Aims:

T-regulatory lymphocyte (Treg) adoptive transfer prevented angiotensin (Ang) II-induced hypertension and microvascular injury. Scurfy mice are deficient in Treg because of a mutation in the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) gene. Enhanced Ang II effects in the absence of Treg would unambiguously demonstrate their vascular protective role. We hypothesized that adoptive transfer of Scurfy vs. wild-type T cells will exacerbate Ang II-induced microvascular damage in T and B-cell-deficient recombination-activating gene 1 (Rag1) knockout mice.

Methods and results:

Rag1 knockout mice were injected with vehicle, 10 7 T cells from wild-type or Scurfy mice or 10 6 wild-type Treg alone or in combination with Scurfy T cells, and then infused or not with Ang II (490 ng/kg per min, subcutaneous) for 14 days. Ang II increased SBP in all the groups, but DBP only in wild-type and Scurfy T-cell groups. Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) of mesenteric arteries of the wild-type T-cell group, whereas these were exaggerated in the Scurfy T-cell group. Ang II enhanced microvascular remodeling and stiffness in vehicle and Scurfy T-cell groups. Ang II increased monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in the vascular wall and PVAT, monocyte/macrophage infiltration and proinflammatory polarization in PVAT and the renal cortex, and T-cell infiltration in the renal cortex only in the Scurfy T-cell group. Treg coinjection in the vehicle and Scurfy T-cell groups prevented or reduced the effects of Ang II.

Conclusion:

FOXP3+ Treg deficiency exaggerates Ang II-induced microvascular injury by modulating innate and adaptive immune responses.