Adaptive Immune System in Hypertension: Implicating the Role of T Cells

Emerging scientific evidence supports the essential role of inflammation as one of the factors in the development of hypertension. The immune system plays a crucial role in the body's defense mechanism and in promoting tissue regeneration after injury. When the immune system overreacts to an insult or injury, collateral damage can result in hypertension.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to collect and analyse articles related to the role of the adaptive immune system, particularly T cells and their cytokines. It was conducted in scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, to identify relevant articles published between 2000 and 2024, ensuring an up-to-date collection of scientific evidence. The following keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms) were used: hypertension, immune system, T cells, cytokines, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-17, IFN-γ, and renal inflammation. These keywords helped capture both basic mechanisms and clinical findings relevant to the immune-mediated mechanism of hypertension. Only peer-reviewed original research articles and review articles in English were included. Preference was given to articles focused on cytokine synthesis, expression, release, and their signalling pathways, as well as hypertension- related target organ damage, especially in the kidney and blood vessels. All the articles were thoroughly analysed to extract information on the involvement of T cell-derived cytokines in promoting immune activation, monocyte infiltration, sodium retention, vascular dysfunction, and endothelial impairment, which all contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension.

According to the reference articles, TNF-α, IL-17, and IFN-γ stimulate vascular inflammation, sodium retention, endothelial dysfunction, and renal inflammation.

The roles of T cells and the associated cytokines in regulating blood pressure are thoroughly discussed. It can activate oxidative stress and result in renal sodium imbalance, as well as interaction with the RAAS system and oxidative stress pathway, culminating in the exacerbation of blood pressure.

It is concluded that cytokines play a significant role in the development of hypertension, and targeting them might be a plausible pharmacological intervention for managing blood pressure.