122±5 mmHg, respectively). However, the chronic response to losartan treatment was reduced in RHsPRR compared to CTL (ΔSBP: CTL: -9±3; RHsPRR: -5±1 mmHg, P<0.05). Kidney-derived human sPRR did not change GFR (838±75 vs 1088±163 μl/min/100g BW) and urinary vasopressin (0.62±0.21; 0.72±0.20 ng/mg creatinine), while modestly decreasing urine excretion rate by ~40% (CTL: 1.04±0.20; RHsPRR: 0.57±0.25 ml/day). Furthermore, RHsPRR mice had higher AQP2 protein expression in renal cortex (CTL: 0.24±0.07; RHsPRR: 4.11±0.70 AU, P<0.05) and medulla (CTL: 0.11±0.04; RHsPRR: 4.03±1.74 AU, P<0.05) than CTL mice. Kidney-derived human sPRR significantly increased phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in the cortex compared to CTL (CTL: 5.4±1.0; RHsPRR: 9.2±1.4 AU, P<0.05), an MAPK involved in the regulation of water balance. In addition, RHsPRR mice showed increased plasma osmolality compared to CTL mice (CTL: 349±2; RHsPRR: 357±2 mOsm/kg, P<0.05). Overall, our data suggest that renal human sPRR could contribute to the increase in plasma tonicity by promoting the activation of ERK1/2-AQP2 pathway. Whether this signaling is associated with impaired antihypertensive effects of AT1R blockage remains under investigation.

Exacerbated obesogenic response in female mice exposed to early life stress is linked to fat depot-specific upregulation of leptin protein expression

Early life stress (ELS) is an independent risk factor for increased BMI and cardiometabolic disease risk later in life. We have previously shown that a mouse model of ELS, maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), exacerbates high-fat diet (HF)-induced obesity only in adult female mice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate 1) whether the short- and long-term effects of HF on leptin expression are influenced by MSEW in a sex-specific manner and 2) the potential epigenetic mechanisms underlying the MSEW-induced changes in leptin expression. After 1 wk of HF, both MSEW male and female mice displayed increased fat mass compared with controls (P < 0.05). However, only MSEW female mice showed elevated leptin mRNA expression in gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT; P < 0.05). After 12 wk of HF, fat mass remained increased only in female mice (P < 0.05). Moreover, plasma leptin and both leptin mRNA and protein expression in gWAT were augmented in MSEW female mice compered to controls (P < 0.05), but not in MSEW male mice. This association was not present in subcutaneous WAT. Furthermore, among 16 CpG sites in the leptin promoter, we identified three hypomethylated sites in tissue from HF-fed MSEW female mice compared with controls (3, 15, and 16, P < 0.05). These hypomethylated sites showed greater binding of key adipogenic factors such as PPARγ (P < 0.05). Taken together, our study reveals that MSEW superimposed to HF increases leptin protein expression in a sex- and fat depot-specific fashion. Our data suggest that the mechanism by which MSEW increases leptin expression could be epigenetic.

Intrarenal Renin Angiotensin System Imbalance During Postnatal Life Is Associated With Increased Microvascular Density in the Mature Kidney

Environmental stress during early life is an important factor that affects the postnatal renal development. We have previously shown that male rats exposed to maternal separation (MatSep), a model of early life stress, are normotensive but display a sex-specific reduced renal function and exacerbated angiotensin II (AngII)-mediated vascular responses as adults. Since optimal AngII levels during postnatal life are required for normal maturation of the kidney, this study was designed to investigate both short- and long-term effect of MatSep on (1) the renal vascular architecture and function, (2) the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components status, and (3) the genome-wide expression of genes in isolated renal vasculature. Renal tissue and plasma were collected from male rats at different postnatal days (P) for intrarenal RAS components mRNA and protein expression measurements at P2, 6, 10, 14, 21, and 90 and microCT analysis at P21 and 90. Although with similar body weight and renal mass trajectories from P2 to P90, MatSep rats displayed decreased renal filtration capacity at P90, while increased microvascular density at both P21 and P90 (p < 0.05). MatSep increased renal expression of renin, and angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors (p < 0.05), but reduced ACE2 mRNA expression and activity from P2-14 compared to controls. However, intrarenal levels of AngII peptide were reduced (p < 0.05) possible due to the increased degradation to AngIII by aminopeptidase A. In isolated renal vasculature from neonates, Enriched Biological Pathways functional clusters (EBPfc) from genes changed by MatSep reported to modulate extracellular structure organization, inflammation, and pro-angiogenic transcription factors. Our data suggest that male neonates exposed to MatSep could display permanent changes in the renal microvascular architecture in response to intrarenal RAS imbalance in the context of the atypical upregulation of angiogenic factors.

