Antihypertensive effect of interleukin-2.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cyclooxygenase inhibitors like aspirin may increase interleukin-2 release from T cells.
• Aspirin has demonstrated antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
• SHR models are reportedly T cell deficient, prompting investigation into T cell factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model.
• To determine if IL-2 can alter the course of hypertension in SHR.
• To assess the duration and safety of IL-2 treatment in hypertensive rats.

Main Methods:

• Administration of a single bolus of interleukin-2 (5,000 units/kg s.c.) to young and adult spontaneously hypertensive rats.
• Monitoring of blood pressure in treated SHR.
• Assessment of blood pressure in Goldblatt, single-kidney wistar-kyoto rats following IL-2 administration.

Main Results:

• A single dose of IL-2 prevented hypertension onset in young SHR.
• IL-2 lowered blood pressure to normotensive levels in adult SHR.
• The antihypertensive effect persisted for at least 6 months with no observed toxicity.
• IL-2 did not affect blood pressure in a renal hypertension model (Goldblatt rats).

Conclusions:

• Interleukin-2 has significant and long-lasting antihypertensive effects in the spontaneously hypertensive rat model.
• IL-2 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for essential hypertension.
• The effects of IL-2 appear specific to the SHR model and not generalized to renal hypertension.