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Modulating T Cell Phenotype and Function to Treat Hypertension
Daniel J Fehrenbach1, Bianca Nguyen2, Matthew R Alexander1,2,3
1Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee.
Insights
Hypertension damages organs, and current blood pressure control is insufficient. This review explores T cells
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nephrology
Background:
- Hypertension is a major global health issue, causing significant cardiovascular and renal damage.
- Existing treatments for hypertension do not fully mitigate end-organ damage.
- Immune system activation is linked to hypertension, yet targeted immunotherapies are lacking.
Approach:
- This review examines the role of T cells in hypertension and associated end-organ damage.
- It identifies potential therapeutic targets within T cell pathways.
- The focus is on modulating T cell function without causing widespread immunosuppression.
Key Points:
- T cells play a critical role in hypertension-related cardiovascular and renal damage.
- Specific T cell subsets and their functions are implicated in hypertensive pathology.
- Targeting T cell responses offers a novel therapeutic strategy for hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Modulating T cell phenotype and function presents a promising avenue for novel hypertension therapies.
- Targeted immunomodulation could improve outcomes in hypertensive patients by protecting end organs.
- Further research into T cell-specific targets is warranted to develop effective treatments.
Abstract:
Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor of worldwide morbidity and mortality because of its effects on cardiovascular and renal end-organ damage. Unfortunately, BP control is not sufficient to fully reduce the risks of hypertension, underscoring the need for novel therapies that address end-organ damage in hypertension. Over the past several decades, the link between immune activation and hypertension has been well established, but there are still no therapies for hypertension that specifically target the immune system. In this review, we describe the critical role played by T cells in hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage and outline potential therapeutic targets to modulate T-cell phenotype and function in hypertension without causing global immunosuppression.
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