Abstract
Angiotensin II is a potent hormone in the renin-angiotensin system that regulates blood pressure through vasoconstriction. Altered levels of angiotensin II has been linked to several diseases, such as kidney disease and stroke. The angiotensin II receptors, AT1 and AT2, have a similar affinity for angiotensin II. The AT1 receptor is found in heart, blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, and brain. The AT2 receptor is abundant in the fetus and neonate, but has a controversial role in the adult. Recently, the AT1 and AT2 receptors were found to be expressed in neural stem cells. As neural stem cells have a demonstrated role in learning and memory and disorders of the central nervous system, we investigated how selective activation of the angiotensin II system through either the AT1 or AT2 receptor would affect human neural stem cell (hNSC) proliferation and differentiation. Experimental groups included hNSCs grown in either proliferation or differentiation media (controls) and in the presence of either AT1 receptor agonists, AT2 receptor agonists, or drug control (PD). Methods used included immunofluorescence, microscopy and N.I.H. ImageJ analysis. Statistical evaluation included ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons. Preliminary results suggest agonism of the AT2 receptor significantly increased proliferation of hNSCs compared to controls in both proliferation and differentiation conditions. Since altered angiotensin signaling has been implicated in several peripheral and central nervous system diseases, the angiotensin system may serve as a novel target to regulate neural stem cell function.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. James R. Munoz, Dr. Robert C. Speth
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-8-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 5:30 PM
Selective Stimulation of AT2 Angiotensin II Receptor Subtype Increases Neural Stem Cell Proliferation
Alvin Sherman Library
Angiotensin II is a potent hormone in the renin-angiotensin system that regulates blood pressure through vasoconstriction. Altered levels of angiotensin II has been linked to several diseases, such as kidney disease and stroke. The angiotensin II receptors, AT1 and AT2, have a similar affinity for angiotensin II. The AT1 receptor is found in heart, blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, and brain. The AT2 receptor is abundant in the fetus and neonate, but has a controversial role in the adult. Recently, the AT1 and AT2 receptors were found to be expressed in neural stem cells. As neural stem cells have a demonstrated role in learning and memory and disorders of the central nervous system, we investigated how selective activation of the angiotensin II system through either the AT1 or AT2 receptor would affect human neural stem cell (hNSC) proliferation and differentiation. Experimental groups included hNSCs grown in either proliferation or differentiation media (controls) and in the presence of either AT1 receptor agonists, AT2 receptor agonists, or drug control (PD). Methods used included immunofluorescence, microscopy and N.I.H. ImageJ analysis. Statistical evaluation included ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons. Preliminary results suggest agonism of the AT2 receptor significantly increased proliferation of hNSCs compared to controls in both proliferation and differentiation conditions. Since altered angiotensin signaling has been implicated in several peripheral and central nervous system diseases, the angiotensin system may serve as a novel target to regulate neural stem cell function.
