Elevated blood pressure linked to primary hyperaldosteronism and impaired vasodilation in BK channel-deficient mice

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Elevated blood pressure linked to primary hyperaldosteronism and impaired vasodilation in BK channel-deficient mice
Creators Name:	Sausbier, M. and Arntz, C. and Bucurenciu, I. and Zhao, H. and Zhou, X.B. and Sausbier, U. and Feil, S. and Kamm, S. and Essin, K. and Sailer, C.A. and Abdullah, U. and Krippeit-Drews, P. and Feil, R. and Hofmann, F. and Knaus, H.G. and Kenyon, C. and Shipston, M.J. and Storm, J.F. and Neuhuber, W. and Korth, M. and Schubert, R. and Gollasch, M. and Ruth, P.
Abstract:	BACKGROUND: Abnormally elevated blood pressure is the most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The large-conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-dependent K+ (BK) channel has been proposed as an important effector in the control of vascular tone by linking membrane depolarization and local increases in cytosolic Ca2+ to hyperpolarizing K+ outward currents. However, the BK channel may also affect blood pressure by regulating salt and fluid homeostasis, particularly by adjusting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here we report that deletion of the pore-forming BK channel alpha subunit leads to a significant blood pressure elevation resulting from hyperaldosteronism accompanied by decreased serum K+ levels as well as increased vascular tone in small arteries. In smooth muscle from small arteries, deletion of the BK channel leads to a depolarized membrane potential, a complete lack of membrane hyperpolarizing spontaneous K+ outward currents, and an attenuated cGMP vasorelaxation associated with a reduced suppression of Ca2+ transients by cGMP. The high level of BK channel expression observed in wild-type adrenal glomerulosa cells, together with unaltered serum renin activities and corticotropin levels in mutant mice, suggests that the hyperaldosteronism results from abnormal adrenal cortical function in BK(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results identify previously unknown roles of BK channels in blood pressure regulation and raise the possibility that BK channel dysfunction may underlie specific forms of hyperaldosteronism.
Keywords:	Blood pressure, Ion channels, Vasoconstriction, Vasodilation, Hyperaldosteronism, Animals, Mice
Source:	Circulation
ISSN:	0009-7322
Publisher:	American Heart Association
Volume:	112
Page Range:	60-68
Date:	5 July 2005
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000156448.74296.FE
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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