Abstract P243: Increased Adiposity And Leptinemia Amongst Women From The Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS) Exposed To Adverse Childhood Experiences

Exposure to a combination of more than 3 adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is an independent risk factor for obesity and metabolic syndrome. Since women have a higher risk of developing obesity than men, this study was designed to investigate the effects of ACEs on BMI and adipokines while considering sex and menopausal status. We analyzed 41,226 ACE questionnaires (comprised of 10 questions) from the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS). Overall, BMI and plasma adipokines were similar between pre- and post-menopausal women, while men displayed lower BMI and plasma leptin compared with age-matched women (p<0.05). A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine correlations between ACE and sex on the same set of variables. Then, we categorized the samples as low-ACE (0-3) or high-ACE (4 or more) to determine differences in BMI, leptin, and adiponectin. When the data was disaggregated, high-ACE was associated with increased BMI (Prob > F: 0.0183), elevated plasma leptin (Prob > F: 0.0046), and reduced plasma adiponectin (Prob > F:0123). BMI was increased in all high-ACE women, whereas leptin increased while adiponectin reduced in high-ACE pre-menopausal women only (table 1A). Age-matched men did not show a significant effect of ACE on BMI or adipokines (table 1B). Taken together, our data indicate that high-ACE exposure strongly predicts metabolic risk in women, particularly in pre-menopausal status. These outcomes become fundamental to support the use of our mouse model of neglect as a translational tool to address the sex-specific obesogenic response to stress.

Maternal separation-induced increases in vascular stiffness are independent of circulating angiotensinogen levels

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) precursor angiotensinogen (AGT) has been implicated in the functional and mechanical alterations of the vascular wall in response to high-fat diet (HFD). Previously, we showed that HFD exacerbates angiotensin II-induced constriction in isolated aortic rings from male rats exposed to maternal separation (MatSep), a model of early-life stress. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether MatSep increases AGT secretion promoting vascular stiffness in rats fed a HFD. Male Wistar-Kyoto MatSep offspring were separated (3 h/day, postnatal days 2-14), and undisturbed littermates were used as controls. At weaning, rats were fed for 17 wk a normal diet (ND) or a HFD, 18% or 60% kcal from fat, respectively. In plasma, there was a main effect of MatSep reducing AGT concentration (P < 0.05) but no effect due to diet. In urine, ND-fed MatSep rats displayed higher AGT concentrations that were further increased by HFD (P < 0.05 vs. control). AGT mRNA abundance and protein expression were increased in adipose tissue from HFD-fed MatSep rats compared with control rats (P < 0.05). No significant differences in liver and kidney AGT levels were found between groups. In addition, MatSep augmented vascular stiffness assessed on freshly isolated aortic rings from ND-fed rats (P < 0.05), yet HFD did not worsen vascular stiffness in either MatSep or control rats. There was no correlation between plasma AGT and vascular stiffness in ND-fed rats; however, this relationship was negative in HFD-fed MatSep rats only (P < 0.05). Therefore, this study shows that MatSep-induced increases in vascular stiffness are independent of diet or plasma AGT.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that there was no correlation between circulating levels of angiotensinogen (AGT) and the development of vascular stiffness in rats exposed to early-life stress and fed a normal diet. This study also shows that early-life stress-induced hypersensitive vascular contractility to angiotensin II in rats fed a high-fat diet is independent of circulating levels of AGT and occurs without further progression of vascular stiffness. Our data show that early-life stress primes the adipose tissue to secrete AGT in a sex- and species-independent fashion.

