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Objective The present studies aimed at elucidating the role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor subtype 3 (EP3) in regulating blood pressure. Methods and Results Mice bearing a genetic disruption of the EP3 gene (EP3−/−) exhibited reduced baseline mean arterial pressure monitored by both tail-cuff and carotid arterial catheterization. The pressor responses induced by EP3 agonists M&B28767 and sulprostone were markedly attenuated in EP3−/− mice, while the reduction of BP induced by PGE2 was comparable in both genotypes. Vasopressor effect of acute or chronic infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) was attenuated in EP3−/− mice. AngII–induced vasoconstriction in mesenteric arteries decreased in EP3−/− group. In mesenteric arteries from wild type mice, AngII–induced vasoconstriction was inhibited by EP3 selective antagonist DG-041 or L798106. The expression of Arhgef-1 is attenuated in EP3 deficient mesenteric arteries. EP3 antagonist DG-041 diminished AngII-induced phosphorylation of MLC20 and MYPT1 in isolated mesenteric arteries. Furthermore, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), AngII induced intracellular Ca2+ increase was potentiated by EP3 agonist sulprostone, while inhibited by DG-041. Conclusions Activation of the EP3 receptor raises baseline blood pressure and contributes to AngII-dependent hypertension at least partially via enhancing Ca2+ sensitivity and intracellular calcium concentration in VSMCs. Selective targeting of the EP3 receptor may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic utilized in antitumor therapy; however, its clinical use is frequently impeded by renal toxic effects. As peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) has renoprotective effects in drug-related kidney injuries, we tested its ability to inhibit DOX-induced renal injury. Although both male PPAR-α knockout mice and their wild-type littermates (pure 129/SvJ background) had significant proteinuria 4 weeks after DOX treatment, those with deletion of PPAR-α had more severe proteinuria. This was associated with more serious podocyte foot process effacement compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, the PPAR-α agonist fenofibrate effectively reduced proteinuria and attenuated DOX-induced podocyte foot process effacement. Consistently, glomerular nephrin expression was significantly lower in the knockout compared with wild-type mice following DOX treatment. Fenofibrate therapy significantly blunted the reduction in glomerular nephrin levels in DOX-treated wild-type mice. In cultured podocytes, DOX induced apoptosis, increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, and decreased Bcl-2 expression, all attenuated by pretreatment with fenofibrate. Thus, PPAR-α deficiency exacerbates DOX-related renal injury, in part, due to increased podocyte apoptosis.

PGF 2␣ is the most abundant prostaglandin detected in urine; however, its renal effects are poorly characterized. The present study cloned a PGF-prostanoid receptor (FP) from the rabbit kidney and determined the functional consequences of its activation. Nuclease protection assay showed that FP mRNA expression predominates in rabbit ovary and kidney. In situ hybridization revealed that renal FP expression predominates in the cortical collecting duct (CCD Prostaglandin F 2␣ is a major prostaglandin excreted in urine (1) and is known to exert potent biological effects via its G protein-coupled cell membrane receptor designated the F-prostanoid (FP) 2 receptor (2-6). FP receptor mRNA is highly expressed along the genitourinary tract including ovary Ͼ uterus and kidney (7-9). Recent studies in mouse kidneys have shown that FP receptor expression is particularly abundant in the distal convoluted tubules and cortical collecting duct (10). The cellular and functional consequences of renal FP receptor activation in these renal epithelia have not been determined. Like PGE 2 (11), intravenous infusion of PGF 2␣ causes both a natriuresis and diuresis (4); however, because high concentrations of PGF 2␣ can cross-activate prostaglandin E 2 -EP3 receptors (12, 13), the molecular basis of PGF 2␣ -associated diuresis remains uncertain. The functional activity of PGE 2 in the rabbit collecting duct epithelium has been elucidated through use of the in vitro microperfused tubule (9, 14 -16); however, the effect of selective FP receptor activation in this segment has not previously been examined. The aim of the present study was to clone the rabbit FP receptor, determine its intrarenal distribution, and elucidate its functional activity in the kidney.