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Impaired salt handling by the kidneys acts as one source of hypertension. However, the exact identity of this kidney defect remains unknown. As established recently, the adaptive immunity, T cells in particular, acts as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of hypertension. In this regard, our laboratory has reported that CD8+ T cells (CD8Ts), when adoptively transferred from salt-sensitive hypertensive mice to normotensive mice, stimulate Sodium Chloride Cotransporter (NCC). Through this stimulation, sodium retention occurs, and salt-sensitive hypertension develops. However, whether other sodium transporters within the nephron are affected by hypertensive CD8Ts and contribute to this pathogenesis of hypertension remains uncharacterized. We hypothesize hypertensive CD8Ts will also have an impact on other sodium channels. Here, we demonstrate the impact of hypertensive CD8Ts on sodium-potassium-co-transporter (NKCC) and epithelial sodium channel (ENaCs) in the kidney and the potential of these regulations contributing to salt-sensitive hypertension.Through in vivo studies, we employed a CD8T-adoptive transfer model as described in our previous publications. The kidneys from mice receiving adoptive transfer of hypertensive CD8Ts were harvested and protein levels of NKCC, αENaC, βENaC, and γENaC were analyzed by western blot. With in vitro studies, we co-cultured mouse CD8Ts with Collecting Duct epithelial cells (CDs, M1 cells) to examine the direct interaction between CD8Ts and CDs in media containing various levels of corticosteroids. Similar western blots were performed after this co-culture, as well as measurement of sodium retention through an intracellular sodium indicator and flow cytometry, as reported previously.In the results of in vivo studies, we found that the kidneys of mice receiving adoptive transfer of hypertensive CD8Ts demonstrated higher expression of NKCC, βENaC and γENaC, but no change in αENaC. In the results from in vitro studies, we further found that in charcoal-stripped co-culture conditions, pre-activated CD8Ts stimulate higher expression of ENaC subunits and ENaC-mediated sodium retention in M1 cells. However, these effects are masked in culture conditions with physiological hormone levels or with additional corticosteroids.Overall, our results suggest that, as a potential kidney defect, hypertensive CD8Ts strongly stimulate NCC and NKCC in the kidney to mediate excessive salt retention. Although CD8Ts themselves can increase ENaC, this effect might be masked in physiologic conditions. NIH R01-HL146713 (Mu), AHA 15BGIA25730047 (Mu), and SPaT T32-GM10699 (Deck) This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Heart failure is the top killer in the U.S and worldwide, often caused by hypertension, aging, or cardiac toxicity. Diastolic Dysfunction (DD), the often the first step of heart failure, occurs when the chambers of the heart are not able to expand during the filling phase. In addition, hypertension is the leading cause of DD. Though this is known, the progression of hypertension into DD remains poorly understood. Of note is the ability of M2 macrophages to differentiate into a myofibroblast-like phenotype, known as macrophage to myofibroblast transition (MMT). This transition has been observed in interstitial fibrosis in chronic renal allograft injury. The researchers noted that MMT account for 50% of the myofibroblast population. To our knowledge, the extent of fibrotic remodeling due to MMT in the heart has not been ardently investigated. Therefore, we aim to answer whether MMT plays a causal role in the progression of hypertension to DD and the pathogenesis of heart failure.Utilizing the uninephrectomized, DOCA-salt model, mice were subjected to this treatment and hypertension was induced. As a negative control, another group of mice received a uninephrectomy and the same salt in their drinking water, however, DOCA was not administered (Sham group). MMT prevalence, identified as CD68+ α-SMA+ expressions, was observed inside the hearts of DOCA and Sham mice. The hearts were isolated and homogenized via gentleMACS tissue Dissociator, the monocytes were purified via Percoll isolation, and flow cytometry was used to identify the population of CD68+ α-SMA+ expressing