Sensory signals mediating high blood pressure via sympathetic activation: role of adipose afferent reflex

Blood pressure regulation in health and disease involves a balance between afferent and efferent signals from multiple organs and tissues. Although there are numerous reviews focused on the role of sympathetic nerves in different models of hypertension, few have revised the contribution of afferent nerves innervating adipose tissue and their role in the development of obesity-induced hypertension. Both clinical and basic research support the beneficial effects of bilateral renal denervation in lowering blood pressure. However, recent studies revealed that afferent signals from adipose tissue, in an adipose-brain-peripheral pathway, could contribute to the increased sympathetic activation and blood pressure during obesity. This review focuses on the role of adipose tissue afferent reflexes and briefly describes a number of other afferent reflexes modulating blood pressure. A comprehensive understanding of how multiple afferent reflexes contribute to the pathophysiology of essential and/or obesity-induced hypertension may provide significant insights into improving antihypertensive therapeutic approaches.

Female Mice Exposed to Postnatal Neglect Display Angiotensin II-Dependent Obesity-Induced Hypertension

Background We have previously reported that female mice exposed to maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a model of early life stress, show exacerbated diet-induced obesity associated with hypertension. The goal of this study was to test whether MSEW promotes angiotensin II-dependent hypertension via activation of the renin-angiotensin system in adipose tissue. Methods and Results MSEW was achieved by daily separations from the dam and weaning at postnatal day 17, while normally reared controls were weaned at postnatal day 21. Female controls and MSEW weanlings were placed on a low-fat diet (LF, 10% kcal from fat) or high-fat diet (HF, 60% kcal from fat) for 20 weeks. MSEW did not change mean arterial pressure in LF-fed mice but increased it in HF-fed mice compared with controls (P<0.05). In MSEW mice fed a HF, angiotensin II concentration in plasma and adipose tissue was elevated compared with controls (P<0.05). In addition, angiotensinogen concentration was increased solely in adipose tissue from MSEW mice (P<0.05), while angiotensin-converting enzyme protein expression and activity were similar between groups. Chronic enalapril treatment (2.5 mg/kg per day, drinking water, 7 days) reduced mean arterial pressure in both groups of mice fed a HF (P<0.05) and abolished the differences due to MSEW. Acute angiotensin II-induced increases in mean arterial pressure (10 μg/kg SC) were attenuated in untreated MSEW HF-fed mice compared to controls (P<0.05); however, this response was similar between groups in enalapril-treated mice. Conclusions The upregulation of angiotensinogen and angiotensin II in adipose tissue could be an important mechanism by which female MSEW mice fed a HF develop hypertension.

Losartan prevents the elevation of blood pressure in adipose-PRR deficient female mice while elevated circulating sPRR activates the renin-angiotensin system

Deletion of the prorenin receptor (PRR) in adipose tissue elevates systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the circulating soluble form of PRR (sPRR) in male mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet. However, sex differences in the contribution of adipose-PRR and sPRR to the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in key organs for blood pressure control are undefined. Therefore, we assessed blood pressure and the systemic and intrarenal RAS status in adipose-PRR knockout (KO) female mice. Blockade of RAS with losartan blunted SBP elevation in HF diet-fed adipose-PRR KO mice. ANG II levels were significantly increased in the renal cortex of HF diet-fed adipose-PRR KO female mice, but not systemically. HF diet-fed adipose-PRR KO mice exhibited higher vasopressin levels, water retention, and lower urine output than wild-type (WT) mice. The results also showed that deletion of adipose-PRR increased circulating sPRR and total hepatic sPRR contents, suggesting the liver as a major source of elevated plasma sPRR in adipose-PRR KO mice. To mimic the elevation of circulating sPRR and define the direct contribution of systemic sPRR to the regulation of the RAS and vasopressin, C57BL/6 female mice fed a standard diet were infused with recombinant sPRR. sPRR infusion increased plasma renin levels, renal and hepatic angiotensinogen expression, and vasopressin. Together, these results demonstrate that the deletion of adipose-PRR induced an elevation of SBP likely mediated by an intrarenal ANG II-dependent mechanism and that sPRR participates in RAS regulation and body fluid homeostasis via its capacity to activate the RAS and increase vasopressin levels. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The elevation of systolic blood pressure appears to be primarily mediated by cortical ANG II in high-fat diet-fed adipose-prorenin receptor knockout female mice. In addition, our data support a role for soluble prorenin receptor in renin-angiotensin system activation and vasopressin regulation.

