Fig. 4

LOX-1-dependent synergistic effect of AII and oxLDL on plasma aldosterone levels, independent of aldosterone synthesis gene expression, in short-term treatment. A Schematic protocol of the animal experiments: Twelve-week-old male mice were treated for 3 d with infusions of either saline or 0.4 γ AII in wild-type (WT) mice and 0.4 γ AII in LOX-1 knockout (KO) mice. Vehicle or 0.25 γ oxLDL was simultaneously infused. Reagents were delivered via subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps. At the end of the infusion period, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples and adrenal glands were collected for measurement of plasma aldosterone concentration and real-time qPCR analysis to assess the expression of aldosterone synthesis-related genes. B Systolic blood pressure trajectory: Serial systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements obtained using the tail-cuff method are shown for WT and LOX-1 KO mice. The data depict SBP changes corresponding to the administration of saline, 0.4 γ AII to WT mice, and 0.4 γ AII to LOX-1 KO mice, co-treated with vehicle or oxLDL infusion. C Plasma aldosterone levels in 12-week-old WT and LOX-1 KO mice after 3 d of treatment, as outlined in Fig. 4A. D Real-time qPCR analysis for gene expression of aldosterone synthesis-related molecules (CYP11B1, CYP11B2, CYP21A1, Hsd3B1, Hsd3B6, AT1a, AT1b, and LOX-1) in adrenal glands harvested from WT and LOX-1 KO mice following 3 d of treatment, as described in (A). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical differences were assessed using Student’s t-test (B) or one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test (C, D) (n = 5–7 per group)