The Novel AT2 Receptor Agonist β-Pro7-AngIII Exerts Cardiac and Renal Anti-Fibrotic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in High Salt-Fed Mice.

A high salt (HS) diet is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and fibrosis is a key contributor to the organ dysfunction involved in CVDs. The activation of the renin angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT ₂ R) has been considered as organ protective in many CVDs. However, there are limited AT ₂ R-selective agonists available. Our first reported β-substituted angiotensin III peptide, β-Pro ⁷ -AngIII, showed high selectivity for the AT ₂ R. In the current study, we examine the potential anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of this novel AT ₂ R-selective peptide on HS-induced organ damage. FVB/N mice fed with a 5% HS diet for 8 weeks developed cardiac and renal fibrosis and inflammation, which were associated with increased TGF-β1 levels in heart, kidney and plasma. Four weeks' treatment (from weeks 5-8) with β-Pro ⁷ -AngIII inhibited the HS-induced cardiac and renal fibrosis and inflammation. These protective effects were accompanied by reduced local and systemic TGF-β1 as well as reduced cardiac myofibroblast differentiation. Importantly, the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects caused by β-Pro ⁷ -AngIII were attenuated by the AT ₂ R antagonist PD123319. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the cardio- and reno-protective roles of the AT ₂ R-selective β-Pro ⁷ -AngIII, highlighting it as an important therapeutic that can target the AT ₂ R to treat end-organ damage.