Characterization of a local renin-angiotensin system in the rat gingival tissue / Caracterização de um sistema renina-angiotensina local no tecido gengival de rato

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

Systemic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) promotes the plasmatic production of angiotensin (Ang) II, which acts through the interaction with specific receptors. The concept of this classic circulating RAS has been modified since there is growing evidence that local systems in various tissues and organs are capable of generating angiotensins independently of the circulating RAS. Recent works suggest the existence of some RAS components in the gingival tissue and cultured gingival fibroblasts of different species, but there is paucity of data in the literature regarding the unequivocal existence of crucial RAS components, such as renin and angiotensinogen, in the rat gingival tissue. Therefore, the aims of the present work were to: 1) study the expression and localization of RAS components in the rat gingival tissue and 2) evaluate the in vitro production of Ang II and other peptides catalyzed by rat gingival tissue homogenates incubated with different precursors of Ang II. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess mRNA expression. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis aimed to detect and localize renin in the rat gingival tissue. A standardized fluorimetric method with the tripeptide Hippuryl-Histidyl-Leucine (Hip-His-Leu) was used to measure tissue ACE activity in rat gingival tissue homogenates. High performance liquid chromatography (HLPC) was used to analyze the products formed after the incubation of rat gingival tissue homogenates with Ang I or tetradecapeptide renin substrate (TDP). RT-PCR revealed the mRNA expression for renin, angiotensinogen, ACE and Ang II receptors (AT1a, AT1b and AT2) in the rat gingival tissue; cultured gingival fibroblasts expressed renin, angiotensinogen and AT1a receptor. IHC demonstrated the existence of renin in vessels of the rat gingival tissue. ACE activity was detected by the fluorimetric assay (4.95±0.89 nmol His-Leu/g.min). When Ang I was used as the substrate, HPLC analyses showed the formation of Ang 1-9 (0.576±0.128 nmol/mg.min), Ang II (0.066±0.008 nmol/mg.min) and Ang 1-7 (0.111±0.017 nmol/mg.min) whereas these same peptides (0.139±0.031; 0.206±0.046 and 0.039±0.007 nmol/mg.min, respectively) and Ang I (0.973±0.139 nmol/mg.min) were formed when TDP was the substrate. Additionally, HPLC revealed absence of Ang II degrading enzymes in rat gingival tissue homogenates. In conclusion, the results presented here clearly show the existence of a local RAS in the rat gingival tissue, which is capable of generating Ang II and other vasoactive peptides in vitro. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of this system in the rat gingival tissue.

ASSUNTO(S)

angiotensina i angiotensin ii renin-angiotensin system angiotensin receptors angiotensina ii angiotensinogen enzima conversora de angiotensina receptores de angiotensina renina angiotensinogênio angiotensin i renin angiotensin-converting enzyme sistema renina-angiotensina

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