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Neuronal expression of prorenin and the (pro)renin receptor in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and brainstem in the central nervous system
Author(s) -
Buller Sophie A,
Feng Yumei
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1234.8
Subject(s) - medicine , hypothalamus , endocrinology , renin–angiotensin system , astrocyte , supraoptic nucleus , glial fibrillary acidic protein , receptor , central nervous system , homeostasis , neun , biology , chemistry , blood pressure , immunohistochemistry
The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is important in the regulation of blood pressure and body fluid homeostasis. Evidence of a local RAS exists within the brain, with all components being synthesized locally, however, active renin is detected only at very minimal levels. We previously reported that the conversion of angiotensinogen to Ang I and thus to Ang II in the central nervous system, is largely mediated by the renin precursor, prorenin, which undergoes non‐proteolytic activation upon binding the (pro)renin receptor (PRR). Despite evidence of a local RAS system within the brain, it remains unclear as to which cell types express prorenin and the PRR, especially in the cardiovascular regulatory regions of the brain. To address this question, we used an antibody that specifically recognizes prorenin, but not active renin, and PRR for immunofluorescence co‐staining with neuronal (NeuN) and astroglial (glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP) cell markers. We found that prorenin and PRR immune‐reactivity is mainly co‐localized with NeuN but not GFAP in the brain hypothalamus and brainstem. More interestingly, prorenin and PRR immune‐reactivity is found in approximately 95% of the vasopressin‐positive and tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neurons. Finally, using cholera toxin B (CTB) retrograde tracing from the RVLM to PVN, and immune‐labeling of CTB for PVN presympathetic neurons, we found that prorenin and PRR are highly expressed in the presympathetic neurons in the PVN. In summary, prorenin and PRR protein are found majorly in neurons, but not astrocytes in key brain regions involved in the regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular function. In the PVN, prorenin and the PRR are expressed in the vasopressin‐positive, tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive and presympathetic neurons. These data provide anatomical support to a potential physiological importance of prorenin and PRR in the PVN and brainstem. Support or Funding Information NIH/NHBL (1R01HL122770) to Y Feng