Characterization of the brain-specific non-AT(1), non-AT(2) angiotensin binding site in the mouse.

In the present study the existence of a non-AT(1), non-AT(2) angiotensin (Ang) binding site unmasked by the organomercurial protease inhibitor p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB) was demonstrated in mouse brain membranes, consistent with observations previously reported in the rat (Karamyan and Speth, 2007b). The pharmacological specificity of the non-AT(1), non-AT(2) angiotensin binding site was similar to the rat brain: Sar(1)-Ile(8)-Ang II > Ang III >or= Ang II > Ang I> p-aminophenylalanine(6) Ang II> CGP42112 >> Ang IV > Ang 1-7 congruent with shorter angiotensin fragments. Neurotensin, bradykinin, and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone showed K(i) values >10 microM, while substance P and VIP had K(i) values of approximately 2 microM. The non-AT(1), non-AT(2) angiotensin binding site was not present in adrenal, liver or kidney. Subcellular fractionation showed a higher density of [(125)I]Ang II binding in plasma membrane (P2) fractions of cerebral cortex and hypothalamus relative to debris (P1) fractions. The binding site is present in the brains of mice in which the AT(1a), AT(1b), AT(2), Mas, and neprilysin (EC 3.4.24.11, neutral endopeptidase) was knocked out confirming that the binding site is not a heretofore described angiotensin receptor or neprilysin. These observations confirm that this novel Ang binding site is distinct from classical AT(1), AT(2), AT(4) and Ang 1-7 receptors while retaining a high specificity for angiotensins that act on the known angiotensin receptors. Whether this binding site functions as a novel receptor for angiotensins or a specific angiotensinase with variable functionality at different redox states will require further study.

Differential expression of AT1 receptors in the pituitary and adrenal gland of SHR and WKY.

The renin-angiotensin (ANG) system has been implicated in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Because SHR are more susceptible to stress than normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), we measured the mRNA expression of AT1A, AT1B, and AT2 receptors in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (stress) axis of male SHR in comparison to age-matched WKY at prehypertensive (3 to 4 weeks), developing (7 to 8 weeks), and established (12 to 13 weeks) stages of hypertension. AT1A receptor mRNA was mainly expressed in the hypothalamus and adrenal gland. AT1B receptor mRNA was detected in the pituitary and adrenal gland. AT2 receptor mRNA was prominent only in the adrenal gland. When compared with WKY, SHR showed increased AT1A receptor mRNA levels in the pituitary gland at all ages in contrast to reduced pituitary AT1B receptor mRNA levels. In the adrenal gland of SHR, AT1B receptor mRNA levels were decreased at the hypertensive stages when compared with WKY. The reduced expression of adrenal AT1B receptor mRNA was localized selectively in the zona glomerulosa by in situ hybridization. No differences were observed between WKY and SHR in the expression of hypothalamic ANG receptors. ANG significantly increased plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone in dexamethasone-treated SHR but not in WKY. The aldosterone response to ANG was similar in SHR and WKY. Our results suggest a differential gene expression of AT1A and AT1B receptors in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis of SHR and normotensive WKY and imply the participation of AT1 receptors in an exaggerated endocrine stress response of SHR to ANG.

Localization of angiotensin II (AT1)-receptor-immunoreactive fibres in the hypothalamus of rats: angiotensin II-sensitive tanycytes in the ependyma of the third ventricle?

Scanning the hypothalamus of rats for receptor binding sites of the octapeptide hormone angiotensin II (ANG II), we observed ANG II-sensitive fibres in the ventrolateral hypothalamus. The ANG II (AT(1))-receptor-immunoreactive processes originate from cells-probably tanycytes-embedded in the base and the ventrolateral walls of the third ventricle and reach into the retrochiasmatic area, the ventrolateral hypothalamus and the median eminence.

Immunohistochemical localization of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor in human hypothalamus and brainstem.

We studied the distribution of the angiotensin II type 1 (AT-1) receptor using a polyclonal rabbit antibody in two human brains. AT-1 receptor immunoreactivity was detected in several hypothalamic nuclei, substantia nigra, locus coeruleus, nucleus tractus solitarius, ventrolateral medulla, pontine nuclei, and inferior olivary nucleus. This provides direct evidence of neuronal localization of the AT-1 receptor in autonomic and motor areas in human brain.

The role of brain angiotensin in thirst and AVP release induced by hemorrhage.

