TY - JOUR

T1 - Role of Connexin40 in the autoregulatory response of the afferent arteriole

AU - Sørensen, Charlotte Mehlin

AU - Giese, Isaiah

AU - Braunstein, Thomas Hartig

AU - Brasen, Jens Christian

AU - Salomonsson, Max

AU - von Holstein-Rathlou, Niels-Henrik

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Connexins in renal arterioles affect autoregulation of arteriolar tonus and renal blood flow and are believed to be involved in the transmission of the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) response across the cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Connexin40 (Cx40) also plays a significant role in the regulation of renin secretion. We investigated the effect of deleting the Cx40 gene on autoregulation of afferent arteriolar diameter in response to acute changes in renal perfusion pressure. The experiments were performed using the isolated blood perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation in kidneys obtained from wild type or Cx40 knockout mice. Renal perfusion pressure was increased in steps from 75 mm Hg to 155 mm Hg and the response in afferent arteriolar diameter was measured. Hereafter a papillectomy was performed to inhibit TGF and the pressure steps were repeated. Conduction of intercellular Ca(2+) changes in response to local electrical stimulation was examined in isolated interlobular arteries and afferent arterioles from wild type or Cx40 knockout mice. Cx40 knockout mice had an impaired autoregulatory response to acute changes in renal perfusion pressure compared to wild type mice. Inhibition of TGF by papillectomy significantly reduced autoregulation of afferent arteriolar diameter in wild type mice. In Cx40 knockout mice papillectomy did not affect the autoregulatory response indicating that these mice have no functional TGF. Also, Cx40 knockout mice showed no conduction of intercellular Ca(2+) changes in response to local electrical stimulation of interlobular arteries whereas the Ca(2+) response to norepinephrine was unaffected. These results suggest that Cx40 plays a significant role in the renal autoregulatory response of preglomerular resistance vessels.

AB - Connexins in renal arterioles affect autoregulation of arteriolar tonus and renal blood flow and are believed to be involved in the transmission of the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) response across the cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Connexin40 (Cx40) also plays a significant role in the regulation of renin secretion. We investigated the effect of deleting the Cx40 gene on autoregulation of afferent arteriolar diameter in response to acute changes in renal perfusion pressure. The experiments were performed using the isolated blood perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation in kidneys obtained from wild type or Cx40 knockout mice. Renal perfusion pressure was increased in steps from 75 mm Hg to 155 mm Hg and the response in afferent arteriolar diameter was measured. Hereafter a papillectomy was performed to inhibit TGF and the pressure steps were repeated. Conduction of intercellular Ca(2+) changes in response to local electrical stimulation was examined in isolated interlobular arteries and afferent arterioles from wild type or Cx40 knockout mice. Cx40 knockout mice had an impaired autoregulatory response to acute changes in renal perfusion pressure compared to wild type mice. Inhibition of TGF by papillectomy significantly reduced autoregulation of afferent arteriolar diameter in wild type mice. In Cx40 knockout mice papillectomy did not affect the autoregulatory response indicating that these mice have no functional TGF. Also, Cx40 knockout mice showed no conduction of intercellular Ca(2+) changes in response to local electrical stimulation of interlobular arteries whereas the Ca(2+) response to norepinephrine was unaffected. These results suggest that Cx40 plays a significant role in the renal autoregulatory response of preglomerular resistance vessels.

U2 - 10.1152/ajprenal.00026.2012

DO - 10.1152/ajprenal.00026.2012

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22811484

VL - 303

JO - American Journal of Physiology - Renal Fluid and Electrolyte Physiology

JF - American Journal of Physiology - Renal Fluid and Electrolyte Physiology

SN - 1931-857X

IS - 6

ER -