Maternal separation enhances anticontractile perivascular adipose tissue function in male rats on a high-fat diet

Clinical studies have shown that obesity negatively impacts large arteries' function. We reported that rats exposed to maternal separation (MatSep), a model of early life stress, display enhanced angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vasoconstriction in aortic rings cleaned of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) under normal diet (ND) conditions. We hypothesized that exposure to MatSep promotes a greater loss of PVAT-mediated protective effects on vascular function and loss of blood pressure (BP) rhythm in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) when compared with controls. MatSep was performed in male Wistar-Kyoto rats from days 2 to 14 of life. Normally reared littermates served as controls. On ND, aortic rings from MatSep rats with PVAT removed showed increased ANG II-mediated vasoconstriction versus controls; however, rings from MatSep rats with intact PVAT displayed blunted constriction. This effect was exacerbated by an HFD in both groups; however, the anticontractile effect of PVAT was greater in MatSep rats. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was similar in MatSep and control rats fed an ND, regardless of the presence of PVAT. HFD impaired aortic relaxation in rings without PVAT from MatSep rats, whereas the presence of PVAT improved relaxation in both groups. On an HFD, immunolocalization of vascular smooth muscle-derived ANG-(1-7) and PVAT-derived adiponectin abundances were increased in MatSep. In rats fed an HFD, 24-h BP and BP rhythms were similar between groups. In summary, MatSep enhanced the ability of PVAT to blunt the heightened ANG II-induced vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction in rats fed an HFD. This protective effect may be mediated via the upregulation of vasoprotective factors within the adipovascular axis.

A model of neglect during postnatal life heightens obesity-induced hypertension and is linked to a greater metabolic compromise in female mice

.: Exposure to early life stress (ELS) is associated with behavioral-related alterations, increases in body mass index and higher systolic blood pressure in humans. Postnatal maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW) is a mouse model of neglect characterized by a long-term dysregulation of the neuroendocrine system.

OBJECTIVES

Given the contribution of adrenal-derived hormones to the development of obesity, we hypothesized that exposure to MSEW could contribute to  the worsening of cardiometabolic function in response to chronic high-fat diet (HF) feeding by promoting adipose tissue expansion and insulin resistance.

SUBJECTS

MSEW was performed in C57BL/6 mice from postnatal days 2-16 and weaned at postnatal day 17. Undisturbed litters weaned at postnatal day 21 served as the control (C) group. At the weaning day, mice were placed on a low-fat diet (LF) or HF for 16 weeks.

RESULTS

When fed a LF, male and female mice exposed to MSEW display similar body weight but increased fat mass compared to controls. However, when fed a HF, only female MSEW mice display increased body weight, fat mass, and adipocyte hypertrophy compared with controls. Also, female MSEW mice display evidence of an early onset of cardiometabolic risk factors, including hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, and hypercholesterolemia. Yet, both male and female MSEW mice fed a HF show increased blood pressure compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that MSEW promotes a sex-specific dysregulation of the adipose tissue expansion and glucose homeostasis that precedes the development of obesity-induced hypertension.

Acute Pressor Response to Psychosocial Stress Is Dependent on Endothelium-Derived Endothelin-1

Background

Acute psychosocial stress provokes increases in circulating endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) levels in humans and animal models. However, key questions about the physiological function and cellular source of stress‐induced ET‐1 remain unanswered. We hypothesized that endothelium‐derived ET‐1 contributes to the acute pressor response to stress via activation of the endothelin A receptor.

Methods and Results

Adult male vascular endothelium‐specific ET‐1 knockout mice and control mice that were homozygous for the floxed allele were exposed to acute psychosocial stress in the form of cage switch stress (CSS), with blood pressure measured by telemetry. An acute pressor response was elicited by CSS in both genotypes; however, this response was significantly blunted in vascular endothelium‐specific ET‐1 knockout mice compared with control mice that were homozygous for the floxed allele. In mice pretreated for 3 days with the endothelin A antagonist, ABT‐627, or the dual endothelin A/B receptor antagonist, A‐182086, the pressor response to CSS was similar between genotypes. CSS significantly increased plasma ET‐1 levels in control mice that were homozygous for the floxed allele. CSS failed to elicit an increase in plasma ET‐1 in vascular endothelium‐specific ET‐1 knockout mice. Telemetry frequency domain analyses suggested similar autonomic responses to stress between genotypes, and isolated resistance arteries demonstrated similar sensitivity to α₁‐adrenergic receptor‐mediated vasoconstriction.

