Knockout of the Circadian Clock Protein PER1 (Period1) Exacerbates Hypertension and Increases Kidney Injury in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats. Issue 11 (12th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zietara, Adrian; Spires, Denisha R.; Juffre, Alexandria; Costello, Hannah M.; Crislip, G. Ryan; Douma, Lauren G.; Levchenko, Vladislav; Dissanayake, Lashodya V.; Klemens, Christine A.; Nikolaienko, Oksana; Geurts, Aron M.; Gumz, Michelle L.; Staruschenko, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Hypertension. Volume 79:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 2519
• Page End: 2529
• Publication Date: 2022-09-12
• Subjects: aldosterone -- arterial pressure -- circadian rhythm -- mice -- sodium; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19316
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-911X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Circadian rhythms play an essential role in physiological function. The molecular clock that underlies circadian physiological function consists of a core group of transcription factors, including the protein PER1 (Period1). Studies in mice show that PER1 plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure and renal sodium handling; however, the results are dependent on the strain being studied. Using male Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats with global knockout of PER1 (SS Per1−/− ), we aim to test the hypothesis that PER1 plays a key role in the regulation of salt-sensitive blood pressure. Methods: The model was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and was characterized using radiotelemetry and measures of renal function and circadian rhythm. Results: SS Per1−/− rats had similar mean arterial pressure when fed a normal 0.4% NaCl diet but developed augmented hypertension after three weeks on a high-salt (4% NaCl) diet. Despite being maintained on a normal 12:12 light:dark cycle, SS Per1−/− rats exhibited desynchrony mean arterial pressure rhythms on a high-salt diet, as evidenced by increased variability in the time of peak mean arterial pressure. SS Per1−/− rats excrete less sodium after three weeks on the high-salt diet. Furthermore, SS Per1−/− rats exhibited decreased creatinine clearance, a measurement of renal function, as well as increased signs of kidney tissue damage. SS Per1−/− rats also exhibited higher plasma aldosterone levels. Conclusions: Altogether, our findings demonstrate that loss of PER1 in Dahl SS rats causes an array of deleterious effects, including exacerbation of the development of salt-sensitive hypertension and renal damage.