Interferon-γ signaling inhibition ameliorates angiotensin II–induced cardiac damage

L Markó, H Kvakan, JK Park, F Qadri, B Spallek… - …, 2012 - Am Heart Assoc
L Markó, H Kvakan, JK Park, F Qadri, B Spallek, KJ Binger, EP Bowman, M Kleinewietfeld
Hypertension, 2012Am Heart Assoc
Angiotensin (Ang) II induces vascular injury in part by activating innate and adaptive
immunity; however, the mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the role of interferon (IFN)-
γ and interleukin (IL)-23 signaling. We infused Ang II into IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) knockout
mice and wild-type controls, as well as into mice treated with neutralizing antibodies against
IL-23 receptor and IL-17A. Ang II–treated IFN-γR knockout mice exhibited reduced cardiac
hypertrophy, reduced cardiac macrophage and T-cell infiltration, less fibrosis, and less …
Angiotensin (Ang) II induces vascular injury in part by activating innate and adaptive immunity; however, the mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the role of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-23 signaling. We infused Ang II into IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) knockout mice and wild-type controls, as well as into mice treated with neutralizing antibodies against IL-23 receptor and IL-17A. Ang II–treated IFN-γR knockout mice exhibited reduced cardiac hypertrophy, reduced cardiac macrophage and T-cell infiltration, less fibrosis, and less arrhythmogenic electric remodeling independent of blood pressure changes. In contrast, IL-23 receptor antibody treatment did not reduce cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, or electric remodeling despite mildly reduced inflammation. IL-17A antibody treatment behaved similarly. In the kidney, IFN-γR deficiency reduced inflammation and tubulointerstitial damage and improved glomerular filtration rate. Nonetheless, albuminuria was increased compared with Ang II–treated wild-type controls. The glomeruli of Ang II–treated IFN-γR knockout mice exhibited fewer podocytes, less nephrin and synaptopodin staining, and impaired podocyte autophagy. Thus, IFN-γ blockade, but not IL-23 receptor antibody treatment, protects from Ang II–induced cardiac damage and electric remodeling. In the kidney, IFN-γ signaling acts in a cell type–specific manner. Glomerular filtration rate is preserved in the absence of the IFN-γR, whereas podocytes may require the IFN-γR in the presence of Ang II for normal integrity and function.
Am Heart Assoc