T Cell Mineralocorticoid Receptor Controls Blood Pressure by Regulating Interferon Gamma

Abstract

Rationale: Hypertension remains to be a global public health burden and demands novel intervention strategies such as targeting T cells and T cell-derived cytokines. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists have been clinically used to treat hypertension. However, the function of T cell MR in blood pressure (BP) regulation has not been elucidated.

Objective: We aim to determine the role of T cell MR in BP regulation and to explore the mechanism.

Methods and Results: Using T cell MR knockout (TMRKO) mouse in combination with angiotensin II (AngII)-induced hypertensive mouse model, we demonstrated that MR deficiency in T cells strikingly decreased both systolic and diastolic BP, and attenuated renal and vascular damage. Flow cytometric analysis showed that TMRKO mitigated AngII-induced accumulation of interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-producing T cells, particularly CD8⁺ population, in both kidneys and aortas. Similarly, eplerenone attenuated AngII-induced elevation of BP and accumulation of IFNγ-producing T cells in wild type mice. In cultured CD8⁺ T cells, TMRKO suppressed IFNγ expression whereas T cell MR overexpression and aldosterone both enhanced IFNγ expression. At the molecular level, MR interacted with nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFAT1) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in T cells. Finally, T cell MR overexpressing mice manifested more elevated BP compared to control mice after AngII infusion and such difference was abolished by IFNγ-neutralizing antibodies.

Conclusions: MR may interact with NFAT1 and AP-1 to control IFNγ in T cells, and to regulate target organ damage and ultimately BP. Targeting MR in T cells specifically may be an effective novel approach for hypertension treatment.