Cardiovascular and Renal Phenotype in Mice With One or Two Renin Genes

Abstract

We compared the phenotype of two common mouse models, C-57BL/6J (C57), which carries only the Ren-1 c gene, and 129/SvJ (Sv-129), with both Ren 1 d and Ren-2. We hypothesized two renin gene Sv-129 would have increased blood pressure and the renin-angiotensin system would be more influential in regulating renal function compared with one renin gene mice. Sv-129 consistently had higher blood pressure than C-57, whether conscious (128 versus 108 mm Hg, P <0.001) or anesthetized (102 versus 88 mm Hg, P <0.001). Plasma renin concentration in both conscious and anesthetized C-57 mice was 3- to 4-fold higher than in Sv-129 ( P <0.05), whereas renal cortical renin content was 2.5-fold higher ( P <0.005). Renal blood flow and renal vascular resistance were the same in C-57 and Sv-129. Exogenous angiotensinogen produced identical pressor and renal vasoconstrictor responses in both strains. Blocking AT 1 receptors with losartan reduced blood pressure by 19 mm Hg in both strains. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition by l -NAME increased blood pressure by 29 mm Hg in C-57 and 35 mm Hg in Sv-129 mice, but the decrease in renal blood flow was 30% less in C-57 ( P <0.025). We conclude that Sv-129 mice with two renin genes have higher blood pressure but lower plasma and renal renin than C-57 mice with one renin gene. Renin substrate may limit angiotensin II production in the mouse. In Sv-129, the influence of nitric oxide on renal but not systemic resistance may be exaggerated. Renin from Ren-2 may act independently of normal renin control mechanisms.