Angiotensinogen Gene Core Promoter Variants and Non-Modulating Hypertension

Abstract

Non-modulation has been suggested as a possible intermediate phenotype defining a subgroup of genetic hypertension. The trait is characterized by an attenuated response of renal blood flow and/or aldosterone to angiotensin (Ang) II. We tested the hypothesis that functional polymorphisms of the core promoter of the angiotensinogen gene are associated with non-modulation. Fifty-six young, white, male, untreated hypertensive patients and 65 age-matched normotensive volunteers were genotyped for 3 known functional variants of the angiotensinogen core promoter. All subjects were infused with 2 doses (0.5 and 3 ng/kg per minute) of Ang II while they were on a high sodium diet (250 mmol/d). The blood pressure, renal plasma flow, and aldosterone responses to Ang II were not affected by the −6 G/A polymorphism. The −20 A/C variant had no significant effects on the blood pressure or renal hemodynamic response to Ang II. However, the aldosterone response to both doses of Ang II was significantly decreased in −20 C allele carriers compared with −20 AA homozygotes in a multivariate analysis. The −18 T allele was not detected in our population, and there was a linkage dysequilibrium between −20 C and −6 A: −20 C almost exclusively occurred on the −6 A allele. Haplotype analysis indicated that the −20 C/−6 A haplotype but not the −20 A/−6 A haplotype was associated with a decreased aldosterone response to Ang II. We conclude that the −20 C variant or the −20 C/−6 A haplotype of the angiotensinogen core promoter is associated with a blunted aldosterone response to Ang II and may thus contribute to the non-modulating phenotype.