Role of renal DJ-1 in the pathogenesis of hypertension associated with increased reactive oxygen species production

Abstract

The D 2 dopamine receptor (D 2R) is important in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. We have already reported that systemic deletion of the D 2R gene in mice results in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent hypertension, suggesting that the D 2R has antioxidant effects. However, the mechanism of this effect is unknown. DJ-1 is a protein that has antioxidant properties. D 2R and DJ-1 are expressed in the mouse kidney and colocalize and coimunoprecipitate in mouse renal proximal tubule cells. We hypothesized that D 2Rs regulate renal ROS production in the kidney through regulation of DJ-1 expression or function. Heterozygous D 2+/- mice have increased blood pressure, urinary 8-isoprostanes, and renal Nox 4 expression, but decreased renal DJ-1 expression. Silencing D 2R expression in mouse renal proximal tubule cells increases ROS production and decreases the expression of DJ-1. Conversely, treatment of these cells with a D 2R agonist increases DJ-1 expression and decreases Nox 4 expression and NADPH oxidase activity, effects that are partially blocked by a D 2R antagonist. Silencing DJ-1 expression in mouse renal proximal tubule cells increases ROS production and Nox 4 expression. Selective renal DJ-1 silencing by the subcapsular infusion of DJ-1 siRNA in mice increases blood pressure, renal Nox4 expression, and NADPH oxidase activity. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of D 2R on renal ROS production are at least, in part, mediated by a positive regulation of DJ-1 expression/function and that DJ-1 may have a role in the prevention of hypertension associated with increased ROS production. © 2011 American Heart Association, Inc.