Collecting duct renin regulates potassium homeostasis in mice

The kaliuretic action of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is well established as highlighted by hyperkalemia side effect of RAAS inhibitors but such action is usually ascribed to systemic RAAS. The present study addresses the involvement of intrarenal RAAS in K⁺ homeostasis with emphasis on locally generated renin within the collecting duct (CD).

Wild-type (Floxed) and CD-specific deletion of renin (CD renin KO) mice were treated for 7 days with a high K⁺ (HK) diet to investigate the role of CD renin in kaliuresis regulation and further define the underlying mechanism with emphasis on analysis of intrarenal aldosterone biosynthesis.

In floxed mice, renin levels were elevated in the renal medulla and urine following a 1-week HK diet, indicating activation of the intrarenal renin. CD renin KO mice had blunted HK-induced intrarenal renin response and developed impaired kaliuresis and elevated plasma K⁺ level (4.45 ± 0.14 vs. 3.89 ± 0.04 mM, p < 0.01). In parallel, HK-induced intrarenal aldosterone and CYP11B2 expression along with expression of renal outer medullary K⁺ channel (ROMK), calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1 (α-BK), α-Na⁺ -K⁺ -ATPase, and epithelial sodium channel (β-ENaC and cleaved-γ-ENaC) expression were all significantly blunted in CD renin KO mice in contrast to the unaltered responses of plasma aldosterone and adrenal CYP11B2.

Taken together, these results support a kaliuretic action of CD renin during HK intake.