This study investigated the role of brain angiotensin (Ang II) in thirst induced by hemorrhage. Hemorrhage by blood withdrawal from the femoral artery to 33% and 44% blood volume loss produces a dose response increase in plasma Ang II. In the brainstem there was no Ang II response to hemorrhage. In the hypothalamus, Brain Ang II was maximally elevated to 33% hemorrhage. Thus, plasma Ang II and brain Ang II had an independent response to hemorrhage. To further test the role of central versus peripheral Ang II, we tested the effect of central (50 mg) and peripheral (50 mg/kg) administration of captopril or central injection of 1 mg losartan or 3 mg CGP 42112A prior to a 33% hemorrhage in unanesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 g). Drinking was measured and AVP blood samples were taken before and after hemorrhage. The results show that central (i.v.t.) administration of captopril and losartan inhibited drinking compared to controls (0.33 +/- 0.3 ml vs. 2.3 +/- 0.8 ml: P < 0.05 and 0.20 +/- 0.09 ml vs.3.05 +/- 0.81 ml; P < 0.01, respectively) while peripheral (i.p.) captopril alone increased drinking in response to hemorrhage (5.81 +/- 0.81 ml vs. 2.3 +/- 0.8 ml; P < 0.05). AVP levels were elevated at 5 and 15 min, but neither injections of losartan or CGP 42112A i.v.t. affected this response to hemorrhage. We conclude that increased hypothalamic brain Ang II after hypovolemic hemorrhage stimulates thirst and blood pressure restoration and acts through AT1 receptors. The release of AVP in hemorrhage, however, does not rely exclusively on the angiotensinergic pathway in the brain.

Distribution of angiotensin II receptor subtypes in the rabbit brain.

We have determined the distribution of angiotensin II receptor subtypes in rabbit brain using in vitro autoradiography. AT1 receptors were found in very high concentrations in the forebrain circumventricular organs--the subfornical organ, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, and the median eminence as observed in other mammals. However, there was very little labeling in the area postrema. In the paraventricular nucleus, median preoptic nucleus, supraoptic nucleus there were high levels of predominantly AT1 receptors. High densities of AT1 receptors were also found in the nucleus of the solitary tract and the rostral and caudal ventrolateral medulla. All of these regions have putative roles in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte balance. In the rabbit brain there is less AT2 receptor binding than the rat, with most AT2 binding found in the molecular layer of the cerebellum and in the septohypothalamic nucleus. In the subthalamic nucleus, the mediodorsal and ventroposterior nuclei of the thalamus, locus coeruleus and inferior olivary nuclei, areas containing mostly AT2 receptors in the rat, no binding was detected in the rabbit except in the locus coeruleus which contains moderate levels of AT1 receptors. Taken in conjunction with our previous results in the rat and human brains, these results reveal that AT1 receptors predominate in rostral forebrain, hypothalamus and autonomic control centers of the medulla oblongata in all three species. However, the distribution and density of AT2 bearing sites in regions such as the septum, thalamus subthalamic nuclei, locus coeruleus, cerebellum and inferior olivary nuclei show marked species differences.

Angiotensin II type 2 receptor expression in neuronal cultures from spontaneously hypertensive rat brain.

We have compared the levels of angiotensin II (AII) type 2 (AT2) receptors in neuronal cultures from 1-day-old Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat hypothalamus and brainstem. These studies were performed to determine if the increase in total AII receptors observed in SH neurons in previous studies includes the AT2 receptor subtype. Specific binding of the AT2 receptor selective ligand [125I]CGP42112 to WKY and SH rat neuronal cultures was time dependent and saturable in each case. Kd (approximately 0.35 nM) and Bmax (approximately 95 fmol/mg protein) values for [125I]CGP42112 specific binding did not significantly differ between WKY and SH rat cultures. In addition, AT2 receptor-mediated reductions in cellular cGMP exhibited no significant differences in WKY and SH rat neuronal cultures. We conclude that the greater levels of AII receptors found in SH rat hypothalamus/brainstem neuronal cultures, compared with WKY rat neurons from these areas, do not include the AT2 receptor subtype.

Distribution of angiotensin II receptor subtypes in rat brain nuclei.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor subtypes in rat brain were characterized and quantified by competitive radioligand binding using [125I]Sar1 Ile8 angiotensin II ([125I]sarilesin) as a tracer and ANG II, sarilesin and the subtype selective ligands DuP 753 (AT1) and CGP 42112A (AT2) as competitors. The distribution of AT1 and AT2 receptors was determined in midbrain, brainstem, hypothalamus as well as in individual hypothalamic and periventricular nuclei. Whereas in midbrain and brainstem the AT1: AT2 ratio was 40%: 60% and 70%: 30% respectively, the AT1 receptors were by far predominant in hypothalamus and in the nuclei investigated. Interestingly, we found that approximately 25% of the ANG II receptors in hypothalamus did not bind DuP 753 even at 0.1 mM. These sites which bind CGP 42112A, ANG II and sarilesin may represent a third ANG II receptor subtype.

