| First Author | Rivera A | Year | 2023 |
| Journal | FASEB J | Volume | 37 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | e23092 |
| PubMed ID | 37482902 | Mgi Jnum | J:354667 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7614915 | Doi | 10.1096/fj.202300671R |
| Citation | Rivera A, et al. (2023) Blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptor improves markers of human endothelial cell dysfunction and hematological indices in a mouse model of sickle cell disease. FASEB J 37(8):e23092 |
| abstractText | Increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and transgenic mouse models of SCD contribute to disordered hematological, vascular, and inflammatory responses. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation by aldosterone, a critical component of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System, modulates inflammation and vascular reactivity, partly through increased ET-1 expression. However, the role of MR in SCD remains unclear. We hypothesized that MR blockade in transgenic SCD mice would reduce ET-1 levels, improve hematological parameters, and reduce inflammation. Berkeley SCD (BERK) mice, a model of severe SCD, were randomized to either sickle standard chow or chow containing the MR antagonist (MRA), eplerenone (156 mg/Kg), for 14 days. We found that MRA treatment reduced ET-1 plasma levels (p = .04), improved red cell density gradient profile (D(50) ; p < .002), and increased mean corpuscular volume in both erythrocytes (p < .02) and reticulocytes (p < .024). MRA treatment also reduced the activity of the erythroid intermediate-conductance Ca(2+) -activated K(+) channel - K(Ca) 3.1 (Gardos channel, KCNN4), reduced cardiac levels of mRNAs encoding ET-1, Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-1, and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) (p < .01), and decreased plasma PDI and myeloperoxidase activity. Aldosterone (10(-8) M for 24 h in vitro) also increased PDI mRNA levels (p < .01) and activity (p < .003) in EA.hy926 human endothelial cells, in a manner blocked by pre-incubation with the MRA canrenoic acid (1 muM; p < .001). Our results suggest a novel role for MR activation in SCD that may exacerbate SCD pathophysiology and clinical complications. |
