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Engineering the cardiovascular system. Blood pressure regulation.
M E Steinhelper1, K L Cochrane, L J Field
1Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York 11724.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|December 27, 1991
Summary
Transgenic mice with elevated atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) showed sustained low blood pressure. This research explores ANF
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a hormone regulating blood pressure.
- Its role in chronic cardiovascular regulation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of elevated ANF on blood pressure.
- To develop transgenic mouse models for studying ANF's chronic cardiovascular impact.
Main Methods:
- Generated transgenic mice with liver-specific ANF expression using transthyretin (TTR) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) promoters.
- Measured ANF transcript and protein levels in liver and plasma.
- Monitored mean arterial blood pressure in conscious transgenic mice.
Main Results:
- TTR-ANF mice exhibited constitutive liver expression of ANF, leading to increased plasma ANF.
- PEPCK-ANF mice showed no detectable ANF expression even after induction.
- In TTR-ANF mice, higher hepatic ANF expression correlated with lower mean arterial blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Chronic elevation of circulating ANF can induce sustained hypotension.
- Transgenic mouse models provide valuable tools for studying ANF's role in cardiovascular homeostasis.