cells.As soon as 10 days post DOCA implantation, the DOCA group exhibited worsening diastolic function as it took longer for the pressure to change in the hearts of DOCA mice than in Sham (-dp/dt). These data were gathered via left ventricular (LV) catheter insertion. At a later time, utilizing a different cohort of mice preliminary data show an increase of monocyte (CD68+) and fibroblast (α-SMA+) double-positive expressing cells in the hearts of hypertensive mice.MMT has been observed in the hearts of hypertensive mice. This transition may exacerbate Diastolic Dysfunction. More research must be performed to investigate the wide variety of functions of macrophages (i.e., M1 to M2 ratio and transition, macrophage residence or infiltration, and macrophage stimulation of myofibroblasts), as well as the specific interactions between macrophages and cardiomyocytes, or other immune cells, that might mediate this transition. These data provide a preliminary, but interesting glimpse, into the role of macrophages in exacerbating Diastolic Dysfunction and mediating Heart Failure. NIH RO1-HL146713 and AHA 15BGIA25730047 (Shengyu Mu) This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Background and Hypothesis: T cells play a critical role in hypertension; however, the molecules driving this interaction were unclear. We recently showed that CD8Ts are activated during the initial phase of blood pressure elevation and directly interact with the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) through the interferon gamma (IFNγ)-PDL1 pathway. Here we identified that these CD8Ts are activated during this initial phase via pro-inflammatory extracellular ATP stimulating their P2X7 receptors, leading to enhanced IFNγ production and increased sodium retention in tubular cells that interacted with these CD8Ts. We predict the CD8T P2X7 receptor is contributing to hypertension and abrogating this receptor on CD8Ts will block CD8T-tubular interaction and lower blood pressure. Methods: To determine whether CD8Ts activation in hypertension requires T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, we used transgenic OT1 mice and induced hypertension via the DOCA + salt (DOCA) model, measuring blood pressure and confirming enhanced CD8T activation despite no exposure to ovalbumin. In in-vitro studies, we co-cultured DCTs with pre-stimulated CD8Ts and measured PDL1 expression and sodium retention in DCTs via flow cytometry. CD8Ts were obtained from WT or P2X7 KO mice and stimulated with BZATP or ATP using calcium influx (intracellular calcium indicator Fluo-4), IFNγ transcription, and glycolytic activity (Seahorse) as activation endpoints. To confirm in-vivo, the activation profiles of CD8Ts obtained from sham or DOCA treated WT and P2X7 KO mice were measured using rt-qPCR and flow cytometry. To confirm the role of P2X7 receptors on CD8Ts, we performed adoptive transfer of DOCA CD8Ts (WT or P2X7 KO) to the alternative model and transferred naive WT CD8Ts to P2X7 KO mice receiving DOCA treatment. All blood pressure was measured via radio-biotelemetry. Results: We found OT1 CD8Ts become activated to the DOCA presser, produce more IFNγ, and contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension without antigen-mediated TCR stimulation. P2X7 receptor agonists BZATP and ATP drove CD8T calcium influx, increased IFNγ transcription, and increased glycolytic activity in CD8Ts – indicative of T cell activation; as such, CD8Ts pre-stimulated with the P2X7 agonist BZATP increased tubular PDL1 expression and sodium retention more than naive CD8Ts in our co-culture model. DOCA treated P2X7 KO CD8Ts were unable to increase blood pressure in our adoptive transfer model; however, transferring sham WT CD8Ts to DOCA P2X7 KO mice restored blood pressure response to the presser to WT levels. Conclusion: Stimulation of the P2X7 receptor contributes to CD8T activation in the pathogenesis of hypertension, resulting in enhanced sodium retention. Deficiency of this receptor on CD8Ts prevents activation by ATP and results in blunted blood pressure elevation in two models of hypertension; as such, the CD8T P2X7 receptor may be a promising target for improving blood pressure management. NIH R01-HL146713, AHA 15BGIA25730047, SPaT 5T32GM106999-09 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.