High baseline expression of IL-6 and IL-10 decreased CCR7 B cells in individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection during BNT162b2 vaccination.

The current pandemic generated by SARS-CoV-2 has led to mass vaccination with different biologics that have shown wide variations among human populations according to the origin and formulation of the vaccine. Studies evaluating the response in individuals with a natural infection before vaccination have been limited to antibody titer analysis and evaluating a few humoral and cellular response markers, showing a more rapid and intense humoral response than individuals without prior infection. However, the basis of these differences has not been explored in depth. In the present work, we analyzed a group of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, antibody titers, and cell populations in peripheral blood of individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection using BNT162b2 biologic. Our results suggest that higher antibody concentration in individuals with an earlier disease could be generated by higher production of plasma cells to the detriment of the presence of memory B cells in the bloodstream, which could be related to the high baseline expression of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) before vaccination.

Captopril and losartan attenuate behavioural sensitization in mice chronically exposed to toluene.

Inhalants are consumed worldwide for recreational purposes. The main component found in many inhalants is toluene. One of the most deleterious behavioural effects caused by chronic exposure to inhalants is addiction. This response has been associated with activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, and it is known that the renin angiotensin system plays a role in the modulation of this dopaminergic system. In the present work, we hypothesize that blockade of the RAS with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers is able to attenuate the addictive response induced by toluene. We exposed mice to toluene for four weeks to induce locomotor sensitization. In the second phase of the work, captopril or losartan were administered for 20 days. Subsequently, the expression of behavioural sensitization was evaluated with a toluene challenge. To exclude false associations between the observed responses and treatments, motor coordination and blood pressure were analysed in animals treated with captopril or losartan. At the end of the behavioural studies, animal brains were harvested and Ang II/Ang-(1-7) and Ang-(1-7)/Ang II ratios were analysed in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFCx). The results showed that toluene induced behavioural sensitization, while captopril or losartan treatment attenuated the expression of this response. No significant differences were observed in motor coordination or blood pressure. Repeated toluene administration decreased Ang-(1-7)/Ang II ratio in the PFCx. On the other hand, treatment with captopril or losartan decreased the Ang II/Ang-(1-7) ratio and enhanced the Ang-(1-7)/Ang II ratio in the NAc. This work suggests that blockade of RAS attenuates the toluene-induced behavioural sensitization.

Differential role of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 on renal vasoconstriction to α1-adrenoceptor stimulation in normotensive and hypertensive rats.

AIMS: Hypertension is associated with the impairment of renal cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, which regulates vascular tone, salt and water balance and renin release. We aimed to evaluate the functional role of COX isoforms in kidneys isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) after α1-adrenoceptor (α1-AR) stimulation. MAIN METHODS: Male six-month-old SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were used. The kidneys were isolated to measure perfusion pressure and COX-1- or COX-2-derived prostanoids in response to α1-AR activation. KEY FINDINGS: The basal perfusion pressure was higher in SHR kidneys compared with WKY kidneys (95 ± 11 vs. 68 ± 6 mmHg, P<0.05). Phenylephrine induced a greater vasopressor response in SHR kidneys (EC50 of 1.89 ± 0.58 nmol) than WKY kidneys (EC50 of 3.30 ± 0.54 nmol, P<0.05 vs. SHR). COX-1 inhibition decreased the α1-AR-induced vasoconstrictor response in WKY but did not affect SHR response, while COX-2 inhibition diminished the response in SHR. Both basal prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) values were higher in SHR kidney perfusates (P<0.05) and were reduced by COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors in both strains. Furthermore, phenylephrine increased PGI2 through COX-2 in WKY and through COX-1 in SHR, but the agonist did not significantly modify TxA2 in both strains. SIGNIFICANCE: The data suggest that COX-1 contributes to vasoconstrictor effects in WKY kidneys and that COX-2 has the same effect in SHR kidneys. The results also suggest that basal release of COX-2-derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids is involved in renal vascular hypersensitivity in SHR.

Angiotensin II augments renal vasoconstriction via AT1 receptors in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.

The renal renin angiotensin system modulates blood pressure via the action of angiotensin II at type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) angiotensin receptors. It has been proposed that there is an increased pressor response to angiotensin II (ANG II) in the hypertensive rat kidney. We determined the role of the AT1 receptor in L-NAME-induced hypertension. Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into control (tap water) and L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day/2 weeks) treated groups. Concentration-response curves to ANG II were constructed in isolated perfused kidneys and AT1 receptor expression was determined by Western blot in the renal cortex, medulla and papilla. ANG II evoked an increase in perfusion pressure in kidneys of both control and L-NAME-treated rats in a concentration-related manner. In L-NAME-treated rats, a greater maximal effect was observed compared to control rats (160 +/- 13 vs. 138 +/- 8 mmHg; p<0.05, respectively), suggesting that L-NAME promoted ANG II hypersensitivity. In both, control and L-NAME groups, the response to ANG II was blocked by the selective AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (1 x 10(-8) and 3.16 x 10(-8) M). AT1 receptor expression in kidney cortex, medulla and papilla did not show significant differences between groups. Our results demonstrate that AT1 receptor stimulation is related to renal vasculature hypersensitivity in L-NAME-induced hypertension.