Conclusions

These findings specify that acute stress‐induced activation of endothelium‐derived ET‐1 and subsequent endothelin A receptor activation is a novel mediator of the blood pressure response to acute psychosocial stress.

Early life stress induces immune priming in kidneys of adult male rats

Early life stress (ELS) in humans is associated with elevated proinflammatory markers. We hypothesized that ELS induces activation of the immune response in a rat model of ELS, maternal separation (MatSep), in adulthood. MatSep involves separating pups from the dam from postnatal day 2 to postnatal day 14 for 3 h/day. Control rats are nonseparated littermates. We determined circulating and renal immune cell numbers, renal immune cell activation markers, renal cytokine levels, and the renal inflammatory gene expression response to low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in male MatSep and control rats. We observed that MatSep did not change the percentage of gated events for circulating CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and CD4⁺/Foxp3⁺ cells or absolute numbers of mononuclear and T cells in the circulation and kidneys; however, MatSep led to an increase in activation of renal neutrophils as well as CD44⁺ cells. Renal toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) was significantly increased in MatSep rats, specifically in the outer and inner medulla and distal nephron, respectively. Evaluation of renal inflammatory genes showed that in response to a low-dose LPS challenge (2 mg/kg iv) a total of 20 genes were significantly altered in kidneys from MatSep rats (17 genes were upregulated and 3 were downregulated), as opposed to no significant differences in gene expression in control vs. control + LPS groups. Taken together, these findings indicate that MatSep induces priming of the immune response in the kidney.

Abstract 042: Evidence of Angiotensin II (AngII)-dependent Obesity-induced Hypertension in Female Mice Exposed to Postnatal Neglect

Previously, we have shown that female mice subjected to maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW), a model of postnatal neglect, display exacerbated diet-induced obesity and high blood pressure (BP) compared with control mice. Female MSEW mice show activated renin-angiotensin system components, including increased plasma renin activity and adipose tissue-derived angiotensinogen secretion. The goal of this study was to test whether augmented obesity-induced hypertension in female MSEW mice is AngII-dependent. Mouse MSEW was achieved by repeated, daily separations from the dam and 4-day early weaning. Normally reared controls (C) were weaned at postnatal day 21. Each experimental group of female weanlings was comprised of 6 mice each and derived from 3 different litters, that were placed on high fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal from fat). After 18 weeks, mice were implanted with radiotelemetry for BP measurement. At week 20, average 24-hr systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 134±2 mmHg in MSEW mice and 126±2 in C (P<0.05). No significant changes in mean arterial pressure, diastolic blood pressure or heart rate were observed between groups. Next, we also determined the BP sensitivity to the acute administration of AngII (1, 10 and 50 ug/kg, s.c.). AngII-induced BP changes, assessed by BP area under the curve, were similar between MSEW and C mice at all doses (50 ug/kg dose:145±10 vs. 132±15 mmHgx30 min, respectively). Chronic enalapril treatment (2.5 mg/kg/day, drinking water, 7 days) was conducted to block endogenous AngII synthesis. Enalapril reduced SBP 15±2 mmHg in MSEW mice but only 6±1 mmHg in C mice (p<0.05). The BP response to acute AngII doses increased similarly in MSEW and C enalapril-treated mice, (50 ug/kg dose: 200±13 vs. 207±22 mmHgx30 min, respectively). In addition, BP and HR responses to acute injections (i.p) of mecamylamine (5 mg/kg), propranolol (5 mg/kg) or atropine (1 mg/kg) were similar between untreated MSEW and C mice, suggesting that exacerbated BP in female MSEW mice is independent of sympathetic or parasympathetic dysfunction. Taken together, these data provide evidence that increased BP in female MSEW mice results from elevated circulating AngII rather than enhanced AngII sensitivity or sympathetic nerve activity.

