Hemodynamic phenotyping of transgenic rats with ubiquitous expression of an angiotensin-(1-7)-producing fusion protein.

Activation of the angiotensin (Ang) converting enzyme 2/Ang-(1-7)/MAS receptor pathway of the renin-angiotensin system induces protective mechanisms in different diseases.  Herein, we describe the cardiovascular phenotype of a new transgenic rat line (TG7371) that expresses an Ang-(1-7)-producing fusion protein.  The transgene-specific mRNA and the corresponding protein were shown to be present in all evaluated tissues of TG7371 with the highest expression in aorta and brain.  Plasma Ang-(1-7) levels, measured by radioimmunoassay were similar to control SD rats, however high Ang-(1-7) levels were found in the hypothalamus.  TG7371 showed lower baseline mean arterial pressure, assessed in conscious or anesthetized rats by telemetry or short-term recordings, associated with increased plasma ANP and higher urinary sodium concentration.  Evaluation of regional blood flow and hemodynamic parameters with fluorescent microspheres showed a significant increase in blood flow in different tissues (kidneys, mesentery, muscle, spleen, brown fat, heart and skin), with a resulting decreased total peripheral resistance.  TG7371 rats also presented increased cardiac and global sympathetic tone, increased plasma AVP levels and decreased free water clearance.  Altogether, our data show that expression of an Ang-(1-7)-producing fusion protein induced a hypotensive phenotype due to widespread vasodilation and consequent fall in peripheral resistance.  This phenotype was associated with an increase in ANP together with an increase in AVP and sympathetic drive, which did not fully compensate the lower BP.  Here we present the hemodynamic impact of long-term increase in tissue expression of an Ang-(1-7)-fusion protein and provide a new tool to investigate this peptide in different pathophysiological conditions.