Urinary extracellular vesicle mRNA analysis of sodium chloride cotransporter in hypertensive patients under different conditions
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Updated: Sep 1, 2025

Separation and Differential Characterization of Gut Microbial Extracellular Vesicles in Salt-Sensitive Rats under High-Salt Diet Conditions
Published on: June 6, 2025
Francesca Pizzolo1, Lorenzo Bertolone2, Annalisa Castagna2
1Department of Medicine, Unit of Internal medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. francesca.pizzolo@univr.it.
Abstract:
Urinary extracellular vesicles (UEV) mainly derive from cells of the urogenital tract and their cargo (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, etc.) reflects their cells of origin. Na chloride cotransporter (NCC) is expressed at the kidney level in the distal convoluted tubule, is involved in salt reabsorption, and is the target of the diuretic thiazides. NCC protein has been recognized and quantified in UEV in previous studies; however, UEV NCC mRNA has never been studied. This study aimed to identify and analyze NCC mRNA levels in primary aldosteronism (PA). The rationale for this investigation stems from previous observations regarding NCC (protein) as a possible biomarker for the diagnosis of PA. To evaluate modulations in the expression of NCC, we analyzed NCC mRNA levels in UEV in PA and essential hypertensive (EH) patients under different conditions, that is, before and after saline infusion, anti-aldosterone pharmacological treatment, and adrenal surgery. NCC mRNA was measured by RT-qPCR in all the samples and was regulated by volume expansion. Its response to mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist was correlated with renin, and it was increased in PA patients after adrenalectomy. NCC mRNA is evaluable in UEV and it can provide insights into the pathophysiology of distal convolute tubule in different clinical conditions including PA.
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