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Abstract: PO2143

The Intrarenal RAS Upregulates SGLT2 Expression and SGLT2 Inhibitors Attenuate Angiotensin-II Induced Hypertensive Kidney Injury in Mice

Session Information

Category: Hypertension and CVD

  • 1403 Hypertension and CVD: Mechanisms

Authors

  • Miyata, Kana N., Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Lo, Chao-Sheng, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Zhao, Shuiling, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Peng, Junzheng, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Kretzler, Matthias, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  • Filep, Janos G., Hopital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Ingelfinger, Julie R., Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Zhang, Shao-Ling, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Chan, John S.D., Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Background

Clinical trials have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve both cardiac and renal outcome in several diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying regulation of SGLT2 gene expression remain unclear. Here, we studied whether the intrarenal renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) modulates SGLT2 expression and SGLT2i efficacy.

Methods

We analyzed the association between RAS-related genes and SGLT2 gene expression in the tubulointerstitial compartment of the kidneys of adult non-diabetic patients in the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE). We compared SGLT2 expression in transgenic mice overexpressing angiotensinogen (Agt) in their renal proximal tubular cells (RPTCs)(Agt-Tg) ± RAS blockers, and wild-type (WT) mice. We administered angiotensin II (AngII, 1000 ng/kg/min subcutaneously) in WT mice ± canagliflozin (Cana, 15mg/kg/day in drinking water- for 4 weeks). We also studied human immortalized RPTCs (HK2) as an in vitro model.

Results

In human kidney samples (N=183 patients), SGLT2 mRNA was significantly correlated with AGT (r=0.55, p<0.001), Renin (r=0.46, p<0.001), ACE (r=0.47, p<0.001), and AT1R (r=-0.28, p<0.001), but not with AT2R. SGLT2-immunopositive staining was higher in RPTCs of Agt-Tg mice than in WT mice and this was attenuated by losartan treatment. Ang II infusion in WT mice significantly increased blood pressure, which was not reversed by Cana co-treatment. Ang II caused glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and albuminuria, which were all attenuated by Cana. Fractional glucose excretion was significantly higher in Ang II+Cana than WT+Cana. In vitro, AngII dose-dependently stimulated SGLT2 mRNA in HK2 cells, and these were inhibited by losartan.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that the intrarenal RAS upregulates SGLT2 expression and show that SGLT2i ameliorate AngII-induced kidney injury independent of blood pressure.

Funding

  • Government Support - Non-U.S.