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Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors

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The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis

Published on: October 26, 2020

Connexin expression in renin-producing cells.

Lisa Kurtz¹, Ulrike Janssen-Bienhold, Armin Kurtz

¹Institute of Physiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN

|December 17, 2008

Summary

Connexin 40 (Cx40) is crucial for renin-producing cell recruitment in adult kidneys, but not during development. Its absence disrupts renin cell recruitment, highlighting its specific role in adult kidney function.

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Culturing Primary Rat Inner Medullary Collecting Duct Cells

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Published on: June 21, 2013

Area of Science:

Renal physiology
Cellular biology
Molecular medicine

Background:

Connexin 40 (Cx40) absence causes abnormal renin expression in adult kidneys.
Cx40 is not essential for renin expression during kidney development.
The role of connexins in renin-producing cells requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the expression patterns of major vascular connexins (Cxs) in different renin-producing cell populations.
To understand the role of Cx40 in renin cell recruitment during kidney development and adulthood.
To investigate the molecular characteristics of renin-producing cells lacking Cx40.

Main Methods:

Immunohistochemical analysis of connexin expression in fetal and adult mouse kidneys.
Comparison of connexin expression in juxtaglomerular epithelioid cells, recruited renin cells, and fetal renin cells.
Analysis of renin-producing cells in Cx40-null mice under conditions of salt deprivation.

Main Results:

During kidney development, renin cell appearance correlated with Cx40 and Cx45 expression.
Adult juxtaglomerular cells expressed Cx40, Cx37, and Cx43, while Cx45 localized to smooth muscle cells.
Recruitment of renin cells in adult mice on salt-deprived diets correlated with Cx40 reappearance; Cx40-null cells lacked other Cxs.

Conclusions:

Cx40 expression is a hallmark of kidney renin-producing cells.
Cx40 is essential for recruiting renin-producing cells in the adult kidney.
Cx40's role in renin cell recruitment is specific to the adult kidney, not the fetal stage.