Mitochondrial ROS in the prohypertensive immune response

In the past decade, it has become clear that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation play an important role in the development of hypertension. Scavenging of mitochondrial superoxide and blocking either IL-17 or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) attenuates hypertension. T-cells, critical for development of hypertension, once activated intensively produce cytokines, proliferate, and differentiate. Thus T-cell activation leads to expanded energy demand. To fulfill these needs, T-cells through tightly regulated mechanisms, supported by mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), alter their metabolic phenotype. In this review we summarize data and show evidence supporting new concept that mtROS directly contributes to prohypertensive response of immune cells.