Elevations in plasma angiotensin II with prolonged ethanol treatment in rats.

Chronic alcohol consumption frequently leads to hypertension in humans. While previous reports have implicated the renin-angiotensin system as a potential mediator of this effect, plasma angiotensin II (AII) levels were either not measured or yielded negative results. The present investigation noted significant elevations in circulating AII in rats intubated daily with ethanol (4 g/kg) for 50 days. Animals administered ethanol only once evidenced AII concentrations equivalent with water intubated controls. Radioligand binding assay data indicated no differences in the number or affinity of Sar1,Ile8-AII binding sites in the thalamus, septum-anterior ventral third ventrical region or adrenal gland comparing those groups chronically treated with ethanol to water intubated controls. These results may support a role for the vasoconstrictive hormone AII in the etiology of alcohol-induced hypertension.

Regulation of rat brain angiotensin II (AII) receptors by intravenous AII and low dietary Na+.

Previous studies have shown the presence of specific AII receptors at several areas of the brain. The purpose of this study was to examine by radioreceptor assay the effect of intravenous AII infusion (5 or 25 ng/kg/min) and low dietary Na+ (less than 8 mmol/100 g) on AII receptors in five brain regions: the olfactory lobes (OLF), hypothalamus/thalamus/septum (HTS), midbrain (MID), cerebellum (CER) and medulla (MED). Scatchard analysis of binding data from control rats showed significant (P less than 0.01 ANOVA) differences between brain areas in both Ka (1.54 OLF, 1.87 HTS, 1.25 MID, 1.33 MED, 0.77 CER x 10(9) M-1) and Ro (321 OLF, 224 HTS, 203 MID, 145 MED, 41 CER fmol/g tissue). Following the i.v. infusion of AII for 4-7 days, marked changes were observed in the areas with a porous BBB, the HTS and MED. Both the Ka [3.20 (HTS) and 0.67 (MED) x 10(9) M-1] and Ro [116 (HTS) and 249 (MED) fmol/g tissue] changed. In addition, decreases in Ro were also observed in the OLF (241 fmol/g tissue) and CER (21 fmol/g tissue), areas which have not been considered as being accessible to blood-borne AII. A low Na+ diet for 21-30 days changed the Ka and Ro in all five regions but not in similar directions. Furthermore, with the exception of the OLF the direction of change was not similar to that caused by i.v. infusion of AII. It was concluded that AII receptor sites in the rat brain differ from each other in both receptor properties in their response to such regulatory factors as AII Na+ depletion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stimulating effect of angiotensin II on the spontaneous release of newly synthetized [3H]dopamine in rat striatal slices.

Angiotensin II (A II) (10(-6) M, 10(-5) M, 5 . 10(-5) M) stimulated the spontaneous release of [3H]dopamine (DA) continuously synthetized from [3H]tyrosine in striatal slices of the rat. The A II-evoked release of [3H]-DA was prevented when slices were superfused with a calcium-free medium containing EGTA 5 . 10(-4) M. It was also suppressed in the presence of the potent antagonist Sar1-Ile8-angiotensin.

Distribution of angiotensin II receptors in rat brain.

Angiotensin II binding activity of rat brain particles was examined using [125I]-angiotensin II (0.1-0.3 nM) in the presence and absence of excess unlabelled angiotensin II. Certain features of the binding suggested that physiological receptors were involved. The binding activity was temperature dependent and was increased 3-fold by the addition of 0.5 M EDTA. The binding appeared specific as judged by inhibition with angiotensin II agonists and antagonists. The "specific" binding was saturable, two-thirds reversible and occurred with high affinity. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of the "specific" binding was 0.9 nM. Subcellular fractionation studies indicated that over 90% of the binding was associated with particulate matter and was concentrated in the crude microsomal fraction. Binding was localized to the midbrain, thalamus, septum, hypothalamus and medulla; Very low levels of binding were found in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum; The lateral septum had the highest binding activity of all the tissues examined. Subdivision of the medulla showed that the highest binding activity was associated with the area postrema and medullary regions ventral to this organ.