Targeting IL-16 to Protect Angiotensin II-induced Hypertension and Renal Injury

T cells are critical in the pathogenesis of hypertension. IL (interleukin)-16 is primarily produced and secreted by T cells; however, its role in hypertension remains unclear.

Serum samples from patients with hypertension were collected and analyzed using ELISA. A mouse model of Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced hypertension was established, and the role of IL-16 was investigated.

IL-16 expression was elevated in patients with hypertension and positively correlated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In Ang II-induced hypertensive mice, IL-16 expression was significantly upregulated in serum, kidney, and aortic tissues. IL-16-neutralizing antibody reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in response to Ang II. Histological analyses revealed that renal injury and vascular remodeling were attenuated after IL-16 neutralization. Mechanistically, T-cell-derived IL-16 enhanced CD4⁺ (cluster of differentiation 4) T helper 1 cell function and mediated crosstalk with macrophages to stimulate inflammatory responses via activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways. Conditioned medium from macrophages primed with IL-16-treated T helper 1 cells promoted smooth muscle cell proliferation and exacerbated endothelial cell damage during hypertension progression.

Collectively, these findings indicate that T-cell-derived IL-16 exacerbates Ang II-induced hypertension and associated organ damage by promoting a T helper 1-macrophage-driven proinflammatory response.