Sex-specific effects of stress on metabolic and cardiovascular disease: are women at higher risk?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has traditionally been viewed as a male disease; however, the relative risk for obesity and hypertension morbidity and mortality, major risk factors for CVD, is higher for women in the United States. Emerging epidemiological data strongly support stressful experiences as a modifiable risk factor for obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease in women at all ages. Therefore, primary prevention of these diseases may be associated with both identifying and increasing the knowledge regarding the sex differences in emotional functioning associated with physiological responses to stress. The purpose of this review is to highlight the growing body of clinical and experimental studies showing that stress, obesity-associated metabolic disturbances, and CVD comorbidities are more prevalent in females. Overall, this review reveals the need for investigations to decipher the early origins of these comorbidities. Targeting the sources of behavioral/emotional stress through the trajectory of life has the potential to reduce the alarming projected rates for chronic disease in women.

Maternal separation diminishes α-adrenergic receptor density and function in renal vasculature from male Wistar-Kyoto rats

Adult rats exposed to maternal separation (MatSep) are normotensive but display lower glomerular filtration rate and increased renal neuroadrenergic drive. The aim of this study was to determine the renal α-adrenergic receptor density and the renal vascular responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation in male rats exposed to MatSep. In addition, baroreflex sensitivity was assessed to determine a component of neural control of the vasculature. Using tissue collected from 4-mo-old MatSep and control rats, α₁-adrenergic receptors (α₁-ARs) were measured in renal cortex and isolated renal vasculature using receptor binding assay, and the α-AR subtype gene expression was determined by RT-PCR. Renal cortical α₁-AR density was similar between MatSep and control tissues (B_max = 44 ± 1 vs. 42 ± 2 fmol/mg protein, respectively); however, MatSep reduced α₁-AR density in renal vasculature (B_max = 47 ± 4 vs. 62 ± 4 fmol/mg protein, P < 0.05, respectively). In a separate group of rats, the pressor, bradycardic, and renal vascular constrictor responses to acute norepinephrine injection (NE, 0.03-0.25 μg/μl) were determined under anesthesia. Attenuated NE-induced renal vasoconstriction was observed in rats exposed to MatSep compared with control (P < 0.05). A third group of rats was infused at steady state with the α₁ agonist phenylephrine (10 μg/min iv) and vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (5 μg/min iv). The difference between the change in heart rate/mean arterial pressure slopes was indicative of reduced baroreflex sensitivity in MatSep vs. control rats (-0.45 ± 0.04 vs. -0.95 ± 0.07 beats·min^-1·mmHg^-1, P < 0.05). These data support the notion that reduced α-adrenergic receptor expression and function in the renal vasculature could develop secondary to MatSep-induced overactivation of the renal neuroadrenergic tone.

Developmental origins of cardiovascular disease: Impact of early life stress in humans and rodents

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesizes that environmental insults during childhood programs the individual to develop chronic disease in adulthood. Emerging epidemiological data strongly supports that early life stress (ELS) given by the exposure to adverse childhood experiences is regarded as an independent risk factor capable of predicting future risk of cardiovascular disease. Experimental animal models utilizing chronic behavioral stress during postnatal life, specifically maternal separation (MatSep) provides a suitable tool to elucidate molecular mechanisms by which ELS increases the risk to develop cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. The purpose of this review is to highlight current epidemiological studies linking ELS to the development of cardiovascular disease and to discuss the potential molecular mechanisms identified from animal studies. Overall, this review reveals the need for future investigations to further clarify the molecular mechanisms of ELS in order to develop more personalized therapeutics to mitigate the long-term consequences of chronic behavioral stress including cardiovascular and heart disease in adulthood.

Postnatal treatment with metyrapone attenuates the effects of diet-induced obesity in female rats exposed to early-life stress

Experimental studies in rodents have shown that females are more susceptible to exhibiting fat expansion and metabolic disease compared with males in several models of fetal programming. This study tested the hypothesis that female rat pups exposed to maternal separation (MatSep), a model of early-life stress, display an exacerbated response to diet-induced obesity compared with male rats. Also, we tested whether the postnatal treatment with metyrapone (MTP), a corticosterone synthase inhibitor, would attenuate this phenotype. MatSep was performed in WKY offspring by separation from the dam (3 h/day, postnatal days 2-14). Upon weaning, male and female rats were placed on a normal (ND; 18% kcal fat) or high-fat diet (HFD; 60% kcal fat). Nondisturbed littermates served as controls. In male rats, no diet-induced differences in body weight (BW), glucose tolerance, and fat tissue weight and morphology were found between MatSep and control male rats. However, female MatSep rats displayed increased BW gain, fat pad weights, and glucose intolerance compared with control rats (P < 0.05). Also, HFD increased plasma corticosterone (196 ± 51 vs. 79 ± 18 pg/ml, P < 0.05) and leptin levels (1.8 ± 0.4 vs. 1.3 ± 0.1 ng/ml, P < 0.05) in female MatSep compared with control rats, whereas insulin and adiponectin levels were similar between groups. Female control and MatSep offspring were treated with MTP (50 µg/g ip) 30 min before the daily separation. MTP treatment significantly attenuated diet-induced obesity risk factors, including elevated adiposity, hyperleptinemia, and glucose intolerance. These findings show that exposure to stress hormones during early life could be a key event to enhance diet-induced obesity and metabolic disease in female rats. Thus, pharmacological and/or behavioral inflection of the stress levels is a potential therapeutic approach for prevention of early life stress-enhanced obesity and metabolic disease.

Abstract 111: Maternal Separation, a Model of Early Life Stress in Rats, Dysregulates the Renal Vasculature Gene Expression Patterns During Late Nephrogenic Period and Adult Life

We have shown that maternal separation (MatSep) induces permanent alterations in the renal vascular structure, hemodynamics and sympathetic outflow. Environmental stressors are typically associated with abnormal organ development. Recently, we found that MatSep pups show higher levels of plasma corticosterone and renal norepinephrine during postnatal life (p< 0.05). The aim of this study was to investigate the short and long-term effects of MatSep on gene expression patterns of the renal vasculature. MatSep was performed during early postnatal life timeframe (3hr/day). Undisturbed littermates served as control (C). Upon weaning, rats were allowed to grow and develop for several months. Kidney vessels were isolated at postnatal day 10 (PND10, n=5) and 6 months of age (6Mo, n=5) and flash frozen. mRNA was used to perform genome-wide analysis using Affymetrix rat Gene2.0 ST. EBPfc* analysis was conducted using DAVID bioinformatics resources at NIH website. MatSep altered 1108 genes expression (P<0.03, FDR<0.3,Table 1). We found a set of genes upregulated by MatSep at both PND10 and 6Mo, showing long-lasting changes in expression. The uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), located proximal to the major vascular and nerve conduits to the kidney, was the highest MatSep-induced upregulation (3.9-fold, PND10). UCP1 network of genes were mostly related to cellular organization and metabolic and cardiovascular disease (e.g. GH, AT1R, AT2R, P38 MAPK, IFNγR, VEGF, ApoE). Thus, MatSep influences timing and direction of key genes involved in the renal vascular maturation. Upregulated non-shivering thermogenesis function early in life may be linked to impaired renal function. NIH R00 HL111354

Abstract 008: Early Life Stress Induces Renal Pro-inflammatory Immune Responses

We previously reported that maternal separation (MatSep), an animal model of early life stress, sensitizes rats to pro-hypertensive stimuli in adulthood. We hypothesized that MatSep induces a renal pro-inflammatory immune response. Immune cell populations and expression of cytokines were assessed by magnetic bead isolation, FACS analysis, ELISA and RT-PCR in adult male MatSep and normally-reared littermate control rats. Circulating and renal mononuclear or T cell numbers were similar between control and MatSep rats (n=4-11/group, p>0.05). Both groups presented similar percentages of circulating macrophages and T H , T C , and T reg cells (n=4, p>0.05). However, the percentage of circulating B cells was significantly decreased in MatSep rats (23.7±1.2% vs. 20.1±0.7%; n=4, p<0.05). Pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1Beta was significantly elevated in kidneys from MatSep rats (4.4±0.5 vs. 7.9±1.0 pg/mg prot; n=7-8/group; p<0.05). However, IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-4 were not different between control and MatSep rats. To further assess the immune system in MatSep and control rats, we acutely challenged adult rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2 mg/kg; i.v., 14 h). LPS significantly elevated renal expression of pro-inflammatory chemokine receptors (CCR3, CCR4, CXCR4), cytokines (IFN-gamma, CCL3, CCL4, IL-16), and activation markers (CD40, CD40lg) in MatSep rats (4 to 6 fold increase; n=5/group, p<0.05), suggesting that MatSep induces an exaggerated pro-inflammatory renal immune response to LPS. In conclusion, early life stress induces a renal pro-inflammatory status in adulthood that leads to sensitization to further immune challenges. Funded by P01 HL 69999 to JSP, NIH T32 DK007545 to CDM, F32 HL 116145 to DHH and K99/R00 HL 111354 to ASL.

Angiotensin II is required to induce exaggerated salt sensitivity in Dahl rats exposed to maternal separation

We previously reported that maternal separation, rat model of early life stress, enhances pressor responses to acute and chronic stressors. The aims of this study were to determine whether Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats subjected to maternal separation (MatSep-DS) as compared to normally reared DS (Ctl-DS) rats show exaggerated blood pressure responses to acute behavioral stressors, such as restraint stress or air jet stress (AJS), or, hypertensive stimuli including chronic high-salt diet (4% NaCl) and angiotensin II (AngII) infusion (200 ng/Kg/min) during 1 week. MatSep was performed in male DS rats for 3 h/day from postnatal days 2-14. At 8 weeks of age, rats were implanted with telemetry transmitters and allowed to recover. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not different between MatSep-DS and Ctl-DS rats at baseline (120 ± 2 mmHg vs. 118 ± 1 mmHg, n = 4-8). Blood pressure responses during AJS and restraint stress were not different between MatSep-DS and Ctl-DS at 3 min. However, blood pressure recovery from AJS was significantly impaired in MatSep-DS rats compared to Ctl-DS rats (P < 0.05). 3-h stress-induced similar responses in MatSep and Ctl-DS rats. Chronic blood pressure responses to AngII infusion in rats fed a high-salt diet displayed enhanced MAP in MatSep-DS when compared with Ctl-DS rats (167 ± 5 mmHg vs. 152 ± 2 mmHg, pinteraction <0.05). However, MAP increased similarly in both groups in response to AngII infusion or high-salt diet separately. Renal parameters such as proteinuria, urine flow rate, and urine electrolytes were not different between groups in response to each treatment. In summary, salt sensitivity induces exaggerated blood pressor responses only in presence of AngII due to early life stress.

Abstract 631: Maternal Separation (msep) Alters Baroreflex Function And Renal Blood Flow Responsiveness

An impairment of the baroreflex buffering has been shown to precede the development of hypertension. Formerly, we reported that MSep, a model of behavioral stress during early life, impairs chronic blood pressure control and renal filtration capacity. Thus, the aim of this study was to study the baroreflex function and renal blood flow regulation in MSep rats. We used 3 month-old MSep male rats, anesthetized with isoflurane. Femoral vein catheter was fitted to infuse saline (3 ml/hr, baseline), PE (phenylephrine, 1 ug/ml, 9 ml/hr) or SNP (sodium nitroprusside, 0.5 ug/ml, 9 ml/hr). Femoral artery catheter was fitted to collect blood pressure and HR data (ADInstruments). In addition, a flow probe was placed in the left renal artery for renal blood flow (RBF) assessment (Transonic). After 45 minutes of baseline, PE infusion (2 min) was performed. Following 30-minute recovery period, SNP infusion (2 min) was achieved. Delta heart rate (HR)/Delta mean arterial pressure (MAP) relationship shows a significant difference in the slopes between MSep vs. control rats (-0.5 ±0.07 vs. -1.08 ±0.08, p<0.05). PE-induced decrease in RBF was attenuated in a dose dependent manner in MSep rats (max. delta RBF -4.8±0.8 ml/min) compared to controls (max. delta RBF -7±1.5 ml/min, p<0.05, respectively). Yet, renal vascular resistance (MAP/RBF) was not different between MSep and control rats along the 2-min period (slope: 0.43±0.02 vs. 0.42±0.03 mmHg/ml/min, respectively). These data suggest that MSep rats fail to increase HR in response to a vasodilatory agent and lower HR in response to vasoactive stimulus. Furthermore, attenuated alpha-adrenergic-induced renal vascular responses support the existence of a compensatory mechanism in response to an increased sympathetic outflow to the kidney, as previously suggested. The contribution of the different components of the autonomic nervous system is the focus of ongoing studies.